Sr. Amelia Romo Marquez tells us about her missionary outreach in the Andean country. “Every encounter, every activity, and every face I meet along the way reminds me that the Mission belongs to God and that we are merely instruments of His love.”

I’m Mexican, and for almost two years, after a long stint in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I’ve been in Peru carrying out missionary and vocational promotion. I’m very happy because being a missionary promoter is a fascinating task that aims to sow in people’s hearts the conviction that mission is the responsibility of every baptised person.

I participate in parish events, meetings organised by schools or youth groups, and also in initiatives launched by Christian communities themselves. I also propose conferences, workshops, or a simple missionary message that motivates and strengthens people’s faith.

This service requires me to be readily available and constantly open, because the promotion activities take place both in the city of Lima, where I live, and in other parts of the country. The Mission knows no bounds, and I’m always willing to travel, to discover new communities, and to share the joy that only God can give.

Another important aspect of my service is vocations promotion. I accompany young people on their discernment journey, helping them discover whether the Lord is calling them to dedicate their lives to the missions. Together with other missionaries from various congregations, I participate in vocational days, meetings in schools or parishes, and also in activities promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies of Peru.

The goal is always the same: to encourage young people to open their hearts to God’s call and to make themselves available to serve where they are most needed. I accompany more closely and continuously a small group of young women who feel the missionary call and wish to learn more about what we Comboni Missionaries live and do.

With them, I am fuelled by the hope that perhaps some of them will decide to follow in our footsteps. This accompaniment includes formative meetings in which we explore our lifestyle, our charism, and the meaning of completely giving oneself to God for the Mission, even today.

The meetings, which are held approximately once a month, are sometimes in person and sometimes online. I also organise individual meetings with each of the girls to help them discern and gradually discover God’s will for their lives.

Being a missionary in Peru is an immense grace for me. It is a service that allows me to see how the Holy Spirit continues to work among ordinary people, young people, families, and communities. Every meeting, every activity, and every face I encounter along the way reminds me that the Mission is God’s and that we are merely instruments of His love.