Today is the commemoration of St. Daniel Comboni – one of the most influential saints in my life. Because it was the Combonis, and his figure, who inspired me to go on a mission. And if I hadn’t gone… Well… It’s hard to speculate, because my entire adult life revolved around mission.

Comboni was incredibly determined, confident in his ideas, and infected everyone around him with his missionary zeal. What I also love about him is his lack of division – he emphasized that mission cannot be Italian, Spanish, or any other, but universal. He took religious from various congregations, priests, and lay people with him on missions. How we need such unity today! He lived by faith, evangelized, loved, and helped – including fighting against slavery.

He lived from 1831 to 1881. Today is another anniversary of his death, but it’s actually a day of celebration, not mourning, because it happened just like St. Daniel Comboni said on his deathbed: “Have courage; have courage in this difficult hour, and even more for the future. Do not desist, never give up. Face without fear whatever storm comes.

Do not be afraid. I die but my work will not die.”