Saint Comboni and Poverty

St. Comboni's spirituality is clearly marked by the characteristic of evangelical poverty. In numerous situations of poverty, neglect and death, he finds in the crucified Christ the effective presence of the God of Life, and a multitude of brothers and sisters to love and to esteem; from his charism our commitment to live the joy of total dedication, sharing the liberating power of the Gospel with the crucified victims of history.

Poverty is, above all, a personal interior disposition, but sharing in the same charism brings us together to live a common style of life in view of the proclamation of and witness to the Gospel. The sharing of goods and material means in community is an expression of our self-giving to Christ. In turn it becomes an alternative proposal to, and a prophetic denunciation of, materialism and consumerism that are so dominant in our globalized world.