Daniel Comboni
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Writing N°
Addressee
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Place of writing
Date
391
Mgr. Luigi di Canossa
0
Vienna
2. 4.1871
N. 391 (367) – TO BISHOP LUIGI DI CANOSSA
ACR, A, c. 14/82
Praised be Jesus and Mary For ever and ever, amen.
Long live St Joseph
Dominikanerkloster, Vienna, 2/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
ACR, A, c. 14/82
Praised be Jesus and Mary For ever and ever, amen.
Long live St Joseph
Dominikanerkloster, Vienna, 2/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
[2426]
I am a little worried at not yet knowing whether Your Excellency has received the 220 florins I sent on the 23rd. Please tell good Fr Losi whether or not you have received them, and Losi will write to me at once so that I can do what needs to be done if not. From some of Fr Losi’s letters I seem to gather that he is an honest priest, a good man and has his head in the right place. A letter from Rome of the 26th of last month informs me that, two minutes after celebrating Mass for our Sisters in Piazza Margana, Cardinal Barnabò had a stroke, twisted up his mouth, lost an eye and was at death’s door. The Mother General writes to me from Marseilles on the 30th : “Nous aurons une perte à essuyer dans notre père, afin qu’il nous aide du haut du ciel encore plus qu’il n’a fait sur la terre”. I am so sorry. He told me so many times that he had to die of a stroke like all his family.
[2427]
After a year and a half of thinking it over I have resolved to let you know what was written to me by Cologne on the occasion of the 10,000 francs that they sent me to Cairo after the speech by Mgr Meurin, the Bishop of Bombay. The Head of a Work must hear not only the bad, but also the good. Since it was published all over Germany, and especially in the Cologne Annals of 1870, it is right that Your Excellency should be informed. To this effect, I am sending you herewith the leaflet which quotes the last section of the speech made by Mgr Meurin in the Catholic Hall in Cologne, where he speaks of our Work, of the good organisation of our Institutes in Egypt, of the missionaries; and says things about me that I am sure I do not deserve; however I am convinced that the man who now directs the Diocese of Verona is not that wild hunchback, who since 1816 is the most loyal and loving servant of the House of Canossa, whose name I do not remember. I am profoundly convinced that I am nothing, that I would have done nothing if Your Excellency’s incomparable love and zeal had not assumed responsibility for the Work.
[2428]
The smoke of worldly glory which thins out and disperses does nothing for me and I would be only too fortunate if, after a life consecrated to God among the toils of the apostolate, I could save my soul and avoid hell. Everything else is nothing and whoever savours the incense of short-lived and fleeting praise is worthy of compassion; and finding myself often in the company of the great men of this century, I always have new reasons to convince myself even more that the smoke of the world, of praise and glory is worthless, and that the only salvation is to serve God, to suffer and to die for him alone. But since the testimony of an able Jesuit Bishop on the organisation and development of our Institutes in Egypt can comfort and reassure Your Most Reverend Excellency’s paternal heart and conscience, and since my own poverty, though of no importance, is frequently the target of attacks from all sides, it is good, therefore, that Your Excellency, as father, judge and doctor should know all the good and the bad to be corrected or justified in your sons. I therefore send you the enclosed article “Ein bischöfliches Zeugnifs” (an episcopal testimony), which you will be able to have translated ad litteram by someone who knows German well, either by Fr Caprara or by Metilde, his niece, asking them to be silent and not to tell anyone. Perhaps you might have it translated by Fr Aldegheri.
[2429]
Just for his consolation I would very much like a copy to go to Bakhit, who lives for Africa, to whom I enclose a copy in a letter I have left open, so that if Your Excellency finds this inappropriate, you may take it out. The king of Hanover had his Secretary, Baron Jex, write me a letter in which he greatly praises the Work and sends me 100 thalers. You know that he is a Protestant. On this present journey I have had slim pickings: I have collected a little more than 3,500 florins, and ensured a yearly contribution of 3,000 francs. But the way is open for us to receive more in better times. There are still other offerings pending.
[2430]
Today I am having lunch with the Altgrave Salm-Clary who thirty years ago was Deputy Governor of Lombardy and was head of the Austrian Delegation to the Holy Father. On Monday, he told me yesterday in my bedroom, he went to His Majesty the Emperor to report on what the Holy Father had told the Austrian Commission. He waited a quarter of an hour in the waiting room until Beust came out (who knew the purpose of the Altgraf’s visit), then he went in and told all. His Majesty limited himself to saying that he was glad the Pope loved him and that he loved him too: he did not say a word about what was to be done, nor did he venture to make any promises, nor did he express any of the displeasure he should feel about events in Rome. But I can assure you in all certainty that His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, although he is weak in character, is highly pre-occupied by the disasters in France and the latest developments in the red republic of Paris, and he thinks about this day and night. He has told two persons I know that for Austria to survive, with so many elements wanting to have their nationality recognised, it cannot but rest on the Catholic principle, etc.
[2431]
Furthermore, His Majesty said that what was happening in France could happen elsewhere, where the same principles apply. The state of the present Austrian Cabinet and the Hohenwart Ministry, however, is much better than in the past, and Beust, to stay in his post, is leaning more towards the Cabinet. Yesterday Count Federico Thum (who sends his respects to Your Excellency and to Marchese Ottavio, and only walks about the room on crutches for a few minutes a day and to get out of bed) told me that he believes (and his brother Leone, who is even more able, told me this morning that he is of the same opinion) that the Emperor trusts that the Chamber of Deputies will improve little by little and might perhaps remove the Constitution, and Austria would regain its role as strong protector of the Holy See, and then… For my part, Monsignor, I am in contact with the highest and most Catholic aristocracy in Vienna; and I hear these ideas being expressed by many people. The events that are happening in Paris, and that may happen in Italy and Spain will serve to convince the world that with atheism, freemasonry and modern liberalism things cannot last; and that peoples and Kings will have to persuade themselves to find support in true faith alone, and that one can only be saved from ruin by saying: Domine, salva nos, perimus.
Fr Daniel Comboni
I am a little worried at not yet knowing whether Your Excellency has received the 220 florins I sent on the 23rd. Please tell good Fr Losi whether or not you have received them, and Losi will write to me at once so that I can do what needs to be done if not. From some of Fr Losi’s letters I seem to gather that he is an honest priest, a good man and has his head in the right place. A letter from Rome of the 26th of last month informs me that, two minutes after celebrating Mass for our Sisters in Piazza Margana, Cardinal Barnabò had a stroke, twisted up his mouth, lost an eye and was at death’s door. The Mother General writes to me from Marseilles on the 30th : “Nous aurons une perte à essuyer dans notre père, afin qu’il nous aide du haut du ciel encore plus qu’il n’a fait sur la terre”. I am so sorry. He told me so many times that he had to die of a stroke like all his family.
[2427]
After a year and a half of thinking it over I have resolved to let you know what was written to me by Cologne on the occasion of the 10,000 francs that they sent me to Cairo after the speech by Mgr Meurin, the Bishop of Bombay. The Head of a Work must hear not only the bad, but also the good. Since it was published all over Germany, and especially in the Cologne Annals of 1870, it is right that Your Excellency should be informed. To this effect, I am sending you herewith the leaflet which quotes the last section of the speech made by Mgr Meurin in the Catholic Hall in Cologne, where he speaks of our Work, of the good organisation of our Institutes in Egypt, of the missionaries; and says things about me that I am sure I do not deserve; however I am convinced that the man who now directs the Diocese of Verona is not that wild hunchback, who since 1816 is the most loyal and loving servant of the House of Canossa, whose name I do not remember. I am profoundly convinced that I am nothing, that I would have done nothing if Your Excellency’s incomparable love and zeal had not assumed responsibility for the Work.
[2428]
The smoke of worldly glory which thins out and disperses does nothing for me and I would be only too fortunate if, after a life consecrated to God among the toils of the apostolate, I could save my soul and avoid hell. Everything else is nothing and whoever savours the incense of short-lived and fleeting praise is worthy of compassion; and finding myself often in the company of the great men of this century, I always have new reasons to convince myself even more that the smoke of the world, of praise and glory is worthless, and that the only salvation is to serve God, to suffer and to die for him alone. But since the testimony of an able Jesuit Bishop on the organisation and development of our Institutes in Egypt can comfort and reassure Your Most Reverend Excellency’s paternal heart and conscience, and since my own poverty, though of no importance, is frequently the target of attacks from all sides, it is good, therefore, that Your Excellency, as father, judge and doctor should know all the good and the bad to be corrected or justified in your sons. I therefore send you the enclosed article “Ein bischöfliches Zeugnifs” (an episcopal testimony), which you will be able to have translated ad litteram by someone who knows German well, either by Fr Caprara or by Metilde, his niece, asking them to be silent and not to tell anyone. Perhaps you might have it translated by Fr Aldegheri.
[2429]
Just for his consolation I would very much like a copy to go to Bakhit, who lives for Africa, to whom I enclose a copy in a letter I have left open, so that if Your Excellency finds this inappropriate, you may take it out. The king of Hanover had his Secretary, Baron Jex, write me a letter in which he greatly praises the Work and sends me 100 thalers. You know that he is a Protestant. On this present journey I have had slim pickings: I have collected a little more than 3,500 florins, and ensured a yearly contribution of 3,000 francs. But the way is open for us to receive more in better times. There are still other offerings pending.
[2430]
Today I am having lunch with the Altgrave Salm-Clary who thirty years ago was Deputy Governor of Lombardy and was head of the Austrian Delegation to the Holy Father. On Monday, he told me yesterday in my bedroom, he went to His Majesty the Emperor to report on what the Holy Father had told the Austrian Commission. He waited a quarter of an hour in the waiting room until Beust came out (who knew the purpose of the Altgraf’s visit), then he went in and told all. His Majesty limited himself to saying that he was glad the Pope loved him and that he loved him too: he did not say a word about what was to be done, nor did he venture to make any promises, nor did he express any of the displeasure he should feel about events in Rome. But I can assure you in all certainty that His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, although he is weak in character, is highly pre-occupied by the disasters in France and the latest developments in the red republic of Paris, and he thinks about this day and night. He has told two persons I know that for Austria to survive, with so many elements wanting to have their nationality recognised, it cannot but rest on the Catholic principle, etc.
[2431]
Furthermore, His Majesty said that what was happening in France could happen elsewhere, where the same principles apply. The state of the present Austrian Cabinet and the Hohenwart Ministry, however, is much better than in the past, and Beust, to stay in his post, is leaning more towards the Cabinet. Yesterday Count Federico Thum (who sends his respects to Your Excellency and to Marchese Ottavio, and only walks about the room on crutches for a few minutes a day and to get out of bed) told me that he believes (and his brother Leone, who is even more able, told me this morning that he is of the same opinion) that the Emperor trusts that the Chamber of Deputies will improve little by little and might perhaps remove the Constitution, and Austria would regain its role as strong protector of the Holy See, and then… For my part, Monsignor, I am in contact with the highest and most Catholic aristocracy in Vienna; and I hear these ideas being expressed by many people. The events that are happening in Paris, and that may happen in Italy and Spain will serve to convince the world that with atheism, freemasonry and modern liberalism things cannot last; and that peoples and Kings will have to persuade themselves to find support in true faith alone, and that one can only be saved from ruin by saying: Domine, salva nos, perimus.
Fr Daniel Comboni
392
Mgr. Luigi di Canossa
0
Vienna
8. 4.1871
N. 392 (368) – TO BISHOP LUIGI DI CANOSSA
ACR, A, c. 14/83
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 8/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
ACR, A, c. 14/83
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 8/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
[2432]
The purpose of these two lines is to wish a most happy Easter to Your Most Reverend Excellency, as Father of Africa and of our beloved Verona, to the Marchese Ottavio and his family, to the Most Reverend Rector of the Seminary, the incomparable Fr Pietro Dorigotti, to Monsignor the Vicar, Perbellini, etc., etc. It is better to suffer with Pius IX than to rejoice with the world. A great reflection. The Archbishop of Paris, who during the Council announced in rather clear terms that the French government would abandon the Pope if Infallibility were defined, is now in prison, in the hands of the reds, and his master is in most shameful exile. Please have Fr Losi write to me to say whether he has received the 220 florins. Our work is still finding great sympathy even among Protestants: many come to see me, including Lutheran ministers (priests). On Tuesday I received 100 thalers from a stranger from Upper Germany, handed to me by the bookseller Sartori, who was obliged not to reveal the donor. Yesterday I sent 39 gold Napoleons to Egypt, so from 5th January to today (3 months) I have sent Fr Carcereri 250 gold Napoleons and 2 sovereigns. Let us trust in God, because in pecunia hoc tempore he is blessing us more than so many other missions and Apostolic Vicariates. Happy Easter also to Fr Vincenzo. I kiss your sacred ring,
Your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel C.
[2433]
From Aachen they are sending me a few prayers for the Holy Father which are being said all over Catholic Germany, especially in Prussia. It is a beautiful thought to pray to all the saints canonised by Pius IX for Pius IX and the Apostolic Holy See, as you can see on pages 7, 9, etc. of the little booklet enclosed.
The purpose of these two lines is to wish a most happy Easter to Your Most Reverend Excellency, as Father of Africa and of our beloved Verona, to the Marchese Ottavio and his family, to the Most Reverend Rector of the Seminary, the incomparable Fr Pietro Dorigotti, to Monsignor the Vicar, Perbellini, etc., etc. It is better to suffer with Pius IX than to rejoice with the world. A great reflection. The Archbishop of Paris, who during the Council announced in rather clear terms that the French government would abandon the Pope if Infallibility were defined, is now in prison, in the hands of the reds, and his master is in most shameful exile. Please have Fr Losi write to me to say whether he has received the 220 florins. Our work is still finding great sympathy even among Protestants: many come to see me, including Lutheran ministers (priests). On Tuesday I received 100 thalers from a stranger from Upper Germany, handed to me by the bookseller Sartori, who was obliged not to reveal the donor. Yesterday I sent 39 gold Napoleons to Egypt, so from 5th January to today (3 months) I have sent Fr Carcereri 250 gold Napoleons and 2 sovereigns. Let us trust in God, because in pecunia hoc tempore he is blessing us more than so many other missions and Apostolic Vicariates. Happy Easter also to Fr Vincenzo. I kiss your sacred ring,
Your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel C.
[2433]
From Aachen they are sending me a few prayers for the Holy Father which are being said all over Catholic Germany, especially in Prussia. It is a beautiful thought to pray to all the saints canonised by Pius IX for Pius IX and the Apostolic Holy See, as you can see on pages 7, 9, etc. of the little booklet enclosed.
393
Mgr. Luigi di Canossa
0
Vienna
20. 4.1871
N. 393 (369) – TO BISHOP LUIGI DI CANOSSA
ACR, A, c. 14/84
W.J.M.J.
Dominican House
Vienna, 20/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
ACR, A, c. 14/84
W.J.M.J.
Dominican House
Vienna, 20/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
[2434]
On 23rd March I sent you 220 florins for 500 Masses, and I asked you to have Fr Losi answer me as soon as they arrived, being as uncertain as ever of the thieves in the post-office who have done me harm several times. Having no reply at all by 2nd April, I wrote again to Fr Losi, enjoining him to present himself immediately to Your Excellency: but no reply. On the same day I wrote to Your Excellency on the same subject: but no reply. Assuming that Fr Losi had been sent by Your Excellency to some other town to help with Easter confessions, I wrote again to Your Excellency on the 8th of this month on the same subject: but no reply. So on the 14th I decided to lodge an official complaint: but no reply so far. I am therefore now worried that the money may be lost. We have a government as God wills.
[2435]
According to Fr Stanislao, the Apostolic Delegate in Egypt is most committed to having the Austrian Consul General write favourably to Vienna about the Cairo House. A providential thing! The Commune of Paris allowed the Archbishop to write to Thiers in Versailles proposing that the regular Assembly freed Blanqui, an ungodly red revolutionary, on the condition that the Commune freed the Archbishop. Thiers and the Assembly decided not to, because Blanqui is more harmful to France than the Archbishop is useful. In the comparison between Mgr Darboy and Blanqui the revolutionary, the latter is of more account than the former! God’s judgement! What a great humiliation for the Archbishop, who after his submission to Infallibility, is paying for his past errors with humiliation. A thousand congratulations for the performance on Good Friday, in which Your Excellency did the Stations of the Cross! What a sublime protest!
Bless your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel Comboni, Apostolic Missionary
On 23rd March I sent you 220 florins for 500 Masses, and I asked you to have Fr Losi answer me as soon as they arrived, being as uncertain as ever of the thieves in the post-office who have done me harm several times. Having no reply at all by 2nd April, I wrote again to Fr Losi, enjoining him to present himself immediately to Your Excellency: but no reply. On the same day I wrote to Your Excellency on the same subject: but no reply. Assuming that Fr Losi had been sent by Your Excellency to some other town to help with Easter confessions, I wrote again to Your Excellency on the 8th of this month on the same subject: but no reply. So on the 14th I decided to lodge an official complaint: but no reply so far. I am therefore now worried that the money may be lost. We have a government as God wills.
[2435]
According to Fr Stanislao, the Apostolic Delegate in Egypt is most committed to having the Austrian Consul General write favourably to Vienna about the Cairo House. A providential thing! The Commune of Paris allowed the Archbishop to write to Thiers in Versailles proposing that the regular Assembly freed Blanqui, an ungodly red revolutionary, on the condition that the Commune freed the Archbishop. Thiers and the Assembly decided not to, because Blanqui is more harmful to France than the Archbishop is useful. In the comparison between Mgr Darboy and Blanqui the revolutionary, the latter is of more account than the former! God’s judgement! What a great humiliation for the Archbishop, who after his submission to Infallibility, is paying for his past errors with humiliation. A thousand congratulations for the performance on Good Friday, in which Your Excellency did the Stations of the Cross! What a sublime protest!
Bless your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel Comboni, Apostolic Missionary
394
Mgr. Luigi di Canossa
0
Vienna
26. 4.1871
N. 394 (370) – TO BISHOP LUIGI DI CANOSSA
ACR, A, c. 14/85
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 26/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
ACR, A, c. 14/85
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 26/4 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
[2436]
Here are the Statutes of the recently founded (2 April) Catholic Workers’ Association, which Your Excellency wanted. They were given to me by the President himself whom I met at the session of 2nd April, when the first meeting was held. It is truly most useful and practical. If you should need any further elucidations, communicate freely with the Most Illustrious and Reverend Abbot Karl Dittrich, Councillor of the Princely Archbishopric of Vienna and Rector of the Archbishop’s small Seminary in Vienna at Mariahilf (Mariahilferstrasse), who will be honoured to serve you.
[2437]
I have received your last letter saying you received the money, and I am pleased. I have not received the first one you said you wrote. Fr Guardi’s letter is worth a fortune, both to know the lay of the land and to decide what to do. The day after tomorrow I shall give Mgr Pelami 52 gold Napoleons 4 francs and 25 centimes with the respective forms for 1,000 Masses. In a few days I shall be visiting the shrine of Maria Zell, where I will receive more. I kiss your sacred ring, and bless your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel
My best regards to the Rector of the Seminary and Fr Vincenzo, as well as Marchese Ottavio, of course.
Here are the Statutes of the recently founded (2 April) Catholic Workers’ Association, which Your Excellency wanted. They were given to me by the President himself whom I met at the session of 2nd April, when the first meeting was held. It is truly most useful and practical. If you should need any further elucidations, communicate freely with the Most Illustrious and Reverend Abbot Karl Dittrich, Councillor of the Princely Archbishopric of Vienna and Rector of the Archbishop’s small Seminary in Vienna at Mariahilf (Mariahilferstrasse), who will be honoured to serve you.
[2437]
I have received your last letter saying you received the money, and I am pleased. I have not received the first one you said you wrote. Fr Guardi’s letter is worth a fortune, both to know the lay of the land and to decide what to do. The day after tomorrow I shall give Mgr Pelami 52 gold Napoleons 4 francs and 25 centimes with the respective forms for 1,000 Masses. In a few days I shall be visiting the shrine of Maria Zell, where I will receive more. I kiss your sacred ring, and bless your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel
My best regards to the Rector of the Seminary and Fr Vincenzo, as well as Marchese Ottavio, of course.
395
Fr. Gioacchino Tomba
0
Vienna
30. 4,1871
N. 395 (371) – TO FR GIOACCHINO TOMBA
AMV, Cart. “Missione Africana”
W.J.M.J.
Dominikanerkloster Vienna, 30/4 71
Dearest Fr Gioacchino,
AMV, Cart. “Missione Africana”
W.J.M.J.
Dominikanerkloster Vienna, 30/4 71
Dearest Fr Gioacchino,
[2438]
The bearer of this letter is a distinguished priest who was in conclave when Pope Pius IX was elected, reformed several Institutes at the Pope’s orders, such as S. Michele in Rome, etc. and is now Archpriest of the Chapter of the basilica of S. Eustachio in Rome and Dean of the Chaplains who assist the Pontiff in his ceremonies, etc., etc. He wishes to see the Institute of Canterane in S. Carlo. In Vienna he stayed all the time with me at the Dominicans’, and has seen stupendous embroidery work: but I hope he will be struck by the sight of the Institute’s embroideries of all sorts. Please show him, therefore, the famous picture and the flowers, etc.
[2439]
I am sending you the little booklet of the black Colony from Central Africa at the feet of Pius IX: they are the African girls from Verona. In Germany it made an excellent impression and aroused great interest for Africa. I am also sending you the leaflet Ein bischofliches Zeugniss which speaks of my Institutes and of myself. I am profoundly convinced that I do not deserve the slightest bit of the praise it contains, indeed who knows how much I will have to account for to God: and although I am embarrassed, I still dare to send it to you because it mentions the good progress of the Institutes, and the testimony of a Jesuit Bishop is something, because the Jesuits are not soft.
[2440]
As for my business, it is slim. But all the Archdukes and Princes have given me something. His Majesty the Emperor of Austria Franz Josef received me in a long audience, and showed real interest. I am not yet sure of the result: but the fact is that he ordered that reactionary Beust to question the Consul General in Egypt to check how much the building of my establishment would come to. I have the land and I am hopeful in spite of the times.
[2441]
You will have heard that Her Majesty the Empress, after repeated letters I wrote her from Cairo, Rome and Verona, granted the sum of 1,000 (one thousand) gold Napoleons to cover the total cost of the House in Verona; and the house is already paid for, with a few hundred thalers left over. You see, things aren’t so bad these days. A stranger from Upper Germany sent me 100 thalers, asking me to remember him in my prayers. At the Friary I received an envelope with 55 florins and a note saying: “Une famille qui désire contribuer à la plus grande gloire de Dieu offre son obole à Mons.g Comboni et se recommande à ses prières”. The king of Hanover had a letter written to me (he is blind) in which he praises the work and sends me 100 thalers. He is a Protestant, etc., etc. We must remember that we are living in most difficult times everywhere. So it is God who acts: we are clowns. Here in Austria there is some improvement: but the Jews are still in command.
[2442]
My greetings to the women teachers, Fr Beltrame, Fr Brighenti and everyone. One of our African girls is about to get married to an excellent African. Guess who?… Luigia Mittera. The hunchback, lame, midget, who seemed to think of nothing but God because she was always pious, has now thought of getting married. I can’t believe it until I see it happen. That African has lost his senses, although he is good.
Pray and have prayers said for your affectionate and obedient
Fr Daniel Comboni
The bearer of this letter is a distinguished priest who was in conclave when Pope Pius IX was elected, reformed several Institutes at the Pope’s orders, such as S. Michele in Rome, etc. and is now Archpriest of the Chapter of the basilica of S. Eustachio in Rome and Dean of the Chaplains who assist the Pontiff in his ceremonies, etc., etc. He wishes to see the Institute of Canterane in S. Carlo. In Vienna he stayed all the time with me at the Dominicans’, and has seen stupendous embroidery work: but I hope he will be struck by the sight of the Institute’s embroideries of all sorts. Please show him, therefore, the famous picture and the flowers, etc.
[2439]
I am sending you the little booklet of the black Colony from Central Africa at the feet of Pius IX: they are the African girls from Verona. In Germany it made an excellent impression and aroused great interest for Africa. I am also sending you the leaflet Ein bischofliches Zeugniss which speaks of my Institutes and of myself. I am profoundly convinced that I do not deserve the slightest bit of the praise it contains, indeed who knows how much I will have to account for to God: and although I am embarrassed, I still dare to send it to you because it mentions the good progress of the Institutes, and the testimony of a Jesuit Bishop is something, because the Jesuits are not soft.
[2440]
As for my business, it is slim. But all the Archdukes and Princes have given me something. His Majesty the Emperor of Austria Franz Josef received me in a long audience, and showed real interest. I am not yet sure of the result: but the fact is that he ordered that reactionary Beust to question the Consul General in Egypt to check how much the building of my establishment would come to. I have the land and I am hopeful in spite of the times.
[2441]
You will have heard that Her Majesty the Empress, after repeated letters I wrote her from Cairo, Rome and Verona, granted the sum of 1,000 (one thousand) gold Napoleons to cover the total cost of the House in Verona; and the house is already paid for, with a few hundred thalers left over. You see, things aren’t so bad these days. A stranger from Upper Germany sent me 100 thalers, asking me to remember him in my prayers. At the Friary I received an envelope with 55 florins and a note saying: “Une famille qui désire contribuer à la plus grande gloire de Dieu offre son obole à Mons.g Comboni et se recommande à ses prières”. The king of Hanover had a letter written to me (he is blind) in which he praises the work and sends me 100 thalers. He is a Protestant, etc., etc. We must remember that we are living in most difficult times everywhere. So it is God who acts: we are clowns. Here in Austria there is some improvement: but the Jews are still in command.
[2442]
My greetings to the women teachers, Fr Beltrame, Fr Brighenti and everyone. One of our African girls is about to get married to an excellent African. Guess who?… Luigia Mittera. The hunchback, lame, midget, who seemed to think of nothing but God because she was always pious, has now thought of getting married. I can’t believe it until I see it happen. That African has lost his senses, although he is good.
Pray and have prayers said for your affectionate and obedient
Fr Daniel Comboni
396
Annotation on a letter
1
Vienna
4.1871
N. 396 (372) – NOTE IN THE MARGIN OF A LETTER
ACR, A, c. 20/20
Cairo, April 1871 ?
ACR, A, c. 20/20
Cairo, April 1871 ?
397
Luigi Grigolini
0
Vienna
2. 5.1871
N. 397 (373) – TO SIGNOR LUIGI GRIGOLINI
ACR, A, c. 15/50
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 2 May 1871
Most esteemed and dearest friend,
ACR, A, c. 15/50
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 2 May 1871
Most esteemed and dearest friend,
[2443]
You must not make rash judgements and think that, although I am swamped by serious and most grave occupations, I could forget such a good and precious friend as you are, with whom to the clinking of glasses and the bubbling of exquisite wines, in the presence of our incomparable and most venerable Rector of the Seminary and my ever beloved Professor, the most worthy Archpriest of S. Martino, I formed the strongest and indestructible friendship. This means that your name will never be erased from my memory and in my poor prayers I will never forget to pray for you and your family to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, my Bursar St Joseph and my dear Saints Peter and Paul and St Francis Xavier. But our friendship which began in the midst of steaming venison and succulent pies was confirmed and strengthened by our common sentiments of unshakeable love and veneration for the Holy Church and the Pope. Oh! When that exists, the humble farmer is greater and more worthy of esteem than the sovereign master of half the world who does not respect the Vicar of Jesus Christ in what he teaches, thinks and loves.
[2444]
One who truly loves the Pope becomes an Apostle among his peers in the midst of the frightening demoralisation of modern society, if apart from professing the healthy principles taught by Rome, he voluntarily teaches his dependants these holy duties. I am certain that all your dependants will love the Pope as their Pontiff and their King, because you teach them the magisterium of the Church and the Bishops, which is in conformity with the most sacred interests of souls. So, long live Pius IX, the Pope and King of Rome; and let us think like him, since the Pope, the Bishop of Verona, the Rector of the Seminary and the Archpriest of S. Martino teach us the truth more than… a Visconti Venosta, a Lanza, a Sella and other such Barabbases.
[2445]
To give you all my news we would need another three-hour session… among the glasses…; but I will tell you something. My Institutes in Egypt are progressing marvellously. His most reverend Excellency the Vicar Apostolic in Arabia and Egypt, Mgr Ciurcia, on the 2nd Sunday after Easter honoured my Institutes by his presence and, in my Church (on the banks of the Nile, a few minutes away from the Grotto where the Holy Family lived for seven years in Egypt), will pontificated and conferred Baptism on several infidels converted by my Institutes, as well as Confirmation upon a good number of converts. In Vienna I had a long audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, to whom I made a strong appeal for him to help me to build my new establishment in the capital of Egypt. His Majesty received my request favourably and ordered that reactionary Minister of his, Count Beust, a Protestant, to seek official information from the Imperial Consul General in Egypt. But that man who believes in nothing at all and only goes to church to be incensed, although he is my friend in name, might also have played a trick on me: but thanks to God’s Providence, urged by the Archbishop and by others I had informed in advance, he made a most ample report in my favour to the Emperor in Vienna, which is why I hope to receive a good subsidy from these quarters… But let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. Even the king of Hanover, a Protestant, received me very well, and then had his Minister write me a letter in praise of the Work for the regeneration of Africa, sending me his offering of 100 thalers. In a few days I am leaving for Saxony and Berlin. I beg you to pray and have prayers said for me.
[2446]
After you have given my greetings to your family, please present my respects to the Archpriest of S. Martino and tell him to pray for me, while in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I remain with all esteem and affection
Your most sincere friend
Fr Daniel Comboni
If you go to Lonigo, give my deepest respects to the Prince, the Princess his wife and Mother Giovanelli.
You must not make rash judgements and think that, although I am swamped by serious and most grave occupations, I could forget such a good and precious friend as you are, with whom to the clinking of glasses and the bubbling of exquisite wines, in the presence of our incomparable and most venerable Rector of the Seminary and my ever beloved Professor, the most worthy Archpriest of S. Martino, I formed the strongest and indestructible friendship. This means that your name will never be erased from my memory and in my poor prayers I will never forget to pray for you and your family to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, my Bursar St Joseph and my dear Saints Peter and Paul and St Francis Xavier. But our friendship which began in the midst of steaming venison and succulent pies was confirmed and strengthened by our common sentiments of unshakeable love and veneration for the Holy Church and the Pope. Oh! When that exists, the humble farmer is greater and more worthy of esteem than the sovereign master of half the world who does not respect the Vicar of Jesus Christ in what he teaches, thinks and loves.
[2444]
One who truly loves the Pope becomes an Apostle among his peers in the midst of the frightening demoralisation of modern society, if apart from professing the healthy principles taught by Rome, he voluntarily teaches his dependants these holy duties. I am certain that all your dependants will love the Pope as their Pontiff and their King, because you teach them the magisterium of the Church and the Bishops, which is in conformity with the most sacred interests of souls. So, long live Pius IX, the Pope and King of Rome; and let us think like him, since the Pope, the Bishop of Verona, the Rector of the Seminary and the Archpriest of S. Martino teach us the truth more than… a Visconti Venosta, a Lanza, a Sella and other such Barabbases.
[2445]
To give you all my news we would need another three-hour session… among the glasses…; but I will tell you something. My Institutes in Egypt are progressing marvellously. His most reverend Excellency the Vicar Apostolic in Arabia and Egypt, Mgr Ciurcia, on the 2nd Sunday after Easter honoured my Institutes by his presence and, in my Church (on the banks of the Nile, a few minutes away from the Grotto where the Holy Family lived for seven years in Egypt), will pontificated and conferred Baptism on several infidels converted by my Institutes, as well as Confirmation upon a good number of converts. In Vienna I had a long audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, to whom I made a strong appeal for him to help me to build my new establishment in the capital of Egypt. His Majesty received my request favourably and ordered that reactionary Minister of his, Count Beust, a Protestant, to seek official information from the Imperial Consul General in Egypt. But that man who believes in nothing at all and only goes to church to be incensed, although he is my friend in name, might also have played a trick on me: but thanks to God’s Providence, urged by the Archbishop and by others I had informed in advance, he made a most ample report in my favour to the Emperor in Vienna, which is why I hope to receive a good subsidy from these quarters… But let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. Even the king of Hanover, a Protestant, received me very well, and then had his Minister write me a letter in praise of the Work for the regeneration of Africa, sending me his offering of 100 thalers. In a few days I am leaving for Saxony and Berlin. I beg you to pray and have prayers said for me.
[2446]
After you have given my greetings to your family, please present my respects to the Archpriest of S. Martino and tell him to pray for me, while in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I remain with all esteem and affection
Your most sincere friend
Fr Daniel Comboni
If you go to Lonigo, give my deepest respects to the Prince, the Princess his wife and Mother Giovanelli.
398
Mgr. Luigi di Canossa
0
Vienna
3. 5.1871
N. 398 (374) – TO BISHOP LUIGI DI CANOSSA
ACR, A, c. 14/86
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 3/5 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
ACR, A, c. 14/86
W.J.M.J.
Vienna, 3/5 71
Most Reverend Excellency,
[2447]
His Excellency Archbishop Ciurcia will have spent the day of the Good Shepherd, the second Sunday after the Octave of Easter, in our Institutes in Cairo, where he will have pontificated, baptised and confirmed adults called to God by the work of our Institutes. I will give you news of this next week. So far I have cashed in more than 9,400 francs. That is the mark reached in the dealings with the Emperor.
[2448]
The petition I presented to His Apostolic Majesty was sent to Egypt by the good offices of Beust. There, it sat on the Consul General’s desk: but since I had warned the Archbishop about it, he went to see the Consul in the octave of Easter and called his attention to the affair. The Consul said: “Comboni has asked the Emperor for me to ask the Pasha for a house: but since I have already tried this once (???), I do not think it will be granted”. Mgr Ciurcia then added: “It is quite another matter: Comboni asked His Majesty to help him for a house he wants to build in Cairo, for which he has the land, etc.” The Consul was taken aback. He called for the dispatches, read my petition marked up in red by the Emperor, and was convinced. He asked the Archbishop what he thought, who said that he was more than very much in favour. “Then I shall write in favour”, replied the Consul. I had ordered a plan to be made of the house and the church: and indeed Mgr Ciurcia had told Fr Stanislao to bring it to the Consulate by the 7th of the month; but God willed it otherwise. The Consul immediately answered Vienna in my personal favour, and in favour of the Work as such, without presenting the Plan to His Majesty; which is why the Councillors meeting this morning under the presidency of Beust decided to formulate the Report along the following lines. 1. Ask His Majesty how much he wants to offer from his private account? 2. Ask His Majesty how much he wants the Foreign Ministry to give of its meagre funds for the Missions of the East. 3. To implore His Majesty to order the Consul General in Egypt to commend the Institutes in a special way to the Khedive, declaring to him that whatever he does for Comboni and the Institutes for Africans, he does for His Apostolic Majesty and for the Austro-Hungarian Government. That last point is worth more than all the rest. But there is great interest in the mission in Austria. When we eventually spread to the Centre, funds from the Society of Mary will be available to us.
A thousand respects; send blessings to Your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel C.
I hope you received the Statutes of the Catholic Workers’ Association of Vienna.
His Excellency Archbishop Ciurcia will have spent the day of the Good Shepherd, the second Sunday after the Octave of Easter, in our Institutes in Cairo, where he will have pontificated, baptised and confirmed adults called to God by the work of our Institutes. I will give you news of this next week. So far I have cashed in more than 9,400 francs. That is the mark reached in the dealings with the Emperor.
[2448]
The petition I presented to His Apostolic Majesty was sent to Egypt by the good offices of Beust. There, it sat on the Consul General’s desk: but since I had warned the Archbishop about it, he went to see the Consul in the octave of Easter and called his attention to the affair. The Consul said: “Comboni has asked the Emperor for me to ask the Pasha for a house: but since I have already tried this once (???), I do not think it will be granted”. Mgr Ciurcia then added: “It is quite another matter: Comboni asked His Majesty to help him for a house he wants to build in Cairo, for which he has the land, etc.” The Consul was taken aback. He called for the dispatches, read my petition marked up in red by the Emperor, and was convinced. He asked the Archbishop what he thought, who said that he was more than very much in favour. “Then I shall write in favour”, replied the Consul. I had ordered a plan to be made of the house and the church: and indeed Mgr Ciurcia had told Fr Stanislao to bring it to the Consulate by the 7th of the month; but God willed it otherwise. The Consul immediately answered Vienna in my personal favour, and in favour of the Work as such, without presenting the Plan to His Majesty; which is why the Councillors meeting this morning under the presidency of Beust decided to formulate the Report along the following lines. 1. Ask His Majesty how much he wants to offer from his private account? 2. Ask His Majesty how much he wants the Foreign Ministry to give of its meagre funds for the Missions of the East. 3. To implore His Majesty to order the Consul General in Egypt to commend the Institutes in a special way to the Khedive, declaring to him that whatever he does for Comboni and the Institutes for Africans, he does for His Apostolic Majesty and for the Austro-Hungarian Government. That last point is worth more than all the rest. But there is great interest in the mission in Austria. When we eventually spread to the Centre, funds from the Society of Mary will be available to us.
A thousand respects; send blessings to Your most unworthy son
Fr Daniel C.
I hope you received the Statutes of the Catholic Workers’ Association of Vienna.
399
Friedrich F. von Beust
0
Vienna
18. 5.1871
N. 399 (375) – TO FRIEDRICH FERDINAND VON BEUST
FOREIGN MINISTER OF AUSTRIA
ASW, Reg. ammin. f. 27, fasc. 9
Vienna, 18 May 1871
Excellency,
FOREIGN MINISTER OF AUSTRIA
ASW, Reg. ammin. f. 27, fasc. 9
Vienna, 18 May 1871
Excellency,
[2449]
It is with the warmest gratitude that I received the letter of the 15th of this month, which the Foreign Ministry did me the honour of addressing to me, in which it deigned to inform me of the result of its discussions with His Majesty the Emperor and the strong recommendation it has issued in Egypt on behalf of my Work for the regeneration of unfortunate Africa. I am honoured, therefore, to send Your Excellency my warmest thanks for the aid you have deigned to grant me and for all the bounty you have shown me and I assure you that I shall endeavour to remain always worthy of the high favour and protection that the government of His Imperial and Apostolic Majesty, in its great wisdom, has deigned to extend to me. Please accept, Minister, the expression of my most profound respect, with which I have the honour of remaining Your Excellency the Minister’s most humble and devoted servant
Fr Daniel Comboni
Translated from the French.
It is with the warmest gratitude that I received the letter of the 15th of this month, which the Foreign Ministry did me the honour of addressing to me, in which it deigned to inform me of the result of its discussions with His Majesty the Emperor and the strong recommendation it has issued in Egypt on behalf of my Work for the regeneration of unfortunate Africa. I am honoured, therefore, to send Your Excellency my warmest thanks for the aid you have deigned to grant me and for all the bounty you have shown me and I assure you that I shall endeavour to remain always worthy of the high favour and protection that the government of His Imperial and Apostolic Majesty, in its great wisdom, has deigned to extend to me. Please accept, Minister, the expression of my most profound respect, with which I have the honour of remaining Your Excellency the Minister’s most humble and devoted servant
Fr Daniel Comboni
Translated from the French.
400
Mgr. Luigi di Canossa
0
Vienna
21. 5.1871
N. 400 (N. 367) – TO MGR LUIGI DI CANOSSA
ACR, A, c. 14/87
Praised be Jesus and Mary. For ever, amen.
Vienna, 25/5 71
Your Most Reverend Excellency,
ACR, A, c. 14/87
Praised be Jesus and Mary. For ever, amen.
Vienna, 25/5 71
Your Most Reverend Excellency,
[2450]
Have a little patience if this letter should turn out to be rather long, because I am trying to explain in it what you mentioned to me in your most appreciated letter from Grezzano of the 17th of this month, about the interior of Africa and the new piece of land given us, 10 minutes away from our Cairo Establishment. Let us suppose that the modern Kingdom of Italy and the Pontifical State from Ferrara to Frosinone were the African Interior or Black Africa; and that the Tyrol was Europe. According to this hypothesis, Verona would correspond to Roveredo, Cairo to Venice, Aswan to Ferrara, Khartoum to Pistoia, the tribe of the Dinka to Florence, the tribe of the Bari to Siena, and the sources of the Nile, to Rome.
[2451]
The goal of our work is the conquest of Central Africa or Black Africa, not to be achieved by attacking, but by besieging it through our Institutes, which are like so many approaches from which to begin the great siege on the enemy’s weakest side, which is the course of the great Nile. What have we achieved until now? We have only taken one small step. In the town of Roveredo we have founded a small School for missionary pupils for the Kingdom of Italy and especially for Tuscany and the Papal States; we have also founded three Institutes in Venice for the education of Tuscans and the natives of Romagna, so that when their education has been completed, they can set out, in the care of Tyroleans taught in Roveredo whose education has been perfected in Venice, to implant the faith and civilisation in the lands of their birth, Tuscany and the Papal States. Given this, the primary aim of the Institutes in Venice is to train the indigenous apostles of Tuscany and Romagna. Their secondary aim is the apostolate of the Tuscans and the natives of Romagna who live in Venice. In other words: in Cairo, apostles of CentralAfrican extraction are trained, and at the same time work is carried out for the conversion of the Africans from the interior living in Egypt where they have been taken by Muslim merchants, who abduct them from their lands in Central Africa.
[2452]
What remains to be done? We must take steps to achieve our first aim and reach the interior of Africa in stages, since several priests and numerous African girls and Sisters are ready for the Apostolate of the African interior; otherwise the African girls (who are the most useful part of our apostolate) who are already mature, (18 out of 54), will die of old age in Cairo, without having worked with greater results in the lands of their birth where a thousand are converted in comparison to Egypt where only five are converted. It is therefore essential to advance in Africa, while maintaining our basic Houses in Cairo. Here the missionary is acclimatised, he learns oriental languages and customs and the practice of the apostolic ministry. In addition, new indigenous apostles of both sexes are constantly being trained here, and above all, it is here that the Vicar Apostolic in Egypt helps convert the Africans of Egypt who depend on his jurisdiction. But in Venice (Cairo) we are not at home. We have to depend on the Patriarch and his Curia in order to exercise our ministry (that is, we must depend on the Apostolic Delegate in Egypt and on the Friars in order to carry out the Apostolate); thus if we are to follow our itinerary, what must we do to reach our goal, which is to establish ourselves in the African interior (Tuscany, and the Papal States)? We must do the following:
[2453]
We must ask Propaganda and the Pope (who are longing to do so) to assign a part of Africa to be evangelised by us and by our successors, to our Colleges in Verona and Cairo, and to establish the part assigned to us as a Vicariate Apostolic independent of any other jurisdiction and dependent upon Propaganda alone, as are all the other Vicariates. These procedures will take two or three years. Supposing Propaganda were to assign the responsibility for evangelising Tuscany and establishing the Vicariate Apostolic of Tuscany to the Institutes of Roveredo and Venice. It would immediately designate a director, on the proposal of the Bishop of Roveredo, the Head of the Work, and after consulting the Vicar Apostolic of Venice, who, on paper, is temporarily in charge of Tuscany and has jurisdiction over the Institutes of Venice. Suppose that Fr Ravignani were to be appointed head. What does this head of the Vicariate Apostolic of Tuscany do? In brief, he does this.
[2454]
Fr Ravignani takes stock of his forces, estimates more or less how many and what members the College of Roveredo can supply over ten years, and how many and who the Institute of Venice can provide. He undertakes an exploration of Tuscany with several companions, and observes that his forces will enable him to evangelise the vast tribe of Florence and its province. There he settles the males and females already perfected in the Institutes of Venice, after providing the stages of Bologna and Pistoia with an Institute each, for which it can be said with certainty that the financial resources of the Society of Mary in Vienna are available. But Fr Ravignani has not been made responsible by the Holy See for gaining only Florence and its Province for Christ; as Vicar Apostolic of Tuscany he must also think of Lucca, Pisa, Leghorn, Siena, etc., and for this reason the forces supplied to him by the Establishments in Roveredo and Venice are not sufficient. He thinks of calling several other Religious Orders to his aid. Therefore he writes to or tries to arrange matters with the head of the Work, the Bishop of Roveredo; and the latter undertakes to complete the bureaucratic procedures with the Pope or Propaganda and with the Societies who are benefactors, in order to decide which Religious Orders should be summoned to help out the Vicariate Apostolic of Tuscany. Let us suppose, as an example, that we think of the Camillians. Then Fr Guardi is contacted, the forces this small Order can supply are estimated and the tribe of Lucca is assigned to them, for example, and erected as a Parish, just as if the Bishop of
Verona called the Dominicans to entrust the Parish of S. Anastasia to them.
[2455]
This done, Pisa, Leghorn, Siena and Arezzo, etc. must be taken care of. So the Jesuits, or Dominicans, or the Institute of Don Bosco or that of Milan, etc. are likewise invited to occupy this virgin territory. As Your Excellency clearly sees, when the Catholic Apostolate is established in Tuscany the Church will think about gaining Perugia, Viterbo, Rome and Frosinone to provide the Stations of Tuscany with work, advice and help. But in calling these Orders to the Vicariate of Tuscany, it will happen that they do not want to depend on the secular priests of Florence and on one head, such as Ravignani. In this case, should Fr Ravignani see that the Camillians of Lucca, the Dominicans of Pisa, etc. woul dmake a good foundation, he will ask Propaganda to dismember his Vicariate of Tuscany (which has a population of more than 40 million), in order to form the Vicariates of Lucca for the Camillians, of Pisa for the Dominicans, of Leghorn for the Jesuits, of Siena for the Seminary of Milan, and having constituted these Orders so as no longer to depend on the priests of Roveredo and Venice, we shall have the grace of helping to extend Christ’s Kingdom in Tuscany, calling to this arduous Apostolate brave champions in the Jesuits, Dominicans, Camillians, etc.
[2456]
With these ideas which are the core of our Plan, we shall succeed in working out the issue of the Camillians in Cairo, both legally and canonically. But I believe Your Excellency would never agree that we make over our male Institute in Cairo to two Camillians, place our candidates from Verona as lodgers with them for a fee of 300 francs a year plus the collections of the daily Masses, and make us, who have a certain freedom of movement, slaves of those whom we ourselves summoned to be auxiliaries and not heads. This was Carcereri’s plan, which required me to beg eternally for alms for the Camillians, to build them up a capital of more than half a million, and to depend upon them. However, it now seems that he has recognised his mistake.
[2457]
Here you have an explanation of the ardent wish to return to their countries of the African girls who are now mature, and of the missionaries to advance on their path. This explains the need for the Cairo Institute to have a stable basis. In addition to serving the above-mentioned aims, it is useful and still necessary to ascertain whether we ought to risk European priests in the arduous and dangerous apostolate of the interior; since in Cairo there are minor scandals, naked little girls, homosexuals, etc., but in the interior, adult men and women are completely or virtually naked. In Cairo it is springtime in winter, it is only slightly hot in summer and one eats and drinks as in Europe; but in the interior, there is considerably more to suffer and to put up with for Christ. Consequently, a missionary can be good for Cairo and for Egypt and bad for Central Africa. Now the Superior of the Institutes in Cairo studies, observes and notices in three or four years whether it is possible to risk a candidate in the African interior, ne cum aliis praedicaverit ipse reprobus efficiatur. And the means?… We will talk in Verona: let us trust in God alone, let us seek his kingdom and his justice, et haec omnia adiicentur nobis. After, etc.
[2458]
I hope I have explained the matter to you clearly; it is very simple and in conformity with the canons and with the views and norms of Rome. I would like to know if you have understood it properly. I believe you will be of this opinion. Years ago it was judged lightweight by some. Now they stick their noses in and say it was their plan. So they are now confirming ours!
[2459]
After all this I have only one thing further to add. It is necessary to suffer many things for love of Christ, to fight with the powerful, with the Turks, with atheists, with Freemasons, with barbarians, with the elements, with priests, with friars, with the world and with Hell. But the one who trusts in himself trusts in the greatest ass of this world. All our trust is in the One who died for the Africans and who chooses the weakest instruments to achieve his works; for he wants to show that he is the author of good, and as for us, alone, we can only do evil. Since it is he who has called us to this work, with his grace we shall triumph over Pashas, Freemasons, atheistic governments, over the distorted thoughts of the good, the cunning of the wicked, and the snares of the world and of hell; nor will we halt our march until we breathe our last. When we are subsequently in Heaven (and we want to go there, all right!) then with our constant prayers we will put Jesus and Mary on the Cross and pray to him so much that either for love or for… he will be forced to work miracles and inspire Apostles like Paul and Xavier; until the hundred million in unhappy Africa have been converted to the faith, as soon as possible.
[2460]
I shall say nothing now of Hohenwart who sends you his regards, of my Prince Löwenstein who is in Vienna and is working out a perpetual legacy for our African Institutes with Prince Liechtenstein, of the words that Comte Henri V de Chambord said to me on 16th February 1869: si jamais je me rendrai à ma place sur le trône de France, votre mission de la Nigritie ne manquera de rien, of the assertion of the Nuncio in Vienna who sees a special blessing of God’s hand on our work and on my journey to Austria, of the hopes that exist there, of the deal with Austrian Lloyd, of the congratulations I received for the celebration in St Joseph’s Cathedral, of the 100 gold Napoleons I sent to Cairo yesterday, of the 1,400 francs for Cairo from Lyons, of the 12,347 (twelve thousand three hundred and forty seven francs and 62 centimes) paid out since January, of the 1,347 letters I wrote in this same period, of my desire that you will receive Mgr Pelami in the Seminary during his two days in Verona, of the stamps that I shall bring you from Germany (I include a precious one from Luxembourg on a letter written to me by that Bishop Adames), of the enthusiasm for Africa inspired again in Germany, of the impressive words spoken to me by the Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna “it can certainly be said that the hope of the conversion of Central Africa is not lost thanks to this new system” (in Austria they had lost it as they told me and wrote two months ago – ad quid perditio haec – refusing to make me any donation), of the good done to me by the Nuncio, of the testimonies of many Bishops, of the secret alms sent me by persons who are never recognised and do not bother to make themselves known, (I spoke to Mgr Pelami about Barnabò’s character), of Comte Thum who leaves his house in a carriage, with his walking sticks, and greetings from him and his wife to Your Excellency, to the Marchese, etc., etc., and I come straight to the sad and not very merry (may God be blessed etiam in adversis) communication of 15th April made to me his verbis:
“From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Most Reverend Sir,
[2461]
After the most humble proposal of this Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty has graciously deigned, with a Sovereign Deliberation of 6thMay this year, to grant you a subsidy for the sum of three hundred florins of Austrian currency in silver from his ministerial funds. In addition to this, his noble Majesty is pleased to grant you a further subsidy for the sum of 300 florins with a deliberation of 7th May, in the form of a letter of credit from his private account. As this Imperial Royal Minister has the honour to send Your Reverence the present communication in answer to your humble petition to His Majesty last March on behalf of the Apostolic Mission entrusted to your care, you are invited to present yourself at this office where you will receive the above-mentioned sums. Further, with regard to your last request, to have your Work recommended to His Highness the Khedive of Egypt, please take note at the same time that the Imperial and Royal General Consulate of Egypt has been informed and has been provided with instructions relating to the matter in question. May Your Reverence be pleased to receive the assurance of my perfect esteem,
For the Minster of Foreign Affairs,
B.on Belieben, Court Counsellor"
[2462]
I do not like the trick of such a cool recommendation to the Viceroy of Egypt on Minister Beust’s part, after the beautiful words he said to me. To be really powerful and effective with the Khedive, this recommendation should be made in the Emperor’s name. Thus on the 16th of this month I wrote a letter of thanks to his Apostolic Majesty, asking him for this grace. Our dear Mother Mary granted my prayer. I myself took the letter to the palace and handed it to a trusted person; and yesterday I was informed that His Majesty the Emperor had ordered the head of his private Cabinet, Councillor Braun, to write to the Consul General of Egypt to recommend the Work in the Emperor’s own name. Praised be Jesus and Mary. Give your blessing to and pray for your most unworthy Son,
Fr Dan. Comboni
His Apostolic Majesty’s good offices on our behalf are a present and future good.
Have a little patience if this letter should turn out to be rather long, because I am trying to explain in it what you mentioned to me in your most appreciated letter from Grezzano of the 17th of this month, about the interior of Africa and the new piece of land given us, 10 minutes away from our Cairo Establishment. Let us suppose that the modern Kingdom of Italy and the Pontifical State from Ferrara to Frosinone were the African Interior or Black Africa; and that the Tyrol was Europe. According to this hypothesis, Verona would correspond to Roveredo, Cairo to Venice, Aswan to Ferrara, Khartoum to Pistoia, the tribe of the Dinka to Florence, the tribe of the Bari to Siena, and the sources of the Nile, to Rome.
[2451]
The goal of our work is the conquest of Central Africa or Black Africa, not to be achieved by attacking, but by besieging it through our Institutes, which are like so many approaches from which to begin the great siege on the enemy’s weakest side, which is the course of the great Nile. What have we achieved until now? We have only taken one small step. In the town of Roveredo we have founded a small School for missionary pupils for the Kingdom of Italy and especially for Tuscany and the Papal States; we have also founded three Institutes in Venice for the education of Tuscans and the natives of Romagna, so that when their education has been completed, they can set out, in the care of Tyroleans taught in Roveredo whose education has been perfected in Venice, to implant the faith and civilisation in the lands of their birth, Tuscany and the Papal States. Given this, the primary aim of the Institutes in Venice is to train the indigenous apostles of Tuscany and Romagna. Their secondary aim is the apostolate of the Tuscans and the natives of Romagna who live in Venice. In other words: in Cairo, apostles of CentralAfrican extraction are trained, and at the same time work is carried out for the conversion of the Africans from the interior living in Egypt where they have been taken by Muslim merchants, who abduct them from their lands in Central Africa.
[2452]
What remains to be done? We must take steps to achieve our first aim and reach the interior of Africa in stages, since several priests and numerous African girls and Sisters are ready for the Apostolate of the African interior; otherwise the African girls (who are the most useful part of our apostolate) who are already mature, (18 out of 54), will die of old age in Cairo, without having worked with greater results in the lands of their birth where a thousand are converted in comparison to Egypt where only five are converted. It is therefore essential to advance in Africa, while maintaining our basic Houses in Cairo. Here the missionary is acclimatised, he learns oriental languages and customs and the practice of the apostolic ministry. In addition, new indigenous apostles of both sexes are constantly being trained here, and above all, it is here that the Vicar Apostolic in Egypt helps convert the Africans of Egypt who depend on his jurisdiction. But in Venice (Cairo) we are not at home. We have to depend on the Patriarch and his Curia in order to exercise our ministry (that is, we must depend on the Apostolic Delegate in Egypt and on the Friars in order to carry out the Apostolate); thus if we are to follow our itinerary, what must we do to reach our goal, which is to establish ourselves in the African interior (Tuscany, and the Papal States)? We must do the following:
[2453]
We must ask Propaganda and the Pope (who are longing to do so) to assign a part of Africa to be evangelised by us and by our successors, to our Colleges in Verona and Cairo, and to establish the part assigned to us as a Vicariate Apostolic independent of any other jurisdiction and dependent upon Propaganda alone, as are all the other Vicariates. These procedures will take two or three years. Supposing Propaganda were to assign the responsibility for evangelising Tuscany and establishing the Vicariate Apostolic of Tuscany to the Institutes of Roveredo and Venice. It would immediately designate a director, on the proposal of the Bishop of Roveredo, the Head of the Work, and after consulting the Vicar Apostolic of Venice, who, on paper, is temporarily in charge of Tuscany and has jurisdiction over the Institutes of Venice. Suppose that Fr Ravignani were to be appointed head. What does this head of the Vicariate Apostolic of Tuscany do? In brief, he does this.
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Fr Ravignani takes stock of his forces, estimates more or less how many and what members the College of Roveredo can supply over ten years, and how many and who the Institute of Venice can provide. He undertakes an exploration of Tuscany with several companions, and observes that his forces will enable him to evangelise the vast tribe of Florence and its province. There he settles the males and females already perfected in the Institutes of Venice, after providing the stages of Bologna and Pistoia with an Institute each, for which it can be said with certainty that the financial resources of the Society of Mary in Vienna are available. But Fr Ravignani has not been made responsible by the Holy See for gaining only Florence and its Province for Christ; as Vicar Apostolic of Tuscany he must also think of Lucca, Pisa, Leghorn, Siena, etc., and for this reason the forces supplied to him by the Establishments in Roveredo and Venice are not sufficient. He thinks of calling several other Religious Orders to his aid. Therefore he writes to or tries to arrange matters with the head of the Work, the Bishop of Roveredo; and the latter undertakes to complete the bureaucratic procedures with the Pope or Propaganda and with the Societies who are benefactors, in order to decide which Religious Orders should be summoned to help out the Vicariate Apostolic of Tuscany. Let us suppose, as an example, that we think of the Camillians. Then Fr Guardi is contacted, the forces this small Order can supply are estimated and the tribe of Lucca is assigned to them, for example, and erected as a Parish, just as if the Bishop of
Verona called the Dominicans to entrust the Parish of S. Anastasia to them.
[2455]
This done, Pisa, Leghorn, Siena and Arezzo, etc. must be taken care of. So the Jesuits, or Dominicans, or the Institute of Don Bosco or that of Milan, etc. are likewise invited to occupy this virgin territory. As Your Excellency clearly sees, when the Catholic Apostolate is established in Tuscany the Church will think about gaining Perugia, Viterbo, Rome and Frosinone to provide the Stations of Tuscany with work, advice and help. But in calling these Orders to the Vicariate of Tuscany, it will happen that they do not want to depend on the secular priests of Florence and on one head, such as Ravignani. In this case, should Fr Ravignani see that the Camillians of Lucca, the Dominicans of Pisa, etc. woul dmake a good foundation, he will ask Propaganda to dismember his Vicariate of Tuscany (which has a population of more than 40 million), in order to form the Vicariates of Lucca for the Camillians, of Pisa for the Dominicans, of Leghorn for the Jesuits, of Siena for the Seminary of Milan, and having constituted these Orders so as no longer to depend on the priests of Roveredo and Venice, we shall have the grace of helping to extend Christ’s Kingdom in Tuscany, calling to this arduous Apostolate brave champions in the Jesuits, Dominicans, Camillians, etc.
[2456]
With these ideas which are the core of our Plan, we shall succeed in working out the issue of the Camillians in Cairo, both legally and canonically. But I believe Your Excellency would never agree that we make over our male Institute in Cairo to two Camillians, place our candidates from Verona as lodgers with them for a fee of 300 francs a year plus the collections of the daily Masses, and make us, who have a certain freedom of movement, slaves of those whom we ourselves summoned to be auxiliaries and not heads. This was Carcereri’s plan, which required me to beg eternally for alms for the Camillians, to build them up a capital of more than half a million, and to depend upon them. However, it now seems that he has recognised his mistake.
[2457]
Here you have an explanation of the ardent wish to return to their countries of the African girls who are now mature, and of the missionaries to advance on their path. This explains the need for the Cairo Institute to have a stable basis. In addition to serving the above-mentioned aims, it is useful and still necessary to ascertain whether we ought to risk European priests in the arduous and dangerous apostolate of the interior; since in Cairo there are minor scandals, naked little girls, homosexuals, etc., but in the interior, adult men and women are completely or virtually naked. In Cairo it is springtime in winter, it is only slightly hot in summer and one eats and drinks as in Europe; but in the interior, there is considerably more to suffer and to put up with for Christ. Consequently, a missionary can be good for Cairo and for Egypt and bad for Central Africa. Now the Superior of the Institutes in Cairo studies, observes and notices in three or four years whether it is possible to risk a candidate in the African interior, ne cum aliis praedicaverit ipse reprobus efficiatur. And the means?… We will talk in Verona: let us trust in God alone, let us seek his kingdom and his justice, et haec omnia adiicentur nobis. After, etc.
[2458]
I hope I have explained the matter to you clearly; it is very simple and in conformity with the canons and with the views and norms of Rome. I would like to know if you have understood it properly. I believe you will be of this opinion. Years ago it was judged lightweight by some. Now they stick their noses in and say it was their plan. So they are now confirming ours!
[2459]
After all this I have only one thing further to add. It is necessary to suffer many things for love of Christ, to fight with the powerful, with the Turks, with atheists, with Freemasons, with barbarians, with the elements, with priests, with friars, with the world and with Hell. But the one who trusts in himself trusts in the greatest ass of this world. All our trust is in the One who died for the Africans and who chooses the weakest instruments to achieve his works; for he wants to show that he is the author of good, and as for us, alone, we can only do evil. Since it is he who has called us to this work, with his grace we shall triumph over Pashas, Freemasons, atheistic governments, over the distorted thoughts of the good, the cunning of the wicked, and the snares of the world and of hell; nor will we halt our march until we breathe our last. When we are subsequently in Heaven (and we want to go there, all right!) then with our constant prayers we will put Jesus and Mary on the Cross and pray to him so much that either for love or for… he will be forced to work miracles and inspire Apostles like Paul and Xavier; until the hundred million in unhappy Africa have been converted to the faith, as soon as possible.
[2460]
I shall say nothing now of Hohenwart who sends you his regards, of my Prince Löwenstein who is in Vienna and is working out a perpetual legacy for our African Institutes with Prince Liechtenstein, of the words that Comte Henri V de Chambord said to me on 16th February 1869: si jamais je me rendrai à ma place sur le trône de France, votre mission de la Nigritie ne manquera de rien, of the assertion of the Nuncio in Vienna who sees a special blessing of God’s hand on our work and on my journey to Austria, of the hopes that exist there, of the deal with Austrian Lloyd, of the congratulations I received for the celebration in St Joseph’s Cathedral, of the 100 gold Napoleons I sent to Cairo yesterday, of the 1,400 francs for Cairo from Lyons, of the 12,347 (twelve thousand three hundred and forty seven francs and 62 centimes) paid out since January, of the 1,347 letters I wrote in this same period, of my desire that you will receive Mgr Pelami in the Seminary during his two days in Verona, of the stamps that I shall bring you from Germany (I include a precious one from Luxembourg on a letter written to me by that Bishop Adames), of the enthusiasm for Africa inspired again in Germany, of the impressive words spoken to me by the Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna “it can certainly be said that the hope of the conversion of Central Africa is not lost thanks to this new system” (in Austria they had lost it as they told me and wrote two months ago – ad quid perditio haec – refusing to make me any donation), of the good done to me by the Nuncio, of the testimonies of many Bishops, of the secret alms sent me by persons who are never recognised and do not bother to make themselves known, (I spoke to Mgr Pelami about Barnabò’s character), of Comte Thum who leaves his house in a carriage, with his walking sticks, and greetings from him and his wife to Your Excellency, to the Marchese, etc., etc., and I come straight to the sad and not very merry (may God be blessed etiam in adversis) communication of 15th April made to me his verbis:
“From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Most Reverend Sir,
[2461]
After the most humble proposal of this Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty has graciously deigned, with a Sovereign Deliberation of 6thMay this year, to grant you a subsidy for the sum of three hundred florins of Austrian currency in silver from his ministerial funds. In addition to this, his noble Majesty is pleased to grant you a further subsidy for the sum of 300 florins with a deliberation of 7th May, in the form of a letter of credit from his private account. As this Imperial Royal Minister has the honour to send Your Reverence the present communication in answer to your humble petition to His Majesty last March on behalf of the Apostolic Mission entrusted to your care, you are invited to present yourself at this office where you will receive the above-mentioned sums. Further, with regard to your last request, to have your Work recommended to His Highness the Khedive of Egypt, please take note at the same time that the Imperial and Royal General Consulate of Egypt has been informed and has been provided with instructions relating to the matter in question. May Your Reverence be pleased to receive the assurance of my perfect esteem,
For the Minster of Foreign Affairs,
B.on Belieben, Court Counsellor"
[2462]
I do not like the trick of such a cool recommendation to the Viceroy of Egypt on Minister Beust’s part, after the beautiful words he said to me. To be really powerful and effective with the Khedive, this recommendation should be made in the Emperor’s name. Thus on the 16th of this month I wrote a letter of thanks to his Apostolic Majesty, asking him for this grace. Our dear Mother Mary granted my prayer. I myself took the letter to the palace and handed it to a trusted person; and yesterday I was informed that His Majesty the Emperor had ordered the head of his private Cabinet, Councillor Braun, to write to the Consul General of Egypt to recommend the Work in the Emperor’s own name. Praised be Jesus and Mary. Give your blessing to and pray for your most unworthy Son,
Fr Dan. Comboni
His Apostolic Majesty’s good offices on our behalf are a present and future good.