Superior General, Vicar visit the Province of Mexico

The day after their arrival in Mexico, the religious community of the novitiate and the two first-year novices opened the doors of their home to warmly welcome Fr. Luigi Codianni and Fr. David Costa.

The religious and novices gathered for a meeting during which the Superior General and the Vicar General shared key elements concerning the reorganization of the Comboni circumscriptions and the ongoing updates to formation.

They presented the situation in terms of numbers and vocational geography. They spoke about the large number of elderly and sick Comboni missionaries, as well as the ever-decreasing number of Comboni brothers. All of this is a major concern for the General Administration.

Another issue addressed was the need to reunify neighboring provinces in order to strengthen our presence. This issue is the main reason for their visit to Brazil and Mexico.

Later, the religious community held a separate meeting with both of them to present the reality of the novitiate and hear their observations.

After the dialogue, we gathered around the altar to celebrate the Eucharist. The meeting concluded with a time of fellowship along the traditional canals of Xochimilco aboard the trajineras (boats somewhat similar to gondolas).

There was also ample time for personal dialogue, both at the novitiate and at the provincial house, for anyone who needed it. We had a beautiful experience of fraternity and communion through their presence among us and with the entire Institute.

Another place that Fathers Luigi and David were able to visit during their time in Mexico was the community known as La Moctezuma, where the Comboni Missionaries serve at the Mártires de Uganda rectorate and where the vocational center is now located.

There, they met with the religious community and later celebrated Sunday Mass with the faithful. After the Eucharist, there was a fraternal gathering to share a meal together.

As the final activity of the day, after dinner, they met with the religious community of the provincial house. During this meeting, the Superior General expressed his gratitude for the service provided to confreres who pass through the house, either because they are returning from the missions or because they come from different communities to take care of various matters.

Fr. Luigi and Fr. David invited the community not only to welcome their confreres and facilitate their stay, but also to make the provincial house a place where every Comboni Missionary can find serenity and even a space to renew and restore themselves.

After these meetings, Fathers David and Luigi met with the regional commission for the unification of the provinces. The commission includes the provinces of the Central America–Mexico region, as well as NAP, the North American Province, which could eventually join this region.

The commission shared the work completed so far: the process of raising awareness and the presentation of a draft that would eventually become the regional project for this part of the continent. The work involved reviewing, reflecting, and sharing ideas between the members of the General Council and the commission.

Toward the end of their visit to Mexico, our guests also visited the CAM community – the Missionary Animation Center – located very close to the historic center of the city.

There, they had the opportunity to meet with the religious community and also with those who work with us in producing the magazines Esquila Misional and Aguiluchos, as well as in other departments and areas of this work of the Province. As this was the final stop on their visit, the Superior General and the Vicar prepared to return to the Eternal City: Rome.

We sincerely thank Father Luigi and Father David for taking the time to visit us and be with us on the journey toward renewing and strengthening our presence through unification. Their “being” among us and with us as we walk together through this process certainly speaks to us of communion.

Thank you for your visit. Come back soon!

Fr. Mario Alberto Pacheco Zamora, MCCJ