Letter from Marcello Costa to [the PF Prefect, Paluzio Altieri], 1675-02-09, Bizerte
Bizerte
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Tunis area
Mission reports
Letter from Marcello Costa to [the PF Prefect Paluzio Altieri]. He had already sent a letter dated 1 September, but because many letters do not reach their destination, he decided to send another one. He wanted to be sure that PF knows that he is following the rules set to him through the patents he received as apostolic missionary, and as provicar from Levacher [Jean Le Vacher]. It is hard to imagine how great of need the city of Bizerte was in regarding the need for priests. By living there he discovered a great amount of Christians. Besides those working on the agricultural estates (massarie) there are also 80 Christians working in the gardens, vineyards, and woods outside the city. Before his arrival they would never come to the city, but now that he is residing there, they come to hear mass, confess, and for Holy communion. For many it had been ten or twelve years since they had last seen a priest. There are many people in Bizerte, especially the poor Sards, that keep experiencing raids. The Christians are staying in six bagnos, S. Lucia, L'Annontiata, la Concettione, S. Gioseppe, S. Rocco and La Trinità. Besides these, there are also 22 Christians staying at the vineyard of the Baxà of Tripoli, three miles from the city. At the agricultural estate (massaria) of Sala (owned by a Turk from Tunis and 10 miles from the city), there are 20 to 30 Christians. In the agricultural estate (massaria) of Rais Gibello, 20 miles from the city, there are also many Christians. Before his arrival, Bizerte was a mess, and many people died without sacraments, and without having confessed for years; only God knows how many souls were lost. Since he arrived however, he has driven out the bad customs and takes care of not only the city, but also the countryside. This Christmas he went to Portafarina to visit and console the 200 Christians living there. The Christians at the vineyard are travelling every sunday to hear mass. In the four months that he has been in Bizerte, he has organized three general communions. In three months three Christians died, who without his help would have died without sacraments. If the provicar of Tunis, Carlo D'Ancona, would aks him under false pretenses to return to Tunis, he asks PF to prevent this. If PF asks him to return, he will be obedient, but he is really needed in Bizerte; he is working there alone, whilst there are six priests working in Tunis. He has worked alone for three years for the church of Tunis, and has always been working hard for the spiritual needs of the Christians. That is why he thinks that two priests would be enough to serve this church. He tells PF that his request is to ease his conscience, and he has also told Jean Le Vacher the same thing. If they order him to return to Tunis, he will however go. When he left Rome for Tunis, PF granted him a provision of 24 scudi annually for three years. He has alredy received the first two years, and the last one ends in August. He asks PF to send him the provision requested by the consul of Spain, Antonio Borgi, who is staying in Livorno. PF Secretary [Urbano Cerri] states that Costa already received his provision. When he was made missionary in Bizerte, it was decided in PF meeting of 28 February 1673 to give him a provision of 30 scudi for three years. In the case PF decides to send this to him, they can send it to Antonio Borgi, as requested by Costa. PF decides to send Costa the provision of 30 scudi by means of Antonio Borgi.
Additional comments
The mentioned letter from 1 September is not known to us.
Marcello Costa
APF SOCG 454, 232r-233v
1675-02-09
Adressed to [Paluzio Altieri]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 45, 142r, 163r-164r.
Original; signed
Italian
Letter
786
Origin: Bizerte
Destination: Rome
Letter from Marcello Costa to the PF prefect Paluzio Altieri, 1674-09-10, Bizerte
Bizerte
Other secular missionaries
Letter from Marcello Costa to the prefect of PF. He writes that he has left Algiers (as ordered by PF), to go to the mission in Bizerte. Costa recounts his troublesome financial situation, and asks that PF give Jean Le Vacher the 30 scudi that he had lent to Costa. PF notes state that the cardinals had already consented to repaying the sum, during PF meeting of 26 June. During their meeting of 29 January 1675 the cardinals agree to it again.
Date discussed 1675-01-29
Additional comments
Marcello Costa
APF SOCG 452, 121r-122v
1674-09-10
Addressed to Paluzio Altieri
Italian
Latin
Letter
654
Origin: Bizerte
Destination: Rome
Letter from Marcello Costa to the PF prefect [Paluzio Altieri], 1674-04-12, tunis
Bizerte
Capuchins
Petitions for missionary patents
Trinitarians
Tunis
Letter from Marcello Costa to PF prefect. In a letter from 30 September 1673 PF asked him to help two Tinitarians, Francesco Arendieta and Francesco Ruiz; they are still in Tabarca, but will need to be supported once they arrive. On 5 March two Capuchins arrived, Carlo D'Ancona and Vincenzo Da Frascati. The first has become provicar apostolic of Tunis. Costa himself also undertakes many missions because the two brothers mentioned above, are not able to ride on horseback, and are also not familar with the countryside. Levacher [Jean Le Vacher] has given Costa the patents for the provicariate of Bizerte, which began last October for the duration of three years. He asks PF to send him a confirmation of this position, and sends a copy of his patents to PF. PF granted Costa an annual provision of 24 scudi which is ending in August; this is why he asks PF to prolong the provision for five years. He needs the money for his living, but also for a man who assists him in his work. Besides the expenses for horses, he is also very sorry that he did not buy a habit for himself. He did not slow down his work once the other brothers arrived, as there are still many missions to do. Serving in the bagnos is a pleasant activity, but travelling on horseback for 50 or 60 miles through harsh conditions is the harder and realer part of the mission; he risks his life travelling around, and is forced to sleep on the ground between the animals.
Date discussed: 1674-06-26
Additional comments
Marcello Costa
APF SOCG 448, 140r-v, 145r-v
1674-04-12
Adressed to Paluzio Altieri
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 44, 170r, 185v-186v, issue 39 (database item 672).
This is a response to a letter from PF which is also mentioned by Costa, see: APF LETTERE 62, 86r (database item 618).
See for the copy of Marcello Costa's patents as pro-vicar of Bizerte: APF SOCG 448, 142r (database item 781).
Original; signed
Italian
Letter
780
Origin: Tunis
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Marcello Costa to the PF Secretary Urbano Cerri, 1674-01-29, Tunis
Algiers
Bizerte
Capuchins
Renegades
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Tunis
Letter from Marcello Costa to PF secretary. A month and a half ago he was assigned 30 scudi annually for the mission in Bizerte, for which he received the patent from Monsù Levacher [Jean Le Vacher]. This meant that he lost the right to receive 24 scudi annually for the mission in Tunis. Costa asked PF to repay Le Vacher the 30 scudi that he already gave to Costa. PF replied with a letter, writing that he would not receive his money before arriving in Bizerte, and he directly sent a letter back to PF in which he explained everything. However, according to Rapo Hapro this letter was aboard of a ship that sunk, hence why he is writing another letter. He already served for three years in different missions in Barbary, all at his own costs. In this area there are 20,000 Christians that never see a priest. Le Vacher knew this, and also knew how much debt Costa acquired helping them; because of this reason, he granted Costa 30 scudi. Costa has debts for 28 scudi, not because he spent money on food or clothing, but because he spent it for the church. He lost not only his money for the mission but also his health. Unfortunately he is unable to pay the 30 scudi back that Le Vacher had loaned him, and eventually to raise some money, he sold his Breviary. There are 15 bagnos in the city, and for the souls to be helped, it is necessary that PF pays the expenses. Whilst there are four other priests they are of little use; one is blind, the second an idiot who hardly knows how to say mass, the third has been freed and is about to leave, and the fourth has been chained and is not allowed to leave the bagno. It is important that PF is aware of the things that Costa is writing, as it is very dangrous to travel around in the area. If PF would decide to grant him 100 scudi annually this would be most just and necessary. He has not yet travelled to Bizerte, and he feels sorry for the souls that will be lost now. They are about to lose the great saint of the church of Africa, Jean Le Vacher, for he is too ill to leave his bed; he has spasms in his leg, which is likely to result in amputation. The two Capuchins destined for the mission have not arrived, and during feastdays he takes care of five altars all by himself. When he comes home he is so tired that he does not eat but goes directly to sleep.
Date discussed: 1674-06-26
Additional comments
Marcello Costa
APF SOCG 448, 140r-v, 145r-v
1673-01-29
Addressed to Urbano Cerri
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 44, 170r, 185v-186v, issue 39 (database item 672).
Original; signed
Italian
Letter
779
Origin: Tunis
Destination: [Rome]