Writings

[1186]
In Venice I received your precious recommendation for Camerini. Since it was open and so beautiful, I have taken the liberty of copying it for myself, because in any case it will always be a monument to the esteem and affection the Bishop of Verona bears for the Institute and for its holy founder. I am as grateful to you as if the Commendatore Camerini had just been told to give me a large sum of money, because the recommendation could not be stronger or more insistent. Words fail me to express my gratitude to you, my Lord, and I hope you will never regret granting me your most valuable protection; which I do need.
[1187]
Don Bosco, the saint of Turin, telegraphed me in Venice from Lonigo. I spent a day there visiting Countess Soranzo. I had persuaded him to stop half a day in Verona so that I could introduce him to you, in the certainty that this would bring you the greatest consolation. He gives free maintenance to 1,200 persons. Each year he presents the Church with more than 60 priests and quite a few Missionaries. He confides in God, works miracles and can frequently read other people’s most secret thoughts. But what could I do? Seeing that he was going to be delayed for one day, having been summoned by a telegram which was delivered directly to me, he left yesterday for Turin.
[1188]
In two days time Fr Lodovico da Casoria will be in Verona. He is the new Vincent de Paul of Naples, founder of that famous Institute which will be receiving more than 24,000 poor souls, etc., etc. He has been designated by Rome, together with me, to define the confines of the great new Vicariate of Central Africa. He is coming to join me in Verona and we shall proceed together to Vienna and then to Africa.
[1189]
I offer you my services for Vienna and will do everything possible to convince this holy man to come to Grezzan, jointly to pay our respects to your noble family. Please send me your holy blessing: give my regards to the Marchese Ottavio and all the members of the family. I have taken the liberty of sending you my Plan, just printed in Venice, and you will see that God is beginning to bless my humble labours.
I kiss your holy ring and declare myself in all veneration and gratitude

Your Most Reverend Excellency’s
most humble, obedient and respectful son

Fr D. Comboni

[1190]
Tomorrow with the first coach, Fr Lodovico, Giuseppe Habasci, a priest friar, two African friars and myself are leaving Verona to be in Bressanone by the evening. We are heading for Vienna and straight after that, on the 5th., we will leave for Africa from Trieste. We are doing things in a hurry, but Fr Lodovico is too hasty. I have to speak to you about many things. Just as the Franciscans obstructed me personally, they are now obstructing the Institute; but the Pope and Barnabò absolutely want to entrust the Mission to the Mazza Institute, and those are the instructions that Fr Lodovico has received. More when I see you, a thousand greetings to His Highness.

Tuissimus in Jesus Christ

Fr D. Comboni

[1191]
Having to busy ourselves with finding what we need for our small expedition to Shellal has made us put off letter writing. With all the emotion that fills our hearts we cannot find words to thank you above all, and that most exalted Bishop, for making the generous offering of 20 francs which we kissed when we received them, as our dear Fr Nicola used to do. At the same time the Cologne Association sent me 200 Prussian thalers. 50 florins were offered to me by the Archbishop of Salzburg, to whom I presented my Plan; and there were a few other small and modest donations. You see the admirable Providence of God: with all that we are already in Cairo, for nine people are already there and tomorrow I arrive with all the things and provisions.
[1192]
The Committee has not given us a cent, assuring us a thousand times that they have nothing in their coffers, not a single florin, and that what little there is, is for Khartoum. We nobly thanked them and full of trust in God we shall do all our business. None of the Franciscans, except for Fr Mazzeck, even wanted to see Fr Lodovico. At Mass the guardian forbade the Africans from serving, and the several times that Fr Lodovico and Fr Bonaventura said Mass in the Friary Church, they neither spoke to them nor offered them coffee. So all five of us stayed at the Angheresc Corona Hotel.
[1193]
As a friend of Cavaliere Noy, I obtained a free trip on the train to Trieste for all five of us. In Trieste I made a contract with Lloyd Austriaco, and for 220 (two hundred and twenty) florins the five of us and Michele Ladò were given a second class passage to Alexandria. We had the most terrible storm and in the Greek archipelago there was a hurricane which killed 48 large oxen and a few people. Fr Lodovico thought he was dying: we heard each other’s confession and huddled together: The storm lasted 64 hours: we were forced to shelter in the lee of the island of Candia (Crete), and it was a miracle that we survived: I had already resigned myself to dying. But God willed that we reach Alexandria safely. There we took a loan of 100 gold Napoleons with which we intend to reach Aswan, to provide for the station for 6 months and for Fr Lodovico and I to return to Cairo.
[1194]
Here we find spirits grown mistrustful of Africa, but with patience, constancy and resignation all will be won. Although Fr Lodovico has certain ideas opposed to my own, we shall nonetheless work efficiently together for the good of Africa. This holy man lacks the verve of Fr Mazza and the experience of Africa; but he is a saint, though like all saints he is stubborn. He would like to see everything become Franciscan and sees no good except with the friars. To give an example, the African Ludwich from Bressanone seems to him a youth without spirit, because he smokes and drinks beer between meals: but these are insignificant little things. The fact is that he is a saint who loves Africa and will do great things for Africa. I do not obey him in his desire that I should put on the brown friars’ habit; but he is and always will be dear to me. When I am peacefully on the boat in Upper Egypt, I will write proper letters; excuse me if I write badly now but my heart is all yours. Please convey my deepest respect to His Excellency the Lord Bishop, and thank him sincerely for his goodness to me. In the Memento of Mass I always pray for him and his diocese, that God may, as in the past, inspire vocations for Africa from Bressanone. A thousand greetings to all those I know in Brixen. To you I send a world of affectionate thoughts: give my regards to the African, who I hope will be mine. Pray to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary for

Yours ever in the Lord,

Fr Daniel

[1195]
After we left Trieste we were hit by a fierce squall as far as Corfu. In the Greek archipelago a terrible hurricane carried us off for 44 hours drifting without bearings as far as the island of Gozo. Indeed Fr Lodovico swore that he would never go to sea again. We mutually gave each other absolution several times. Forty eight oxen were the victims of the hurricane, which smashed the iron doors and the stern. It is a miracle we are alive. Thank God after seven days we landed in Alexandria.
[1196]
I have placed Michele with the Nuns of St Joseph at the Cairo Hospital, where he is treated like a son. The Guardian of Cairo has granted me a place, to which the Holy Land has a right, for two months. I had him examined by the doctors and they found the lung empty at his left shoulder, which it seems to me will be difficult to heal. I have arranged for him to be cared for by the Nuns of St Joseph: I am a great friend of the Superior General’s.
[1197]
The sister of Caré Emilia, who was a postulant with the Poor Clares, died of cholera last summer. Caré is in Suez with the whole family. Sciau is in Zagazig where he has started a cotton business.
[1198]
Fr Lodovico and I will leave for Shellal next Thursday. I have made a contract to travel there and back on the same ship. In Alexandria we arranged with the Bishop to go first to Shellal, and then to make the arrangements for the placement of our African girls in Cairo. I am of the opinion that we should not inform anyone of anything, not even Rome, that the Institute cannot assume responsibility for the Mission. God will help us to pay our debts shortly. Then we shall go ahead.
[1199]
Give my respects to Bishop Canossa, Fr Cesare, Fr Giovanni Beltrame and Poggiani and everyone. I will write at length from the Nile about many things. In the meantime I pray to the Lord for help in continuing our holy founder’s sublime Work. God must bless his great Work. He was a great old man. Fr Lodovico is of little account (although he is a saintly man) in comparison with the Superior. Give my regards also to the two Protestants, Kessler and De La Pierre. Fr Geremia is sick in Cairo, and has lost half his wits. Send me your blessing

Your most affectionate son,

Fr Daniel

Please send my greetings to Pompei and to the whole noble family.

[1200]
Just a couple of words to report what I am doing. I feel guilty towards you for not having written for a long time, and you will consider me ungrateful. You are right to make that judgement: but the work was such and so many steps were taken for the Institute after the death of my holy Superior that my own father, whose only son I am, does not know where I am, let alone imagines that I am in Egypt.
[1201]
From the Nile, where I shall be for 20 days sailing to Aswan, I shall write at length. For now, let me just tell you that I am travelling with Fr Lodovico da Casoria of Naples and accompanying him to Shellal with 7 other people. At the same time we are agreeing on the borders to be established between the Mazza Institute and the Palma Institute of Naples and then we shall go to Rome. I shall then stay a month in Cairo to set up an Institute for African women under French protection. That is why I have written to Mr Faugère for him to give me a valuable recommendation to the French Consul General in Egypt: I beg you kindly to implore Mr Faugère to send me this recommendation. I have printed the letter you gave me in Paris: it made a huge impression in Germany, in Egypt and many Bishops and Vicars cried: it is the letter of an apostle. I have given orders for a copy to be sent to you.
[1202]
Fathalla Madrus sends you greetings. I told him that Mgr Massaia would not leave Paris without having done what he has in mind for him. This good Catholic has been of such service tome too. Be sure to obtain what he asked.
Excuse the haste: but I am writing to someone who is experienced in expeditions. I shall write more at length and better from the placid banks of the Nile.
I have also printed the magnificent letter Nicolas wrote to me. Please give him and his whole family my respects.

[1203]
What should I say to the Provincial Fr Domenico? I am guilty but will make amends. In Verona a reliquary of all the saints of the Litanies is being made for him, etc. Please give my respects to His Excellency the Provincial and to all the fathers. A thousand regards to Baron Havelt and the Baroness, to Monsieur and Madame d’Abbadie, to the Duchess of Valence and to all those I know. I hope to see you soon. Here in Cairo and Alexandria you are spoken of with enthusiasm. In Cairo a Galla came forward who said he was your priest. I showed him 15 portraits of 15 bishops and he immediately spotted your portrait and shouted: this is Abuna Massaia. Enough. Remember that in all the world, and after my late Superior, I have never found a father like Mgr Massaia. I say after Fr Mazza, to be precise. Please send me confirmation of your protection and affection, which I hold in esteem and which is valuable and useful to me.
I kiss your hands.

Your most affectionate son,

Fr Daniel