Mission
On September 23rd, 2024, 18 Comboni Missionaries from 12 different countries started an 8-month formative journey in Rome. This group consisted of middle-aged men with varying experiences, from 10 to 22 years of mission in different countries across three continents.
Ordinarily, the range of years of mission is 10 to 15 years but our group was an exception. Together with two coordinators, we formed a community of 20 members journeying together. This journey was the Comboni Year of Ongoing Formation (CYOF), a journey of self- renewal. How did I get to join this group on this journey? Seven years into my experience as a Comboni Missionary in the Egypt-Sudan Province, I began to feel something was off. Despite trying to be positive, I frequently evaluated my mission experience and felt dissatisfied. I shared my concerns with my superiors and we eventually settled on the CYOF programme.
Fanning the Flame
The CYOF is an opportunity offered by the Comboni Missionaries to its members after 10 to 15 years of experience in mission. It’s similar to a sabbatical year or a year of professional development. The programme aims to boost the missionary zeal in Comboni Missionaries who have spent over ten years in mission. According to Fr. Alberto Silva, one of our coordinators, the purpose of the CYOF is “to fan the flame” in the missionary, adding fuel to the burning flame to make it burn brighter and stronger.
The timing of the programme corresponds to the age range of 40 to 50 years, a moment in life when many begin to reflect on their experiences and assess the meaningfulness of their lives. For missionaries, this assessment can be challenging, especially in difficult missions where results may be intangible. The CYOF programme endeavours to proactively prevent midlife crisis by reigniting the passion for mission.
Reliving the Mission in a more conscious way.
For me, the greatest benefit of the CYOF was reliving my twelve years of mission in a more conscious way. The programme provided a perfect opportunity for me to reflect on my journey, revisit my experiences and see them in a new light. With psychological and spiritual accompaniment, I was able to re-examine my past experiences and gain a deeper understanding of my mission.
The CYOF was like a pause along a long, tiring ascent on a steep mountain. This pause allowed me to take a glance at the distance covered and realise that the climb was possible and could be easily travelled with the right attitude and energy. Socrates’ quote, “an unexamined life is not worth living,” resonated with me as I reflected on my past experiences.
During my time in the CYOF, I had the blessing of experiencing retreats and recollections without distractions. The Ignatian retreat was particularly enriching, and it helped me relive my past experiences and mission. The major liturgical celebrations, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, had a different feel, and I was able to appreciate them in a new way.
Journeying Together
Journeying with 17 other Comboni Missionaries was a unique experience. Despite our differences, we bonded as a group, sharing our experiences and supporting one another. Our different trajectories became in sync and we got to enjoy each other’s presence.
This experience was a testament to the intercultural living that is proper to the spirituality of St. Daniel Comboni. Listening to the different experiences of my confreres made me reflect on my own mission experience with humility and gratitude. It provided me with renewed energy for my future mission. I also had the opportunity to meet Comboni Missionaries from different provinces, which enlightened me about the intercultural reality of the institute and the pastoral needs in other provinces.
Visiting Historical Places
The CYOF programme gave me the opportunity to visit places that I would not have otherwise visited. I visited holy sites, historical places and learned about the great saints and their stories. I visited the tomb of St. Peter, St. Paul’s Basilica, Assisi and other significant sites that enriched my spiritual journey. I gained a deeper understanding of why the various churches featured specific architectural styles and artworks, including the seemingly bare paintings.
During my time in Italy, I also visited places of interest that held historical significance for the Comboni Missionaries, such as Limone, the birthplace of Comboni and Verona. These visits enriched my appreciation for the heritage and history of the Comboni Missionaries.
