St. Daniel Comboni

Daniel Comboni (1831-1881) was born in Italy, and ordained a priest in 1854. 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 wrote to the 1st Vatican Council in 1870 on the need for Church's involvement in African conversion.

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.

Daniel died in 1881 of natural causes at Khartoum, Sudan. His Feast Day is October 10.