Herbs & Plants. Tamarindus indica: A Medicinal Plant
The tamarind grows wild in semi-arid regions of Africa. It is used for various medicinal, culinary, food and ornamental purposes. This plant is indigenous to tropical Africa but has become naturalized in North and South America, and is also cultivated in subtropical China, India, Pakistan, Indochina, Philippines, Java and Spain. The plant is mainly propagated […]
Oral Literature. The dog and the man
Once upon a time, the dog and jackal lived together as brothers in the wilderness. Every day they would hunt together, and every evening they would lay out what they had caught on the grass, making sure they shared the meal equally. But there were evenings when they both returned from a day’s hunting empty-handed, […]
Kenya. Pokot. The ‘Sapana’ Rite
Sapana’ is a rite of passage for young men. It is a recognition of their status as adult men. Early in the morning, before the sun comes on the horizon, people assemble around the kraal. All the cattle are inside, including the bulls to be killed. Once the sun rays throw light on the mountains, […]
Mission Diary. Chad. Listen, accompany and educate
After years spent outside your country, it is not easy to adapt. “I struggle to recognize some things that have changed over time.” Sr. Benjamine Kimala Nanga, a Comboni Sister from Chad, explains to us why it is so. Since I began my journey with the Comboni Missionaries, 22 years have passed in which I […]
Angola. Santa Teresa Education Centre. Educate in values
The Sisters who belong to the Slaves of the Divine Heart run a school in one of the poorest suburbs of Luanda. They educate to create the future for this country. The education centre is located in the Palanca neighbourhood of the municipality of Kilamba Kiaxi, a poor part of the Angolan capital where asphalt […]
Vocation Story. A Journey of Prayer and Gratitude
“I believe that the Lord of the Mission who called me to follow Him is the same Lord who has been guiding and sustaining me throughout these years”. Fr. Moises Albarina, a Comboni Missionary from the Philippines shares his vocation journey. I am the last born of 14 siblings and the youngest among eight brothers. […]
Oral Literature. Elephant’s trunk
In the beginning of time, the Creator brought forth all the animals of the bush and birds and insects of the air from the roots of a huge baobab tree. Most of the creatures look the same as they did then, but some have changed in appearance since the time of Creation. One such animal […]
Mission Diary. DR Congo. “I never cease to be amazed by the mystery of my vocation”
“Day after day, through my commitment and all that I am, I try to participate in the building of the Church that I love so much as a religious and as a journalist”, Sister Elisabeth Tikabi, a Cameroonian Comboni Missionary, tells us. After completing my studies in Social Communications at the Salesian Pontifical University of […]
Nigeria. The open wound of kidnapping priests
Kidnapping for ransom has long become a real industry in Nigeria. Priests and the religious are the target. It is a sunny and hot Sunday morning. Father Steven is getting ready to go to celebrate mass in one of the parish chapels where today the community is celebrating the first communions. The previous evening, he […]
Vietnam, new-found hope
In a historic step, the Hanoi government has invited Pope Francis to visit the country. We talk with Mons. Nguyen Anh Tuan, bishop of Ha Tinh “New climate, trusting us more.” The Catholic community in Vietnam makes up one of the most vibrant Churches in Asia today, with 7 million faithful in a country of […]