Writings

[5951]

His Eminence Cardinal Manning who is still in England will be arriving in Rome tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Last year he sent me 500 pounds sterling all at once (12,500 gold francs); so I have arranged to wait for him to discuss some important matters. But to kill two birds with one stone, I am making the most of the extraordinary Solemnity of the 14th centenary of St Benedict. Tomorrow morning early I leave for Montecassino where, in addition to a great number of Prelates from all over the world (on Tuesday, the most eminent Cardinal Bartolini, Patron of the Benedictine Order, will be celebrating the pontifical Mass) and the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg etc. will also be there, thus I shall relieve my heart on so beautiful and solemn an occasion and there are big indulgences to be gained. On Wednesday I return to Rome; and having conferred with His Eminence Cardinal Manning who will have arrived from London, I shall be in Verona on Thursday, or at the latest Friday, if nothing else happens.

[5952]

It has been useful to me to note in this stay in Rome that a good start has been made in the matter of Marchesa Z…, and that the most Eminent Cardinal Moretti of Rome is speedily and most efficiently encouraging its successful outcome.
Yesterday Count Antonio Portalupi was here, and the excellent Carolina is very well and they are all happy.

[5953]

This evening I have been invited by Prince Borghese to a diplomatic dinner, where, in addition to a Cardinal and Prelates, we shall have Andrassy, the new French Ambassador, Prince Torlonia, Duke Grazioli, Duke Salviati, etc., etc., etc., and Appony, the wife of the former Ambassador of Austria in London, who is never very comfortable.
I am constantly afflicted by crosses. In Kordofan, Sr Maria Bertuzzi of Malcesine has gone to heaven because of typhoid fever. Perhaps she did not purge herself after the journey.
As I kiss your Sacred Purple, I remain
Your Eminence’s most humble and devoted son

+ Bishop Daniel

[5954]

A sincere admirer since my youth, seriously enthusiastic about the immortal glories of Montecassino, which played such an important part in spreading faith and civilisation in the world, and most devoted to the Great and Holy Patriarch and to that worthy Order which one could say for so many centuries summed up in itself the Church’s history and the Christian civilisation of the West and gave 44 Popes to the Church, etc., etc., etc., I cannot resist the compelling desire, since I am so close, to take part in the Centenary Festivities which are now being celebrated in Montecassino in honour of St Benedict with the full pomp of the pontifical ceremonies that reinforce and invigorate our faith, love and reverence for our most holy Religion.

[5955]

Therefore, paying not the slightest heed to my unworthiness and smallness but only trusting in God and in his excellent love which embraces the world, I have no hesitation in requesting your courteous hospitality in a corner of the distinguished Monastery or in a nook in the Library, so that I may take part in these sublime celebrations on the anniversary of the Holy Patriarch’s Birth.

[5956]

It is true that illustrious and distinguished Prelates and Abbots and the noblest ecclesiastical and religious figures are taking part in this wonderful event of faith and Catholic culture; among them shine that luminary of the Church and ornament of the Sacred College, the Most Eminent Cardinal, Patron of the distinguished Benedictine Order, and that star of the same Order, His Most Reverend Highness the Archbishop of Salzburg, formerly Abbot of St Peter’s and Ordinary of the Benedictine Monastery of Nonnberg. These are the oldest monasteries in the world (as regards their uninterrupted existence) which were never suppressed and were founded in 577–81 by St Rupert and St Erentrude, most worthy monasteries of Central Africa. But for me, inured to sleeping in the open on the sand in the scorching deserts and jungles of the interior of Africa for months on end, a nook at the back of the library would suffice, as I said.

[5957]

Therefore, certain that with your excellent goodness you will look kindly upon my request, I let you know that I shall be leaving Rome next Monday the 5th, at 8.34 a.m. to arrive at 12. 34 p.m. in Germano, from where, on foot or by coach, I shall make my way up to the Monastery, which I hope I shall reach before Vespers.
In the meantime, as I offer you my respects and thanks in advance, I beg you to convey my regards to the Most Eminent Cardinal Bartolini, to His Most Reverend Highness, Mgr Eder, and Mgrs. Schiaffino, Capecelatro, etc, as I have the honour to sign myself with due respect and veneration,
Your Most Illustrious Reverence’s
most humble, devoted and true servant,

+ Daniel Comboni,
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa

[5958]

I received both your telegram and your letter in Como, as well as the one from Hanifan, which I pass on to you confidentially.
I likewise enclose my letter to Hanifan, so that you can read it first and then seal it and deliver it to him if you see fit.
He did not request my permission to leave the Institute, but only that I send him immediately to Africa!!!! Of course I answered no, and invited him to present himself to you and to tell you whether or not he would submit to the rules and tests in every single detail. If he says no, it would be better that he leave straight away; however, since perhaps he has no one, try to find out where he wants to go so as not to leave him on the street.

[5959]

I have been very busy these past few days: and very tired, because I have been presiding at pontifical celebrations and preaching, I have been to Switzerland and have been writing a lot, etc., etc. The pilgrimage was marvellous. We were 13 Bishops.
I beg you to send Virgina with her sister at the time and with the mode of transport that I shall explain to you by telegraph. As for her trunks, let her take them with her. Have Stefano or Giacomo accompany them to the Station of Porta Vescovo, and have the trunks sent on ahead. She should get tickets for Milan where they will be met by persons delegated by me, or perhaps by my manservant: because I don’t yet know precisely hic et nunc where I shall put them up. In any case, let them be ready. And as soon you can find out when they will leave or have left, telegraph me at Sestri, thus: they left at etc. a.m. or p.m.
Give Fr Luciano my best regards, and a thousand respects to the most Reverend Superior, and pray for me
yours, most affectionately in the Lord,

+ Daniel, Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

Please send the enclosed immediately to Virginia.

[5960]

Having thought about everything, I judge it appropriate that you should add to the two Arab women the three Sisters, that is, Srs. Matilde, Casella and Benamati, and that all five should come to Sestri Levante where I have been courteously offered hospitality by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.

[5961]

Give Sr Matilde or Virginia the letters or dispatches addressed to me which have arrived in Verona, so that they can bring them to Sestri Levante for me. As regards the two catechists, Isidore and Sebastian, let them stay a few more days in Verona, that is, until the departure of the small caravan; we will have them leave to meet the Sisters in Rome and continue on to Naples shortly afterwards.

[5962]

Have the trunks of the two Arab girls and of the three Sisters sent express to Sestri Levante, and pay the railway company for them. Of course, you will receive some money either from me or from Rome in less than a week.
Have the Sisters and the two Arab girls leave from Verona Porta Vescovo (the same station from where the trunks can be sent, and give the receipt to Sr Matilde, who has been appointed superior of the travelling sisters and the two Arabs girls); have them leave, I was saying, when I telegraphed on Monday at 9.55 am, all five in second class, buying the tickets as far as Milan where they will be met on their arrival at Central Station at 3.15 p.m. by my faithful and efficient manservant, Domenico, who will accompany them to their destination via Genoa. You can get Giacomo and Stefano to take them to the station. It will be enough for you to pay their tickets from Verona to Milan, and the trunks from Verona to Sestri Levante or Genoa: I shall see to the rest.

[5963]

With regard to Hanifan, anything you do will have my full approval, because the reasons you have given me personally and in writing are more than right. The moral is that he doesn’t feel like denying himself and adapting to the rule; and his attitudes today are a pledge for those he will have in the future when he will have to suffer more. Should it be appropriate to do him the kindness of recommending him to Canon Ortaldo of Turin, or to Fr Gennaro Martini where all sorts are received, then do so.

[5964]

If you receive no further telegram, let the five women leave with Sr Matilde in charge, the day after tomorrow, Monday at 9.55 am, as I explained above. However, if you receive another telegraphic message delay them for a while, because I might have to be absent from here for a day, to confer with the Bishop.

[5965]

I have just received your letter of the 22nd of this month. I have sent you all the things for Hanifan unsealed, to submit them all to your wise opinion; I have therefore given you the means to act: to deliver or not to deliver them as you see fit. As for Grieff, it would seem to me that you should test the ground gently to find out his real feelings. For it would be better to see whether our purpose can be obtained in gentle ways before having to resort to more stringent and stronger measures. I could use forceful methods with him or even threats and I have … no fear of doing so: but I should prefer him to be treated kindly and lovingly. The poor man hoped to act as superior and in his own way; with eternal hypocrisy he hoped to trap good men and simpletons, doing his own most holy will in everything. But this time God who enlightens superiors has not allowed it. May God give Grieff the grace to put himself back on the right path.

[5966]

Anyway, I listen to everyone without being swayed in anything; but I never act without first consulting superiors. You may be sure that even if Grieff and Hanifan were to speak to me before I see you, I would know how to behave as I ought.
In the sweetest Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I remain
Your most affectionate

+ Bishop Daniel

[5967]

I have been in Sestri for a few days, where I stayed temporarily in the premises of the former convent which will probably be given to me. Although I reject the theory of faits accomplis, I nonetheless occupied the convent with the three Verona Sisters, Virginia and her sister. When I return next summer to this Genoese Riviera, I will bring you and Teresa with me. I am well, although I have been suffering mentally; but I suffered for the love of God and for the good of souls, and God will comfort me by frustrating those who were the unjust cause of my suffering. Pray to Jesus for them and be glad.

[5968]

I have been in Lugano and I spent a little time with Eustachio etc., after my pontifical Mass and sermon in Como where there were 14 Bishops, of whom I and 3 others (four altogether) were speakers. It was a real triumph of the Faith. On Sunday I am going to Turin, and on Monday to the Pontifical Mass there: I shall then go to Milan and Verona, or Limone Verona.
Give my greetings to our relatives, etc., Teresa, Faustino, Pietro, etc.
Your most affectionate son,

+ Bishop Daniel

Virginia, her sister, Sr Matilde from Verona, the Sisters Casella and Benamati of Malcesine who are here with me and Domenico my most faithful servant (who gave me 3 triples he had won) send you their greetings.

Write to Virginia Mansur, Arabic teacher
c/o Fr Angelo Tagliaferro, Sestri Levante

[5969]

At this point, to my great surprise I have received the telegram from Verona in which I am told that you received a dispatch to pay Dr Zucchinetti 217 guineas immediately.
I had a letter from Fr Bonomi in Khartoum asking me to pay Dr Zucchinetti 217 guineas, which the doctor had earned from the Egyptian Government as doctor of Gessi Pasha, a place I had obtained for him from Gordon Pasha, worth around 25 guineas a month. But when Zucchinetti deposited this sum with Fr Battista, Superior of Kordofan Mission, he told Fr Battista that he did not wish to receive it without my authorisation: “Take the money, and I will see to it with Monsignor; I might even give it to the mission”.

[5970]

It is certain that I would not take it as a gift from Dr Zucchinetti, because he is not rich and he needs it. But at least I can claim a little time from him in order to satisfy him. I am now amazed to hear that steps are threatened if it is not paid immediately.
However I have no time now to send money with this steamship, because I am in a small town and not in Rome or Paris, etc. But I shall try to send it by the next post, if God gives me grace.

[5971]

In the meantime, please assure those who have presented the Voucher that it will certainly be paid, and soon; and that I do not find it at all fitting that I should be bothered with problems for so small a sum, I who have spent and will be spending millions!
Please go to the very kind lawyer, Mr Bonola, Secretary of the Geographical Society (who knows all about my relations with Dr Zucchinetti, and who recommended him to me) and ask him to intervene to ensure that I have no problems, because I have been, am and always will be a gentleman.
You know that it is in July that I receive the largest allocations; but I will do all I can to see that the 217 guineas are paid immediately.

+ Bishop Daniel Comboni

[5972]

If you receive letters of credit from Cologne or elsewhere, pay immediately the 217 guineas and the Vouchers which you will have received from Khartoum as well as the money of the Frères: and delay paying the Superior of the Maronites for the moment; or (having paid for the wine) give the Abbot two or three thousand francs at most in settlement for the 350 guineas etc. of Ibrahim Khalifa (whose affairs are in the hands of the Most Reverend Abbot of the Maronites).

[5973]

In brief, seek to calm all storms, and especially that of the 217 guineas, etc.
Otherwise, I have received your accounts and I am pleased with you and always pray to the sweetest Heart of Jesus and Our Lady that they will help you effectively in your new post, where you have been placed by the divine will alone. God will give you the necessary graces; and if you have to suffer in some things, it will only be for my sins and not for yours; therefore be happy and pray to Jesus for me.

[5974]

I authorise you to read the enclosed which I am writing to the Mission’s former doctor, Virgilio Zucchinetti (the creditor of the 217 guineas) who has presented the Voucher to you and threatened a summons if it is not paid immediately; and then to give it open to the lawyer Bonola (so that he reads it), to present to Zucchinetti.
Meanwhile I will do all I can to help you and to send them. Always write to me in Verona.

+ Bishop Daniel

Fr Bortolo is in Rome.