The article shares the vocation journey of a Comboni Brother from the Korogocho slum in Nairobi, inspired by the witness of missionaries who lived among the poor. From altar service to formation and studies, his path reflects a deep commitment to serve with love, presence, and professionalism. His life as a Brother is a living witness of Christ’s compassion and hope for the marginalized.
Bro. Brian Onyango, Mccj
“I have indeed seen the misery of my people… I have heard them crying… I am concerned about their suffering.” (Exodus 3:7).
A Call Born from the Margins
My vocation story is rooted in the narrow alleys and dusty paths of Korogocho slum, one of Nairobi’s most impoverished and forgotten corners. It was there, among shanty houses and resilient souls, that I first heard the silent cry of the poor, a cry not only for bread, but for dignity, presence, and hope. Raised in this environment without much family support, I was nevertheless nourished by the sacraments and the silent strength of the Catholic faith. It was through service as an altar boy and later a church youth leader that I began to perceive the quiet yet persistent whisper of God’s call.
But this call did not thunder from the clouds. It came to me through the lived witness of Comboni Missionaries who had given their lives to dwell among us, not above us, not beside us, but with us. They didn’t come with quick fixes, but with deep compassion. Their presence was incarnational; they became part of our lives. They preached not only from pulpits, but through blistered feet, tired hands, and hearts on fire for justice.
I remember watching them walking alongside the destitute, comforting grieving mothers, educating children, advocating for dignity, and praying in the simplicity of our poor chapel at St. John’s Korogocho. Through them, I encountered Christ again and again: in the broken bread of the Eucharist and the brokenness of our people. I realized that the mission is not first about doing, but about being present, available, and attentive to the voice of God in the cries of His people.
The Awakening of a Missionary Heart
Something began to stir deeply within me, an inner urgency, a flame that could not be extinguished: A call not to escapethe slum, but to embrace its wounds with love. A call not to admire missionaries from afar, but to walk the same narrow and demanding path. A call not simply to serve, but to belong, wholly and joyfully, to God and his poor. The words of St. Daniel Comboni became a fire in my soul: “Save Africa with Africa.” (Writings, 2741)
I realized that, as an African son of the soil, I was not just a recipient of God’s mission but an active agent of transformation, a brother called to lift others by the power of Christ’s love and presence. A brother called to light the candle of hope where hope fades; a brother ready to listen to the voiceless children of God, whose dreams are shattered and talents buried.
I longed to be a brother who loves where there is pain, serves where there is need, and shines as a light where darkness lingers. This passion renewed my hope that God might make me His vessel of mercy. I believed that the tears of the suffering would fuel my faithfulness. I was determined to respond to a call whose sufferings and struggles heal wounds and comfort the sorrow, because my presence among them would mean a lot to them.
Formation: Preparing the Heart, Mind, and Hands for Mission
For the time I have been with the Comboni’s I have learned that Comboni vocation is not something you simply step into. It is a journey, a deep, transformative process of becoming more like Christ the Missionary, more like Comboni the Shepherd of the marginalized. And so, with trembling faith and burning desire, I entered the formation house in May 2017, after a period of Come and See.
Pre-postulancy Experience
I was sent to Mukuru slums for the pre-postulancy experience, where I served as a social worker. Mukuru became a school of the heart for me. The people’s struggles, their sacred stories of survival, became the fuel of my prayer and perseverance. It was there that I began to understand that to serve the poor is to walk on holy ground. It was there that I began to realize that indeed a call to Comboni life is to be very close to the poor and the most abandoned.
Postulancy at Layibi, Gulu, Northern Uganda
In May 2018, I was admitted to the Postulancy at Layibi in Gulu, Northern Uganda. It was a season of personal growth, communal living, and intercultural exchange. It was an essential stage of being formed intellectually, pastorally, spiritually, and humanly. I began to see how formation does not remove me from reality; it immersed me more deeply into it, preparing me not just to know Christ, but to reflect Him.
Upon returning to Kenya in May 2019, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development at Tangaza University. This was not merely an academic degree; it served as a vocational tool. The Brothers’ vocation calls us to evangelize not only through catechesis but also through works of mercy, justice, innovation, and human development. Our hands and hearts must convey the Gospel.
Novitiate: Embracing the Radical Yes
On August 20, 2022, I began the Novitiate experience in Namugongo, the most sacred and intense phase of initial formation. It was a time of deep inner conversion, listening more attentively to God, studying the Comboni charism, and embracing the demands of the three evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The novitiate taught me that being a Brother is not about being less than a priest, it is about being completely what God wants you to be. It is about becoming a visible sign of fraternity, a bridge of communion, and a minister of God’s tenderness. On May 11, 2024, with great joy and trust in God, I professed my first vows as a Comboni Brother. This was a very propitious prerogative in my life because it was such a unique experience that helped me to embrace a new experience.
Formation in Action: Equipping for Mission
Today, I am stationed at the Comboni International Brothers Centre in Nairobi, I am pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). You may ask why an MBA? Because in today’s world, the mission demands more than a good heart; it requires good planning. As Brothers, we are often entrusted with development projects, formation programs, and administrative roles.
This academic journey is equipping me to integrate faith with professionalism, charity with competence, and spirituality with strategic leadership. It is not a detour from the mission; it is the mission. Every skill I acquire is aimed at serving Christ better in His poor, ensuring our missions are sustainable, accountable, and transformative.
The Brother’s Vocation: A Living Witness of Christ the Servant
Comboni once said: “The missionary must be ready to die for the people he serves.” (Writings, 3159). To be a Comboni Brother is to lay down one’s life, not in grand gestures, but in daily fidelity: Being a voice for the voiceless, a shoulderfor the weary, and a builder of bridges in broken places.
As a Comboni Brother, I am called to embody Christ through fraternity, service, and simplicity, bringing hope to a broken world. Strengthened by formation, I strive to be a beacon of light amid life’s darkest clouds.
