[6734]

Not even a month has gone by since I sent you a document from this capital, namely the recommendation given to me by a Muslim Pasha who governs, on behalf of the Khedive of Egypt, a territory five times the size of Italy, Rauf Pasha, Governor of the Sudan. I sent this to you for you to let the world know how much protection the Catholic Church receives from the Muslims, especially under the banner of the Khedive of Egypt. Yes, these governors recognise that our holy religion contributes powerfully to the moral and material good of the peoples, and especially in these parts they are convinced that the establishments of our Catholic Missions are the most splendid monuments of European civilisation in Central Africa.
Now I send you another document with the same purpose, which is certainly to the glory of God and the Church. It is another letter from the same Governor General which I received last night and which I of course transcribe in our language:

[Rauf Pasha’s letter follows. See letter to Cardinal Giovanni Simeoni of 17/5/1881, N. 1069 § 6731–33].

[6735]

Since in the Mission territory we have founded in Jebel Nuba there are many thieves and murderers skulking around, at the request of these chiefs and our own Missionaries, we invoked the government’s help to drive them away and to see to our safety. Tomorrow I am leaving for this region with Missionaries and the Superior of the Sisters. Thanks to the strong measures taken by the present Khedive, the slave trade has received a serious blow. I will write to you later about this, if God gives me life. Pray, etc.

+ Daniel Comboni
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa

[6736]

I send you the open letter to the Peccati women, which I ask you to have the patience to read and to see if here, in my hurry (I sleep very little because of the heat, etc.) I have gone straight to the point. It seems to me that for the true good of Africa and to foster the intentions of its true benefactor, you should, choosing the right moment, suggest to the Peccati women that the extra money given to them for emergencies should be re-calculated after one of them dies, thus giving to the one who survives, for example, not 2,500 lire but say 2,000 or 1,800, because she is one and not two. This cannot be done here and now by me after what has happened, but by you, when you think it appropriate, as the one who in conscience jealously guards the interests of Africa. Think about it. I am still here because the camel drivers have not yet come, three of my camels (105 thalers) died in Nuba with those who went there and I must now find other camels. My seven horsemen have been waiting for me for seven days. Today I sent to the Pasha to ask him to force the camel drivers to come.

[6737]

Lately I sent you the Marzano letter to me, that is, the description of the fine new church dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, etc. I also enclosed part of a letter in French sent me by Fr Arturo which speaks of the frequency of the Holy Sacraments in Khartoum, and which would be good to include in the next Annali. Now I forward a new stupendous letter sent me by Rauf Pasha on the 10th of this month which shows how highly the Catholic Church is considered in the Sudan, and how much more respected it is here than in the Barabbases of European governments, especially in France and in Italy. I sent drawings to Lyons of the inside and the outside of the church done by a Protestant from Gavaza who is here with us. Perhaps Fr Luigi will soon give me a photograph of the facade which he took this morning.

[6738]

Forgive me if I do not answer your letters, because today I am submerged in correspondence with Egyptian Ministers and with Rauf Pasha to whom I sent a telegram this morning for him to appoint to the officer with the 100 soldiers a European inspector, an excellent Catholic who lives here, for things to be done well, according to the rules…

[A part of the page is missing here]

[6739]

… This is what he wants for Verona perhaps because I had entrusted Verona to Squaranti when he was with me in Khartoum. But Squaranti knew Verona better than me, and Squaranti had a better mind than Fr Bortolo. Then he tells me he is doing a trial to see if it suits him and that he also intends to be free to return to Europe whenever he wants, and even to detach himself from the mission. May God bless him. In the meantime he implored me to send him the permit to return (which I did) so as to travel with Chalets. In fact his health is poor, and if he had come here to suffer this …

[words missing] … he would already be dead.

[Half a page missing]
[Written in the left margin]: Teacher to Pimazzoni and not to him. Pray for
Your a…

+ Daniel Comboni

[6740]

After the 3,000 francs, I did not receive a cent. I wrote to you and enclosed a letter to Holz asking him for 6,000 francs. I have not seen a cent, either from you or from him. I am most annoyed.
You did badly to write for money to Lyons and Cologne. With your appeals, these Societies will not add a cent more to what they have established on the basis of Reports and requests from the Vicar Apostolic. Instead, you should have written to your own acquaintances who are not already in contact with me. Then indeed, if you should receive anything, it would be an addition to what I receive.

[6741]

You must always send me letters and whatever you receive from Cologne, Vienna, Societies, benefactors, etc., as Fr Bortolo did, because although they are addressed to you according to my orders, they belong to me, because I base my yearly requests on these papers. Therefore, send me the letters you receive from Lyons, Vienna and Cologne, etc.
Until further orders, that is as long as you are so few in Cairo, I order you not to buy any more provisions in Europe, such as cheese, ham, salami, etc., except tomato preserves or macaroni from Naples, or other items to be sent on to the Sudan. Without sending anyone to accompany it, you can send a third of the wine that was bought to Suakin, addressing it to Mr A. Marquet, who is my real Procurator.

[6742]

I urge you to be extremely thrifty; spend only for what is absolutely necessary. Of the money you will receive in July, you must immediately send 6,000 francs to Fr Sembianti in Verona, give 6,000 to Bonavia (part of it in August or later if you can); you should keep only 2,000 for your needs in Cairo; and you must send all the rest to me in Khartoum. The same goes for the money from Cologne or Vienna, you must send it to me as soon as it arrives, until August. Obey my orders blindly, and do not do what you did when I ordered you to send all the money. As for the few of you who are in Cairo, use your wits. I told Fr Bonomi and Fr Fraccaro so often to use their wits while telling them to stop sending letters of credit for payment in Cairo; and they used their wits, trusted in God and God helped them.

[6743]

When I told you to use your wits, now that you have paid 18,000 francs or more for Cairo’s needs, I meant: “now that you have paid Cairo’s debts, make some more, and by sending me all the money, allow me to pay my debts in the Sudan”. Is this not reasonable and just? I have done this a thousand times with the Superiors in the Sudan where I have major expenses, and they have obeyed, because they trusted in God. I firmly believed that you, who pray so ardently to the Lord with words and wishes, would at least do the same. But I find that you are far behind in your trust in God, in obedience, and that our good missionaries in the Sudan have greater trust. But as a weak man without trust in God, you have not only complained to me (to the Superior, always speak clearly and plainly because in his wisdom he will help you and direct you) but you have also complained to my staff and to my subjects, as you did to Fr Bortolo and perhaps to others. I am not reprimanding you at all, but I thought you had more trust in God, and you did what the baker did who said to the Superior of my College: “Sir, in spiritual things I believe in God, in temporal things I believe in gold Napoleons”. I told Fr Arturo, the Superior in Khartoum, to use his wits; and he is using his wits, and does not ask me for money any more.

[6744]

Alberto Sebastian has already left Kordofan to return to Europe to become a priest. He was determined to be a priest, yet throughout the journey to El Obeid and here, he showed himself to be so proud, pig-headed and disobedient that I would not ordain him with such sentiments, even if he were as learned as St Thomas. Since I told him that at the moment I could not give him any money, because there is none, against my will and disregarding everyone, he left with money he found. As from that time he no longer belongs to our Society. I therefore forbid you to receive him or house him in our house, and I forbid you to give him money, whether to stay in Egypt or to go to Europe or elsewhere, and this contrariis quibuscumque non obstantibus.

[6745]

Please do ask the Superior of the Jesuits if he received the letter of credit from Bavaria, which I sent him for his college.
I send heartfelt greetings and a blessing to my cousin Sr Faustina, to whom I do not have the time to write, but who must write to me frequently. But that stop-gap blockhead has not written to me for a while. I bless the other Sisters, Fr Pietro, the Frères, etc. and I wish the Most Excellent Apostolic Delegate a happy feast day of St Louis.

[6746]

You must have more faith in God, more charity towards us and send us money. I place you in the Heart of Jesus, and pray to Him to give you faith which you do not have: you have it more on the outside than on the inside; but make an effort and pray to Jesus, for he will give you all.
Send me money. Give Fr Bortolo everything he wants for Europe. If he had come to El Obeid he would have lost his life. I am almost losing my own.
The new church of Kordofan is stupendous. I have already sent a description to Rome, Verona and Cologne, etc. Praised be Jesus.

+ Daniel Comboni,
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

[6747]

In my establishment in Cairo a young African boy of about 13 was raised and instructed in religion and Italian by my excellent Missionary, Fr Giovanni Dichtl. With Mgr Curcia’s permission and in accordance with the opinion and recommendation of Fr Ermenegildo, Parish Priest and Guardian in Cairo, I baptised him when I was passing through Egypt.

[6748]

Having found that he has sound judgement, religious piety and keen commitment, on the advice of my companions, of a Jesuit father and of many other religious who knew him, I appeal to the outstanding charity and ardent zeal of Your Most Reverend Eminence to beg you to deign to have him accepted by the Holy Father at the Pontifical Urban College of Propaganda Fide for the coming academic year 1881–82.

[6749]

In the firm hope that Your Eminence’s charity would grant me this grace for the good of my arduous and challenging Vicariate, I allowed the above-mentioned African boy to enter my Verona Institute last March, so that he may be instructed and properly prepared and will be suitable for entering this Pontifical Institute.
His name is Pietro Farag, and I hope that he will be equal to the high aim of his vocation, which he has felt strongly for some time, to embrace the ecclesiastical state, to labour and die for his fellow Africans.

[6750]

The camels we have been expecting for two weeks for our journey to Jebel Nuba never arrived; they are weak and exhausted by thirst, because of the great and widespread shortage of water. I have already written to the governor general that we need great provisions, which are certainly not impossible to come by. In the meantime, I am spending from 15 to 20 scudos a day, at times no water can be found and the young people are crying with thirst and begging for a drink. Since I am a Bishop and Vicar Apostolic, they want me to accept a little water to wash myself in, but it has to last me for three or four washes and the water is then drunk by the little Africans. What we suffer from thirst, heat and suffocation, especially me, big and fat as I am, with (as Mgr Vespasiani, Bishop of Fabriano and Matellica, who had a large paunch and used to call it a barrel) my barrel which weighs me down, cannot be described, all the more because I am never hungry and sleep only in snatches.

[6751]

However, it is a great comfort to see all my missionaries (save one, Rosignoli of Frascati, who is not doing terribly well. He is not too bad, he loves his comforts but is reasonably good as a priest; on the mission he will last as long as he lasts, and is now in Jebel Nuba; and except Fr Rolleri, who is ill, and with his first bout of fever two days from Khartoum, wanted to turn back to Khartoum where after a fortnight, he asked me if he could return to Europe to recover), as I was saying, it is great comfort to me to see all the Missionaries and all the Sisters always happy and content, and ready for more and more suffering and death. They speak of hunger, thirst, illnesses and death as though they were lovely things. I am convinced that with regard to self-denial and a spirit of sacrifice, no mission has missionaries as dependable as mine, whether lay or religious. To be able to count on a missionary at all times and to say that he is at one’s disposal for Central and Equatorial Africa and the interior, he must have spent at least two years on the battle field. If he has fought hard for two years, then one can count on him. One must not take the zeal of Europe seriously (and this applies to all Institutes). For example, Fr Rolleri was eleven years in Egypt and never wanted to come to Africa. In Egypt one fares better than in Europe. But when Rolleri had his first attack of fever here, a month and a half after his arrival, by asking to return to Europe, he showed that he is not a good missionary for Central Africa, where one must carry the Cross, as a condition sine qua non, for doing one’s duty.

[6752]

Not to speak ill of anyone, because I would like everyone to do great good to Africa my lover more than to me; but as a practical man experienced in African matters (because it seems to me that there has been excessive trust, that is, more than warranted by the truth) before making a correct judgement, the true judgement on the missions, miracles and affairs of Mgr Lavigerie and his missionaries of Algiers in Equatorial Africa, I dare to advise the exceptional goodness of Your Eminence to go gently and tread lightly, as our very wise late father and master, the Most Eminent Cardinal Barnabò would certainly have done with his sharp eyes and practical experience of men, matters and holy missions. You, Your Most Reverend Eminence, and the Eminent Cardinals of the Sacred Congregation, moved by the most ardent, exquisite and true apostolic charity, a sign of successors of the Apostles and of those next to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, have supported all the insufficiently pondered and undue requests of that eminent prelate, whose judgement, soundness and love for his missionary Bishop confreres are certainly not equal to his dignity. However, I have my respectful doubts that the reality of the results may be reduced to lesser figures.

[6753]

I would sincerely like all Africa to be converted, and would be happy to be its lowliest servant; but the news that I receive from Nyanza is certainly not good. That Fr Livinhac, superior of Nyanza Vittoria is certainly a courageous person who has been rightly relied upon; and he has thoroughly understood that one cannot run as was believed; I am also told that he and his companions are finding themselves in deep water. After two years they told me that they are still living in huts, and that they do not yet have a house like the one I built in Khartoum for the African boys. This is the latest news that reached Khartoum with the last steamer from Ladò. I warmly pray to Jesus and Mary for those Missionaries, that they will succeed.

[6754]

As Your Eminence ordered me, as soon as I arrived in Khartoum, Fr Luigi Bonomi ceased to be Vicar General; and the humble Missionary was very happy about it; nor does anyone have such self-denial or spirit of sacrifice as he, although at times he lacks finesse. In haste, I kiss your Sacred Purple, etc. etc.
Your most devoted and humble son,

+ Daniel Comboni
Bishop and vicar Apostolic

I would be glad if the news just received from Nyanza were to prove false. Let us pray and hope.

[6755]

I am sorry to hear from your last letter that you are without a penny and will not be able to manage until July. Fr Giulianelli is keeping perfectly silent and since my departure from Cairo has sent me only 3,000 francs. In Khartoum and here, I am racking my brains somewhat; but here there is not even a penny of debt, we need ten or more thalers a day of water, and yesterday there was none. So St Joseph must do his duty. I do not ask for graces, but justice. You just keep calm and happy, and trust in God. By this post several letters are leaving which will not be useless. Should someone send you money to send to me, take it for granted that it is also for Verona, for the needs of Verona and Sestri. Keep the rest available for me, according to my orders.

[6756]

In dealing with St Joseph one is dealing with a gentleman; and Beppo is such a gentleman that he first thinks of the spirit and our souls, and of the essentials of the work; and then of the money. He was always an upright man, and must be so now for me who find myself mildly in a mess: but Beppo has rescued me so many times, and does he want me be to be swindled now? Come now! In brief, we are suffering a little for love of Jesus, because the Cross of Jesus or even a single piece of His Cross is worth more than all the treasures of the world. Meanwhile, pray and have prayers said. I want to write to Prague, and after recommending myself (because charitas incipit ab ego), I would like to recommend the Sacramentines of Verona, and do so in a spirit of self-interest, because goodness knows how much they will pray for us. I greet and bless everyone, Fr Luciano, etc., and in the Heart of Jesus sum miser,

+ Daniel Episcopus

[6757]

At last all the camels for Jebel Nuba are here in our courtyard, thanks to the government’s prompt help, and I will be leaving with missionaries and Sisters in two hours to go and rest tonight beneath a colossal baobab (Adansonia) which is five hours from here.
In my last letter I spoke of the plans and Works of Mgr Lavigerie, and of the time required to form a correct opinion on the reality of things, on the real success, etc., etc. I now intend merely to mention to you another matter concerning the other part of Africa, that is, Egypt, waiting until later to give a precise Report after my pastoral visit. This will certainly provide the Sacred Congregation with material to study on the many things that have been done and on the many more that remain to be done, on the wisest organisation of the African missions, especially in Central Africa; and above all on a most interesting problem which my conscience obliges me to submit to the wisdom of the Sacred Congregation. This seems to me hic et nunc a theorem, that is, utrum nec ne expediat, whether or not it would be truly useful, whether it would be really providential for Catholic interests in a part of Central Africa, which is more than five times as big as the whole of France, where the Government of the Khedive of Egypt has conquered such a large part of interior Africa, or whether it would be useless to support his plan – formerly established by Mohammed Ali – to continue his conquests in Central Africa as far as he can, so that if the opposite is true I may know how to proceed and exercise my considerable influence with both the Diwan of Egypt and the Governor General of the Sudan, etc., etc.; it is therefore necessary here that I make a profession of faith to Your Eminence, as follows:

[6758]

Whatever I write, suggest and lay before Your Eminence and the Sacred Congregation is my opinion. I want it to be an opinion and a judgement which is never absolute but entirely subordinate, so that should Your Eminence and the Sacred Congregation, once having given the matter full consideration as is your pleasure, think and judge differently from what I think and judge, I would be ready to sound the retreat, change my incorrect opinion and judgement, and think and judge as do Your Eminence and the Sacred Congregation.

[6759]

For example, I am now deeply convinced that Your Eminence and the Sacred Congregation have, in my humble opinion made a real blunder in giving Mgr Lavigerie four Pro-Vicariates Apostolic to which he will not be able to do justice, even in thirty years with four times the personnel he has at his disposal at present; and to have conceded them to the great detriment of my Vicariate, by depriving me of the main area of my Institute’s work, the region, that is, between 9 degrees North and the Equator. This zone has been the main objective of the Work and of the establishments I have carried forward with such great labour and expense, and I will say even more with the help of the grace of God which helped me. Further, we now know several of the dialects of the area, together with two of the principal languages, Dinka and Bari (and this is something that the French missionaries would not succeed in doing even in ten years, no matter how zealously they might try).

[6760]

And all this seriously jeopardises my financial position too, especially with regard to the annual contribution from Propaganda. In my opinion, then, to have given Mgr Lavigerie four Vicariates, without first waiting to see the true success of his first efforts in the two Pro-Vicariates given to him in 1878, in my subordinate opinion is a grave mistake on your part and that of the Congregation. It shows that, with regard to the African interior, even though Propaganda may otherwise be gifted with all human sense and wisdom, all apostolic zeal and evangelical love, complete love for Jesus Christ and the souls of poor Africans and all concern for the works of God, among which I note especially the worthy Institute founded by the most zealous and eminent Archbishop of Algiers for the evangelisation of Equatorial Africa, etc., the S. Congregation has lacked sufficient understanding of the area about which in this case it is making dispositions, has been just a little too hasty in taking action and, with the holiest of motives, has momentarily allowed that wise consideration and maturity of judgement which is usually its characteristic to go by the board. In the desire of achieving its holy ends, the Congregation has not sought the necessary information from those who would be able to provide it (I do not mean myself, but others who know more than me) and has not, as is the normal custom of the Church, consulted the Heads of Missions, from whose jurisdiction it had been decided to withdraw territory (and here I do mean me). Naturally, it is understood that this is not a duty of Propaganda, but a very prudent custom, because Propaganda is absolutely free to give and to take and to do what it wishes, without listening to or consulting anyone.

[6761]

Now, should Your Eminence or the Sacred Congregation believe me to be mistaken in my judgement or not to have judged rightly; and should Your Eminence and Propaganda think that the decisions concerning the four above-mentioned Pro-Vicariates are well and judiciously made, then at once I sound the retreat and I say with all my heart: asinus ego, and I readily acknowledge that the action of Your Eminence and the Sacred Congregation is very well, wisely and prudently done.
Having made this profession of faith, I come to another matter which concerns the Church, the East, the apostolic Missions and also to a certain extent my work. I describe it here in a few words.

[6762]

This is the useful moment, prepared by Providence to make radical provisions to improve the very interesting Catholic apostolate of Egypt, and to give it an impetus, which will have splendid effects not only on Egypt and on the descendants of its ancient inhabitants who are Copts, but also on the Ethiopian Empire and on a large part of Central Africa.

[6763]

For a long time I have been amazed that this essential most wise provision requested so long ago should have been delayed, but I said to myself: “there must be reasons I am too short-sighted to see, and so I bow my head”. However now, after your Most Reverend Eminence with the wisest and most prudent dexterity has brought the Jesuit Fathers to Cairo (this is a great act that glorifies Your Most Reverend Eminence as Prefect, even more than the 4…), after I have been able to examine and see with my own eyes what only two Jesuits have achieved in less than two years, the deep knowledge of Egypt that they have acquired, their studied moves to convert a highly placed figure, the ideas they have and the active and very skilled personnel they have in Syria at their disposal for Egypt, having seen many other things which it is now impossible for me to mention etc., etc., I said to myself: “this is the moment to try the decisive and necessary master stroke that will bring so much good to Egypt, so much fruitfulness to the Orient, and so much joy to the Sacred Congregation and to our most beloved, zealous, wise and providential Holy Father Leo XIII”. Egypt is the general headquarters of the Catholic apostolate and the Christian civilisation of more than a quarter of the whole of Africa.

[6764]

Moreover I am absolutely certain, having calculated everything, that with the existing institutions alone, even without increasing them with new ones but only by giving them the proper development, that if they were directed by a head who is filled with God, with his wisdom, his love, who is energetic, active, enterprising, zealous and above all endowed with strong shoulders to resist all the blows of adversaries, it would be possible with divine grace to achieve ten times as much good as is being achieved at the moment, because of the very serious obstacle that predominates and is in direct opposition to the increase of the apostolic ministry in Egypt.
And what is this obstacle?

[6765]

It is the Franciscan monopoly, which keeps the Catholic apostolate in Egypt enchained, and substantially prevents its development.
And what is the remedy?
It is very prudent and wise of the Sacred Congregation and of the Holy Father no longer to appoint Vicars and Delegates Apostolic from the Seraphic Order, but from now on to appoint to the supreme direction of Egyptian affairs secular prelates, endowed with the gifts mentioned above, who, armed with courage and energy may increase the parishes in Alexandria and in Cairo, found Jesuit Colleges in Alexandria, Cairo and Assiut, establish residences and churches where the Word of God is preached, increase the number of schools, etc., etc., and the hundreds of other things which will be obtained by these institutions, etc., etc.

[6766]

This essential measure which should be taken immediately, in a few years would prepare for the other most useful act of the Holy See, to restore the Latin Patriarchate of Alexandria, especially for the purpose of countering the miserable schismatic Coptic Patriarchate (which today is governed by a pious donkey) in order to obtain the gradual conversion of the schismatic Copts of Egypt and Ethiopia.

[6767]

Here I must explain one by one the principal reasons for which I propose this most timely and necessary coup d’état to Your Eminence, a description of the present state of religion in Egypt, and a plan of action to propose to the Sacred Congregation, indeed to enjoin on the new successor of Mgr Ciurcia, who should be elected as soon as possible. But the camels are waiting for me, and I must leave immediately for Jebel Nuba. Nonetheless, I add that with regard to the motives of this proposal, Your Eminence will be able to see and discover them all. You know the present state, that is the picture of the actual religious state, better than anyone; and with regard to the plan of action to enjoin on the newly elected person, the Sacred Congregation has all the time it needs to work it out, because before implementing it, the newly elected man will have to observe a calm and prudent wait in order to sniff out, study, examine and ponder diligently over … everything … the people… and things… and then definitively set to work. He will need a couple of years… to toughen his shoulders, receive the blows, etc. ad gloriam Dei.
Please remember, Your Most Reverend Eminence, my previous profession of faith, I kiss your Sacred Purple, and I remain
Your Most Reverend Eminence’s most unworthy, humble son

+ Daniel Comboni
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

[6768]

…I now come to speak to you of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. With the powerful help of this Patroness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we succeeded by dint of sacrifices and amidst illnesses and hardships, in building at El Obeid, a city of about 100,000 souls and capital of Kordofan, the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Queen of Africa; it is the most beautiful and the largest church that has ever existed in Central Africa.
It is totally covered in galvanised zinc, in order to resist the torrential rains of the rainy season. It was built by the hands of the Missionaries, our coadjutor Brothers and our Africans, under the direction of one of my young Missionaries who was the architect.

[6769]

What should be noted above all in this truly miraculous achievement, is that in Central Africa there are no tools or other building equipment, so that everything had to be done with the hands and fingers of the Missionaries and members of the Mission; which cost us an unheard-of effort. Add to that the scarcity of water which we were obliged to buy at a high price. We certainly needed the very special protection of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to manage to accomplish this work in her honour.

[6770]

It was also a joy to me after all the hardships and exhaustion we had borne, to be able to participate in the celebrations for Holy Week and to preach solemnly on Easter Day in our beautiful and miraculous Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart! But we do not yet have the little statue which you gave me at Issoudun and which was damaged in the disaster I had on the Nile when water penetrated our boat and ruined everything. This is why I beg you, my dear Father, to choose me a big, solid one made of wood, to bless it and to send it to me.

[6771]

…In addition, at the Mission and in all the Stations, the name of Our Lady of the Sacred heart is on everyone’s lips because of the great graces obtained through her intercession. This devotion to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is due to the zeal with which it was spread by my Provincial Superior of Central Africa, Sr Teresa, to whom this devotion has always been dear, since she had the fortune to become acquainted with it at Osimo, in Italy.

[6772]

One of the most sensational graces we received is that of the truly miraculous cure of Sr Vittoria, Superior of the house in Khartoum who was smitten by an illness and according to the doctor’s diagnosis, was destined to die of a cancer. After a vow by the Provincial Superior and prayers to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, this sister was able to make the journey from El Obeid to Khartoum, an extremely long and tiring one. She then arrived in Khartoum from where she was to leave for Europe, but stayed on in an excellent state of health. Special details will be sent to you about this miraculous recovery.

[6773]

Another sister who was brought close to her end here in El Obeid was also cured a year ago after prayers to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and continues in flourishing health.
…I have no more strength to write. The heat, lack of appetite and sleep, the long journeys I have made in the past three months on horseback, on camels and on dromedaries, all this has reduced me to extreme weakness. We have suffered appallingly from thirst in Kordofan and still need from 40 to 50 francs to buy dirty, brackish water. They even give me, as Bishop, water to wash with, but I have to make it last for three or four times.

[6774]

The room in which I am writing this letter is a little straw hut where, to shelter from the rain, I have to keep my umbrella open. I am sitting on a trunk and next to a small missionary’s bed. My light comes in through a few permanently open holes that serve as windows.
Well, we are very happy, and I more than anyone… Here I have my Missionaries and four Sisters of my Congregation who are not in the least frightened of the lions and hyenas that surround us.

[6775]

The peoples with whom we find ourselves are completely primitive. But we are confident: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will do what we desire for them.
It is from this primitive place that in 1875 I wrote and dated my circular about the consecration of the Vicariate of Central Africa to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Here too we have almost completed a church which is the wonder of the place: one altar will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Goodbye, my dearest Father, I bless you and all your community and commend myself to your prayers,

+ Daniel Comboni

Bishop of Claudiopolis in partibus infidelium
Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa

Translated from French.

[6776]

Yesterday at midday with Fr Luigi, Fr Vincenzo, Sr Amalia and Sr Caterina with 12 camels and other animals, accompanied by six military guards mounted on horses and with a Bashi-Bazouk, riding the very horse of H.E. Mohammed Said Pasha, Governor of Kordofan, I arrived safely after four and a half days’ journey here in Jebel Nuba, and we were received very well (although we arrived unexpectedly).
I accepted this escort which the government wished to give me in honour of my dignity and position, because in these countries there is a rabble of robbers and assassins who kill at every moment. Indeed, one can say that these peoples exercise the office of thieves and assassins of men, women, boys, and girls, beginning with the chiefs, and by our cogiur or pontiff and king who sends his subjects and even his son to steal and to capture slaves, so that some weeks ago he sent his son who was caught and captured; and since he sent the money to redeem him, the Baqqarah also stole this money.

[6777]

Our coming sowed fear and panic in the hearts of all these assassins. But helped by the Cross that triumphs over the world and the powers of hell, we will tame even these barbarians.
I found the church built by our dear Fr Losi and by Fr Leone Henriot really solid and lovely, and it is a true marvel in these lands.
After a few days, accompanied by the Priests Fr Luigi, Fr Losi, Fr Leone, Fr Vincenzo and several lay people, I shall be leaving for Golfan and will tour these mountains (accompanied also by the pontiff-king Cogiur Kakum) and we will explore everything, especially Carco (the homeland of Bakhit Miniscalchi), and Golfan, a sort of general quarters of the slave trade, and will decide on where to found the central mission station among the Nuba peoples. We must act fast, because otherwise it will no longer be possible because of the rains.

[6778]

I bless everyone, remember me to the Superior and Virginia, and say a lot of prayers for us. Thousands of respects to the Cardinal, to Fr Vignola, to Fr Luciano, to the Parish Priest of S. Giorgio, and to all the Stigmatine Fathers, to Mgr Bacilieri, Casella, etc., etc.
Most affectionately in the Lord,

+ Daniel,
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

As to funds, hope for everything in God. As long as with God’s help we hold on, steadfastly, firm and energetically to the quaerite regnum Dei etc. I am sure that the haec omnia adiicientur vobis will never be lacking. Fr Rolleri asked Fr Losi for advice as to what he should do, if he should stay on or go to Europe. The idiot in…

[The rest of the letter is missing]