Writings

[1849]
The death of our dear Fr Dalbosco has caused me much grief. I am very sorry to have been absolutely unable to stop for a day in Grenoble, as I had arranged. I only stopped at Chambery at the house of our dear friend M. Bouchat, whom I told what I had to do. He will be my spokesman when you see Mgr di Canossa. Oh, he is very zealous for the Work! In Lyons I spoke to our lady benefactors. They have sent a case or two for me; I beg you to send it to Marseilles immediately, care of M. Laurent, 35 Boulevard National. Oh, how precious are the things they have destined for my African girls and my chapel, but it is to you that I owe all my gratitude. You know me in the depths of your heart. I will send you some details about the life of Dalbosco who was a saint. On the 25th I will be in Marseilles. I shall write more from Egypt, but do not ever say that it is I… M. Bouchat will explain all. Remember that my heart, my friendship and my devotion are always the same; you know me thoroughly as I know you. Your heart is incomparable. Goodbye my dear friend. Convey my respects and gratitude to the Superior and to the Fathers of La Salette. Please send the candles of La Salette and many other things to me in Marseilles.
Regards to Madame Girard and to your dear children, and believe me as ever

Your dear friend,

Fr Daniel Comboni


Translated from French.

[1850]
Although business is thin, I have nevertheless not come to Austria in vain. The Society whose president is the Cardinal Archbishop and that chaired by Mgr Kutzkar could not give me anything, because the first is exclusively for North America; the 2nd, very poor, has only Khartoum.

However His Eminence gave me...................Francs.....100

and the Society of Mgr Kutzkar........................."..........50

Comte de Chambord......................................"..........60

Mgr Bragato..................................................".........100

and the Society of the Immaculate Conception....".....1000
................................................................____________

In gold Fr..............................................................1710

[1851]
The Duke of Modena gave me a beautiful handwritten letter for the Pasha from whom he requests a House for us in Cairo; and, received very well by the reverends of the Court of Prague, he drafted a formal petition to Their Majesties Ferdinando and Marianna, and there is the prospect of a conspicuous sum close at hand, as I have support from both Negrelli and Bragato, who have told me that our Work is the most important in the Catholic world. I was only in Prague for 4 hours in order not to waste time. Please convey to our dear Duke of Modena (as well as Marchese Ottavio) the most particular greetings from the Cardinal Archbishop, Mgr the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Kutchkar, Mgr Mislin, Negrelli, Bragato, etc., etc., and bless your most unworthy but most affectionate son,


Fr Daniel Comboni

[1852]
Tomorrow evening I leave Vienna, 4 hours to Venice, then Verona.

P.S. Shall we have the grace of taking Tezza to Egypt? Oh! Do everything for love. Carcereri and Franceschini and I will be so happy! But we must manage it without giving Cardinal Barnabò a shock. The two-faced character of the Head of the Work, of the Apostolic Visitor of the Venetian Camillians and the Holy Father’s rescripts are three reasons that should persuade the Cardinal. Oh! Guardi and the Artini have gone down greatly in my esteem! God bless them always and fiat voluntas D.ni.

[1853]
The death of Rev. Fr Dalbosco, Superior of my Seminary in Verona, the very serious illness for 87 days of my father whose only son I am, are the reasons why my dear Bishop Mgr di Canossa kept me in Verona against my will. And thanks be to God, I left Verona on the 15th, and tomorrow at 4.00 p.m. I will leave on the Saïd for Alexandria, with six members of my Mission.
[1854]
Here I have received from M. Moutte the 1,500 [francs] which you have had the goodness to give me. I have no words to show you my gratitude for the extreme delicacy and extraordinary charity you showed me when I passed through Lyons, giving me the sum of 1,500 francs. It is a further reason for my eagerness to correspond to your goodness with a more complete dedication to the conversion of the Africans, because nothing can better please your dedication to the Propagation of the Faith than good results from the Missionaries’ efforts.
[1855]
I do not have the time to write to you at any greater length, Mr President. Please give my affectionate regards to Abbot des Georges, to whom I shall write from Cairo; to the Editor of the Journal, to Sig. Maynis, etc. and kindly convey my gratitude to all the members of the Propagation of the Faith. Mr President, please accept the assurance of my highest esteem,

Your most devoted
Fr Daniel Comboni


Translated from the French.

[1856]
Only a couple of lines to let you know that today I am leaving for Marseilles for Cairo with a Priest who is a member of our small Seminary in Verona, and with another 4 individuals (two good African schoolmistresses, a catechist and a teacher of crafts). From Cairo I will write you an accurate report on the state of my two small Houses, signed by our venerable father, Mgr Ciurcia. I call on the charity of your Most Reverend Eminence to implore you to give me some objects from the Apostolic Society at the next distribution in March. Trusting that my desire will be granted, I kiss your sacred Cardinal’s robes, and declare myself

Your Eminence’s most humble and devoted son

Fr Daniel Comboni

[1857]
Today at 4.00 p.m. I leave for Alexandria on the gigantic steamer Saïd with everyone. In Marseilles I obtained a free passage for 5, whose names I gave to Paris. I telegraphed the Minister, and yesterday a dispatch informed me that there was a passage for the other two, Stampais and Valerio. I managed to entrust Stampais (of course, I arranged it with the Mother General) to Sr Eufrasia, Visitor of the East, and now in Cairo; it seems she is to do her novitiate in Jerusalem after a few months of trial in Cairo. It had nothing to do with Mother General who for her part inspired her to the religious and Apostolic life. The ground is good. We always, always pray for Your Most Reverend Excellency who was and is a true father to us, and a true friend and protector of the poor Africans. Convey my respects to Marchese Ottavio and family, to Mgr Pervellini Crosatti, etc. Filled with eternal gratitude, I kiss your sacred ring. I have excellent news
from Cairo.

Your most humble son,

Fr Daniel Comboni