The Power of the Spirit in St. Comboni (1)

In his whole life the presence and the action of the Holy Spirit are evident. He is known in our Congregation as a prophet in the power of the Spirit. He often names the Spirit in his letters with typical expressions: divine power, impulse of love, burst of flame, grace of the Heart of Jesus... St. Comboni saw the action of the Spirit in the Church taking concrete expression in the person of the Pope, in the office of Propaganda Fide and the Bishops ~ and through the powerful intercession of the Queen of Africa, Mary.

St. Comboni reached the most mature moment of his faith journey  through the witness of his missionary life. The mission was the fertile ground from which he grew. It all followed the normal stages of any baptized person ~ his faith was passed on to him by a community of believers, he accepted it personally and then communicated that to others. His relationship with the Holy Spirit (which is always personal) was fully revealed as he began to live out his vocation. He used to caution people that it is not enough to pray with words, they can be powerful when spoken at the right time but one needs the fire of faith above all. "Contemplate the mystery of Christ on the Cross with faith: that is what makes us blessed and ready for anything ~ even martyrdom."