Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – As a tangible sign of the canonisation of Blessed Daniele Comboni and a sign of hope for the nation and the people to whom Comboni devoted his entire life, the Comboni institutes he founded have decided to undertake an important project for the poor people of Khartoum, in Sudan, a city where Comboni was the first Catholic bishop. The project consists of the reconstruction and re-organisation of the Maternity Department at St Mary’s Hospital Khartoum where the miracle recognised for his canonisation occurred. The project also includes programmes of medical formation and assistance in the city centre and in various other districts of the capital. The programme is mainly aimed to helping women irrespective of their religion or ethnic group, and particularly the poorest among them.
Meanwhile in Rome starting with the week leading up to the canonisation there will be various initiatives to make known the figure of the saintly first Bishop of Central Africa. From 28 September 7 October ” the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome will host an exhibition on the “Life and Message of Daniele Comboni. Other exhibitions organised include: Sub-Saharan art and Culture of particular interest to students; Comboni’s Life in Cartoon both hosted by the Pius Filipino Sisters from 27 September 12 October. On 3 October there will be the presentation of a Biography of Blessed Comboni and on 3,4 and 5 October at the Auditorium in Via della Conciliazione there will be a play “The day and the night of Comboni”. On Saturday 4 October, the eve of the Canonisation, prayer vigils will be held in 7 churches in Rome for 7 language groups. On Sunday 5 October the Pope will canonise Daniele Comboni during a Mass in St Peter’s Square starting at 9am. The next day there will be a Mass of thanksgiving again at 9am in St Peter’s Square followed by an audience with the Pope in the Paul VI Hall. SL (Fides Service 26/2003 EM lines 21 Words: 305
