Familia Comboniana 847 - January 2026

THE HOLY SEE

The Holy Father Leo XIV has established the Diocese of Caia (Mozambique), with territory taken from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Beira and the Dioceses of Chimoio, Quelimane, and Tete, making it a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Beira. To lead the new local Church, the Pope appointed Bishop António Manuel Bogaio Constantino, MCCJ, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Beira.

António Manuel Bogaio Constantino was born on 9^th November 1969, in Beira. After completing his pre-postulancy with the Comboni Missionaries in Nampula, he attended the Santo Agostinho Philosophical Seminary in Matola. In 1995, he began his novitiate in Namugongo, Uganda, concluding it with first temporary vows on 10^th May 1997.

For his theological studies, he went to Rome, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. On 7^th October 2000, he made his perpetual religious profession. On 13^th June 2001, he was ordained a priest in Beira.

He held various positions and pursued further studies: a degree in journalism and a licentiate in Integral Communication from the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Spain; editor of the magazine Vida Nova at the Anchilo Catechetical Centre; parish priest of Monapo (2008-2011); parish priest of Chitima and Mucumbura (2012-2016); archpriest of the Vicariate Forane of Songo (2012-2016); diocesan representative for catechesis and deputy director of the pastoral secretariat for the Diocese of Tete (2012-2016); Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Mozambique (2017-2022); President of the Conference of Religious in Mozambique (CIRMO) (2019-2022).

On 13^th December 2022, he was elected to the titular see of Sutunurca and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Beira, receiving episcopal ordination on 9^th February 2023.

We welcome this news with great joy. We feel close to our confrere and assure him of our prayers for this new and delicate task.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Perpetual professions

Ordinations

Holy Redeemer Guild

January            01 – 15 A             16 – 31 BR
February          01 – 15 C             16 – 28 EGSD

Prayer intentions

January 2026: That the Word of light and truth may continue to bring hope to the men and women of our times and find the people of our age ready to respond to the call of God and missionary commitment. Lord, hear us.

February: That all institutes of consecrated life may grow in communion and collaboration, recognising the strength that comes from a common vocation and diversity of charisms. Lord, hear us.

Comboni liturgical calendar

FEBBRUARY

Meaningful anniversaries

FEBRUARY

AMERICA / ASIA

Meeting of Provincials and Delegates of America and Asia

From 28^th November to 1^st December 2025, the meeting of provincial superiors and delegates of America and Asia (AA) took place at the provincial house of the Comboni Missionaries in Quito, Ecuador. The meeting was attended by the three provincial superiors who are finishing their mandates and the new ones who will begin service on 1^st January 2026. Unfortunately, the provincial superior of Mexico was unable to attend due to travel document issues.

The meeting opened with a fraternal exchange among all participants, during which those who have concluded their mandates shared their experiences during their years of service, while the new ones spoke of the hopes and feelings with which they prepare to undertake this task in the service of the mission and the Institute.

In the afternoon, an ongoing formation session was held, led by Brother Roberto Duarte, Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of the Divine Word, who offered a reflection on ‘Perspectives on Religious Life in Light of the Congress on Consecrated Life’, held a few weeks earlier in Quito. The reflection was enlightening and fostered a moment of discernment to reflect on the service we are called to offer as witnesses and companions on the journey with our brothers in our provinces and delegations.

The morning of Saturday, 29^th November, was dedicated to the unification of the circumscriptions. The topic was introduced and led by Father David Domingues, who outlined the progress made to date within the Institute on this topic and future prospects, particularly in light of the recommendations of the interprovincial assembly held last September.

During the exchange with Father David, all participants were invited to share their opinions and insights on the topic, reflecting on the work already undertaken in their respective circumscriptions. During the frank, spontaneous, and open dialogue, a clear willingness to continue the study emerged, awaiting the indications that will be communicated by the General Council in a forthcoming letter addressed to the entire Institute.

In the afternoon, information was shared regarding the mission, missionary animation, and the COP30 forum held in Brazil. This information was provided by Father Raimundo, Provincial Superior of Brazil and coordinator of the AA mission sector on the continent.

Father Jorge Benavides, delegate from Colombia, presented the situation of specific pastoral care – urban, indigenous, and Afro-American – on the continent. He also shared his experience of participating in the Afro-American Pastoral meeting held in Luján, Argentina, where some confrères from the AA area were present. Finally, he illustrated the proposal for an interprovincial postulancy, supported by some provinces with a small number of postulants.

During the afternoon’s work, the novitiates in Xochimilco and Manila, missionary service, and ongoing formation courses held in Rome were also discussed. The digital magazine and website, currently under development, were also discussed, thanks largely to the contribution of Father Paco Carrera, who is working in Colombia.

Sunday, 20^th November, was dedicated to a moment of fellowship: the group visited the Comboni parish of María Estrella de la Evangelización, where the Eucharist was celebrated, and the community shared a lunch prepared by the community. They also had the opportunity to visit the ‘Mitad del Mundo’ monument, an iconic symbol near Quito that marks the equatorial line dividing the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres.

On Monday, 1^st December, the participants continued sharing information on other significant aspects to ensure the continuation of the service and to maintain attention to the missionary reality of the AA continent, with its challenges and hopes for the future.

Heartfelt thanks go to Father Ottorino Polettto, Provincial Superior of Ecuador, to the host province, and, in particular, to the community of the provincial house, for the warm welcome and the attentive, fraternal service that made the meeting peaceful and fruitful. (The Provincial Superiors and Delegates of America and Asia, Quito, Ecuador, 1^st December 2025)

BRAZIL

Missionary Cenacles are affiliated with the Episcopal Conference

The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) and the Work of the Missionary Cenacles (OCM) met on 10^th December 2025, in São Paulo, to confirm the affiliation of the OCM to the CNBB, thus recognising it as an ecclesial body.

The OCM’s affiliation to the CNBB was announced during a meeting held at Casa Fatiminha, headquarters of the Southern 1 Regional Missionary Council (COMIRE), chaired by Msgr. Luiz Carlos Dias, vice president of the Southern 1 Regional Council of the CNBB.

Participating in the meeting were Father José Stella Narduolo, a Comboni missionary who launched the OCM in Brazil in 1996; Father Raimundo Rocha, provincial of the Comboni Missionaries; Father Luis Fernando da Silva, executive secretary of the Southern 1 Regional Council and coordinator of the process; and Kleber Barcellos, president of the OCM.

The Work of the Missionary Cenacles was born from a request by Saint John Paul II, who called for the creation of cenacles to strengthen the missionary awareness of the baptised and to remind them that, by virtue of baptism, all Christians are co-responsible for missionary activity. The OCM truly performs a valuable service of missionary animation.

The OCM’s affiliation with the CNBB recognises the missionary journey and service of this work, strengthening its commitment to evangelisation ad gentes and expanding the possibilities for missionary cooperation at the regional and national levels.

The CNBB and the Regional Sul 1 express their joy at this significant step in favour of the mission and reaffirm their commitment to promoting and supporting initiatives that strengthen the communion and missionary witness of the Church in Brazil.

EGYPT/SUDAN

Centenary of the Parish of the Sacred Heart in Sakakini–Cairo

On 5^th December 2025, the Parish of the Sacred Heart in Sakakini (Cairo) celebrated its centenary in thanksgiving. The day was lived with humility and profound gratitude. His Excellency, Bishop Claudio Lurati, Latin Bishop of Egypt, presided over the Holy Mass, and Bishop Dominic Eiubu, of the Diocese of Kotido, joined in the celebration – both having previously served as parish priests in this community. We were also honoured by the presence of Father John Paul Kpatcha, of the Society of African Missions (SMA), whose participation was a sign of missionary fraternity.

We remember with gratitude all those who prayed, offered sacrifices, and served before us, especially the SMA Fathers, who dedicated their lives to the community from the beginning, and the Comboni Missionaries, who later consolidated and expanded the parish, generously opening its doors to Sudanese refugees arriving in Cairo. We fondly remembered Father Cosmo Vittorio Spadavecchia and all those who dedicated the best years of their youth to the Gospel in this parish.

Priestly vocations have emerged from our community as the fruit of persevering faith. Our parish has become a home and a refuge, especially for those fleeing the war in Sudan—just as the Holy Family found welcome in Egypt, we too continue to welcome those in need.

Today, we praise God who has accompanied us in every joy and every trial.

Let us pray that the next century will remain faithful to the Sacred Heart: missionary, welcoming, and full of hope. (Father Teckie Hagos Wolde-ghebriel, mccj)

Reopening the parish of Masalma – Omdurman

On 8^th December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we reopened our parish of Masalma, in Omdurman, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. It was a simple gesture, yet one steeped in history and hope. Once again, after a terrible war, the Church in Sudan is making a new start here.

Our presence in this parish was suspended on 17^th May 2023, when we were forced to abandon the site due to the bloody conflict between two military groups, whose leaders were also members of the country’s main executive body, the Sovereign Council: on one side, the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, and on the other, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group controlled by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The same thing had already happened after the Mahdi Revolution (1881-1899), led by Muhammad Ahmad, the self-proclaimed Mahdi (the ‘Messiah’), to free the country from Egyptian-British control. The revolt destroyed all of Daniele Comboni’s works.

Then, as today, the rebirth began in this very parish, which can rightfully be considered the mother parish of Sudan.

It was 1899, and the parish priest was a Tyrolean named Joseph. Today, ringing the same church bell – a bell that carries with it the living memory of Comboni – is a Sudanese, Father Yousif William Idris El Tom. Next to him, starting over, is Father Lorenzo Baccin. Names change, times change, but faith continues to generate life.

History seems to repeat itself; the spirit, however, remains young. Only the war is old.

And we, once again, look forward. Always forward. (Father Diego Dalle Carbonare, mccj)

MÉXICO

Four Combonians celebrated their Silver Jubilees of priesthood

In 2025, four Mexican Comboni Missionaries celebrated their 25^th anniversary of priesthood. All ordained in the Jubilee Year 2000, they celebrated their important silver anniversary in this new Jubilee Year, known as the ‘Year of Hope’. Last 6^th December, during Father Aldo Sierra’s Jubilee celebration, they all renewed their promises and commitment as Comboni priests and missionaries. Congratulations to all four!

Father Armando Máximo Aquino, originally from San Juan Atenco, in the state of Puebla, was ordained on 2^nd September 2000. He has worked in Chad and Mexico. He currently serves in the parish of San José de Comalapa (Veracruz).

Father Víctor Alejandro Mejía is the first Comboni Missionary from La Paz, Baja California Sur, where the Comboni Missionaries began their presence in Mexico. He was ordained on 19^th August 2000 and worked for many years in Taiwan and China. He is currently in the novitiate in Xochimilco, engaged in missionary outreach.

Father Lauro Betancourt, originally from El Saucito, in the state of Zacatecas, was ordained a priest on 2^nd December 2000. After a period of missionary work in Mexico, he was sent to Kenya, where he remained for 13 years. He is currently at the seminary in Sahuayo, helping in the important work of training young seminarians.

Father José Aldo Sierra, originally from Torreón, in the state of Coahuila, was ordained a priest on 5^th November 2000. After four years in Mexico and five in Austria, he was assigned to Zambia, where he worked for eight years. He is currently a formator of theology students at the Comboni scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. (Comboni Missionaries)

LET US PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DEAD

THE MOTHERS: Gladys, of Father Córdova Alcázar José Miguel (ES); Mariangela, of Father Corrado Tosi (RDC)

THE FATHERS: Gervais Paluku Kalwana, of Father Kakule Muvawa Emery-Justin (CO); Kebede Eshete, of Father Fasil Kebede Eshete (RSA)

THE BROTHERS: Loris, of Father Ismaele Matterazzo (IT); Julio Antonio, of Father Juan Manuel Rodríguez Martín (ES); Yousri, of Father Mina Anwar Habeeb

THE SISTERS: Maria, of Father Cornelio (†) and Piergiorgio Prandina (†); Akberet, of Father Mussie Abraham Keflezghi (ER);

THE COMBONI SISTERS: Sr. Salvatore Maria Sistina; Sr. Vallarta Marrón Conceptión; Sr. Rothschild André Teresa; Sr. Alessandra Fumagalli

THE COMBONI LAY MISSIONARY: Mercedes Navarro (CLM)