|
Educated at Father Mazza's
Institute, Verona, Italy, studying theology, medicine, and several
languages. Ordained in 1854. Missionary to modern Sudan in 1857, but
returned in 1859 due to ill health. Taught at Mazza's Institute 1861-64.
Wrote on the need for aid in Africa, that the aid should be used to "Save
Africa Through Africa", treating Africans as adults in need of a hand, not
children in need of guidance as was common in European thought of the day.
Traveled to France, Spain, England, Germany, and Austria on
fund-raising missions.
In 1867 at Verona, he founded the Istituto delle Missioni per la Nigrizia
for priests and brothers, and the Istituto delle Pie Madri for women who
were called to work in Africa; they became known as the Comboni
Missionaries, and in 1894 became the Congregation of the Sons of the
Sacred Heart. He opened similar institutions in Cairo, Egypt, to
acclimatize missionaries to Central Africa. Wrote to the 1st Vatican
Council in 1870 on the need for Church's involvement in African
conversion. Pro-vicar Apostolic of Central Africa in 1872 covering Nubia,
Egyptian Sudan, and the territory south to the Lakes (nearly 100,000,000
people). He founded missions in El-Obeid (Kordofan), Khartoum, Berber,
Delen, and Malbes. Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa, titular Bishop of
Claudiopolis, and Bishop of Khartoum in 1877.
He helped suppress the slave trade in the region. Contributed material for
scientific works about the region, and of its geography; works on several
dialects were based in large part on Daniel's notes about the languages.
He spoke six European languages, Arabic, and several central African
dialects. The Comboni Family continue their work today with priests,
brothers and sisters ministering in hospitals, schools, and orphanages in
41 countries.
Born: 15 March 1831 at Limone sul Garda, Italy
Died: 10 October 1881 of natural causes at Khartoum, Sudan
Beatified: 17 March 1996 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's
Basilica, Rome
Canonized: miracle approved 20 December 2002; recognition scheduled
for 5 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II
Readings
The missionaries will have to understand that they are stones hid under
the earth, which will perhaps never come to light, but which will become
part of the foundations of a vast, new building.
-Blessed Daniel Comboni
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the time of his priestly formation in the institute founded by the
Servant of God Nicola Mazza, Daniel Comboni felt called to give his own
life to proclaim the Gospel in the land of Africa. This awareness stayed
with him throughout his life and supported him in his missionary labors
and pastoral difficulties. He felt comforted in this dedication by the
words he heard from Pope Pius IX: "Labora sicut bonus miles Christi pro
African" ("Work like a good soldier of Christ for Africa" Scritti, n.
4085).
The modernness and boldness of his work were expressed in the preparation
and formation of future priests, in the tireless promotion of the missions
by his writing and publishing, in the founding of two institutes one for
men, the other for women exclusively dedicated to the mission "ad gentes",
by struggling for the abolition of the terrible slave-trade and by
actively working "for the rebirth of Africa through itself". These
insights of the new blessed produced great fruit for the evangelization of
the African continent by paving the way to the consoling growth of the
Church in Africa today (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa, nn.
3338).
"Leading humanity to the light of eternal life": Daniel Comboni's ideal
continues today in the apostolate of his spiritual sons and daughters.
They still maintain strong ties in Africa, particularly in Sudan, where
their founder spent a great part of his energy as a tireless evangelizer
and where he died at a young age, worn out by his labors and illness. The
unconditional trust he had in the power of prayer (cf. Scritti n. 2324) is
effectively expressed in the "Cenacles of missionary prayer" which are
being set up in many parishes and represent a significant way to promote
and renew missionary spirituality.
-Pope John Paul II at the beatification ceremony for Blessed Daniel on 17
March 1996
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintd28.htm
|
