Writings

[1554]
I have been very busy: this is the reason for my delay in writing. We are sending you a report of our expedition. Your Excellency will do what he pleases with it: if you think we would do well to choose L’Unita Cattolica to print it, it seems to me this will help make our Work better known and make it easier to spread knowledge of the Association of the Good Shepherd. I hope you will consider choosing our beloved Fr Stanislao as editor. This young missionary with a facility and aptness of expression combines spirit and apostolic application, and is highly aware of the sublime nature of his ministry. So it is up to you, Your Excellency, to make whatever modifications you see fit.
[1555]
Good Fr Stanislao has spoken too highly of the part which, through the grace of God, I have played in the Work; I am blushing, because I know some of my own failings; woe betide me if everyone should get to know them! What is positively certain is that if Your Excellency’s great heart had not prompted you to make yourself head of the Work, neither the little Seminary in Verona nor the Work of the Good shepherd would exist, nor would this expedition have been made. After your Excellency took a hand in it, our African work received every blessing. All the crosses which it has encountered and will encounter are a sign of the grace of God with which he marks his works; they are a feature of his blessing on its instruments, and I am moved by this to thank the hand that mortifies and enlivens them while he puts the work itself and those who manage it to the test. May your kindness to us continue, please pray and have prayers said for us. We received your venerable letter of 20th December last with supreme pleasure.
[1556]
I am quite pleased that we have arranged a rental of about 200 florins with Conte Campagna. Before agreeing the rent for the Maronites’ Convent I looked at many houses: two to three hundred gold napoleons a year were mentioned. I had to settle on this convent because of the church there, the great courtyard, and what is most important, the possibility of establishing the absolute division between the two Institutes, which is necessary to guarantee that our good name in the eyes of the public. Although the Viceroy of Egypt is laden with debts and has not paid his employees for more than a year, we shall nonetheless study a way of getting the use of some of his houses free, and so be able to save on rent. The present moment for a great many reasons is not at all appropriate. The Pasha is spoken of badly everywhere here, and there is a general discontent among his subjects and among the Europeans.
[1557]
He spent millions and millions of pounds sterling to buy the right of succession to the throne of Egypt for his family and successors from the Sultan. It has fallen on the Egyptians to have to pay everything: trade has come to a standstill, cotton is at its lowest price because of the American war; in short, the Pasha who as the major trader has suffered the greatest loss, has retired, he keeps the Europeans and those who eat beside him as far away as possible, and gives less and less freely than before. Praised be the Lord! I have determined to obtain both housing and food free, and I am busily pursuing this end. We pray, we recite Novenas; if it isn’t today, it will be tomorrow, in the coming year, or in the coming next five years, that we will reach our goal. Pray for this goal, and we will obtain the grace.
[1558]
I consider that it would be good if Your Most Reverend Excellency and Fr Dalbosco (very well known to the Cologne Association) were to get in touch with that committee; indeed, it is essential. But I do not think it appropriate that you ask for subsidies for the little Seminary in Verona, because your request will certainly be refused, since the Association’s purpose is not this, but to teach Africans on the coasts of Africa. When I went to Cologne last year, I asked if the Association had contributed to the foundation of the planned Seminary. I was told no, which is why I conceived founding the Association ad hoc, which we then named “of the Good Shepherd”. When the Cologne Association has become stronger, then we will make it make some exceptions, as I did, when it made the exception of donating money for the journey. Everything depends on the successful functioning of the Egyptian Institutes which will cause resources in Cologne to increase. Furthermore, you may be sure that the work of the Good Shepherd will take root. Before the Bishops can give an answer it is necessary to see whether the work can put down roots in the diocese; usually it takes a year. The great difficulty is at the beginning.
[1559]
The Society for the Schools of the East, the Cologne Association and the Propagation of the Faith to begin with have done almost nothing. We trust in God and in the blessing issued by his Vicar, and you will see that everything will succeed. I hope that it will not be long before I can also give you news of the Association of the Good Shepherd in many European and American dioceses. In time, when the first Bulletin of the Annals appears, you will see that the spirit will be aroused. It is true that times are difficult and that human society is confused and overwhelmed; but it is also true that manus Dei non est abbreviata, and that while hell is striving to destroy, the hand of the Almighty succeeds in building. We must break the devil’s horns, and grace will not be lacking.
[1560]
Fr Dalbosco writes to me of the African girl in Novara: African girls educated in convents and who have had good results are extremely useful to us. I would therefore be pleased were you to accept her. May I suggest to you a supreme opportunity for this purpose. We are in need of convent-educated African girls. But further we are doing a favour to the convents by accepting their African girls, as beings of a different kind from the nuns who are in Europe. Therefore, with a gentle approach, it would be good to ensure that the convents who offer African girls should assume the cost of the journey. Harsh necessity has taught this to me, who obtained 1,000 francs from each of the German African girls and from the Venetians, 300 svanzigs. When the delicacy of Your Excellency’s relationships with those offering African girls does not prevent it, you could get yourself paid for the journey. If the African of Novara goes via Marseilles, it would be better for her to stay in Novara until the time of her departure. I submit all this to your opinion since all you do is sanctioned in coelo et in terra.
[1561]
As for the Institut d’Afrique, I believe it would be useful for you to accept the honorary presidency, and for the African Work which you head to issue the annual 25 francs: I assure you that the first time I go to Paris, you will pay nothing. The Institut d’Afrique’s aspirations are also to help us, but when the Institute is firmly established. It cannot do so now, and if you are an honorary president you have the right, when the occasion arises, to try to obtain subsidies for our African Institutes. Everything the Institut d’Afrique receives is now absorbed by correspondence and by the present American movement. When later on we are in the position of founding a Seminary in Paris, we will have valid support from the Institut d’Afrique against either French or religious excesses of selfishness.
[1562]
I shall reply to the most important point of the Canossian Sisters and Daughters of Charity of St Vincent, mentioned by Fr Alessandro. But today I do not have time. Our worthy Missionaries kiss your hand. We are in an Eden of peace: what one wants, so does the other. And the cause of it all is that those three gentlemen who were accustomed to suffer so many sick people, are able to use many kindnesses and goodness to me who am morally sick. Fr Zanoni is the soul of the House within, and uses great charity with the sick outside it. At home, he is doctor, teacher, carpenter, blacksmith-locksmith, painter, everything. Full of ability, patience, energy, he is everywhere and for everyone. I cannot explain in any way the antipathy which Pietro Bertoli had for him, whom I decisively sent back from Marseilles. A large dose of pride certainly dominated that heart.
[1563]
We are happy amongst the crosses that the Lord sends us through not having received a subsidy from Cologne. But we shall be twice as happy on the day we can embrace our dear Fr Tezza. The Sisters have great dévouement. The Superior is an angel of tenderness, goodness and humility. The 16 African girls, thanks be to God, are all doing well and are firmly grounded in piety. However, those who are most useful to us are those who were educated at the Mazza Institute, where in addition to better and broader teaching, they are capable of putting up with more, and more easily adapt to the wretchedness, efforts and work. As regards home economy, one from the Mazza Institute is worth more than the other seven we have from the four other convents. Nonetheless the piety of these seven African girls is such that we are sure they will be steadfast and constant in their good habits. We implore your goodness to procure Unità Cattolica and Civiltà Cattolica for us.We only know a little of what is going on in the world so we would be glad to receive them even if they are sent to us after having been read and re-read. I did write to Fr Alessandro about this, but I beg you to put in a good word, so that some good soul will consent to grant our wishes. Even the Veneto Cattolico would be highly appreciated. Briefly, we beg you. In due course I shall send you an exact report of everything, of the Administration, of our current internal and external regulations, etc. But first you must make Cologne cough up!
[1564]
On the 12th of last month, His Eminence Cardinal de Pietro gave a talk in order to establish the Association of the Good Shepherd in Rome. There are many members: I hope that by now the council has been formed in Rome. In Marseilles too, the sublime soul, Mlle. Martiny is working to set up the diocesan Council, and I have good news. Bourg-en-Bresse in the Diocese of Beley has increased its 120 members through the work of Mlle. Eugénie Cabuchet. Until now I have no more recent news. We trust in God who is a holy father. The Holy Father, if what they write me from Rome is true, has established an Apostolic Visitor in the Viperesche Convent of M.V., who is deeply mortified. He (Mgr Vicegerent) has declared that since his convent had incurred great expenses and losses for the African girls, he is doing me a favour by contenting himself to demand from me only 1,500 scudi. At the very most he will relinquish some of the sheets provided by Vimercati. It seems that he has bought off my legal representative; but in this way he is making matters worse for himself: poor M.V.! St Philip was certainly right when he prayed to God to keep His hands on his head lest he become a Turk!
[1565]
Give all my respects to Marchese Ottavio and family; if the Marchesina Matilde would like other postage stamps I will send her some; give my regards to Mgr. the V. G., Perbellini, Fr Vincenzo ad Fr Al. Aldegheri, and the good and elegant Giovannino with all the members of the family. It seems tome that it would be a good thing to send the Decree, the Programme, the Plan and everything to be printed about the work to Her Majesty the Empress, the wife of Ferdinand, together with the Holy Father’s Letter of Indulgences. I think that Your Excellency has such a good relationship with Her Majesty the most pious Empress that you could make her become a most effective auxiliary to the Work. We all respectfully kiss your hand. Bless us every day, and accept every single one of our hearts, as the hearts of your most affectionate sons, and of your most unworthy but no less fervent son

Fr Daniel Comboni

I am sending you a picture showing a sister dressed in the costume of the kind worn by sisters we have in Old Cairo who are dedicated to our Work. Fr Zanoni repeats his request that you write to Mgr Cavriani.

[1566]
I hope you will have received our Report accompanied by a letter from me. Our most worthy Fr Alessandro announced to me that the Association’s General Council has already been formed, and that the first session has already taken place; two most appropriate deliberations were made. We will reply to the second, which concerns us, wholeheartedly and with the greatest precision.
[1567]
In the meantime, we pray Your Excellency to express our gratitude, congratulations and pleasure to your incomparable brother, Marchese Ottavio, and all the distinguished and most reverend members of the Council on hearing that they have joined a Work that belongs wholly to God, for the salvation of so many souls. Yes, my most venerable Father: it seems to me that it is a Work of God, and that God truly has a hand in it. I cannot find words to express the spiritual anguish I have felt for a month and a half, seeing myself thrown upon this immense Cairo with two families of 28 persons, where everything costs twice or three times as much as in Europe, and where there is no money and everyone is bankrupt. It is enough to say that the Muslims refuse to bring us water (for which we pay one franc a day).We pray frequently, with Novenas and Triduums, but my heart is heavy with worry.
[1568]
Thanks be to God that the house, the missionaries, the nuns and the Africans never lack anything: food alone costs me more than 40 francs a day. Well, on the 5th of the month a letter of credit arrived for 250 gold napoleons with a letter from the President of Cologne, as kind as could be and with hopes of sending more money. That same day I received another small sum and kind letters from Paris. We were spiritually consoled and sang the Te Deum. Please thank the Lord for us, his children, and bless his Providence, for the Lord is a true gentleman.
[1569]
On the 5th of this month I also received good news from Rome. It seems that Mgr Vicegerent is disposed to return the promissory note for 1,500 scudi, and to leave me everything that there is in Verona. He is however inflexible in not wishing to restore to me the beds and linen that Conte Vimercati gave the African girls, which amount to the sum of 500 scudi. Although the damages I suffered were very serious, I have given orders to my legal representative in Rome (who, under pressure from a friend of mine, at last dealt justly and protected me) that when you receive my promissory note and a declaration from the Vicegerent that he has abandoned any claims on the things in Verona, to halt all proceedings and to make peace with Monsignor, renouncing all the rest propter amorem Domini.
[1570]
The Council of Rome is about to lose its President Mgr Franchi, who is to go as Apostolic Nuncio to Spain to replace Mgr Barili, Archbishop of Tiana, who has been created Cardinal, together with another eight, which as you will know are: Mgr Borromeo, Mgr Berardi, Mgr Ferrieri, Apostolic Nuncio in Lisbon, Mgr Luciano Bonaparte, Mgr Gonella, Bishop of Viterbo, Mgr Monaco, Mgr Capalti and Mgr Moreno, Archbishop of Valladolid, a good patron of our Work. However, before leaving next March for Spain, Mgr Franchi will properly organise the Council. I am likewise pleased that Cardinal Consolini is to be Prefect of Finances at Propaganda instead of Cardinal Sacconi. Consolini promises to take special care of the African Work.
[1571]
In the meantime, courage, Monsignor. You know how arduous the beginnings of new Works are. God deigns to stamp our work with the adored seal of the Cross; pray and have prayers said that the Lord will keep our ship upright, and that the most tempestuous seas will not frighten us. We are in perfect health. Today a sick Muslim girl came to me from the Turkish hospital. God called her to die a Catholic in our Institute. In a few days another two African girls will arrive, to be instructed by us to become Catholics. Wait a while and you will see… To Marchese Ottavio, the family, Fr Vincenzo… I kiss your hands

Your most humble son, Fr Daniel

[1572]
I must confess that I do not know how to thank you. In fact, where can I find words for your goodness? In what language would it be possible to express the sentiments of my own heart and the hearts of us all? With your generous gift you have really become our life. You have enriched the poor, you have given our Institutes a foundation, you have salvaged our courage which had been shipwrecked! Indeed, we had reached such a point that through lack of money, not only was food not delivered to us, but not even water from the Nile. I had taken out a loan, I was burdened by debts and ashamed to walk through the city streets. Days were sad for me and nights sleepless. Worry about those I am responsible for was constantly building up within me. We were continuously resorting to Novenas and Triduums in our church where the Sacred Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph stayed for six years oppressed by the sorrows and sadness of exile. On the 9th of this month I received your letter and your money! And lo and behold, we were given a new lease of life and new hope. So may you and the dear Association receive praise, blessings and a reward from God, and from us, our gratitude and the most fervent prayers. You would like to hear a lot about our Work! You have a right to it, and I or my co-workers will send you news every six months and reports on the work for the regeneration of Africa, in chronological order.
[1573]
In the meantime, please be kind enough to recommend our work to everyone, it is really urgent because it is well known to all that for the time being we are relying on aid from your Association alone. But until our Institute has put down strong and vigorous roots in this land, we need more and more of your charity; for otherwise it will soon shrivel and die. The salvation of the Africans is in your hands. But so that it does not appear that we are squandering the funds you have sent us or spending them uselessly, we will send you an account of them annually, or whenever you require one. Thus every member will be informed as to how his cheques are spent. I thank you again from the bottom of my heart and pray that God will assist you and all the Association’s members and benefactors with his most abundant grace now and to eternity. I am pleased to declare myself, now and forever,

Your most humble servant and friend,

Fr Daniel Comboni,

Superior of the Institutes for Africans and
General Director of the Association of the
Good Shepherd for the Regeneration of Africa

Translation from the German.

[1574]
Your paternal heart will rejoice at the first flower picked by our work. How powerful is Christ’s grace! I cannot express how poor Mahbuba suffered during her last two days and three nights, after I had baptised her! But how heroic her resignation was. I haven’t time to write to you except to say that we are all well, and hope to do good with God’s grace so that the presence of indigenous Africans in Egypt is like the snare that traps thrushes. However, we must proceed very cautiously, to avoid attacks by enemies who might not want… I will send a copy of First flower, written so well by our Fr Stanislao, to the Mission Museum in Turin, and thereby I shall obtain from Ortalda forgiveness for never having written to him after my departure from Europe.
[1575]
A thousand greetings to Marchese Ottavio, and to the family, to Mgr. the V. G., to Frs Vincenzo, Alessandro, etc.
I hurriedly kiss your sacred robe. Mgr. the V. G. Apostolic Ciurcia wrote a lovely letter to me from Alexandria about the triumph of the first flower: it seems to me that this Monsignor is a good sort of person.

All yours, your most unworthy son,

Fr Daniel Comboni