With their founder, St. Daniel Comboni, as an inspiration, the Comboni Missionaries  have traveled to nearly every corner of the world, sharing the good news of Christ and working to protect the dignity of all people. They first arrived in the United States in 1939, making their way to the Chicago area in 1960. They initially set up a community near Yorkville, then moved to Hyde Park in 1976, establishing an international house of study near Catholic Theological Union. In 1985, they purchased an old convent in La Grange Park, which became the Comboni Missionaries Chicago Mission Center. 2022 brought a new chapter in their Chicago area ministry, as they were invited to the newly combined parishes of St. Nicholas and St. Mary.

In September 2022, Fr. Jean Philippe Lokpo was installed as pastor, assisted by Fr. Jose Manuel Sánchez Ortiz. Bishop Mark Bartosic of the Archdiocese of Chicago presided at the installation Mass, speaking with excitement for the parishes coming together as a new missionary family.

“In Evangelii Gaudium… Pope Francis calls all the baptized to be missionary disciples. No matter how long we or our people have been Christian, all of us are missionaries. I’m so grateful for the spirit with which I sense these communities coming together,” Bishop Bartosic said.

The Comboni family includes over 3,500 priests, brothers, sisters, and lay missionaries who serve in 41 countries. Learn more on the Comboni Missionaries website.

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