[4725]
Excuse me if I left your letter unanswered for such a long time. My affairs did not permit me to write to you sooner. I have nonetheless paid the greatest attention to your treasured letter. So you can expect me in 14 days; I shall then fulfil your wishes and bless the house together with the chapel. Thus we will also have the opportunity to discuss everything together.
In the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Your most affectionate

+ Daniel, Bishop
Vicar Apostolic


Translated from German.

[4726]
He began by complimenting the city of Paris for having erected a throne to Notre Dame des Victoires in her midst. She really is, he says, the Queen of this capital and of all France. It is she who is the source of these countless graces that pour Christian life into the souls of her children who are happy to come and kneel at her feet.
[4727]
But her influence does not stop in France. It extends far beyond, to the whole universe. If we look to the East, the West, the islands of Oceania, America, the coasts of Africa, everywhere we find the influence of Notre Dame des Victoires. She is the Queen of the whole world.
[4728]
I too, Monsignor added, come to lay at the feet of Notre Dame des Victoires the interests of 100 million people: I come to pray to her for Central Africa, the most abandoned in the world, over which the standard of the faith has never been raised.
[4729]
I come to interest you in the destiny of this country that is lying in the shadow of death, so that you will help me with your prayers to win a marvellous victory over the devil who reigns there supreme, in order that these poor peoples may in turn join the Divine Shepherd’s flock.
[4730]
After this moving beginning, Mgr Comboni gave us a geographical and historical outline of his Mission.
The historic Vicariate Apostolic of Central Africa was created by a Brief of Gregory XVI, dated 3rd April 1846. Its boundaries are: in the North, the Vicariate Apostolic of Tripoli; in the East, the Red Sea bordering the coasts of Nubia and the Vicariates Apostolic of Abyssinia and Galla; in the South, the region of the Mountains of the Moon; in the West, the Vicariate of the two Guineas and the Prefecture of the Sahara.

[4731]
This Vicariate thus has a surface area larger than the whole of Europe. It includes the possessions of the Khedive in the Sudan, possessions that occupy a vast space five times as big as France. It also covers several kingdoms subject to certain princes who are adepts of Islam.
[4732]
However the most extensive part contains Arab, nomadic, and Muslim tribes, the innumerable tribes of fetishist nations and a great many independent states, most of which are subject to the grossest superstitions.
The population of the Vicariate has been estimated at 100 million infidels; the Mission of Central Africa is consequently the largest and most densely populated in the world. It is also the most difficult and the most demanding.

[4733]
Monsignor explained to us several problems which confront the Missionary every day in those lands: the first is the journeys. After travelling through Egypt which has a railway and steamers, he must rely on boats and camels. These take 30 days [sic] to cross the desert as far as Khartoum, the centre of the mission.
[4734]
The Missionary has to travel in a temperature of 60 degrees, with nothing to quench his thirst but the water which quickly deteriorates under the burning heat of the sun. He is exposed to that terrible desert wind and for shelter against it, he only finds a tree with difficulty. If the days are dangerous, the nights are even more so because of the fierce animals that haunt these places.
[4735]
Furthermore, when after a journey of many months the Missionary arrives in those lands for the first time, he finds none of the basic necessities for living. He will not have a roof to protect him until he himself builds a house.
[4736]
A second enemy of the Missionary are the deadly diseases which prevail in these burning climes. How many victims they have claimed! More than 40 Missionaries worked on that Mission from 1846 to 1861 and 36 of them died! Later 50 Franciscans came and spent two years there; 22 succumbed in turn, and the others, without any hope of success, withdrew…
[4737]
A third obstacle is ignorance of the languages spoken in those lands which are as numerous as they are difficult. There are more than a hundred, none of which have been set down in writing. It is not hard to imagine what the instruction of a single individual must cost the Missionary when, to prepare him for baptism, he has to teach him the fundamental truths of our holy religion. How can one make people with whom one cannot exchange one’s feelings understand the beauties of the Catholic faith?
[4738]
The Missionary responsible for teaching the infidels has yet another problem: he finds himself forced to vary his methods according to the individuals with whom he is dealing. Some live by trading with Muslims, from whom they must be separated on pain of seeing them losing their faith. One can already comprehend the weight of the burdens on the Missionary who is obliged to take in and feed the children he rescues from infidelity.
[4739]
But among all the scourges that distress these most unfortunate countries where the devil reigns as lord, there is none greater or more deeply rooted than slavery. We wish that our readers had heard the heart-breaking details given by Mgr Comboni on this sad fact.
It is an error to believe that there is no longer a trade in Africans. It has been abolished on paper, but in reality still exists.

[4740]
Today this infamous trade continues as in the past. Groups of slave traders arrive, armed with the destructive weapons modern industry puts in their hands. They circle the mountains that are the home of ten or fifteen thousand Africans whose only weapons are their bows and arrows. They kill many and the others, in confusion, are led away as prisoners by the victors.
[4741]
They are tied to each other by a long cord attached to their necks like the rings in an endless chain and their merciless masters, club in hand, drive them on like a common herd to the town where they are sold to other equally inhumane masters. It is pointless to try to describe the vile treatment they receive on their way across the desert…
[4742]
Here again the Catholic Church is the only Church powerful enough to destroy this shameful custom. Her efforts have constantly been directed to redeeming slaves. Since her origins, she has not ceased to persecute the slave trade and will continue without respite, responding by her actions to the injustice and calumnies of those who accuse her of being an enemy of freedom.
As can be seen, great obstacles await Missionaries who penetrate the vast region of Central Africa.

[4743]
Despite these problems, the Missionaries are full of courage. They fear neither deprivations, diseases nor death. Their precursors have set them an example and they do not lag behind. Monsignor first marks out the way they must follow. Mgr Comboni is truly an apostle. He makes himself everything to everyone, to win these souls for Jesus Christ.
[4744]
His episcopal residence during the summer is a magnificent palm grove, whose leaves however protect him very inefficiently from the heat of 68 degrees. In accordance with the country’s luxury, he has built a winter residence of mud. He told us a small anecdote about it.
[4745]
While he was building this residence, a persistent drought raged in the region. The chiefs of the tribes came to find him, saying: “You need the sun for your house, but we need rain for our fields. Pray to your God to make it rain”. The Bishop began to pray with his Missionaries and Sisters and on the third day there was a torrential downpour. The good Africans were so grateful that they gave the Vicar Apostolic three oxen!
[4746]
Comforting results came to encourage the efforts of these fearless workers of the Gospel.
They have built many churches in Khartoum, Nubia and Kordofan. They have also founded, in the city of Khartoum, a large house for the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition from Marseilles, which is comprised of a school, an orphanage and the dependent institutions. Another order of women Religious, called the Pious Mothers of Africa, come to the aid of the former for the Mission’s needs.

[4747]
Thanks to the measures taken by Mgr Comboni, the mortality rate among the apostolic workers has substantially fallen. Two Institutes, built in Cairo, receive the Missionaries, men and women, who go there to be acclimatised and prepare for their apostolate. The results have proved the excellence of this type of noviciate. In five years, no European priest has died from the rigours of the climate; they have all enjoyed the best of health, despite the efforts, long journeys and deprivations they were forced to impose on themselves.
[4748]
It was after these satisfying attempts that the Holy See, recognising that the Mission here offers a guarantee of stability, gave it a Bishop. Mgr Comboni was consecrated on 12th August last. For the occasion, the Holy Father presented him with a magnificent ring and a very valuable cross which prompted the holy Bishop to say that Pius IX had made him a royal gift.
[4749]
This quick overview shows that if at first the Vicariate Apostolic of Central Africa followed the path of the trials, bereavement and sacrifices with which Providence marks all God’s holy works, it nevertheless promises hope for the future. The seed has been sown. God’s grace and the blessings of Heaven will come to fertilise it and make it fruitful.
This is why Monsignor implored us, as he ended, to pray to Notre Dame des Vi ctoire s.

[4750]
To pray for the success of this work is to pray for a Mission which the Sovereign Pontiff himself calls the greatest, most enormous and most humanitarian of all that exist.

N.B. summary of a lecture by Mgr Comboni.

Translated from French.

[4751]
Since I have to leave for my Vicariate this November with 15 persons from my Institutes in Verona and 5 or 6 Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition (for ages I have been asking for 10) I beg you, Mr President, to grant me the money for the journey from Europe to Central Africa, for 20 Missionaries of both sexes.
[4752]
The Superior General of the Sisters of St Joseph usually sends me a bill for 120 francs for the journey of the Sisters from Marseilles to Cairo, including free passages on the mail ships. I think this will be what I shall spend for my 15 candidates from Verona to Cairo (via Naples), because Marshal MacMahon has granted me a free passage for these 15 Missionaries from Naples to Alexandria.
[4753]
From Cairo to Khartoum and Kordofan, being as economical as possible, the journey of each missionary normally costs 600 francs.
So the journey of 20 Missionaries and Sisters from Europe to the central stations of the Vicariate will cost me 14,400 francs.

[4754]
I therefore beg you, Mr President, to come to my help in this serious need of my important Mission.
With a thousand anticipated thanks I have the honour of declaring myself with deep gratitude,
Your most devoted servant, Mr President,

Daniel Comboni
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa

Please send the bill of exchange to me in Verona, at the African Institute.


Translated from French.

[4755]
As soon as I returned to Verona, which was yesterday, I found your precious letter of 29th of last month, and read the content. We agree in principle on the main articles. But I really must consult the Eminent Cardinal Prefect, although I am convinced that should we be in agreement with you and with the Most Eminent Consolini, we would be able to begin immediately. The Seminary of the Princes of the Apostles is not a religious Order: but it has the same spirit as my Institute in Verona.
[4756]
I am convinced I am doing something pleasing to God and to the Holy See by granting a special mission in my Vicariate, independent of myself, after your first missionaries in Central Africa have had a few years experience, and you have a sufficient number to send. We agree on the idea: you are fully aware of my intentions and views.
[4757]
My only wish is to find the best way to do the greatest good for Central Africa and to save more souls. I only long that praedicetur Jesus Christus. Quaerite primum etc., et haec omnia etc. The means and the money belong to the haec omnia adiicientur nobis.
[4758]
As long as your missionaries depend on me in the Vicariate, I will see to everything, the journey, their maintenance, etc. When we reach the point of an appropriate separation, then the Superior of the new separate Mission will provide for them. I will show him how and lend him a hand. The only thing is you must give Africa the best candidates, with a good spirit, self-denial, and longing to work, suffer and die for Jesus Christ and for souls.
[4759]
In a fortnight’s time I shall be sailing from Naples for Alexandria, since Marshal MacMahon has granted me a free passage for 21 persons to Egypt. We will therefore see each other shortly in Rome, and will arrange the principal matters and everything. Pray, have prayers said and consult that very wise Cardinal Consolini, who knows of everything that has happened and is a man who can make people do God’s will.
[4760]
I privately tell you that I found two letters here from Leonardo Reghini, which I will show you. Superiors must know everything; and I do nothing without their agreement. This in total secrecy.
Pray (and greet everyone on my behalf), for
Your most affectionate Friend

+ Daniel Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

Yesterday evening my Secretary, Fr Paolo Rossi, left for Rome, so you will discuss our plans with him.

[4761]
Your short letter of yesterday has given me ten years of life. I agree with all the aspects of your plan. But I am also still prepared to form special missions for your dear Seminary, which I love as my own, when you and the Eminent Cardinal Protector consent to it or think it opportune. My task is to be as useful as possible to unfortunate Africa and save the greatest number of souls, and to direct the apostolate of Central Africa in accordance with the spirit and wishes of the Holy See and of our dear and venerable Cardinal Superiors.
[4762]
So prepare as many candidates for me as you can, and give me all those who are ready immediately, Fr Leonardo, the Deacon and others. It is enough that they are approved by you. Give those who will be leaving with me only a week off, if you feel that is right, to visit their homes because in the week between the Immaculate Conception and the 15th they must leave with me on the French packet boats from Naples. Well done. My dear, true and eternal friend.
[4763]
Tell those who are proficient to take with them all they have of medicines, natural history, botany, physics, embalming, potions, etc. In Africa everything has to be created and everything is needed. It will all be transported free of charge from Naples to Alexandria. If you see my Secretary, tell him that Fr Squaranti, my Rector, is of the same mind about your project as you and I are. There is God’s light in it. I will be in Rome on about the 10th; my first visit will be to you and the dear Mastai Seminary, the Cenacle of African Apostles.
[4764]
Do not scatter missionaries over the 5 parts of the world. Give them to Central Africa for a long time, and you will end by coming there yourself too.… May the Heart of Jesus be our centre of communication. Give Fr Leonardo my regards.
Tuiss.

+ Daniel

[4765]
The more I reflect on what you wrote to me, about giving me missionaries from your Seminary with the idea of also entrusting to them later, a separate mission detached from the immense Vicariate of Central Africa (since the Mastai Seminary is not a religious order but priests like mine, who are really keen to save souls without “Camillian scandals”); the more, I say, that I think about it, the more I like it. The Seminaries of Verona and the Roman Mastai Seminary must be brothers and mutually help each other with true fraternal zeal.
[4766]
Use me as you wish. But if you want my advice, I say that with missions in Australia, China, Albania, India and America you will not get many results. It is to the dignity and honour of the immortal Mastai Seminary, unique in Rome for this purpose, to accept missions among real infidels: it is appropriate that an apostolic Seminary take on Apostolic missions. Now the most Apostolic missions are those of Central Africa; difficult, laborious, dangerous, full of unhappy souls and glorious.
[4767]
We have a hundred million infidels to be won for Christ: we will die there; but united in compact bodies we will win that region for the Church. Did not St Peter and St Paul lose their lives in Rome to win it? It was their blood that made Rome queen of the world. Give me 25 missionaries (5 a year) and I will create a magnificent Vicariate to be detached from my own; a Bishop and an Apostolic Vicar from the Mastai will be put at its head, and all in 5 years. Give me another 15 in three years, and I will make you a second Vicariate in three years.
[4768]
We will die: but our blood will be the seed of Christians. All in all, the more I think about it before God, the more I find myself convinced that the Seminary at n.18 Via Mastai would not able to develop its activity better, and it will truly be entitled Apostolic, if it gives up (at least for a few years) any other mission in Asia, America or Australia, and remains in my Vicariate under my temporary jurisdiction until in my immense, colossal Vicariate I am able to form as many separate Vicariates under the direction of as many Bishops or Prefects Apostolic from your Seminary.
[4769]
Think and reflect and always confer with your most wise Cardinal Consolini. I have in sight many superb missions to give to your people, after a few years of apostolic practice under my direction. Think about it and pray. We must chase out the devil who now reigns in Central Africa. I will be there in the centre in three months’time. Oh! If only I could take some of your seminarians with me! MacMahon has given me 21 free passages to Alexandria.
[4770]
Fr Leonardo seems to me to be a good candidate. Let us help one another. I do not know whether you really understand my idea: but I am sure you do. Now give me missionaries. After a short time, come yourself, and I will give you a Vicariate twice the size of Italy. Do not trouble about the means. There are millions to be found in St Joseph’s beard, which he has to give us. We want souls, the glory of God and to die for Christ.
Tuissimo

+ Daniel Comboni

What I write is only between me, you and the Most Eminent Cardinal Consolini until I come to Rome.