Mission Born from the Cross

St. Paul, when speaking of  following of the Cross, moves from a static concept to a more dynamic one. He understands that his own sufferings are part of a mysterious completion of the sufferings of Christ (Cor. 1:24). Comboni places himself within this kind of vision.  

The apostolate carried out through suffering is an effective extension of Christ's redemption. In this perspective, Mission becomes a participation of God's movement towards the poorest and most abandoned. By uniting together the two symbolisms, that of the Pierced Heart and of the Good Shepherd, St. Comboni moves from a devotional attitude, which marked his years of formation and the beginning of his missionary life, to a theological relationship, which was a strong experience of a love received, the source of his unconditional trust in God. The spirit of sacrifice comes from keeping one's eyes fixed with love on Jesus Christ Crucified. For this reason St. Comboni loves the Cross, "Always pray to Jesus and his Most Sacred Heart for me, so that I may truly always have more and more love for the Cross and the thorns that will convert Africa."

This is the testament St. Comboni leaves to his missionaries, "In the Institute, the only true science is that of Jesus Crucified. Martyrdom, in the context of a life that is offered up, becomes a perspective which generates desire and comfort: Oh, what happiness it is to suffer even martyrdom for Jesus." The Cross is not sought for its pain, but embraced because love has already gone there first.