I was born in Brazil in 1971 into a family of ten children. I am a former builder. I met a Franciscan nun who knew a lot about me and my involvement in my Christian community. She reminded me of the great lack of priests and told me that I could make a good priest to help in the community. She suggested I go to the Comboni Missionaries and talk about my vocational discernment. I got to know about the life of Daniel Comboni and his mission in central Africa.

My desire to become a priest was increasing and I considered also becoming a missionary. After three years of meetings, talks and prayers I decided to leave home and join the Comboni Missionaries. My family supported my decision.

When I first read about Comboni's life and mission I was very impressed by his dedication to prayer and by his strong conviction and determination to go ahead with his missionary plan for Africa. His total dedication to the African mission and his solidarity and personal commitment to the poorest and   most   abandoned people of his time made him a great missionary and prophet.

I have been with the Comboni Missionaries on vocation journey for ten years I never looked back quite happy to carry on. This formative missionary journey, though long has given me much joy and fulfilment. There have been times of great difficulty but nothing that could hold me back. My family, friends and community have been most supportive all along the way. I always felt the presence of God through prayer.

I'll be going to my province of origin in Brazil to do some missionary work there before going to a   mission   elsewhere. Everything is in God’s hands. For now I only need to meditate on Comboni’s words: “Courage for today but above all for tomorrow”.