October 10th - St. Daniel Comboni By: Jonathan Alapatt

St. Daniel Comboni was born on March 15 1831 in Limone Sul Garda in Brescia, Italy to the poor gardeners Luigi Comboni and Domenica Pace as the fourth of eight children. He received priesthood on December 31, 1854, by the Bishop of Trent.  On September 29, 1855, he attended a pilgrimage to the holy land with other priests with the blessing of his mother. 4 months later, he reached Khartoum, Sudan to liberate the enslaved boys and girls there. There were many difficulties such as illnesses and deaths of fellow missionaries. He left Khartoum with only two fellow missionaries. The rest died. He went to Rome to discuss a plan to liberate the children with Pope Pius IX. He wanted all of Europe and the Universal church to take part in his plan. He started two institutes in Verona, Italy. One for boys, and one for Girls. He founded many missions in Africa. He left Africa for Rome and took part in the First Vatican Council. He got 70 bishops to sign a petition for the evangelization of Africa, but it was delayed by the Franco-Prussian War. After the war, he traveled to Sudan again to act against the slave trade and start his mission. Sadly, he died on October 10, 1881, from the cholera pandemic. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 5, 2003
 
 INTERCESSORY PRAYER 

O Jesus, help us to preach the Word of God to others like St Daniel did so that others can hear the good news of the Gospel. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.