African Cuisine. Tunisia
Harissa, a spicy sauce Today we’re sharing the recipe for a spicy and flavourful sauce: harissa. Originally from Tunisia, this paste is a must-have ingredient in North African cuisine. Made with dried chili peppers, spices, and lemon, you only need a small amount (be careful with the heat!) to season and enhance a variety of […]
DR Congo. A difficult journey.
The challenging circumstances she faced during her childhood and youth led her to meet people and visit places that later influenced her decision to become a missionary. Sr. Francine Bodada Anyangoya, a Congolese Comboni Sister, shares her vocational journey. I was born in Boma Mangbetu, a village in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of […]
Herbs & Plants: Acalypha indica. A useful source of medicine
It is a plant used as a medicine for several therapeutic treatments. The leaf decoction is dropped into the ears to treat earache and infections. The paste made from powdered leaves is applied for skin infections. In some communities leaves are cooked as a vegetable. Acalypha indica (Euphorbiaceae Family) is an erect, often simple-stemmed annual […]
African Myths. A door to the mysteries of creation
There are thousands of myths in Africa. They offer answers to the profound questions we ask ourselves about the world, life, happiness and evil. Questions and answers that every generation puts and gives to itself and then passes on to the next. Myths are many: they deal with the universe, the heavens, weather phenomena, the […]
Mission Diary. A Future of Hope
“We try to walk with the people, giving our best in training catechists, visiting Christian communities, and trying to revitalise new ones.” Father Placido Petit Majambo Lutumba shares his experience. When I was a young theology student, I was sent to South Sudan for a missionary experience lasting several months. I had the grace of […]
Africa Cuisine. A summer drink from Egypt
Today we offer a refreshing and original recipe: Sobia, a traditional Egyptian drink made with rice, milk, and coconut. Sweet, spicy, and served cold, it’s the perfect way to beat the heat. Time: 1 hour Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500 ml water, 100 g rice, 1-liter whole milk, 100 g sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 2 […]
Herbs & Plants. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamonum in plant family Lauraceae. There are a number of species which are often sold as cinnamon including. C. tamale (Indian Cinnamon), C. verum (Sri Lanka Cinnamon), C. loureiroi (Vietnamese cinnamon), C. cassia (Chinese Cinnamon), C. burmannii (Indonesian cinnamon), […]
Oral Literature. People’s wisdom
With hundreds of ethnic groups, Africa is a haven of diversified cultures. It is also a mine for those who wish to explore the world of wisdom, often crystallized in proverbs. Here are some from around the continent. We are responsible for what we do, after all: A man cannot undo his past. “Can zebras wipe […]
Kenya. The beauty of being together
Father Tomas Herreros tells us how Christian communities organise themselves and carry out many initiatives without the need for priests. I have been in our rural community in the Pokot region, bordering Uganda, for three months now. The area is home to the pastoral Pokot people. I returned after an absence of 11 years and […]
Central African Republic. Young people are the protagonists
Fr Gladimiro Pacheco Cruz talks to us about his missionary experience, particularly among young people. It took me 17 hours to travel the 310 kilometres from Bangui to Our Lady of Liesse, the parish in Grimari where I have been working since 2023. I was returning from holidays in my home country, Ecuador. My community […]