A return to our roots after 75 years of presence

On the 4-6 of June, 14 Comboni missionaries belonging to the province traveled from Palca to Pozuso where, 75 years ago, the presence of Comboni Missionaries had its beginnings. The first Mass there was celebrated by the provincial in the little church of San José, built by the settlers in 1878. The second day started with a visit to the cemetery and a brief celebration over the tomb of Fr. Alois Ipfelkofer, the first Comboni pastor of Pozuzo, who died in 1948. In the evening, Fr. Luis Alberto Barrera Pacheco, provincial, presided over the Mass in the church dedicated to the Sacred Heart, which was packed with people. At the end of the Mass, the mayor decorated with the city’s medal all the missionaries.

In the picture from left: Fr. Manuel Alves Pinheiro de Carvalho
e Fr. Luis Alberto Barrera Pacheco.

What came to the surface during these days – both in the homilies and in the speeches of the authorities – was the great joy for this visit by the Comboni Missionaries and the great appreciation earned by generations of missionaries during these years. Of all these, Fr. Walter Michaeler, itinerant missionary for 28 years in over 70 villages belonging to the parish, and Fr. Luis Deflorian, who was pastor in the 1990s, were present.

On June 7, having returned to Palca, there took place a Mass of thanksgiving in the cathedral of Tarma, presided over by Bishop Richard Daniel Alarcón who, in his homily, recalled all that the diocese, in its 55 years of existence, owes to the Comboni Missionaries and also spoke of the imposing shrine dedicated to Our Lord of Muruhuay, which has become a point of reference for the entire region and beyond. It was built thanks to initiative of the first bishop of Tarma under the direction of Bro. Kuno Stösser.

On Sunday, September 8, the 75^th anniversary of the presence of Comboni Missionaries was celebrated also in Lima, Chorrillos, in the parish of Cristo Misionero del Padre. The solemn ceremony started at 4:00pm in the presence of invited guests and of many people who know and appreciate the Comboni charism. The main celebrant was Bishop Jaime Rodríguez of Huánuco, assisted by Bishop Adriano Tomasi, auxiliary of Lima, and by Bishop Jorge Carrión of Juliaca, Puno. Most of the former provincials were there, such as Fr. Andreas Thorwarth, Fr. Alois Weiss, Fr. Franco Conrado and Fr. Rogelio Bustos. The atmosphere was solemn and festive also thanks to the performance, in true Peruvian style, of typical songs and dances.

Comboni Youth Congress (Conjucom)
This year, to remember the 75 years of Comboni presence in Peru, it was decided to organize a congress for the young people of all the communities where we are present. It was the third Conjucom held in the province and it took place on August 9-11, 2013 in the parish of Cristo Misionero del Padre. The congress was the result of six months of preparation under the supervision of Fr. Abel Torres, and with the help of Fr. Juan Goicochea and the cooperation of many committed lay people – youth and adults – from the parish.

During the congress, the over 400 young people in attendance, coming from the coast, the mountain and the forest, participated with enthusiasm, happy with the hospitality they found in local families who shared their homes with them for a few days. At the end of the congress, it was announced that the next Conjucom will be held in 2015 in the parish of the Good Shepherd in Arequipa.

Visit of Fr. Villarino to the province
Fr. Antonio Villarino, assistant general, arrived on an official visit to the province on August 6, 2013. He visited almost all the communities, except Huánuco, Baños and Santiago in Chile. He could not reach Huánuco and Baños because, while he was in Pangoa, in the forest of Junín, the road was blocked by a strike of the coffee growers. Thus he remained in Pangoa. On September 2-8 he preached the retreat for the members of the province. Then on Sunday, September 8, he took part in the solemn Mass celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the Comboni Missionaries presence in the province. Fr. Antonio remembered fondly the years he spent in the province as director of CAM. His visit was appreciated by all also for the opportunity the province had of hearing directly what is the thinking of the General Council.

From left: Bro. Jakob Pezzei and Bro. Amancio Galerón González
in the church of Cristo Misionero at San Jenaro de Chorrillos (Lima).
“What came to the surface during these days – both in the homilies and in the speeches
of the authorities – was the great joy for this visit by the Comboni Missionaries
and the great appreciation earned by generations of missionaries during these years.”

From left: Fr. Luis Alberto Barrera Pacheco, Fr. Andreas Thorwarth, Fr. Alois Weiss,
Fr. Antonio Villarino, Fr. Conrado Franco, e Fr. Rogelio Bustos Juárez.