Writings

[6001]

With regard to the administration and what you have done in the difficult circumstances in which you found yourself, it seems to me that God has helped you very well. I would also like you to obtain good governance and the good observance of the clerics and lay persons who belong to the Institute, so that no one will waste time and that Arabic can be studied properly, and to put the craftsmen in their place and make them work well, seeking to cultivate their spirit. I also commend the two German Deacons to you; may they be successful in their studies, because I am really counting on them and will take them with me to the Sudan.

[6002]

I want to be in Kordofan by October; it is urgent that I hasten to resume my pastoral ministry in the Vicariate. Begin to prepare everything and gradually pack half the wine which is now in Cairo (when you have received the last of it); then keep all Fr Bortolo’s belongings and those he put by for extraordinary circumstances until I come, because those poor priests of the Vicariate have more need of them.
Buy four pieces of white silk from Aleppo or Damascus, the raw silk with which Caftans are made in Cairo, and send it to Messrs. Brown et fils, Bankers in Via Condotti in Rome. It costs about 15 or 17 francs a piece.

[6003]

I authorise you to accept that good young German called Johann Kohaut who is in Jerusalem at the new house and was recommended by Fr Paulinus; I enclose his letters. Also have the letters written in German by Dichtl, and give him my greetings.
I hope Rosignoli has arrived; this morning (it is now 2 a.m.), I shall go to 28 Piazza Mastai to meet Pennacchi, and today at 3 p.m. I leave for Verona.

[6004]

With the letters of exchange that I shall be sending you in July please complete the payment of Dr Zucchinetti’s 100 guineas and give him my greetings.
The last letter I received from you is dated 7th June (because I was still travelling). Tell the young Arabic teacher that he should explain his and his sister’s circumstances better, because I should be pleased to help him; they tell me he is a good young man. See that the two catechists from Verona study Arabic well, because I need them urgently, and let them help out in accordance with your orders.

[6005]

I agree to pay 8% of Mr Ibrahim Khalifa’s money, as Fr Abbot of the Maronites suggested to you; but do all you can to pay him not only the thousand francs but even more if you like, so as to reduce this debt to 5,000 francs. Write to him at Monte Libano; I hope that you received in time the chalice from Rosignoli for which I paid 240 lire and which Tanfani delivered to him. I also hope that by now you will have received the money order from Cologne, since that President asked me for your name last week. Thus you will also keep Holz quiet; I would like you to give him my greetings. Anyway, I will be sending you more money on 12th July because I shall find some.

[6006]

I shall take with me in September the two deacons and the catechists and craftsmen who are ready. Dichtl will be a suitable Secretary for German, and I shall ordain him later in the Vicariate, etc. etc.
I bless everyone including the Sisters, and please give best regards to Sr Amalia. Be brave; put great trust in the Heart of Jesus and say a lot of prayers to his divine Heart for me, for I am in extreme need of them. Give my regards to the Jesuits; yesterday for the 3rd time I insisted at Propaganda that a good library be prepared for them, books recommended by Fr Normand; I shall insist again, and I will now take them to Cairo.
Most affectionately,

+ Bishop Daniel

[6007]

I am letting you know that Canon Ortalda of Turin had the kindness to grant me 6,000 francs last month in a moment of need; I had intended to ask you to anticipate this sum to me from the finances of 1879. I therefore beg you to keep back this sum from the allocation for Central Africa, to Canon Ortalda’s credit, as a direct balance. It must have been in answer to my request that he wrote to you last month.

[6008]

I shall leave at the end of August to take up my pastoral ministry again in Central Africa, and I hope to be in Jebel Nuba in the month of November. I have fully recovered my health, I have made good the losses of personnel I suffered because of the terrible famine and plague in 1877, ’78 and ’79. The famine is still continuing in various localities of the Vicariate and the price of food and necessities is only more or less twice as much as usual. But with the grace of our Good Lord I hope that despite all the difficulties the Mission will make good progress, because the time has come for Central Africa too.
I should have liked to leave for my Mission last February, but His Eminence ordered me to see to some matters for the Missions of Africa and I had to stay here. The Mission is going fairly well and I will give you an exact report in December, after my pastoral visit.

[6009]

The Superior of my Institutes for acclimatisation etc. in Cairo is no longer Rev. Fr Rolleri who had to be absent from Cairo for six months. Rev. Fr Giulianelli has replaced him and is now my procurator in Cairo for Central Africa, and Superior of the Institutes for Africans. Please send him any resources which the good Lord may assign to me.
However, please send directly to me here at the African Institute in Verona, the rest of the grant for Central Africa from the Propagation of the Faith for the year 1879, which the Work usually sends in the first half of July.

[6010]

For some time we have been praying more than ever for this poor France which is so threatened by international freemasonry. The Propagation of the Faith is the life of the Mission. The Sacred Heart of Jesus will never allow it to diminish. The storm will only be a shooting star; Catholic France, the true France, will soon be triumphant.
I offer you my respects and my thanksgiving, and will always be in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Your most devoted

+ Daniel Comboni
Bishop of Claudiopolis in partibus infidelium
Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa


Translated from French.

[6011]

It is not true that Fr Rolleri will not be returning to Egypt; on the contrary, he will be coming back because he is in good health and will return to take up his office. At least, so he said to me a few weeks ago.
I am extremely pleased with the statistics of the residents in Cairo and with the Timetable sent to me. I am also pleased that 5,000 francs have arrived there from Cologne. I shall send you more next week.

[6012]

Tell Sr Amalia that she should call in other women to do the laundry. Tell her that I want her and the others to keep themselves for Central Africa if possible, and that I myself will take them there in September.
As for the Arabic teacher, since his former salary has remained unchanged, give him 2 gold Napoleons (40 francs) immediately as a gratuity. We will talk about it later. A long letter arrived here for Alberto Sebastian with 5 piastres of stamps. Tell everyone that they should be moderate and not write too much, both not to waste time and to be economical. Tell everyone that it is an established rule that letters to be sent should be taken to the Superior. Here in Verona we have remedied this; and here no one writes except with the permission of the Rector, Fr Sembianti, (who is a real saint).

[6013]

Have Arabic studied a lot. I am very busy and cannot even answer a third of my letters until my Secretary arrives.
Give Fr Pietro my regards and I bless everyone.
Pay a visit for me to Sr Amalia the Superior, and tell her that, if I write little, I am praying a lot for her. My Sister Superior in Verona is an angel and thoroughly well intentioned.

+ Bishop Daniel

Send Brown four pieces of silk the same size by the next Post, either white or off-white, but right away! Do not wait for the factory, and if you have already ordered some, take what you have ordered too; but send him the four pieces mentioned immediately.
No one should ever go out of the house without the Superior’s permission.

+ Bishop Daniel

[6014]

Having come back from Rome where on the orders of Propaganda I am working for a new Vicariate in Africa to be entrusted to a new Religious Congregation, after petitions from the King of Belgium (between you and me, because Cardinal Simeoni has urged me to keep it secret), I remember that your holidays are approaching. I leave for Africa in September according to my agreement with Propaganda (but I shall leave even earlier); however I long to have your precise news to decide on my trip to you, and I also would like to discuss with you the most recent work Propaganda has ordered me to do.

[6015]

So please let me know of your holiday plans. If you were to take a trip to Verona, where here at the African Institute you have a home, I would be really glad especially because I want you to meet my new and most devout Rector, Fr Giuseppe Sembianti from the Tyrol, who is looking forward so much to meeting you:

[6016]

You would do me a favour by informing and enlightening me about the 300 florins you received from Vienna and sent to Grieff in Verona at the end of September 1879; they were sent and received by Fr Roller in Cairo with instructions that they were intended for Jebel Nuba, and I immediately ordered the Superior of Kordofan to issue 300 florins, equal to 630 francs in gold (this is how they were exchanged for Jebel Nuba, and this is what was done). I am doing the general accounts.
I now ask you to write and tell me who gave you this sum (it seems that it came from Vienna), whether a particular purpose was specified and how the money was collected, whether from donations or newspapers, etc.

[6017]

They would have me believe that this sum was collected from the sale of old stamps from letters (timbres poste); if only this were true! With the vast number of contacts we have, if we could only obtain money in such a simple way, if we knew who would buy them, etc., etc. In any case, I would like to know who it was who sent you that sum from Vienna as well as the purpose of that generous donation, and whether it was for Jebel Nuba.
Tell me where His Highness the Prince is, whose hands I kiss.

[6018]

In Rome it is said (and it was also said in person by the Most Reverend Rector of the Urban College of Propaganda Fide) that the Most Eminent Simeoni ordered the printing of all 49 compositions in 49 languages recited to the Pope, and that at the Pope’s orders; but then nothing was done. I send you the fascicle of the languages, etc.
Our three made a splendid impression, especially Daniel Sorur (who is taller than me, like Sharif) and is very intelligent. He recited Dinka, his language and Akka wonderfully; John recited in Gallas and Akka; Arturo Morsal in Bari and Ethiopian. Our three are marked in the fascicle with a +:
Greetings to Stigler, etc., etc.
Tuissimus

+ Daniel Bishop
and Vicar Apostolic

St Joseph, Patron of the Catholic Church.

[6019]

To alleviate the tormented Christian people, Pius IX is imploring the protection of St Joseph, the chaste husband of Mary. May my people have as its Sovereign Protector in the cruel war, he says, the One whom Christ once chose as his trusty Guardian. His voice echoed from the Tiber to the most distant lands. Central Africa and the African peoples heard him. Peace and justice, and rejoicing in St Joseph and Pius IX, they sang of the triumphs, etc., etc.

[6020]

I have read and pondered over the Timetable you sent me and I see that everything has been changed, and the Rule which governed my houses in Cairo for twelve years destroyed. Perhaps it all started with that rascal of a former Capuchin, Benincampi, who came with you to Cairo and was quite rightly dismissed or recalled, after the way he behaved, by the most Eminent Bartolini.
I now send you a new and very gentle Timetable which it is your duty, as interim Superior, to put into practice. I believe it behoves me here to warn you that you are not only administrator but also Superior and regulator of the discipline of the Institute’s members. And this is what I intended when I appointed you temporarily to take Fr Rolleri’s place.

[6021]

I want those who are in theology to study theology for its own sake, and especially the treatises which are most necessary and less known. Then Francesco must work hard at Latin.
Next, I am not having anyone ordained until I arrive in September: on my arrival, having invoked God’s name, I shall do whatever my conscience dictates and will never go against it. The decision about whether someone is or is not mature for Sacred Ordination does not concern the candidate but the superiors alone; and it means little to me if some people in Cairo dare to criticise a Bishop in his sacred office. Tell my dear sons Dichtl and Giuseppe that they show little judgement in wanting to go to Beirut when school is over, or in desiring to be ordained by someone other than their own Bishop.

[6022]

The reason why they waste time on this and on these dreams is because they pray little and not very well. Invite those two in maioribus to meditate properly, to study and pray as best they can and to have patience, which is an essential virtue for missionaries: and to have holy humility.
Then ask everyone not to make me spend so much money on postage.

[6023]

They must all bring their letters to you to be mailed; and you alone will have them posted by those you see fit or will post them yourself. As for theology, get Fr Paolo to help the two Seminarians. If they are good, I will be the first to rejoice: but I confess to you I feel great sorrow at the thought that after swearing obedience to me, they are so insistent and write me certain letters that are very painful. I have some on my desk and they make me suffer. Tell them they should do their meditation, examination of conscience and spiritual reading well, and practise humility and denying their own will. Those who do not deny themselves go home to the devil; everyone must mortify themselves, especially missionaries. Otherwise they will never win souls for God. Then the lay people and catechists should respect the seminarians and priests.

[6024]

I have read the two long letters of 20 pages which that silly Sebastian wrote to Giuseppe and to Titz. I thought it right not to deliver them because they are full of nonsense and unsuitable details. On one letter there was a tax and fine of 5 piastres. And he wanted to be a priest, without knowing even the basics.
I shall be in Egypt for the feast of Our Lady in September.
So until then do your duty as Superior too, and I bless you. Letters of credit have been sent to Fr Bortolo from France, I do not know whether or not they are insured. They certainly contain thousands of francs for me and the mission.

[6025]

See whether they are at the post-office, and if they are, have them sent to Fr Bortolo Rolleri himself in Piacenza.
Give Fr Peter my regards. I bless everyone.
You must provide Fr Giuseppe with underpants and the other clothes he really needs.
Generally when there is a real need for members of either the male or female Institute, it is you who must provide for it. Fr Giuseppe writes to me that he has asked you to provide him with some underpants, etc. Why not give him some? You are temporarily Superior and bursar. It’s obvious.
Yours devotedly

+ Daniel, Bishop

The Timetable should be hung on the wall in the ordinary meeting place.

[6026]

I received here in Verona your letter of 30th June (I arrived a few days ago) in which you tell me that the Risgallas have given you a box containing ostrich feathers. I warmly beg you to send it to me immediately by the next post, since I have already promised them.
Fr Luigi Bonomi writes to me that he thought he had to pay Piaggia about 630 lire (although he did not accept the Milanese Commercial Export Company’s invitation to go to Shoa) for expenses incurred by Berta’s journey on the Blue Nile to Khartoum; and he adds: “I paid Piaggia 110 thalers, and it was my duty to do so, having been charged with the task, etc., which can be confirmed by Prada and the Doctors, who with Captain Casali insisted that I give them to him in advance”.

[6027]

Should I ask this worthy Company to refund me this money, I am discreetly certain that you will be so generous as to testify to this fact, and I beg you to do so.
Poor Fraccaroli! As you knew, he died almost unexpectedly in Signor Marquet’s house. I am finding it very difficult to tell this to your parents who are so very kind.

[6028]

I am very pleased that you were well treated by my missionaries. But not everyone is like that. There were also some who featured in the newspapers, who having received kindnesses and a welcome which it was beyond my strength to give them, with the darkest ingratitude caused me great displeasure. But it doesn’t matter: we do good for an excellent end, not bothering about those who are unaware of it.
As I wait for pens and your letter, I remain
Your devoted

+ Daniel Comboni
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

[6029]

I received you kind letter of 3rd July and yesterday I received three letters of credit for a total of 35,921.52 francs from Egypt, for which I am infinitely grateful.
I beg your pardon for having accepted 6,000 francs from Canon Ortalda, as an advance on the subsidy for Central Africa. I really was not very easy in my mind when I accepted the generous offer of the Canon who wanted to help me in my great need, because every time I have addressed the Central Council directly in the same circumstances, I have always been heard and you, Mr President, have always sent me the money I requested, sometimes 5,000, sometimes 10,000 francs. I ask your forgiveness, Mr President, and you may rest assured that this will never happen again.

[6030]

I am very surprised that Ortalda did not inform you of this sum which he granted me when he invited me to preach and to celebrate the pontifical Mass on the feast of the Propagation of the Faith, last 3rd May. It could be that the poor Canon (who has many problems with the Italian Government), forgot to advise you when he sent you the funds for the year 1879.

[6031]

What should we do now? It seems to me that the best thing would be to send one of the three mandates which I have received, that is, the one for 10,921 francs and 52 centimes, so that you can send me another for 4,921 francs and 52 centimes and keep the 6,000 francs which I received in Turin. Please give the bankers Mr V.o Guerin e Fils orders to pay the two mandates nos. 394 and 395, the first for 12,000 and the second for 13,000 francs, to the bankers who present themselves with my signature.

[6032]

I really am deeply grateful to you for this allocation for 1879 which is generous. But it is very far from covering the great needs I described in my report to the Central Councils.
Central Africa is dreadful for expenses. Mgr Lavigerie himself told me that his two expeditions to Lake Victoria cost him 600,000 francs (six hundred thousand).

[6033]

In Central Africa the famine and drought continue, and from the letters I have received this week I also learn that our Missions are still paying a fortune to buy water in Kordofan. May I be permitted to send you a letter about the famine and plague in Central Africa which I wrote to His Eminence Cardinal di Canossa, 500 copies of which were printed here in Verona.
In my report to the Central Councils I wrote about the same thing, but more briefly. Please take this into consideration, so as to send me a larger contribution next year.

[6034]

On page 45, I prove that the famine and plague in Central Africa have been far more disastrous and terrible than those in China, the Indies and all the other Missions in the world. I express this thought open to correction, that is, I am ready to retract the notion if it is not exact, for perhaps other more dreadful famines and plagues have occurred of which I am ignorant.
But this is the reason why I foresee that upon my arrival in my Vicariate, I shall be forced to beg you insistently to advance me sums from the allocation for 1880.

[6035]

However, I am very glad to see Mgr Lavigerie’s Missionaries in Equatorial Africa, which is being separated from my immense Vicariate, and I am also working in agreement with Propaganda to open a small battlefield in a part of my Vicariate for the Seminary of the African Missions of Lyons, which the worthy Mgr Planque requested from Propaganda. The good Lord is opening Central Africa to the faith.
I offer you my thanksgiving and my most heartfelt regards, as in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus I remain, Mr President, ever the most humble and devoted servant of yourself, the Secretary, Mr Manis, and the Central Council

+ Daniel Comboni,
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa


Translated from French.

[6036]

Please thank all those who have sent me their good wishes for my saint’s day on my behalf; I bless them all and wish them a thousand graces; please thank the Sisters too, because I have no time to write and answer letters.
Remember that as well as being in charge of the administration and direction, you are also charged with overseeing everything. And since you will not be able to manage everything on your own, I am providing you with help in the surveillance and direction. Let the administration be wholly yours. But as regards the rest, I am appointing Fr Paolo Rosignoli your Vice Rector ad tempus until my arrival; he will act in your stead and help you wherever you need help, but you will always be the one who is responsible.

[6037]

You will give wine only on Sundays and feast days to the two laymen most recently arrived from Rome who are still novices and have not yet finished their noviciate: on the other days, just give them water; and keep me informed of their progress.
I permit you to apply up to 20 masses a month for yourself, to help your mother, and let her have 40 Lire. I cannot do more because I am drowning in expenses.
By now you should have received the 4,000 francs from Isidoro Legnani which I advanced to him more than a fortnight ago; he wrote to you telling you to draw them from Signor Giovanni Stogni of Alexandria, as you will see from the enclosed Letter, n. A.

[6038]

I will send you another 4,000 francs with the next steamship to place either with Ades or others, according to what Fr Luigi Bonomi has told you, to be transferred immediately by telegraph to Khartoum, as he himself wrote to you in the letter you sent me. I strongly commend this matter to you. You will have answered Fr Luigi that you have paid the Frères and everything I ordered, including Zucchinetti, etc. etc.

+ Bishop Daniel