Priests, Brothers and Lay Missionaries

The Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ), faithful to the vocation they receive, are committed to the Church’s mission. We witness the Gospel through collaboration and dialogue with other cultures and religions. In this way, we are promoters of a world that is more just and fraternal. As an Institute exclusively missionary within the Roman Catholic Church, we welcome young men who want to dedicate their lives in service of the Kingdom of Life in the areas of our world where the signs of death abound.

The vocation to missionary life is first and foremost a response to God’s call and the Gospel challenge, “Go out to all the world and proclaim the Good News” (Mk 16:15). It’s a sobering thought to think that two thousand years after Jesus walked the face of the earth, the majority of the world’s people still await the proclamation of the Kingdom of God!

The missionary vocation calls for service, and for us that means to grow in solidarity with the poor. St. Daniels’ passion was for the “poorest and most abandoned.” This requires an adventurous spirit but above all, a trusting spirit! We learn from, love, and respect the culture of the country in which we are sent. The Comboni Missionary helps form local leaders and animates the local churches with a missionary spirit.

• To talk to someone about your vocation call us at (513) 474-4997 or email info@comboniuganda.org.

On average it takes 10 years to be ordained as Comboni Missionary Priest and 6 years to become a Comboni Missionary Brother.  If you are interested in becoming a missionary priest or brother, contact the Comboni Missionaries in your home country. 

• Discernment: The process of discernment usually begins in high school, with prayer and spiritual guidance from a vocation director in the candidate’s home country. (it would be nice if we could include a list of vocation directors by country, but I think this changes too frequently to be accurate).
• Postulancy: After a successful discernment, the candidate will enter postulancy to study philosophy for three years. 
• Novitiate: After passing assessment, the candidate is promoted to the novitiate for spiritual study, and to study the charism of the institute for 2 years.

• First Vows: At the end of the novitiate, the candidate takes his first vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience to become a member of the institute.

• Theological Studies: The newly processed Comboni missionary is sent to study theology in view of ordination to priesthood while the religious Comboni brother is sent to study social ministry. Theological studies on average take 4 years but others do go beyond if they are assigned to do theology in a new language. 

• Missionary Service: After theological studies, the missionary is assigned to a province for Comboni missionary service (experience) for 2 years before the priestly ordination.

• Ordination:
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• “To Save Africa With Africa”

  We live out this phrase by respecting the culture and religion of the people we serve. We have great confidence in and respect for the people — encouraging them to become the protaganists of their story.

  “To Make Common Cause with the People”

  We live simply, sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people we serve. Making common cause with the poor implies sharing in their destiny, which can at times lead to persecution and even martyrdom.

  “To Evangelize as a Community”

  We live and work together as an apostolic community — united in prayer and work. In collaboration with local leaders, we provide the local communities with spiritual and material support.