Beatification of Fr. Elijah Comini
The Rule of
Priestly Life: “Everything for the Sacred Heart”
Fr. Ubald
Marchioni, a diocesan priest, and Fr. Martin Capelli, a Dehonian, will be
beatified alongside Fr. Comini.
One of the most
significant milestones on Fr. Comini’s journey is the Rule of Priestly Life,
drawn up on March 13, 1935, in Montodine (Cremona), at the conclusion of the retreat
undertaken in preparation for his ordination to the priesthood, which he was to
receive on March 16 in the cathedral of Brescia. This text served as a true
spiritual compass for his priestly and educational ministry.
At the forefront
of his intentions, Fr. Comini placed the constant pursuit of
holiness and perfection. To nourish his drive toward his own sanctification, he
committed himself to meditating frequently on his own insignificance in the
face of the infinite grace of the priesthood. The regulations identify 3 key
virtues to be practiced consistently and sought for daily in prayer: humility,
purity, and charity.
In Fr. Comini’s
spiritual program, the Holy Mass forms the absolute center of the day.
Following Don Bosco’s example, the rules set out precise times and procedures:
care taken in preparation and in giving thanks; putting on and taking off
liturgical vestments while accompanying the gesture with the appropriate pious,
attentive, and devout prayers; a well-ordered style of celebration,
devoid of any affectation, with a brisk pace that allows for intimate moments
to spend time with Jesus.
Alongside the
Eucharist, the Breviary is described as the “most beautiful, the most important”
prayer, to be said, if possible, before the Blessed Sacrament. During the
dramatic days of his captivity and right up to the final moments before his
execution by firing squad, Fr. Comini would hold his Breviary close to him,
using it to guide prayer and offer spiritual comfort to the other hostages
condemned to death. As the prisoners were being led toward the Canapiera
reservoir at Pioppe di Salvaro to be killed, a German soldier struck Father
Comini’s hands with extreme violence to force him to let go of the Breviary,
which then fell into the water of the reservoir.
Fr. Elijah’s
priestly identity is inseparable from the Salesian charism
In his rule
of life, souls represent his primary concern, care, and responsibility: whoever
approaches him must encounter not the man, but the priest, the minister, and
the servant of Jesus; young people are regarded as the “beloved portion” of his
heart; prayer, the good word, and good example constitute his commitment to the
good of all souls.
His program of
life: “Per Ipsum et cum Ipso et in Ipso”
All of Fr.
Comini’s work must be carried out “in the shadow of Jesus” and for his most
lovable Heart. This total Christ-centered orientation is reflected in an
outward composure and seriousness befitting one who lives united to the Lord, summarizing
his commitment with the invocation: “Everything and always for the Sacred
Heart and in the Sacred Heart.”
The Rule also summarizes
the intellectual commitment and spiritual references of the candidate for
ordination: the commitment to return to sacred studies, devoting himself in
particular to sacred Scripture, the catechism, and moral theology; devotion to
the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus and to Mary Immaculate, Help of Christians; and
St. John Bosco, guide and model for his entire Salesian priesthood.
Drawn up when Fr.
Comini was 25, the Rule of Priestly Life did not remain a theoretical
declaration of intent, but became the conceptual and existential blueprint by
which he lived out his mission among young people and faced the ordeal of the
war in Salvaro, right up to the fulfilment of his own sacrifice in October
1944.
Part of Fr. Comini's Rule of Life
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