Oral Literature. Mayan myth. On nights of the full moon
Legends narrate that there was a time when the gods were so angry with men that they decided to exterminate them. “We will make so much rainfall on the earth that the world and all its inhabitants will drown – they said angrily -. We will save only the animals, revealing only to them the […]
Peru. The Asheninka cultural identity and spirituality
The Asheninka live in the departments of Pasco and Ucayali, which are part of the central jungle of Peru. They are estimated to be around 15 thousand people. The term Asheninka has to do with blood family and community family and means “Our kinfolks”. The social environment of the Asheninka is based on family, which […]
Mozambique. Living the missionary spirit
He received the appointment as auxiliary bishop with “fear and trembling”. But with a great desire to serve the church. We spoke about it with the Combonian Msgr. António Manuel Bogaio Constantino was recently consecrated as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Beira. The archdiocese includes the entire province of Sofala in the central part […]
Sixty years later. The encyclical “Pacem in Terris” taught that war is always irrational
Today, the atomic threat is less feared, but the risk of an increasingly widespread and devastating conflict is real: from Europe to the Pacific, from the Middle East to Africa. Sixty years ago, John XXIII’s encyclical “Pacem in Terris” was published, arousing surprise and enthusiasm throughout the world. Everything about that encyclical seemed new and […]
World Youth Day: “There’s a Rush in the Air!”
The official anthem of World Youth Day is entitled “There’s a Rush in the Air!”. We talk about it with Father João Paulo Vaz, author of the texts. There is an official anthem at every World Youth Day (WYD). It is a song that marks every meeting of young people from all over the world […]
Oral literature: the hunter with a good heart
There was a good and peaceful young man named Ponga. He was also an excellent hunter. One day he caught in a trap a ‘mugumbi’, a small forest animal that burrows underground. The poor beast begged him: “Let me go. You will see, one day I will help you!” The next day he found rain […]
South Africa and the College of Magic
Fantasy and imagination but above all, ingenuity. 200 apprentices from different walks of life train their hands to demonstrate that magic “makes the possible, impossible”. It is difficult to escape illusion and optimism when you walk through the gate of the large colonial-style house that houses the College of Magic, in the Claremont district of […]
Nicaragua: prohibition and suspension during the Holy Week of more than 3176 processions
In the midst of the escalation against the Catholic Church, accused of backing up its opponents, Ortega’s government has this year prohibited the public holding of the traditional Easter processions. At least 21 people were arrested in Nicaragua during Holy Week for defying the ban imposed by the Managua authorities on publicly celebrating the rites […]
Interreligious dialogue: “We are all in the same boat”
Share your faith. Approach the other without fear. Look to the future with hope. The document on “Human Fraternity” signed in Abu Dhabi, a new road map for humanity. We spoke with Comboni Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. What is the meaning of interreligious dialogue? It is mainly a […]
The Youth Corner. Urgent Response Needed
To dare to live one’s vocation is to accept setting out on a journey, going with those who can guide us on the journey, and responding with hope in the face of difficulties. To the urgency of vocation, there has to be an “urgency of response.” I was reviewing the first Kung Fu Panda movie […]