Salesian Fr. Elijah Comini Recognized as a Martyr

Holy See Recognizes Fr. Elijah Comini, SDB, as a Martyr

(ANS – Rome – December 18, 2024) – On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Dicastery to promulgate the decree concerning the martyrdom of the Servant of God Fr. Elijah Comini of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, born on May 7, 1910, in Calvenzano di Vergato (Bologna) and killed out of hatred of the Faith, in Pioppe di Salvaro (Bologna) on October 1, 1944.

This recognition opens the way for Fr. Comini’s beatification as a martyr of the Monte Sole massacre, which took place 80 years ago. This was the most heinous slaughter carried out by Nazi SS forces in Europe during World War II in the territories of Marzabotto, Grizzana Morandi, and Monzuno, commonly known as the “Marzabotto Massacre.”

Fr. Stefano Martoglio, vicar of the Rector Major, expressed the joy of the entire Congregation and the Salesian Family, commenting: “This news, on the eve of Christmas and the Holy Year, is a great source of hope. In a world engulfed in the tragedy of wars and fratricidal struggles, forgetful of the dramas of the past, the testimony of Fr. Elijah Comini shines forth as that of a peacemaker and reconciler. Moreover, this news comes on the anniversary of the founding of the Congregation (December 18, 1859). The recognition of Fr. Elijah Comini’s martyrdom is an extraordinary affirmation of Don Bosco’s charism, which finds its core in pastoral charity, radiating apostolic and educational zeal.”

Elijah Comini was born in Madonna del Bosco in Calvenzano di Vergato (Bologna) on May 7, 1910, the second child of Claudio and Emma Limoni Comini. As a young boy, he was guided to the Salesians of Finale Emilia by Msgr. Fidenzio Mellini, a former student of Don Bosco in Turin. Elijah entered the novitiate on October 1, 1925, made his first profession on October 3, 1926, and professed perpetually on May 8, 1931. Ordained a priest in Brescia on March 16, 1935, he served in Salesian houses in Chiari (Brescia) until 1941 and in Treviglio (Bergamo) from 1941 to 1944, distinguishing himself as an excellent teacher of humanities and a trusted confidant for many young people: “They seemed like a brood of chicks around the hen.” During the summer, with the approval of his superiors, Fr. Comini would return for certain periods to the Bologna Apennines – to Salvaro – to assist his mother, who was elderly and alone. There, he also assisted Msgr. Mellini in his pastoral work.

Such was the mission that occupied Fr. Comini even during the extremely challenging summer of 1944. He arrived in Salvaro on June 24 and remained there for just over three months, until his death. He provided aid to the population, addressing their many concrete needs brought on by the war, animated the liturgy, and promoted frequent reception of the sacraments. He supported the consecrated women and carried out an intense apostolate through all the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Moreover, he served as a mediator among opposing sides: the local population, partisans, and the German Wehrmacht, who were stationed at the rectory for a month (August 1 – September 1, 1944). The Servant of God also established a priestly fraternity with the young Dehonian priest Fr. Martin Capelli, joining forces in their ministry.

On the morning of September 29, 1944, Fr. Comini, accompanied by Fr. Capelli, hurried to Creda, a village where the SS of a battalion from the 16th Panzer Division had just carried out a massacre. Wearing his stole, carrying holy oils and a ciborium with the Eucharist, he was clearly identified as a priest engaged in his ministry of comforting the dying.

Captured, stripped of his priestly insignia, and used as a beast of burden to transport ammunition, Fr. Comini endured an intense passion and suffering that day, undoubtedly forced to witness the “most horrific atrocities.” That evening, he was taken to the “cartwrights’ house” in Pioppe di Salvaro, where he spent two harrowing days. From the beginning, he was convinced he was destined to die (“one pays the price for doing charity”), yet he remained close to the prisoners, always ready to comfort, assist, and ultimately absolve them.

Efforts to mediate and save him failed, while he interceded for everyone and urged the few who reached him to appeal to the archbishop of Bologna.

On the evening of October 1, 1944, Fr. Comini was killed among the group of “unfit” prisoners (innocent of any involvement in the conflict) – despite being young and physically capable – at the Botte della Canapiera in Pioppe di Salvaro. His execution followed a surreal procession orchestrated by the SS, who forced the prisoners to walk on a makeshift platform before mowing them down with machine guns. Fr. Comini, chanting the Litanies and crying out “Mercy!” at the end, turned this grim march into a prayerful ascent toward Heaven.

Shortly before his death, it was reported that a German soldier violently struck his hands, causing his breviary to fall among the bodies of those already killed, into the ditch below. Their remains could not be recovered because the grates were later opened and the powerful current of the Reno River carried the bodies away.

In the moments of execution, Fr. Comini’s body shielded Pio Borgia, one of only three survivors of the Botte massacre and a key witness to the events.

Fr. Comini was immediately associated with a reputation for martyrdom, which also led to a new awareness and understanding of his previously holy life.

“For the Church of Bologna, for the Salesian Congregation, particularly for the Lombardo-Emiliana Salesian Province, and for the entire Salesian Family, this recognition is a source of immense joy and thanksgiving to God and the Virgin Mary, Help of Christians. Special thanks go to the relator of the cause, Msgr. Maurizio Tagliaferri, and to Dr. Lodovica Maria Zanet, collaborator of the postulator’s office, for her highly skilled work,” said Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, postulator general.

“The profound source of the pastoral style of the Servant of God Elijah Comini lies in his choice to lay down his life for his brothers, as Jesus did when He gave Himself over to death for all sinners. Throughout his life and until the very end, he strove to be a good shepherd, giving himself without reservation and with generous self-sacrifice in a one-way exodus from himself. This is the true essence of his pastoral charity, presenting him as a model shepherd who watches over his flock, defending the weak and the innocent.” 

Monument to Frs. Comini and Capelli
at the massacre site