Sudan: Expecting Nothing
In Nyala, in South Darfur in the south-west of Sudan, mission is just a presence and silent witness; a mission without much visibility or spectacle, in quietness; a mission where one cannot expect great personal gratification. A testimony of a Comboni Missionary. I knew him by sight. He is seen daily in the city of […]
African Music: The Sounds Of Soul
African music is strictly linked to the cultural, economic, social, and magical-religious aspects of society in the continent, and one must listen to it carefully to capture the wide range of symbolic meanings. African musical instruments are a means to communicate with the human and the divine. In some cases, they have the power to […]
Kenya: The Borana People – The Naming Ceremony
Gubissa, the naming ceremony for THE eldest son, is an important moment of the social life of the Borana people, an ethnic group living in northern Kenya. The celebration is held between sixth months and two years since the baby’s birth. Eight days before the ceremony, a large hut, the galma, is built and the […]
Arabic World: The Choices In Life
A Comboni Missionary, who has been living in the Arabic world for almost 25 years, talks about his origin and how he feels working among Christians and Muslims. “My missionary experience changed from trying to proclaim values and to enlighten, into asking questions and accompanying people to reflect about realistic choices in life. A life […]
World Mission Day: Mission At The Heart Of The Christian Faith
This year’s World Mission Day was be celebrated on Sunday the 22nd October 22, under the theme “Mission at the heart of the Christian faith”. In his message, Pope Francis asked ‘What is the basis of our mission? What is the heart of our mission? What are the essential approaches we need to take in […]
Mexico: The Mesoamerican Ball Game
Archaeologists have identified more than 1,500 ball courts to date. These prehistoric buildings were specifically created for the practice of the Mesoamerican ball game show, a game which is a thousand-year old form of sport. It was more than just a game, however, it also played a ritual, political and economic role among Mesoamerican populations. […]
Mozambique: The Hakumana Centre – An Always Open Inn
The HIV plague is severely affecting young people but even more so, women, who are also victims of violence and outrage. A religious institution has established the Hakumana project, which means ‘let’s meet’ in the Ronga language, in order to face these challenges. We went to visit the Hakumana centre. At the entrance door, under […]
Guatemala: Walking In Antique History
Tikal, Guatemala’s archaeological heart, was home to the Mayans for 1700 years. It was as sophisticated as modern ones, in architectural and urban terms. Tikal, which is in Petén province some 300 kilometres north of Guatemala’s capital, was one of the largest cities built by the Mayans at any time in their history. The ancient […]
Reflection: Spiritual Economy To Live Well
Spirituality must give a soul to the economy. “The market was made for human beings and not human beings for the market”. When a Brazilian company built the Tucuruí hydroelectric dam in the Amazon, different groups in defence of the Indians tried to impede the construction. When they could do so no more, they insisted […]
Peru: Stars Shine In The Sky Over The Outskirts Of Trujillo
Announcing life and hope in Trujillo, a city in coastal Northwestern Peru, where poverty persists and the law of the strongest and crime triumph, becomes a challenge. Here is the testimony of a Comboni Missionary who has lived 32 years in the country. Hope and projects of life seem impossible in El Porvenir on the […]
