DICASTERIum de causis sanctorum
BONONIENSIS
Beatificationis seu declarationis martyrii
SERVI DEI
ELIAE COMINI
Sacerdotis Professi Societatis Sancti Francisci Salesii
in odium fidei, uti fertur, interfecti
(† 1 Octobris 1944)
_____________________
DECREE OF MARTYRDOM
‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep’ (Jn 10:11). The deep source of the pastoral style of the Servant of God Elia Comini lies in his choice to give his life for his brothers and sisters as Jesus did. This is the essence of his pastoral charity, which presents him as a model shepherd who watches over his flock, ready to give his life for it in defence of the weak and innocent.
Fr Elia Comini was born in Calvenzano di Vergato (Bologna) on 7 May 1910. His parents, Claudio, a carpenter, and Emma Limoni, a seamstress, prepared him for life and educated him in the faith. He was baptised in Calvenzano. He made his First Communion and received Confirmation in Salvaro di Grizzana. The archpriest of Salvaro, Monsignor Fidenzio Mellini, who had known Don Bosco as a young soldier in Turin, directed the young Elia to the Salesian minor seminary in Finale Emilia (Modena). In 1925, the Servant of God entered the Salesian novitiate in Castel De' Britti (Bologna), making his temporary religious profession on 3 October 1926. Until 1928, he attended the Salesian high school in Turin-Valsalice as a student cleric, where Don Bosco's tomb was then kept. It was here that Elia began a demanding spiritual journey, as evidenced by a diary he kept until his tragic death. On the eve of the renewal of his vows, he wrote: ‘I am happier than ever on this day, on the eve of the sacrifice that I hope will be pleasing to You. Receive me as a sacrificial victim, even though I do not deserve it. If you believe, give me some reward: forgive my sins of my past life; help me to become a saint.’
He completed his practical training as an assistant educator in Finale Emilia, Sondrio and Chiari. He graduated in Literature from the State University of Milan. He made his perpetual profession on 8 May 1931 and was ordained a priest in Brescia on 16 March 1935. He first taught literature at the San Bernardino aspirantate in Chiari (Brescia) and, in 1941, was transferred to the Salesian institute in Treviglio (Bergamo), where he continued his teaching career. He embodied Don Bosco's pastoral charity and the traits of Salesian loving kindness, which he transmitted to young people through his friendly character, kindness and smile.
In June 1944, while the direct confrontation between German and Allied troops was taking place in the area between Monte Salvaro and Monte Sole in the Emilian Apennines, Fr Elia returned to his native land to assist his elderly and lonely mother. Until mid-September 1944, he helped the elderly parish priest Monsignor Mellini, devoting himself to catechesis, retreats, preaching and celebrating the Eucharist. Together with the Servant of God Martino Capelli, a Dehonian, he devoted himself continuously to helping, consoling, administering the sacraments and burying the dead.
The three days of suffering for Father Elia Comini and Father Martino Capelli began on Friday, 29 September. In the parish of Salvaro, full of refugees, news arrived that following a clash with the partisans, the terrible SS had captured 69 people, among whom were some dying people in need of comfort. Father Elia celebrated his last Mass very early in the morning; then, with Father Martino, he went to help the wounded, the killed, and the arrested, carrying the tabernacle with the Eucharist and the Holy Oils. In Creda di Salvaro, the two priests were arrested, used ‘like mules’ and forced to carry ammunition. In the evening, they were locked up in the stables of Pioppe di Salvaro. On Saturday 30 September, Father Elia and Father Martino spent all their energy comforting the many men locked up with them. In the evening, they confessed to each other. The following day, at dusk, machine-gun fire inexorably mowed down the 46 victims of what would go down in history as the Massacre of Pioppe di Salvaro. Witnesses who were a short distance from the scene of the massacre could hear Father Comini’s voice leading the Litany and then the sound of gunfire. Before collapsing, mortally wounded, Father Comini gave absolution to everyone and cried out, ‘Mercy, mercy!’ His body, along with those of the others who had been killed, was scattered in the River Reno.
By virtue of his reputation for holiness, a diocesan inquiry was held at the Archiepiscopal Curia of Bologna from 3 December 1995 to 25 November 2001, the validity of which was recognised by the then Congregation for the Causes of Saints by decree of 1 October 2004. Once the Positio super virtutibus had been prepared, it was discussed, according to the usual procedure, whether the Servant of God had exercised heroic virtues. The Special Congress of Theological Consultors was held on 4 April 2017, with a positive outcome. Subsequently, following a martyrdom re-examination of the Servant of God’s story, at the request of the Postulation, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the change of the Cause’s wording from super virtutibus to super martyrio. Once the Positio supplettiva super martyrio had been prepared and the martyrdom of the Servant of God had been studied in depth, it was discussed, according to the usual procedure, whether the death of the Servant of God was a true martyrdom. On 25 February 2020, the Session of the Historical Consultors was held, and on 11 April 2024, the Special Congress of Theological Consultors was celebrated, both with favourable opinions. The Cardinal Fathers and Bishops, in the Ordinary Session of 10 December 2024, recognised that the aforementioned Servant of God was killed for his fidelity to Christ and to the Church.
The undersigned Cardinal Prefect then reported all this information to His Holiness Pope Francis. His Holiness, accepting and confirming the votes of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, today declared: The martyrdom and the cause that led to the martyrdom of the Servant of God Elia Comini, professed priest of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, are hereby confirmed, in hatred of the faith.
The Supreme Pontiff then ordered that this decree be published and included in the records of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Issued in Rome on 18 December 2024.
Marcello Card. Semeraro
Prefect
Fabio Fabene
Tit. Archb. of Montefiascone
Secretary
