[1373]
Yesterday evening your most precious letter of the 28th of last month arrived. I hasten to reply to you, and thank you with all my heart for it, submissively opening my heart to you about the business of our African girls. I state beforehand that before God I declare that I merit any humiliation, as well as that I will gladly accept whatever mortification you as my Superior see fit to give me, and I declare that I deserve it even though I may only partly know the reason. Furthermore, whatever you may do to mortify my self-love and whatever you deem appropriate to be done in the Institute, it is all an object of veneration for me: however, I trust that you will be good enough to allow me to make a few observations about the matter of the African girls.
[1374]
In the letter dated 30th October 1865 addressed to me in Vienna by the Foundation Institute, while I was told not to take on any commitments with the lofty committee of Marienverein, I was told in addition, “Despite what has been said, it seems you can do something even at the present time on behalf of those poor black people in Africa, by offering our African girls while they are still young as a help to any institution which you consider appropriate for Africa”. From this passage of the letter from the Fundamental Institute, it must be deduced that I am granted the faculty of deciding on the institution to which our young African girls can be entrusted. On the basis of this faculty, when I arrived in Egypt, after carefully considering the best way to use the Africans for the good of Africa, I made an agreement with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Cairo and with the Italian Poor Clares also in Cairo (always with the reservation of obtaining the final approval from my Superior), in which the said Institutes were to receive all our African girls and a hundred others if they existed.
[1375]
Following up Fr Beltrame’s letters of April and June last year, in which he spoke to me of the African girls in more or less the same way, I confirmed these same intentions to the Sisters in my correspondence from Cairo. Now I was somewhat surprised to read these words in your last precious letter: “As for the African girls, I am offered a lovely opportunity to settle them according to their wishes, and it will all be arranged as soon as possible”. I would have considered it right that before making any commitments you might also have spoken to whoever in the Fundamental Institute was responsible for placing them, wherever it was opportune for the good of Africa and to satisfy their own wishes.
[1376]
Now that these African girls have been discussed in Cairo and with the Propaganda and even with the Holy Father, won’t I make rather a bad impression on all these people? I wrote frequently, both from Africa and from Rome, that I had made agreements with Cairo. And it does not matter that I was excessively slow in freeing the Institute of the African girls, because this does not depend on me but on God, who allows matters to do with his glory to take their time. I now take the liberty of making another observation. In the letters which our dear Fr Giovanni wrote to me, he never mentioned having replied to Propaganda that the Institute cannot assume the mission, etc. It had to be the Cardinal himself who told me. Then, my dear Superior, you say that you have found a way to place the African girls, but you do not tell me how you have settled them. You must admit, my dear Superior, that this is no small mortification for a member of the Institute, who is not the last in zealously promoting the concerns of the poor Africans and who does all he can to save a few Africans and to further the good of Africa. I know I am not at all in the good books of my Institute to which I will nonetheless always be emotionally attached; and I will see that I am of better use to it, if you find this appropriate. I am seriously afraid that you will have given the African girls to Fr Lodovico; in that case I shall have to deplore an error, involuntary maybe, but fatal to the poor little African girls; because, among the other reasons he will do what he did to the African boys, with Propaganda and everywhere, and he will tarnish the Institute’s credibility. It is not expedient to put in writing what I would like to tell you about that good and worthy man.
[1377]
Now, so that you will make a good impression on those who are to receive the African girls, and so that I do not have to make a very dismal one in Egypt, I am suggesting a way for you to hit two birds with one stone; that is, to leave four or five forme, or at least three, and the others for the Institution with which you have come to an agreement. But, naturally, I want the three or four of the healthiest, best and cleverest who will be of most use to Africa. To free yourself of your commitments regarding those for me, you can always demonstrate that these African girls absolutely do not want to leave, but wish to stay in the Institute at my disposal, etc. In brief, if you like, you can dome this favour; and I hope so; and I am praying for this to the Heart of Mary during this sacred month, and I trust that I shall obtain the grace. I am praying to her as much as I know how and am able, and I trust that she will hear my prayers. I want four and I will be truly grateful to you for them.
[1378]
With regard to Hans, I went to see the Cardinal today, and showed him the information you gave me. He referred me to Mgr Capelli, Secretary, and it turns out that no one is accepted in the Propaganda College without having passed at least the Janua latinitatis, which is equivalent to our First Latin. For this reason you did well not to say a word about it to Maria. I had thought the young man was more advanced. I am reasonably well. I am in the midst of a business concerning Africa which I am negotiating with the General of the Minims of St Francis de Paola. I hope to conclude it shortly. I am impatient to come to Verona; and as soon as the ground is prepared, whether or not I have concluded the matter, I will come to Verona.
[1379]
Forgive me for having shown a certain resentment in this letter. This does not prevent me from having total veneration and affection for my Superior, and from being ready to accept all from the hands of God, who disposes everything for the best. Remember that, once debts are paid and finances put in order, our Institute will continue the programme of our founder regarding Africa. I hope that Fr Beltrame received a letter from me a few days ago. I am worried about the political situation, and about problems in the future for ecclesiastical and religious communities. I greet you warmly: please give my regards to the Bishop, Fr Beltrame, Poggiani, and everyone, as I kiss your hands and declare myself with all respect

Your humble and most devoted
Fr Daniel

[1380]
I received your most appreciated letter on 22nd of last month, and I thank you for your goodness to me. I have no complaints to make either to you or to the Institute. Certain observations I made to you in my last letter cannot be classed as complaints. If I must confess my inmost feelings, to me personally the idea that I, a member of the Institute, should be so far from my Superior’s sight does not make a good impression at all. Indeed, I rather hoped that you would make some just complaints to me for not coming to Verona. However, it does not depend on me, but on Providence who has arranged it thus. Since I was prey to some doubts, the most distinguished and reverend Archbishop of Petra, Mgr Castellacci, Vicegerent of Rome, who is the Ordinary of the eternal city who gave me permission to confess and to preach here and is my adviser and true friend who is familiar with all my circumstances, two days ago thought of writing to His Lordship the Bishop of Verona to ask him to reassure you about me. It seems that he wishes to explain to him the main reasons which oblige me to stay in Rome a while longer. Therefore it is with regard to the African girls that I feel reassured, because I hope that whether I return immediately or whether I do not return, you will be kind enough to maintain your Programme of managing to satisfy everybody, and I am sure that the three or four you will keep for me will be the best and the healthiest. I on the other hand, explain to you the three main reasons which keep me in Rome, submitting them to your judgement, for the single purpose of doing your will should you believe they are not important enough.
[1381]
The first is the setting up of a small female Institute either in Cairo or in Negadeh, where I would introduce the three or four African girls; that is to say: the sisters of the Good Shepherd in Cairo, in a house next to the Convent would assume the education of all the African girls I am able to give them, for the purpose of training them as family women. They will then be taken to Central Africa by these same Sisters, to serve any Mission. The same is to be said about Negadeh. Here the African girls would join this house to help the Sisters, who if necessary would provide the girls with a husband, and establish them outside in a position where they could profess our faith and live as Christians, should this be their vocation. Now Propaganda is not concerned with deciding this. It refers the matter to the new Apostolic Delegate in Egypt, Mgr Ciurcia, Archbishop of Irenopolis, as Propaganda did with us, when it referred us to the Pro-Vicar, Knoblecher. This new Delegate from Albania, where he was Bishop in Scutari, will be coming to Rome this month.
[1382]
In the second place I am negotiating with the Most Reverend General of the Minims of St Francis of Paola about a male Institute, and perhaps to have their Order take on a Mission in Central Africa. Everything has been arranged with the General. Nothing, so far, with Propaganda, because first of all it is necessary for me to agree with the Associations on the means, and see whether it is something that is popular and accepted. Although this matter is not all that difficult, it nonetheless requires me to correspond from Rome with many people so that I may always be ready to consult both Propaganda and the contracting parties; it would thus be pointless should I have to leave.
[1383]
The third is a deal I want to pull off for the Institute with His Majesty the 80-year old King Ludwig of Bavaria who is expected in Rome in October. Here I have a lot of people who will help me and will present me to further the cause of a useful Institute like ours. King Ludwig is an extravagant man rather like Camerini, full of virtues and sins; and doing good for others is one of his virtues. He has given enormous sums to Churches and Institutes, and founded the Society of St Ludwig for the German Missions in America. I am trying; if I succeed, it will be to God’s glory and our advantage; if I should fail, God, who will reward our intentions, must be blessed. I certainly have some wonderful supporters here in Rome; something that I could not have in Bavaria, with the exception of the Apostolic Nuncio.
[1384]
These are the main reasons why I have to stay on in Rome. On the other hand, were I to come to Verona, what could I do with the confusion which must prevail in people’s minds? The timing is in fact inappropriate. I have shown Cardinal Barnabò a plan of mine, to try Camerini: and I requested from him the grace of a letter of recommendation to the Count, whom three months ago the Pope created Duke, after all the help he gave the Roman Bank and the hundreds of thousands of scudi he sends to Propaganda. After speaking to the Pope, the Cardinal answered me in the negative, and told me it would not be delicate to bother a man who spontaneously benefits Propaganda. I hoped that this plan would succeed; but God did not wish it. Nevertheless, I who am acquainted with Cardinal Ugolini, the former Legate in Ferrara and a friend of Camerini’s and who proffered his services tome in anything I might desire, am certain of obtaining a recommendation to Camerini from the above-mentioned Cardinal, who will be requested to help the Institute. Barnabò however tells me that the new duke is difficult about complying with new petitions, because he likes to distribute what he has as he pleases.
[1385]
These are not the only important efforts I have made for the Institute. But in general a wealthy person, a prince or a sovereign, finds it difficult to send substantial sums abroad, while there are always needs in their own country.
[1386]
Fr Lodovico had 37 African girls die of cholera, 14 of them on the same day: he is now in prison for the crime of allowing his African girls to die. Mgr Vuicic, the former Bishop of Egypt has left for his new Vicariate in Bosnia. The Holy Father is very well: this is not the case for Cardinal Antonelli. I still have in mind the current situation in Venetia, and the fate in store for Verona. I do not foresee much happiness for the priests who remain faithful to their divine ministry. I believe that we priests will fall from the frying pan into the fire.
[1387]
Give my greetings to Fr Beltrame, who writes to me very rarely, and very short letters. He has not much imagination for writing. Give my regards to Fr Fochesato, and Tregnaghi and Fr Brighenti. That anybody in the Institute should decide to contribute subsidies for African girls in any Institute without everything passing through and depending on the Superior etc. is a disaster. I am impatient to put an end to this mess. The empty purse is the capital sin that prevails among us. I have only to ask your forgiveness for this. The mess with the African girls and my contributions arise from particular circumstances during the time of our Holy Founder, when I could not go to the aid of the African girls when necessary. Enough, even this mess will come to an end. My greetings to all the priests, to the women teachers, to Fr Cesare, etc.
Your blessing is requested by your

most loving and devoted

Fr Daniel

[1388]
I received your dear letter of the 6th of this month with supreme pleasure. I do not reply to your doubts that I may have changed, because such a doubt wrongs my loyalty. Although I know that in human matters there is always a part of ourselves, and that sometimes includes some small passion, nevertheless I have preserved my respect for the Institute and all my affection and respect for you. Far from scrutinising the events which have occurred, I have raised my eyes to heaven, I have adored the plans of Providence and I have cherished the most sincere esteem and affection for my Fr Francesco, overlooking perhaps certain failings which might have existed on both sides, and loathing the actions of those who have certainly not had all Christ’s charity in the serious issue which has torn the Institute apart.
[1389]
I have the same sentiments of esteem, gratitude and affection for my Fr Francesco as I had before: je suis le même. I wrote to you twice from Rome, after receiving your dear letter in Cairo: although I never received an answer, no doubts have ever crossed my mind that Fr Francesco is not as he was before: and to confirm this, since I had to leave Rome before the war, the plan for my journey was to come to Ferrara Rovigo Padua, and to stop over for a couple of days in Vicenza at your College; but certain difficulties arose, I was obliged to stay in Rome. I am and always will be the same: but do not wonder if I have been tempted to doubt myself, because, in the midst of the world as I am, I know that loyalty is extremely rare. Fr Daniel has not altered any of his good feelings about his rule.
[1390]
With regard to African matters I have a whole series of ups and downs to tell you about; so I shall wait to tell you them in person. A myriad of hopes; I shall have much suffering; the tricks of many who hinder my plans; great support, much comfort, and total trust in God. What I know for certain is that the Plan is God’s will, God wants it in order to prepare further works for his glory: I am absolutely convinced that the circumstance of difficult times is one of the obstacles I shall come across… I hope that an Institute for young African girls will shortly be founded by me in Cairo, and perhaps also another house for boys in Egypt. What is also certain is that God has given me boundless trust in him, that I will not desert the enterprise for any obstacle at all, and that it is certain that in just a few years a new era of salvation for Central Africa will begin. In October I hope to achieve a lucky hit for the Institute (let us keep it to ourselves… only the Bishop and Fr Tomba know about it) with the old King of Bavaria who is coming to Rome.
[1391]
Let us leave everything else for the time being and discuss the Institute. Let us of course talk privately, because if it were known in the Institute that we were writing about things which concern it, some would not be entirely happy about it. I have had little news of the Institute. Fr Beltrame and Fr Tomba only wrote me a few short, skimpy letters; their news of the Institute was always compiled using this formula: “with the Institute things are going more or less as they were when I left Verona”. Fr Poggiani wrote me two scanty, but affectionate letters. The one who gave me more detailed news was Fr Bolner, when I asked him. I really must ask my dear Fr Francesco to give me precise news of the Institute: he should ask His Lordship the Bishop in particular, and Fr Guella: above all I long to know how the Institute is in the Bishop’s eyes. So I expect all the news of the Institute in a letter, not just a single page, but 8 or 10 pages.
[1392]
My relations with the Institute are very peaceful: Fr Tomba’s last letter above all, though brief, showed his affection. It seems to me, generally speaking, that they do not trust me and are none too sure of my intentions. We have not understood one another too well. On the other hand, I am so far from the Institute; I do not waste my time explaining things concerning the mission to them, after they answered Cardinal Barnabò that the Institute is unable to take on a Mission; and therefore, not being unanimously agreed on the report on Africa, we do not deal with one another with complete openness. In brief, I did not do with them what I did with you, from Paris, London, Rome, etc. Therefore it is essential that you write to me about everything, everything. Let us be quite clear about that.
[1393]
Give all my regards to the Bishop of Vicenza and Verona, and to all those important persons I had the honour to meet in Verona. Give me news of Fr Tilino and his family. Then in Verona, remember me to Signora Amalia Parisi (to whom I wrote a long letter from Africa), to the Cavazzocca family, to the Urbani ladies, to everyone I know. Remember me to the Archpriest of S. Stefano, Fr Guella, the Rector of the Seminary, etc. and recommend me to their prayers. To my doorkeeper, then (although I suspended him from his job for six months for the hateful role they told me he played in Trento), tell him that his master loves him and deigns to look kindly upon him: give him my warmest greetings.
[1394]
Give many greetings from me to Fr Luciano, to Fr Dalbosco. Here in Rome we are quite peaceful. The holy old man of the Vatican is undaunted. Only money matters upset everyone: there is wicked cheating among the bankers… I spend virtually all my time in Rome: I often go to Frascati to Prince Falconieri’s house, and sometimes to Albano. In the coming week I will spend a few days on holiday with Ambassador Sartiges and his family, who shower kindnesses upon me. The rest of the time I attend to my affairs. All my sentiments of affection are for Fr Francesco who must pray frequently

for his most devoted Fr Daniel

Give me news of Hans. Let the Protestants go to…They never wrote to me: I am glad to hear nothing further from them.

[1395]
Margherita prayed at night during the final days of the month of August asking the Little Brother (Baby Jesus) to quickly send those he was supposed to send for the salvation of souls. At the same time she saw a man who from his looks had to be a missionary; (a few days later when Fr Daniel arrived, she recognised him perfectly). He had beside him a beautiful person (the Baby Jesus) who, approaching the missionary said to him, pointing to a multitude of Africans: “Go and win all these souls for me, leave your Institute otherwise you will be unable to do so; go and seek my friend (Fr F…) and start my work. I will show you my rule, but you must not let anyone know of it, because the proper time has not yet come. Now you must act prudently and energetically. Found a house of Missionaries for the Africans. You will give them the spirit of the Good Shepherd and make them observe only the rules established by the Code of Canon law for Priests who live in a community.
My son, be careful, do not refuse this grace which I have shown to you, it is true, unexpectedly, but it is effective and powerful. It is up to you to respond, do not let problems deter you. Do not believe that this is your merit, that they have had you chosen, but rather it is through the merits of my Passion and my Death. Until now all that you have done has been according to my Heart: I already hold the crown in store. But remember what is written: he who has persevered until the very end will be crowned. And my will is that you should contribute to the institution of this Company, since it will depend on you and I will reveal my will to you. If God is with you, who will be against you? If you refuse to do my will, know that I shall be able to find someone else: I am He who is..
The “Little Brother”, turning to Margherita said to her, “Give this Missionary my rule.” “I do not know it, my little Brother, I do not want to oppose what you say in the Gospel, that it is necessary to scatter the seed on good ground that it may be fruitful and not on thorny ground or on the road.” “No, no, my Margherita, do not fear, this is good ground already, if you like.” “Well, my Little Brother, since you wish it, I will do so, given that I do not wish to be unfaithful, although I still expect great sufferings; I offer them to you even more for the salvation of souls.”

[1396]
Since Margherita was still afraid that it was an illusion of Satan, she heard Holy Mass and received Holy Communion to ask God to let her really know his will: she saw the “Little Brother” come out of the Host, and radiate on the missionary a beam which formed the Trinity on his breast. The “Little Brother” said to him “You must be the Son of the Trinity, go and conquer all those souls” (showing him a multitude of Africans). Then, addressing Margherita he said: “You see what my will is, so help me, tell it to this missionary.”

-------

The first time that Fr Daniel came (6th September 1866, at 6 p.m.) Margherita recognised him and again expressed God’s will for him. Since Fr Daniel constantly asked her to ask the “Little Brother” for confirmation, she began to pray to the Little Brother who said: “Yes, my little sister, I give him many graces; tell him to respond, then I will do the rest.” At that very moment, the Little Brother spoke and said: “Daniel, my son, go ahead, it is my will.”

-------

8 September 1866
During Holy Mass, Margherita prayed for Fr Daniel. She saw such a beautiful, beautiful Little Brother! He was in the midst of bright sunlight, a ray came out of the Host that was in the centre of the triangle on his breast, shone on Fr Daniel and was reflected by him towards the Africans. The Little Brother said “My son, take care not to hang back, I have opened up to you a vast field to be cultivated, I give you the necessary graces to do so. Do not fear difficulties or obstacles, this is how my works must always be tested. Remember what I said to my Apostles: if you are rejected in one town, go to another; equally, if they are unwilling to receive you with your Plan, which is mine, go somewhere else to do my will, which today is to undertake what others reject in order not to abandon the harvest I have offered you for this purpose. My plans for the future must remain secret; they will be opposed and men will only put obstacles in your way. See how I came to earth: I was hidden and unknown for 30 years; and thus I keep hidden the person whom I desired to serve and he must continue to remain unknown, because the pearls from my heart must not be placed in the jaws of dogs. Do not rationalise so much, accomplish your work, which is mine, because it is I who inspired it in you. Remain humble, because those who set themselves up will be humbled; those who continue in their lowly state will be exalted.”

[1397]
He offered him a beautiful crown, which on one side was complete because up to now he has done God’s will; the other half of the crown radiated rays which shone in the direction of the Africans. This means that if Fr Daniel is lacking in the vocation to which he has been called, these rays will stay there, inactive, and the crown will not be complete. The Little Brother told him “You have started well and in accordance with my will, but this is not enough; I now want from you this act of response, and the execution which must be perpetuated until the end of the world.” He blessed him. Fr Daniel protested his fidelity to his grace. Praised be God and Mary.
-------


[1398]
1) Margherita. Thus Baby Jesus calls the religious woman who is the main subject of his revelation. This great soul who is truly informed by grace and frequently has intimate and most extraordinary conversations with God, is also called little sister by the Baby Jesus. The above revelation is considered true and sent by God by the authority of two Bishops: one is the Ordinary of the diocese in which Margherita chose to reside after her obedience.
2) Petit Frère (Little Brother). This is the name given to the Baby Jesus.

[1399]
3) This first conversation of Fr Daniel with Margherita (6 September ‘66) took place in the presence of the Archbishop, the Ordinary of the place where the holy Daughter lives. He accompanied Fr Daniel from his residence in his carriage to the Cloister of the convent, and remained with him during his conversation with Margherita and the Superior of the convent, and then took him home in the same carriage. After 6th September, Fr Daniel, having been authorised to visit the Enclosure of the convent as he pleased, had many lengthy interviews with the holy soul, in which he was able to see, in addition to the spirit of God and the most eminent and extraordinary charity, marvellous things and her extraordinary gifts, especially with regard to theological doctrine, although she had never studied it.


Translated from the French.

[1400]
The day before my departure, I found your welcome letter waiting in the post-office, in which, among the other things, you told me that the Africans give me two months to decide on their behalf, as long as this pleases the Institute. Well: on my return to Rome in 15 or 20 days, I will pass through Verona, and we will discuss the matter properly, and I will do what you, my beloved Superior, and our good Lord desire. The reason I came to France, and in a few days (I am only four hours away) I will move on to London, very closely concerns our African matters. On my arrival I shall explain them to you clearly.
[1401]
I am very well, and so I hope are you and Fr Beltrame and our dear members of the Institute. I reached Boulogne from Rome after only four and a half days, sleeping five hours in Basle, and going through Ancona, Parma, Milan, Lucerne, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Nancy, Paris and Amiens, and for 23 hours non-stop in a coach by way of Monte Nevoso di S. Gottardo, between Mendrisio and the Lake of the four Cantons. I rested very well in Boulogne, and I now feel in excellent form. After three days in London I will go on to Paris. In the meantime, I commend myself to your prayers; give my greetings to all the Priests of our Institute and the women teachers and Tregnaghi, and as I ask your blessing, I declare myself in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Your humble and devoted son,

Fr Daniel Comboni

[1402]
I really am somewhat distressed and even almost angry, because after I wrote to you from Rome you did not answer me and did not give me some information which I had requested from you. And why? Perhaps I have fallen into some fault, which obliges you not to write to me. Let us have an end to it. Having stopped in the Grand Duchy of Baden, I am now going to Limone, and then immediately to Verona, passing through Vicenza. If you write me a long, detailed letter to Limone (and you know how your letters cheer me), when I pass through Vicenza I will stop to visit you and spend more than three hours with my beloved Fr Francesco: otherwise I will go directly to Padua, Rovigo, Bologna, Florence and Rome. Tell me a lot about the Institute in Verona, because no one gives me any details, apart from one respectable person. Habeo multa tibi dicere… For affairs of the glory of God and for the salvation of souls, I visited France, England, Belgium and Prussia. Perhaps I will make a little tour from Wurtzburg for 3 hours, to Bamberg. It is useless for me to write of what I have done, because I don’t have time and I am cold. Many things in person. What I tell you is that Fr Daniel is what he always was for Fr Bricolo and that he will never change. That is all. Lots of greetings to Fr Tilino et al. Also to His Lordship the Bishop. Commend me to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I have recommended him to Notre Dame des Victoires in Paris, and to Notre Dame de Boulogne sur Mer. Farewell

All yours, your affectionate friend

Fr Daniel Comboni

[1403]
The Work for the Regeneration of Africans is a work of God, the time of grace has come which Providence has designated, to call all these peoples to take refuge in the peaceful shade of Christ’s sheepfold. Already for some years the prophetic voice of the heroes Libermann, Olivieri, Mazza, heirs of the apostolic zeal of Blessed Claver, has resounded in the universal Church by means of their works of outstanding charity on behalf of the Africans; and the admirable works in Vienna, Cologne, Paris and Lyons have responded to this call and distant lands of Africa were irrigated by the sweat and blood of new apostles of Jesus Christ.

[1404]
Although the new Vicar Apostolic of Egypt, Archbishop Ciurcia of Irenopolis has withheld his judgement on the works that have been undertaken by anyone within the limits of his jurisdiction, he nevertheless showed me he is convinced that the African girls should be taken to Egypt, and there entrusted either to the Institute of the Good Shepherd or to the Italian Sisters in Cairo. For this purpose I am in the midst of a correspondence with Vienna, to obtain the wherewithal for the journeys, both over land and by sea. I therefore ask you to kindly obtain the passports of these African girls, so that they can board ships or land without being beaten, etc., so that when I arrive, they are ready for the journey. Likewise if you have any letters addressed to me, please send them to Rome for me before the 18th of the month. Keep any letters that arrive after the 18th with you, so that you can give them to me when I arrive. I was very busy until the day of Epiphany writing of African things, to be certain of obtaining a good subsidy from Cologne for the African girls’ journey. I feel satisfied, now that I have finished.
[1405]
Thank Fr Beltrame for me for the long, fat and juicy letter he wrote me which gave me supreme pleasure. I trust that in the new year the Lord will pour forth a torrent of blessings on the Institute. In the meantime, let us pray. Here in Rome all is very calm. It appears that the Tonello mission is going very well as concerns the Bishops of Italy. All that is done for the Church will go well. As for the rest, with regard to the claims of the Italian Government, here in Rome the non possumus, and quod scripsi scripsi hold sway and will always stand. The thing is that here we are in perfect peace. Nonetheless, there are no illusions. Many say (and they are the lucky ones) that Rome will not be involved at all: a great many or almost all fear at the same time that there will be an invasion by the Italian soldiers, and that the Pope will leave Rome, to return fully triumphant. Some would like a change. In the meantime, we know that the Tarpeian Rock is only 50 steps away from the Capitol.
[1406]
Busy as I was, and also because I am at fault in this, I did not write to you before. Although we are well into the new year, I also wish you all spiritual and temporal happiness, to you and to both Institutes. Mgr Nardi sends his greetings to Fr Beltrame. Give everyone in the Institute my regards, Priests, women teachers, and African girls, and the two Protestants. I also send my regards to Fr Cesare and Festa. The Pope is in perfect health. I was present as well as on other occasions, when he came on New Year’s Eve to the Gesù Church for the Te Deum. There was applause and spontaneous hoorays which greeted him as Pontiff and King. It was a spectacle such as Victor Emmanuel's entry at Verona. As I ask your forgiveness for letting so much time go by without writing, I ask you to pray for

Your most affectionate and humble

Fr Daniel Comboni.