St. Daniel Comboni (1831-1881)

Today marks the death of St. Daniel Comboni, the first Catholic bishop in Central Africa. Born in Brescia, Italy, he grew up in a poor family. At a young age he studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 1854. From an early age he was fascinated with the African missions. In 1857, he went to Africa, where he worked in the Sudan. In 1867 he founded the Comboni Missionary Institute, and in 1872 he founded the Comboni Missionary Sisters. In 1877 he was named Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa, and was ordained a bishop shortly thereafter. He was a great opponent of slavery. He spoke several languages, including Arabic, and several central African dialects. He was canonized in 2003.