The 75th anniversary celebration of the Comboni Missionaries in Mexico was marked with a Mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Pioneers of the Comboni Missionaries’ presence in South Africa.
Fr. Bernard Zorn, affectionately known as “Baba Zulu” due to his passion for the local South African langage, was the first parish priest of Maria Trost.
The Kenyan province celebrated 50 years of ministry to “the poorest and most abandoned.”
The Global Impact of our Missions
By: Kathleen M. Carroll
The Comboni Missionaries in South Africa, Kenya, and Mexico noted significant anniversaries this year. Each area of service offers new challenges, new cultural nuances, and new opportunities to share the Good News. The faithful service and dedication of our missionaries have transformed their communities and enhanced countless lives.
These dedicated individuals have tirelessly spread the Catholic faith and served the communities in which they’ve lived and worked. As we commemorate the centennial anniversaries in each of these regions, we’ll delve deeper into their significant contributions and the challenges they’ve faced.
South Africa: A Century of Faith in Action
In 1924, the Comboni Missionaries arrived in South Africa, a vast land of diverse peoples. Only a few hundred were Catholic, and they were primarily European golddiggers and adventurers. Charged with establishing the Catholic faith in the region then known as Eastern Transvaal, they embarked on a mission that would span a century — and beyond.
The pioneers, numbering a dozen strong and originating from Germany, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Poland, arrived in South Africa in 1924 after being expelled from the Sudan. They encountered numerous challenges as they began their work, including a lack of infrastructure and support in the region.
Their first significant achievement was the acquisition of a farm outside Lydenburg, which they named Maria Trost, meaning “Mother of Consolation,” after a renowned Austrian Marian shrine. In 1925, the Comboni Missionaries erected the region’s first church, dedicating it to the Immaculate Conception. Alongside the church, they established a primary school to provide education to the local population.
Fr. Bernard Zorn, affectionately known as “Baba Zulu” due to his passion for the local language, became the first parish priest of Maria Trost. Under his guidance and the collective efforts of the Comboni Brothers, the mission in South Africa began to thrive. The brothers played a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of the Church in the Apostolic Prefecture of Lydenburg. Through their hard work, they expanded the farm to include a fruit and vegetable garden that provided for priests, brothers, sisters, and the community.
Notably, they initiated a tailor shop and carpentry, which not only served their own needs but also contributed to building chapels, churches, clinics, and schools as the Christian communities in the diocese continued to grow.
The impact of the Comboni Missionaries extended beyond Maria Trost. They established new parish churches, contributing to the growth of the Catholic faith throughout South Africa. The year 1951 marked the establishment of the Burgersfort parish, accompanied by numerous outstations, further expanding the faith. Steelport, an outstation of Burgersfort, also became an independent parish.
In urban centers, the missionaries ministered to the poor. In Pretoria, the Comboni Missionaries first established Saint Anthony’s Hostel and, in 1965, they took over the parish of St. Augustine in Silverton, setting the stage for further expansion in the capital city. The missionaries were best known, though, for their work far beyond the cities, as they diligently promoted the Gospel in rural areas and less accessible regions. They were actively engaged in the media sector through the Comboni Media Centre in Pretoria. They also dedicated themselves to the formation of new missionary candidates. In 2002, the Scholasticate was established in Pietermaritzburg, where young men from Africa, Latin America, and Asia came to study.
Their legacy in South Africa is one of unwavering faith, service, and dedication.
Kenya: Celebrating 50 Years of Service and Devotion
In Kenya, the Comboni Missionaries recently celebrated their golden jubilee, marking fifty years of service. Their tenure began in 1972 when they arrived in Kenya from Uganda, settling initially in Tartar, West Pokot. Their mission was one of first evangelization — to bring the Gospel of Christ to the people who had never heard of him — and to engage in human promotion, empowering people to live dignified lives.
Their work in Kenya has focused on marginalized communities, particularly in rural areas and slums. Education and healthcare have been their key priorities. Since their establishment, the Comboni Missionaries have built schools, clinics, and health centers, while also promoting the Gospel through their media center, New People.
“I think as Comboni Missionaries we are known for one thing, working with the poor and the most abandoned and in places where very often many people wouldn’t like to go. We are speaking of rural areas, i.e., slums. I think that’s the highlight for us. We have tried to bring the Gospel to this environment and some form of development,” said Fr. Andrew Bwalya, mccj, director of New People Media Center.
“It doesn’t mean that we don’t work in urban centers or in places where there is already development. But primarily when we speak of Comboni Missionaries, we are identified with the poorest and most abandoned in society,” he added. In the bustling cities and the remote rural areas of Kenya, the Comboni Missionaries have been a source of solace, faith, and development. Their decades of service have left an indelible mark on the people of Kenya.
Mexico: 75 Years of Evangelizing Presence
In Mexico, the Comboni Missionaries celebrated 75 years of their evangelizing presence on October 14 with a grand celebration. The jubilee year culminated in a Mass of thanksgiving at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a place of profound significance for Catholics in Mexico and around the world.
In his homily, Fr. Rafael Güitrón Torres, mccj, provincial superior, prayed, “May we have no other passion but to announce the Gospel and walk alongside the suffering people to spread life to them.”
The event drew groups from all over Mexico, representing the vast reach of the Comboni Missionaries in the country. Many participants donned flags and T-shirts adorned with symbols to mark the occasion, underlining the enthusiasm and deep sense of community surrounding the celebration.
The event continued at the Xochimilco novitiate, where around two thousand attendees sang songs and hymns, creating a truly festive atmosphere. The presence of high-ranking officials, including members of the General Council, demonstrated the event’s importance. Two sister provinces, Central America and the United States, were also represented, underscoring the sense of unity and collaboration within the Comboni Missionaries.
Throughout their years in Mexico, the Comboni Missionaries have shared the Gospel and offered spiritual nourishment to the people. Education, healthcare, and human development have been significant aspects of their mission, as they work tirelessly to empower those on the margins of society, to lead lives of faith and human dignity.
As they celebrated this milestone, the Comboni Missionaries expressed their gratitude and dedication to furthering their mission. The event was filled with joy, peace, and a sense of belonging to a larger missionary family.
Making a Difference — Worldwide
In the diverse and challenging environments of South Africa, Kenya, and Mexico, the Comboni Missionaries have served with steadfast faith, service, and dedication. Their work has not only led to the establishment of churches but also played a vital role in the development of the communities they’ve served. As we celebrate these anniversaries, we acknowledge the lasting legacy of those first missionaries. Their mission of faith and service continues to inspire and uplift communities, contributing to a better world for all.
