Writings

[4007]
I hope that Your Eminence has received my General Report with a letter of 8th October n. 10, from Jebel Nuba, and my letter of 29th November n. 11 from El Obeid, in which I explained among other things, the urgent need for my presence in Cairo so as to obtain a short postponement of the completion of the building up to the amount of 50,000 francs, as required by the Egyptian Administration. I have requested Your Eminence’s permission to go to Cairo. Now considering that in Cairo it is I who have jurisdiction over my two small establishments maintained by the Vicariate, consequently we missionaries here in Khartoum are of the opinion, as it is urgently necessary and now is the favourable season for the journey, that the Pro-Vicar of Central Africa, following the presumed venerable intentions of Your Eminence, can still go as far as Cairo for business that essentially concerns the Vicariate.
The importance of the Cairo Institutes of acclimatisation is obvious for this reason alone, besides a thousand others. At the time I came to the Vicariate 18 years ago, under the Pro-Vicar Fr Ignazio Knoblecher, during the first year at least half the missionaries who came fresh from Europe died. In the first two years after their arrival from Europe, at least two-thirds of them died. Since my Plan was applied, to date in the four years that Missionary Priests have come from Europe, not a single one has died; all 15 are healthy and active.

[4008]
This is because among the new arrangements I introduced is the capital one of their acclimatisation in Cairo, some for one year, some for two or as long as possible. The worthy Professor Turoni, who knows Africa intus et in cute, as a former minute-writer can appreciate the benefit achieved. But the first reason is because the Heart of Jesus wants the conversion of Africa.
I am therefore leaving immediately on a forced march for Cairo and visiting Suakin in my jurisdiction on the Red Sea.
On Sunday I conferred Baptism and Confirmation on six adults here in Khartoum.
I kiss the sacred purple and remain
Your Most Reverend Eminence’s
most humble, devoted and obedient son,

Daniel Comboni
Pro-Vicar Apostolic

[4009]
I am sending the enclosed for Grandfather; I order you to wait for me in Cairo. Tomorrow I hope to leave for Suakin. If I arrive in time for the steamer I shall be in Cairo in a month. Please send the enclosed to Grandfather immediately, straight away. Give my greetings to Fr Bortolo, Alessandro, the Sisters, Fr Pietro, the Sisters of the Hospital, etc. Sr Germana has treated me as she treated you. But… she is in Khartoum, nor ever again “will she be” Superior. I saw it all with my own eyes. I admired the virtue of Fr Mauro in Kordofan, and have rewarded him for it. The Mother Provincial is a jewel. Fr Pasquale will be leaving for Kordofan. Pray for

Your most affectionate Daniel Comboni


[4010]
I have received all your letters until 26th November, the day of your departure from Berber. Among all those who fought me in these terrible years, my dear Fr Bortolo Rolleri was the most dogged and I forgive him with all my heart. Do not talk to him or to anyone about these storms. Despite all this fighting, I have the consolation to see the Vicariate going ahead well. I can say that it is a miracle of the Sacred Heart.
[4011]
I do not in the least fear hell: I know everything; and although the pitiless war has gone on a long time, yet with the grace of God I shall win, and God will be glorified. Saints and scoundrels have fought me. But the works of God have to be opposed. And I am happier than ever and as strong as death.

[4012]
To my Annibale Perbellini. My best wishes for Christmas and a happy New Year. I cannot write. Continue to walk patiently along the straight path. With patience one overcomes everything. Study Theology, Arabic, and all that is useful, depending on the superiors. God rewards those who trust in him.

Daniel Comboni

[4013]
It was with great pleasure that I received your precious letter of 11th November in Khartoum. For the last few days I have been here in Berber on my way to Cairo. I was completely amazed here to find that our dearest Fr Stanislao had already applied to you to leave the apostolate of Central Africa, for which he has toiled with uncommon zeal and courage; and I was quite taken aback that he should have taken such a step on account of differences and misunderstandings with me. Your fine intelligence will certainly have noticed how the devil alone is the author of all problems, and that he seeks to sow discord between us because he knows his kingdom is threatened here, and he would not like his horns to be crushed by Christ’s Cross. But Christ must triumph.
[4014]
I have minutely examined everything with the good Fr Stanislao. We discussed every point and together we reached a perfect agreement, to the effect that Fr Stanislao is now rightly convinced that he should ask you to consider the incident in question and the request he made to you as never having happened. With these two lines I am asking you to do the same. So I warmly entreat you to write soon to this son of yours and mine, who has so much merit, to console him and inform him that you consider his step and request as never having happened. To tell you the truth, it would be too painful to lose my first-born, with whom I have shared so many joys and so many difficulties for the redemption of Africa.
[4015]
In the certainty that your fatherly heart will approve what we have decided to do, after pondering all things, I have warmly asked Fr Stanislao currently to assume the direction and governance of the Mission of Jebel Nuba to give it a sound strengthening. This is the most important mission in the Vicariate, which Fr Stanislao loves so much, which is so close to our heart and which gives so much glory to God. Fr Stanislao has accepted my invitation and, under my full and total responsibility to you, he will be leaving as soon as possible for Khartoum, Kordofan and Jebel Nuba. I therefore implore you to send him, in one of the above Missions of the Vicariate, a precious letter from you assuring him of your holy blessing for this new enterprise which has been entrusted to him. Your fatherly blessing will fortify him in his apostolic mission. Moreover, I hope that in two months I will be able to go to Rome, where…

[Four and a half lines are crossed out here]

[4016]
You, V. Rev. Father, will be satisfied, and we shall arrange everything for the greater good of Africa. Meanwhile, following Fr Stanislao’s advice, I have ordered good Fr Alfonso Chiarelli to leave Kordofan immediately and come to Berber. Tomorrow I am leaving for Suakin on the Red Sea, where I shall perhaps set up, if appropriate, a small Camillian residence; I will examine the place, of course, then will submit everything to you and we shall decide in Rome.
[4017]
The Camillian house in Berber is most suited to the purpose for which it was built. In it one can live a true religious life in perfect peace and freedom, better than in Italy under that blessed kingdom. Fr Giovanni Battista Carcereri, who will be Fr Stanislao’s representative in his absence, acerrime incumbit studio Arabicae linguae, and he has made good progress in the literary language, which is the basis of spoken Arabic.
Renewing my prayers, Most Reverend Father, I am pleased to inform you that, God willing, I shall soon be seeing you in Rome.
While I assure you of my truest esteem and veneration, I remain in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Your Most Reverend Paternity’s most devoted and affectionate true servant

Daniel Comboni
Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa

[4018]
You should have no doubts about Fr Giuseppe’s good behaviour. Throughout the time he has been with me, since last June, I have found nothing wrong with his moral conduct: he always did his duty as a good son of St Camillus and, as an expert Missionary, he worked hard to help me. I hope you will not prevent him from accompanying me on my journey to Europe.

(L. S.)

Daniel Comboni
Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa