Today almost 4000 Comboni Missionaries (priests, brothers, sisters and lay people)of fifteen nationalities continue the mission mandate of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all the nations.

Following the example of Daniel Comboni (1831-1881), our founder, we work among "the poorest and most abandoned" in thirty-six countries of Africa, America and Asia.

In Britain and Ireland we work in missionary animation, vocations promotion and the preparation of young candidates for the missionary life.

We ask you to pray for us, our work in the missions and for an increase of missionary vocations.

Offering up one's sufferings and difficulties (sacrifices)can also greatly contribute to the coming of God's Kingdom that was born on the Cross and still continues "to grow in the shade of the Cross", as Comboni used to say.

We also need your material and financial assistance. Besides preaching the Word, we try to help things develop wherever we are: we build schools, hospitals, churches, social centres and run educational, medical and social activities.

Moreover we need funds for the training of young missionaries at home and catechists in the missions.

"Whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me"(Matthew 25: 40) "Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called 'to practise mercy towards others: 'Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy'"(John Paul II).

*It is our wish that this Missionary Novena may lead you to open your heart more and more to Christ present in the poorest of our brothers and sisters.

Here are some suggestions as how to live out the fruits of this novena.

--- Become more aware of the needs of the people and Church in the Third World; missionary magazines play a very important role in this respect;

--- get involved in the Mission/Third World/Justice and Peace group of your Parish or in the St. Vincent De Paul society;

--- sponsor a candidate for the missionary priesthood or a mission project;

--- get in touch with one or two missionaries you know and pray for them every day;

--- find new supporters, subscribers to our magazine 'Comboni Missions', and make sure your family and friends join you in your prayers and activity for the Missions.

If you would like more information about how to help the missionary work of the Church, please contact

The Director of Missionary Activities at one of these addresses:

ENGLAND:
Comboni Missionaries
(Verona Fathers)
London Road
Sunningdale
Berkshire SL5 OJX
Tel: 0990-21267

SCOTLAND:
Comboni Missionaries
(Verona Fathers)
8 South Crescent
Ardrossan
Ayrshirc KA22 8DU
Tel: 0284-67150

IRELAND:
Comboni Missionary Centre
29 Woodfarm Avenue
Palmerstown
Dublin 20
Tel: 01-265951

If you would like information about how to become a Comboni Missionary, please contact the Vocations Promoter at any of these addresses:

England:
Comboni Missionarics
Brownberrie Lanc
Horsforth
Leeds LSI8 5HE
Tel: 0532-582658

Comboni Missionary Sisters
4 Chiswick Lane
London W4
Tel: 01-994-0449

Scotland:
Comboni Missionarics
151 Baillieston Road
Shcttlcston
Glasgow G32 OTN
Tel: 041-771-5242

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND PRECIOUS HELP WE COMMEND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO THE PROTECTION OF THE SACRED HEART AND PROMISE YOU A REMEMBRANCE IN OUR PRAYERS AND MASSES.