By Lorena Ortiz, cms
A few months ago, I told an Italian friend that my next mission destination would be Dubai. She laughed, thinking I was joking. When she realized I was serious, she apologized and explained that, in Italy, Dubai usually evokes shopping, luxury, and vacations—not mission work, especially for a Comboni Sister. When I arrived in Dubai, I began observing and listening, taking in the environment with curiosity. I was immediately struck by the witness of my sisters, who dedicate themselves from morning to evening to a wide range of pastoral services and to education.
An austere and simple life
Our community life is shaped by prayer, service, and sisterly sharing—during meals and in the quiet moments at the end of the day. In our relationships, there is no rush; instead, we cultivate attentive listening, quality presence, and mutual respect.
I am deeply grateful for this. This is the largest parish in the world, with people from many backgrounds. Families register their children for catechism, each carrying a different story: struggles with work, finances, relationships, domestic violence, children trying to adapt to a new environment, often feeling uprooted, showing behavioural challenges, and longing to belong.
Religious consecration is a source of life
Pope Leo XIV , addressing religious women, said that today’s world needs generous women—witnesses of hope and prophecy.
I believe our generosity flows from our vow of poverty. We give our time to others, offering what we know and who we are, knowing that all we have received belongs especially to those in need. Hope is closely linked to the vow of chastity, for as “spouses of Christ” we are united with the very source of hope —our Crucified Saviour. Prophecy is rooted in obedience, because each day God entrusts us with a word to proclaim: that God is truly among us.
Rooted in the Gospel and the charism of St. Daniel Comboni
Saint Daniel Comboni trusted deeply in women, recognizing their irreplaceable role in the service of the Gospel. Whenever a Comboni Sister loses touch with the concrete reality of people— their struggles and suffering—self-centeredness can grow, leading to frustration within the community. Shared life and accompaniment bring wisdom that cannot be gained in isolation.
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is the most radical expression of God’s love. By entering our world, embracing human limitation and vulnerability, Christ teaches us to accept our own limits and to discover meaning within them. This humility transforms our mission and relationships, inviting us—especially as women of the Gospel—to live a mission shaped by self-giving and communion.
Image taken from Canva