Krishnagar

Historical gleanings

Krishnagar

Summary

On may 10, 1857 the indian soldiers, after having released all the prisoners, as a stream which no dam can contain, irrupted in any place were it was possible to find some europeans, killing everyone and destroying everything.

The sepoys action was so rapid that the english troops, even if more numerous and better equipped, were not able to organize a suitable defence.

In june of the same year 1857 the revolution was already spreading among the whole Bengal and Fr. Parietti was writing to Mons. Marinoni that only in Krishnagar and Jessore they were in safety while in Berhampur they were risking every day.

Even the english officers, being afraid of the safety of their familes, were usually going to hide in the forest and the same Fr. Parietti was doing the same, bringing with him the H. Sacrament.

With regards to other places he noticed that massacres, sacks and fires were, unfortunatly, the daily routine.

Both Fr. Nava and other Jessore Fathers reported that Fr. Marietti was secretely informed by a servant about a plot against the europeans, he was able to inform immediately the authority avoiding other possible murders.

But this revolution storm did not stop Fr. Limana who on december 8, 1856 ( less tan six month from his arrival) opened a school boarding for boys. A good hindu was taking care of teaching the basics of reading and writing and Fr. Limana himself was teaching catechism.

At the beginning the boys were only 8, but their number increased rapidly to 12 in the april next and, on september 1857, they were already 30.

Big help was given from Bro. Besana who was taking care of all the boys, specially in their free time, following their growth and initiating them to some useful work, particularly in horticulture.

Due to the impossibility for the Mission to pay all the expenses of the boarding, Fr. Parietti was requesting help both to Mons. marinoni and to the H. Infancy organization.

Fr. Limana started also to think to the girls education. It was not easy to assemble these small kids, still wild and often dirty and almost naked. Many times they went away when Fr. Limana was approaching to them but, with the help of some "confetti" and, more, with the help of some dedicated women he was able to start also a girls school, with 8 of them.

One of the purposes of the schools was also to get a suitable preparation to the baptism for those who were still protestant or pagan. And he did not wait too much to get the first fruits: in september of 1857 he had the joy to baptize 16 boys.

Also Fr. Parietti, who was the only Father in Behrampur, was able to start a small school; but his main activity was the spiritual assistance to the troops, as he was the militar chaplain with a salary of 80 to 100 rupees/month.

His big concern, as superior, was the staff inadequacy not only in Behrampur but also in Krishnagar and Jessore.

The Fathers coming from Agra

During these first years in which our Father had started their Mission is Bengal, Mons. Persico, Caphucin in Agra asked many times to Propaganda Fide to have some personnel for his Mission and in particular for his boarding. Once again Propaganda Fide was asking Mons. Marinoni but this time the reply was not positive due to extreme need of other Fathers evene in Bengal. Propaganda Fide at this point was compelled to make a compromise and asked Mons. Marinoni to send to Agra the Fathers he was planning to send to Bengal with the promise that, as soon as for Mons. Persico would be possible to have other personnel, these S. Calocero Father could reach the desired Bengal.

Mons. Marinoni who always was deferential to Propaganda Fide accepted this proposal and sent to Agra FF. Cesare Cattaneo, Angolo Corti, Luigi Di Conti and Luigi Brioschi with Bro. Giuseppe Beltrami and Paolo Mauri.

After a long trip from Bombay they arrived at agra on november 19, 1856. Ms. Persico was very glad to receive them and, after a quick english indoctrination, in one month time the Fathers were able to preach and on december 22 Fr. Cattaneo took the complete direction of the college.

Even if didactics were not included in their duties the lack of suitable teacher added also the above to their activities. Fr. Cattaneo was teaching dogmatic philosophy to some seminarians, Fr. De Conti latin and FF Brioschi and Curti religion.

But also in Agra the sepoys mutiny exploded with sacks, murders, fires and the Fathers were compelled to close the college. In the mean time the Cathedral and even the tombs were violated and the Father were compelled to stay in the fortress, were the authorities had already collected many europeans. But the higienic of all this people in a so small space, the lack of water and the very high temperature of july, one of the warmest months of the year, lead to a cholera epidemic. Bro. Beltrami died on july 26 and also Fr. Cattaneo succumbed on october 3rd.

Mons. Persico, after all these events, was not able to reopen his college and Fr. Parietti, as soon as he was informed, urgently requested to Mons. Marinoni to get, with the help of Propaganda Fide, the S. Calocero Fathers in Bengala.

Despite Mons. Persico tried to keep in Agra the Fathers, assigning them to other activities, Propaganda Fide agreed with Fr. Parietti request.

And in september 1859 the Fathers temporarly sent to Agra, reached their Bengal destination. Fr. Curti remained in Berhampur, Fr. Brioschi was sent to Jessore and Fr. De Conti with Bro. Mauri was assigned to Krishnagar.

But there is no rose without a thorn: Fr. Curti in Agra was Chapelain of english troops and was normaly living with the officers, with all the possible comforts. In his new place he was not able to fit to the new completely different situation and was begging the Bishop of Calcutta to let him go back to Agra or, at least, to have him staying in Calcutta. " I have had a vary bad impression of these 'black faces' and I do not consider them trust-worthy" he wrote. Propaganda Fide, asked from the Bishop, was against both the above proposals and, after some hesitations Fr. Curti came returned in Italy in may 1862 , some time later he left the Institute.

As soon as Mons. Marinoni knew about P. Curti problems, even before his return in Italy, was replacing him with Fr. Enrico Longa who arrived in Bengal on march 18, 1860.

The Sisters

The difficulties had in 1860 to open a small girls school convinced Fr. Limana that to have some success in the education of the girls and the women it wold be mandatory to have the help of some Sisters. Also Fr. Parietti, his Superior, was completely agreeing with this idea and wrote in Italy to Mons. Marinoni.

Mons. Marinoni was certainly in knowledge of the spirit of charity and zeal of the Sisters Congregation founded by Bartolomea Capitanio, as they were very active in the Ciceri Hospital in Milano.

Since 1958 Mons. Marinoni did many trials to have some sisters for the Missions, he had already applied to the Charity Sisters of Ivrea, To che Chambery Visitandine Sisters and to the Charity Sisters of Pavia.

He paid a visit to Sr. Teresa Bosio, Superior and asked her to consider to send some of her sisters to Bengal.

Sr. Teresa was immediately aware that having some Missionary sisters in her Congregation was in full compliance with Sr. Capitanio and Gerosa. She asked immediately to her Superiors and all of them were very glad to open a new apostolic activity for the Sister of Lovere.

The first Sisters of the new and lucky activity were Sr. Agostina Baruffini, Sr. Benedetta Danieli, Sr. Lucia Viero, Sr. Antonia Ferrari and the mandatary Rosa Abbiati.

They left Milano on february 7, 1860 and with the help, during their trip, of Fr. Carlo Sellerio from Milano to Suez and of Fr. Longa from Suez on, arrived in Calcutta on march 11.

They were welcomed from italian consul Mr. Casella and on march 17, after a boat journey, they reached Krishnagar with Fr. Limana.

Due to the very poor conditions of the Mission, Fr. Limana said: " I was waiting only for two sisters. Now I have five: how can I support them? "

He immediately changed his mind, after seeing them in action, and was thinking that even some other would have been more than welcome.

In occasion of this first trip of Sisters in the Mission, Mons Marinoni wrote very clearly to Fr. Parietti: " I beg you to act with the Sister with the maximum respect, giving them the freedom to manage themselves, never asking them about their accounts but helping them if they so require. I know very well that you always like to have all the accounts book in order, but the Sisters are part of a Congregation and it is necessary a very prudent way of dealing. They will give much more if they will be free and less authority will be imposed on them. I am sure that they will ask directly for your help and your leadership. "

The Sisters put their first efforts in the girls school. In a very short time the girls, which were wild, dirty and ragged underwent a complete change and were proud of their methamorphosis. Very soon they opened also a kindergarden, to take care of the children of the village, and a dispensary tosupply first hand medicines.

When they arrived in Bengal, a Parish of Calcutta said that they would resist less than one year to the terrible climate of that region and added: " If, after one year, the Sisters will still be in the Mission, I will fine myself with 50 rupees". The year passed, the Sisters were still in the Mission and the Parish sent, with pleasure, to them the 50 rupees.

It was planned to have Fr. Longa in Berhampur, to substitute Fr. Curti who has decided to end his bengali experience, but at the end it was decided for a complete change and therefore Fr. Long went to Jessore, Fr. De Conti to Berhampur and Fr. Brioschi to Krishnagar.

Apostolic Visitor

On august 3, 1858 the Pope asked to Mons. Bonnand, of the Paris Foreign Missions and Archibishop of Pondichery, to pay a visit to the India Missions.

He started, with two secretaries - aldermen, his journey on 1859. He was planning to reach Bengal on 1861 but, when he was in Benares, he was taken seriously ill and died on march 21, 1861.

Mons. Charbonneany, also of the Paris Foreign Missions and Apostolic Vicar of Mysore was asked to substitute him. The complete and exhaustive information received by the two Mons. Bonnnd secretaries, put him in condition to have not the need even to go in Begal.

The two secretaries, who had already admired the zeal of the Milano Missionaries in Hyderbad, after the death of Mons. Bonnand, instead of returning from Benares to Calcutta, preferred to visit also Berhampur and Krishnagar. They stayed there for nine days and were very satisfied of the work of our Missionaries. One of them, the future Mons. Lauesnon, was writing to his Institute on may 21, 1861: " The difficulties generated by our deviation, in order to visit also Berhampur and Krishnagar have given very positive results. We found both in Berhampur and Krishnagar some Missionaries very worthy of this name, pious, living in a very poor way, hard workers and fully dedicated to the pagans conversion. They are doing everything possible, with their style of life, to find all the means to continue their apostolic activity in this regal vay of poverty. I can add that, without any doubts, they are the best Missionaries of the North of India and I confess that it is really with pleasure and satisfatiction that I give this witness to a Congregation based on the same model of ours."

In Behrampur the situation was improving. The Chief engineer and captain of the english troops assigned a better house, with no renting costs, to Fr. Parietti who also obtained some works to enlarge the Church and a monthly salary of 100 rupees. Also the Mursidabad Nawab (ex King) invited at lunch Fr. Parietti, he had 39 catholics as employees and gave to Fr. Parietti a nice little house to establish also there a Chapel.

The results of these initial years were positive and Fr. Parietti was informing about them Rome when, after the Mons. Bonnand death, he was not sure that a new Apostolic Visitor would reach Bengal: Catholic 495, baptismes 301 of which 92 from catholics, 123 from protestants, 41 from muslims and 45 from hindu. We had 7 Fathers, 2 Brithers and 4 Sisters. 68 boys were in 4 orphanages and 35 girls in 2.

In 1862 a new Missionary: Fr. Paride Bertoldi from Trento was destined to Bengal. Due to his well known joviality Fr. Marietti relatives were asking Mons. Marinoni to send him in Bengal, hoping that he would become a close friend of their Fr. Antonio. In addition to the above Fr. Bertoldi had many and more important talents and Mons. Marinoni appointed him for Bengal. He spent some time in Krishnagar with Fr. Parietti and only at the beginning of 1864 he reached Jessore with Fr. Marietti.

In 1863, after three years from their first coming in Bengal, Mother Bosio sent Sr. Annunziata Carminati, to visit the Sissters. With her were also Sr. Nazzarena Cavallotti, Sr. Angiolina Baglio e Sr. Carolina Scatti, destined to Bengal, and they arrived in Krishnagar on april 25. Sr. Annunziata was also going to Jessore were they had a plan to build a Sister House, after some time she returned in Italy with Sr. Lucia Viero.

Illness and death of Fr. Parietti

Fr. Parietti was suffering from dysentery and the doctors, knowing very welle that the only cure for the tropical country at those times was a change of climat, suggested him to go back, even on temporary basis, in Italy.

Also Mons. Marinoni was asking for this solution, but Fr. Parietti was not willing to leave his Mission and was always hoping to find a local doctor. He already knew that all the european doctors were in favour of his repatriation and decidedid to consuld a Calcutta's doctor who, as many Bengalis do, enchanted him with beautiful words assuring that he would cure him in a radical way. But the reality was that the prescribed medicines had the only result to put him even in a worse situation and Fr. Parietti was compelled again to ask for an english doctor. He insisted again on the need, now becoming more than urgent, to leave Bengal for a certain period; also the english Behrampur Colonel, to persuade him, offered a free trip to Italy. In the mean Fr. Parietti noticed some improvement in his conditions, due to the bengali doctor's medicines he continued to take, and was hoping to be on the way of a complete recovery.

He wrote again to Mons. Marinoni, who continued to insist on having him back in Italy, that he was recovering and had already planned to go to Patna were, under the assistance of an english doctor, he was going to take some rest.

He left for Patna on september 19 but he did not know that this would be his last trip. In Patna his conditions became worse and worse and on november 30, with the assistance of a Capuchin, Fr. De Conti and some Sister, he was remitting to God his holy soul. He was buried in the Patna Cathedral with militar honours from the english troops.

During Fr. Parietti illness, in 1863,a new Father arrived in Krishnagar: Fr. Pezzotti.

At the death of Fr. Parietti the Mission situation was:

Krishnagar : FF. Limana, Longa and Mauri, 4 Sisters and 1 Mandatary, 1 Orphanage

Berhampur: Fr. De Conti and Bro. Sesana, 1 Orphanage

Jessore: Fr . Mariotti and Fr. Bertoldi, 5 Sisters, 1 Orphanage

Phulbari: Fr. Brioschi and Fr. Pezzotti

Christians: abt. 600 ( with exclusions of militars)

Native Cathechists: 7

The above situation was completed in 1865 and therefore include the reorganization of the Mission after Fr. Parietti death.

Sisters activity

On 1864 the sisters school in Krishnagar had already 90 girls, and both embroidery and sewing were teaching subjects in addition to the standard ones. The government was immediately willing to partecipating to costs providing the Sisters with 70 rupees/month.

The Nadia Magistrate, with the Sanitar Officer agreement, asked the Sisters to go daily to the Hospital. With the Sister presence and their charity activity the Krishnagar Hospital become one of the best district hospital in the whole Bengal.

November 1865 is the date of the first experiment of sending the Sister to visit some villages, to promote the women education. This experiment was very positive and it was imitated in many other cases in the following years.

This apostolic Mission: a sister that during the winter months goes from one village to an other, has always given plentiful fruits and is one of the most glorious prerogatives of Maria Bambina Sisters.

Fr. Limana elected Superior

After the death of Fr. Parietti, Fr. Limana was elected Superior of the Mission. He was not able to establish his new residence in Berhampur as he had many activities also in Krishnagar and in addition he was compelled to go frequently also to Jessore. Fr. Longa was assigned to Krishnagar and, in 1866, arrived from Italy also Fr. Broy, Fr. Giuseppe Bersani and Bro. Angelo Galimberti.

Famine

1866 will be unfortunately remembered for the big Bengal famine. Both Fr. Longa at Krishnagar and Fr. Brioschi at Phulbari made real miracles to help the poor starving population. Father Longa spent all the Mission money and took upon himself a debt of 500 rupees. His charity was so appreciated from the government authorities that Mr. Bell, the local Magistrate, was taking the necessary steps to pay himself the debt and was able to inform of the above Fr. Longa with a letter.

Hostilities

The commendations to the Catholic Mission, and in particularly to Fr. Longa were, of course, not well perceived from the envious protestants. They started a diffamation campaign, also on newspapers. The charity actions of Fr. Longa could not be neglected, so they invented that he was giving help only to make proselitism. They were sayng that he was buying the children for his college giving 5 kg. of rice to each family willing to give him a boy and nothing to those who where rejecting his proposal. Also the help given from Mr. Bell to the Catholic Mission was stigmatized by the protestant press, even in Bombay and in England. This diffamation campaign finally endend when the highest local authority: the Prefect Mr. Chapman, even being protestant, was openly defending both Fr. Longa and Mr. Bell.

Fr. Marietti elected Superior

Unfortunately the new Fr. Limana's assignement was very short. Injured by the phthisis as well as by malaric fevers, he was compelled to come back in Italy and in his place Fr. Marietti was elected Superior. Also Fr. Marietti did not go permanentely to Berhampur but remained in Jessore and sent to Behrampur Fr. Broy.

In 1867 the Mission had two mournings: Bro. Sesana, one of the survivors of the first 1855 expedition, who was working with incredible love in the Krishnagar school was renderind, after some months of high tropical fevers, his beautiful soul to God on april 6.

Also Fr. Bersani, brother of the Coadjutor Bishop of Lodi, was unable to stay in Bengal due to bad health conditions and, after his return in Italy, a vyrus epatic illness made him die on december 22.

Six new Sisters arrived to Krishnagar. The joy of they arrival was soon changed in sadness for the death of the mandatary Sr. Rosa, who came in Bengal with the first expedition of Maria Bambina Sisters.

In march of 1869 both Fr. Marietti and Fr. Conti went to Italy not only for health problems but also to solicit Propaganda Fide on a juridical solution related to the Krishnagar Mission, still depending from Calcutta.

In 1868 a new Father: Giovan Battista Scatti, Missionary with very big heart and high talented and with him also Fr. Giuliani, Fr. Alessandro Molteni and the Bro. Catechist Mosè Pozzi.

Fr. Limana in the mean time was in Italy always with the hope to recover and to be able to come back in his beloved Bengal but neither the italian air or the italian medical cures were able to save him. He was entering in Paradise, speaking about his Bengal till the end, on march 17, 1870.

Establishment of the Apostolic Prefecture

Since from 1860 Fr. Parietti was asking both Mons. Marinoni and Propaganda Fide about a juridical settlment of the Mission, still depending from Calcutta. In the mean time Propaganda Fide had already received the report of the Apostolic Visitor which, from the words of one of the two secretaries already mentioned, we believe was very positive in the description of the activities of our Fathers in Bengal. The general hope was therefore that Propaganda Fide would have no more exitation in settling the matter. But the decision was still pending and at this point Fr. Marietti and Fr. Conti, taking advantage of their presence in Italy, were ready to solicit it personally.

Why Propaganda Fide was delaying so much the solution of this problem? A letter form card. Barnabò, Prefect of Propaganda Fide dated august 23 1865 and addresses to Mons. Marinoni says: " Some Propaganda Fide members have still the impression of the liberalism and of the revolutionary feelings of some S. Calocero student, gone to Bengal...... " May be this was due to the very active and heroic partecipation of Fr. Marietti and other clercks of S. Calocero during the glorious " Milano 5 days".

Irony of the fate! We will see that in a short time Propaganda fide was choosing the same Fr. Marietti as First Apostolic Prefect!

Finally, with "breve" of july 19, 1870 Pius IX established the new Apostolic Prefecture of the Central Bengal. It includes the districts of Nadia, Rajshahi, Bogra, Malda, Mursidabad and the part of Sunderbans up to the southwest border: Gurdanga, Jonnurpur, Nuka, Konkurnugura and Bridanga. In the north area the new districts of Dinajpur, Rangpur, Koocbear, Bhutan, Assam and Furepur; were the Gospel did not yet arrive, are also added.

It has in particularly to be noted that Jalpaiguri district is not mentioned, while Assam is indicated "sic et simpliciter".

With decree of august 10, 1870 Fr. Marietti was elected First Apostolic Prefect.

And, in the month of december of te same year, Mons. Marietti with Fr. Conti and the new Fr. Cazzaniga, came beck to Bengal.

The new Prefect was welcomed with joy as anyone in Bengal loved him very much. He continued to have his residence in Jessore.

At the beginning of the new Apostolic Prefecture the situation was:

Krishnagar : Fr. Longa, Fr. Scatti, Fr. Cazzaniga

Berhampur : Fr. De Broy

Jessore : Mons. Marietti, Fr. Giuliani, Fr. Bertoldi

European Sisters : 12

In Krishnagar Fr. Longa continued, despite his health conditions, to work without rest and tried everything to improve the conditions of his poor Christians. He wrote to Mons. Marinoni :" I have tried to make, as much as possible, indipendent ans stable the condition of our Christians. Before nobody had oxen, cart or plough: today we can count on seven ploughs and soon we will have four or five more: having Christians with no land and no work it is only meaning to increase the numbers of the hopeless who are going in the Calcutta' roads, jeopardizing our work and our efforts. In Calcutta the will never have any hope..."

Mons. Marietti persuaded him to go back in Italy: he arrived on may 1871, with the secret hope to have soon the possibility to go again in Bengal. His position in Krishnagar was taken from Fr. Scatti.

Service in Assam

The Central Bengal Apostolic Prefecture was including also Assam. Only in 1872 Fr. Broy was sent by Mons. Marietti in that very far region were some catholic, both european and native, were present. Fr. Broy's service is described in detail in a letter of july 17, 1883: "In 1872, after Pentecost, my Superior sent me in Assam, were some catholics resident in Gauhati had requested a priest. I left Behrampur on may and arrived in Gauhati on june 10. I accomodated in the first times in the house of a good catholic, soon after I started a subscripion for the building of a small Chapel and an house for the Father. I was personally meeting some wealthy families and was able to collect what needed for a very small Chapel and an even smaller place for myself. One year later, in 1873, the Chapel and my little house were ready, with great joy of the good Catholics of that place. At the blessing of the Church, on top of which for the first time in the Assam kindom the Holy Cross was present, three protestants were received and some catholics. All of them knew nothing about the religion and their sons were without any education. My small house was always open for the religious education and, after some time, boys and girls were ready to receive the holy sacraments. Following the sons example also the parents started to approach more frequentely to the sacraments, filling my poor heart with true joy. Being the only Missionary in Assam I was taking care not only of the catholics of Gauhati but also of all those scattered in the kindom. The region was too big for a single Missionary, so I asked for an assistant but it was impossible to have him. At the end of 1873 I got a free passage on a bastiment of the Company and, for the first time, I reached Newgong, in central Assam, were some catholic families were present. I stayed with them for some time and with joy was able to give to all them the holy sacraments, which they missed since a long time. After my first visit I came back to visit them at least once per year. But I had to visit other places, were the bastiments could not go and I had to trust only my own legs! And my legs performed very well: every day about 30 english miles! I was asking for something to eat to some european and I found always a good hospitality; I was alone and my baggage, the portable altar and a few personal garments was some time brought by the servants of my hosts; pratically I never stopped for more than one-two days and in one month I was able to walk for 300 english miles. These long walking were normally done in the dry winter months but, sometime, I was complessed to go also on the summer ones."

In Shillong he was able to build a small Church and, in 1883, a brick Church with a small residence in Gauhati. He visited also the high Assam were, in Dibrugar, a group of Christians was present. He payed a visit also to some italian families in Margherita, the town of the coal mines. He also wrote about the hospitality there receivede from Mr. Paganini. The numer of catholics, scattered in Assam, was about 300. And he finishes a letter to Mons. Marinoni dated december 21, 1885 with some patetic words: " I am always been alone, and now I am old and week and it is really impossible to me, without the help of an assistant, to continue my service in this region very far from the Mission. The long distances necessary to visit, at least once or twice a year, the Christians scattered in the Assam kindom, which have been traveled around in all these years now seem to me something impossible, due to my age and to my health."

Fr. Broy was not replaced and in 1889 Assam was established as an Apostolic Prefecture and was given to the Salvatorian Fathers, but they had to leave, being german, in the 1915 - 18 war. The Assam was entrusted after to the apostolic administration of the Calcutta Archibishop and in 1921, assigned to the Don Bosco Salesians. Fr. Broy became gesuit under the Calcutta's Archibishop.

In 1875 Fr. Galesi ad Fr. De Romanis arrived in Bengal, both from Australia and Fr. Marzi from Italy; in 1877 Fr. Rigamonti, in 1878 Fr. Gorge d finally in1879 Fr. Taveggia.

Due to the hard work of Fr. Scatti, the Krishnagar school was blooming, he tried also to start a joinery and and agricolture school, with the support of itailan brothers. may be it was too early for these initiatives: despite his efforts it was not possible to continue due to the apaty of the local people.

Also the Sisters devoted many efforts to their school. In 1877 Mr A. W. Garrett, government school inspector, was very impressed from a visit to the girls school. He wrote in his report: " The first and second classes are the best girl classes I saw in all Bengal..... In the grammar, reading and geography their level is almost the same of intermediate classes and all the six classes are of high level. The sewing and embroidery works I saw wre the best ones ever seen in similar schools. The education of the girls is going to improve the character of the growing generation and to correct the lack of discipline unfortunatly present in the today indian society"

We have no information on a new Father replacing Fr. De Broy in Behrampur, after he left for Assam. We believe not also because the english troops, which were the main purpose of a resident Father, had in the men time left the town.

Behrampur was in any case regularly visited from Krishnagar Fathers and a new Church, dedicated to the Holy Hearts of Jesus an Mary was blessed on march 16, 1878.

Fr. Pozzi elected Apostolic Prefect

Due to his health conditions Mons. Marietti asked to Propaganda Fide to be dispensed from the Apostolic Prefect position; on april 20, 1879 Propaganda Fide was appointing in his place Mons. Francesco Pozzi, Missionary in Hyderabad since 1855. The appointment was given to him by card. G. Simeoni, Prefect of Propaganda Fide on april 30, 1879.

Mons. Pozzi was already in his fifties, being born on march 3, 1828, but despite his age he immediately started the study of the bengali language. His charm and sweetness and his angelic devotion sonnconquired the heart of everybody. His program was to supply with prayers when his age or his reduced strenght did not permit to comply. Every night, when the other Fathers went to bed, with a little oil lamp he was going very slowly , to avoid any noise which could disturb the Fathers, in the Chapel and was stayng there for some hours. One night, in the middle of his prayers he was almost pushed to go in his room. To his surprise he found there a thief who had already opened the safe box and he was already collecting the money found in it. Without gigin any alarm he permitted to the thief to leave the room.

On september 30 1879 in Krishnagar was dying Sr Teodosia Livraga, after many years of apostolic work and always in search of children to be baptized. His devotion was unparalleled, her only wish was to sacrifice hersef for the Holy Spirit and she had the joy to finally meet the Holy Spouse.

In 1880 Fr. Uberti arrived in Bengal and on march 25 of the same year, after a very short stay in Bengali Mission, at the age of 27 years died in S. Calocero Fr. Vincenzo Gorga, coming from the diocesis of Sora and Aquino.

Sonada House

Since 1866 the Fathers of the Krishnagar Mission were in a need of an holiday resort. On june 29, 1866 Mons. Marinoni was writing to Fr. Limana " It is indeed a very good idea to ask to Propaganda Fide a list of possible places suitable for this purpose and I appreciated a lot your letter to The Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda Fide."

In 1870 both Mons. Marinoni and Mons. Tosi O.C., Apostolic Vicar of Patna, were in agreement for an holiday resort place, to be given from Patna Prefecture to Central bengal Mission and they choosed Hazirabagh. But both due to the climat of that place not very favourable and to the fact that the Jesuits had requested the same place, the negotiation was stopped (Letter of Propaganda Fide to Mons. Marinoni dated april 3, 1871 and Mons. Marinoni reply of june 8, 1871).

Some years later, in 1879, the negotiations were reopened and, with an agreement signed on december 21 of the same year, from Mons. Tosi and Mons. Marinoni, Patna gave to Krishnagar Mission a place called Hope-Town. In this place the Krishnagar Father were not intitled, whitout a writte permission, to build schools, boardings or convents. In the agreement it was also exactly indicated tle planimetry of the place.

The price of the House was 6000 rupees and the related document, signed by a Purdwan Raja agent, is dated march 6, 1880. The house was known as House of the Moharaja and also as Rutlnad House.

Mons. Marietti was giving had previously declared that I would be willing to personally pay the total cost of the house and on march 6, 1880 Mons. Marinoni writes to Mons. Pozzi :" I thank you very much about the information related to the House Sonada. I am hoping that the excellent Mons. Marietti will take the glory of this purchase, avoiding to reduce the very poor Mission's income"

All the expenses were duly personally paid by Mons. Marietti.

With a letter of Propaganda Fide to Mons. Pozzi dated february 22, 1897 the land of House Sonada and Home-Town goes under the Jesuit jurisdiction even if it remains , for the Mission, free for future possible constructions. The house was not of recent construction and, also due to the heavy rains from may to october, was rapidly deteriorating. Originally it was composed only of three small and very humid rooms. In 1906 our Fathers, ever ready to new initiatives, decided not only to repair it but also to enlarge. To reduce the costs Fr. Nava was appointed as master buider and the other Fathers ( Mons. Taveggia and FF. Macchi and Rocca) were acting as workmen and masons. They added to the house a big room, emmediately named " Siberia" and the house was again habitable. But, despite all this work, the house was far away to be a real holiday resort or a sanatorium, as it was mentioned from the first Missionaries.

In 1932, in occasion of the priesthood jubilee of Mons. Anselmo, it was decided to repair once again the Sonada house, the conditions of walls, roof etc were so poor that the related cost were so high that Fr. Macchi tried in all the ways to have financial help. Also Pope Pius XI, who was in seminar with Mons. Taveggia was involved and the Holy Father replied with generosity. This time Fr. Castelli, who had already built other houses and Churches and therefore was the best available architect, was taking the responsability of it. The construction started on 1932 and was inaugurated on 1933. It was done with reinforced concrete on two floors, in the ground one a nice Chapel, thre large rooms and a closed veranda, on the top floor 17 small rooms. The position of the house, situated at 2000 mt. and not far from a railway station, is really beatiful. Both the House and the Chapel are intitled to Santa Teresa del bambino Gesù, and a very nice sculpture representing Santa Teresa was given as gift from a pious benefactor.

Bhutan transfer proposal

From 1880 to 1883 Phedong Fathers ( Apostolic Vicariat of Tibet) of the Seminary of the Paris Foreign Missions were trying in various occsion to get from the Central Bengal Mission, to which it was assigned in 1879, the Bhutan territory.

On may 30, 1880 with reference to discussions already had with Mons. Marietti , Mons. Felix Biet, Apostolic Vicar of Tibet was writing to Mons. Pozzi that, to be able to explore the region, he would need that Bhutan would be transferred to his Vicariat. He was sending Fr. Desgodins to Krishnagar. Mons. Pozzi, considering that the main purpose of the request was to help the evangelization of a region closed to the Missionaries and also considering that it was impossible from Central bengal to bring the Gospel in the Bhutan, showed himself in favour of Fr. Desgodins proposal and said to him that he would inform his Superior who was responsable for the decision.

But Mons. Marinoni who was always considering Bhutan as too much important and, despite the discussion between Fr. Desgodins and Mons. Pozzi he did not agree with the compliance of Mons. Pozzi. He was therefore writing to him a letter which is almost a reproach: " You, because of goodness of your heart, were doing something out of your powers. It is true that you promised to write to Milano, as you did on september 2, 1882, but with your phrase " I will hear what Milano thinks.." you shown satisfaction on the project and let him hope on a positive solution of it. The above not for your fault but for future precaution." The letters coniues saying that the Mission Superior has the duty to explore all the regions of his territory.." The Superior should be as the spider in the center of his net and, personally or through his Missionaries, he should be always ready to get his saint prey in any possible place. We have to learn from our enemy: to the question ' undo venis? ' he replies ' circuivi terram, et peri, bulavi eam ' "

On march 1883 Fr. Desgodins writes again to Mons. Pozzi saying that he has received a reply trough Fr. Delpech, their procurator in Rome, a reply from Mons. Marinoni who he is not in favour of the Bhutan transfer. Fr. Desgodins addes also that both Propaganda Fide and Mons. Marinoni were victims of a misundstanding as they did not distinguished the "real" Bhutan from that part of Buthan occupaied by the english. The Tibet Viacariat is asking only for the "real" Bhutan on which, in a strict sense, he should have some rights. The reasons taken from Fr. Desgondins were:

Bhutan is a completely tibetan country as far as language, traditions and religion.

In China and in Tibet, Bhutan is neither considered as an indipendent kindom or a principality. The so called "dhormormaj", spitual king and "debraj", political king are respectively a religious sect leader and a governor and they are not consedered as indipendent princes. They do not go every 5 or 10 years to pay their respect to the Pekin Emperor, as the indipendent Princes. When important matters have to be discussed in the Bhutan, either men sent from Lhasa or chines Mandarins from Guiamsoco arrive and decide, as Bhutan is considered as a large district of the central tibet province.

It is also clear that both the Chumbi valley, between Sikkim and Bhutan and Cinzabg valley, east between Bhutan and " The savages" are not either of Sikkim or Bhutan, but are district of the central tibet province.

When, in 1849, the Fathers of the Foreign Mission of Paris were requested to try a Mission in Tibet and took place in Assam with the purpose of being able to penetrate in the Tibet through the Sikkim, they were obliged to ask to Mons. Ollif, Apostolic Vicar of Dacca the transfer of Assam, but did not apply for any permissionin orfer to have Bhutan, for the simple reason that Bhutan was already included in Tibet.

Fr. Desgondis continued to say that Propaganda Fide should not have given the Bhutan, in a proper sense, to Bengal without a Tibet division. He does not to go against Propaganda Fide and for this reason he is not asking a new transfer but a step back.

With some malice intent he also writes. " Unfortunately my project, who was studied from so many years, in order to penetrate Tibet through Bhutan, gets opposition not from... the Lamas, but from the best friends of God"

Despite all this reasoning, Mons. Marinoni was inflexible on the Bhutan matter for the simple reason that, being Bengal a low and unhealthy land it was a nonsense to transfer an hill land.

But to avoid to interfere with the Paris Missionaries project, Mons. Marinoni was proposing a compromise: to give them a full freedom of action and service in Bhutan without making any real transfer. He was writing on may 5, 1883. " Our opinion, concerning the request of Fr. Desgondins of transfering the Bhutan Mission to the Paris Seminary to help the Tibet Apostolic Vicariat in entering, after previous negative results, in that place is that The M. Rev. Apostolic Prefect of Central Bengal gives to the french Missionaries all the faculties to perform their service, absolutely without giving up and transfering to others the Mission. In this way it is possible to enter in the Tibet and to the growing of the Bhutan without jeopardizing the future of the Bengal Mission."

In the following years Bhutan, together with Assam, was devided from Central Bengal.

In 1885 arrived in bengal Fr. Nava, Fr. Laboranti and Fr. Cedri.

Krishnagar established as Diocesis

With Apostolic letter of september 1st, 1886 Leo XIII settled the India's chatolic hierarchy: Central bengal become Diocesis with Bishop House in Krishnagar. Mons. Pozzi was elected as first Bishop and was solemny consacreted in calcutta on feruary 18, 1887 from Mons. Antonio Agliardi, Apostolic Delegate. Present were also Mons. Goethals, Archibishop of Calcutta and Mons. Caprotti, Bishop of Hydrabad, with whom Mons. Pozzi had worked for 25 years.

In the mean time Fr. Scatti at Krishnagar continued without pause his important work. With the help of his sister, Superior of the Sisters, we built Chapels at Chapra, Boirghachi, Choritipi and the Protestants, being afraid of his dialectis, were even not tryng to discuss with him. Many Crhistians instead were approaching to him, enchanted by his charity, shown in particulary during the recent famine. Unfurtunatly Fr. Scatti was suffering for the Bengali weather and was compelled, in 1887, to repatriate. His place was taken by Fr. Cedri who was in Bengal since two years. In the sam year God was asking for the sacrifice of the life to Fr. Scatti sister, Sr. Carolina. She was not only intelligent but also provided with a big and generous heart and she was an insuperable teacher for the young indian and also english ladies. The Christian women, enchanted by his words were taking a very good instruction. Died on oct 23 at Darjeeling an was buried in Krishnagar.

Fr. Longa who, as we know, due to illness went back in Italy in 1971 was always hoping to return in Bengal but, due to his conditions, he never was able to do that and died on december 26, 1886 in Broni (PV).

After 23 ininterrupted years of hard work in Bengal Sr. Cecilia Uetz, Mother Provincial of the Sister, exausted was returning in Italy and was replaced by Sr. Giuseppina Brambilla. Mons. Pozzi was colling her " Olive's dole" and she had the big merit to spread allover India the Maria Bambina devotion.

Also Fr. Bertoldi was in Italy since 1875, due to his health. The relatives of Mons. Marietti, who had asked years before Mons. Marinoni to send him in Bengala, once again requested the same. They gave to Fr. Bertoldi a small pension to allow him to pay the doctors in Bengal. Mons. Marietti did not agree on the above and, to avoid any further problem, destined Fr. Bertoldi not to Jessore but to Krishnagar were he became Cathedral' Parish.

Fr. Bertoldi was always remember for his cheerful character, for his ever ready smile and even for his jokes. When a poor was asking something to him he always was giving something but if a "false poor" was trying to trick him, he was also able to get, in a kind way, rid of him. I mention only one episode: a sponger was one day going to visit Fr. Bertoldi asking him something to eat as he was fast since three days. Fr. Bertoldi, knowing tha t the man was a tricky one, kidly invited him to take a seat and .." I know that you want to eat some bread, so pay attention carefully to my words. I have with me some seeds, than I have to plough some land, put some fertilizer on it, sow the seeds that I have, plough the land again. After some time the seeds will bud and a small and nice green plant will come out. This small plant will grow and, in some months a beatiful ear of wheat will be on the top of it. And, when the ear will be ready, I will cut the plant, I'll bring it at home and I' ll have someone to separate the new seeds and to mill them. I will have than wheat meal and I'll bring it to a baker. The baker will add some water and some yeast, he will wait for some time to leaven, he will than light some fire in his oven and, when the temperature will be adequate, he will bake the bread. Than he will take the bread from his oven and he will bring to me. At this point I will be very glad to eat with you a beatiful new bread. Now you can go and I will, without fault, call you when I will be ready" All this was said very slowly and with an icredible calm, the poor sponger had no other choice than repeat in bengali: "Ci saheber songe para jae naossia" : " It is impossible to trick this european! "

Transfer of Assam

On 25 december 1889 the Assam portion, given in 1879, was separated. It included the land at north of the watershed between Sylhet and the high Bhramaputra valley and, together with the portion which was still under Calcutta, it was established as Apostolic Prefecture given to the Salvatorians: Also the Bhutan was separated from Krishnagar.

The few rooms added in Krishnagar to the small Church built from Fr. Zubiburu were completely inadequate as Bishop house and in 1890 a two floor house was built. On september 6 wa dying Sr. Giuseppina Brambilla, replaced by Sr. Regina Ardemagni.

In 1892 two events to remember: great mourning for the death of Mons. Marietti but also a God gift: the arrival of two great Missionaries: Fr. Macchi and Fr. Rocca.

Also the Missionaries arrived in 1893 were a further blessing for the Mission: Fr. Gaetano Ponzoni and Fr. Giuseppe Armanasco, who will play a very important role in the Mission consolidation.

Fr. Armanasco was immediately known for the facility with which he learned bengali language, in 1895 he was replacing, as Cathedral's Parish, Fr. Bertoldi who returned again in Italy.

In september of the same year 1895 also Sr. Ardemagni, due to health conditions, was coming back to Italy and his place was taken by Sr. Margherita Gomo. The Superior, Mother Ghezzi, wrote to Mons. Pozzi, informing him on the new Sister: " I am sending you a jewel !" and Mons. Pozzi, as soon she arrived and he met her replied: " and as a jewel I am receiving her !". Sr. Margherita was leading an auster life but was always full of charity for her neighbour.

In the terrible years of the esrthquake and famine he complete dedition and her love and charity have something of incredible, she was asking for help also to her italian friends and to the generosity of benefactors. She was extending his charity also to the Krishnagar Church and supplied vestments and candlesticks.

In 1896 was dying a godly death Sr. Agostina Bigi, at only 35 years, and arrived in bengal Fr. Garrovi and Fr. Morrassi.

1897 was indeed a disastrous year. One day of june, at 4.30 a.m. a big heatrhquake was devasting Krishnagar, destroing a big percentage of buildings. Calcutta newspapers were mentioning 2000 deaths and 75% of the buildings destroied. Also the Church, the Father's House nd the Sister Convent were seriously damaged.

Mons. Pozzi, with the help of Fr. Armanasco, was immediately asking help to build a new Church and in a short time he was able to bless it. The Church with three aisles was in romanic style but with ornaments remembering indian tradition. Mons. Goethals, Archibishop of Calcutta, was invited to bless the Church and he arrived by train in Bovola, the railway station at 11 miles from Krishnagar. No coach was available in the Mission and the Raja of Krishnagar gave one of his gala ones. An elephant with very rich ornaments and with the royal umbrella was preceding the coach. Archibishop contratulated very warmly both Mons. Pozzi and Fr. Armanasco. The date, to be remembered was november 22, 1899. One century was going soon to terminate and a new one was coming, for this reason the Church was dedicated to the Holy Redemptor, King of the centuries.

Fr. Armanasco will not be remembered for the construction of Churches. He became a real master in the bengali language and wrote also a beautiful meditation book, a booklet "Kruser poth" , The Cross way and a very well done translation of Pius X cathecism, very clear and written in an elegan bengali.

On february 16, 1900 the pious and very active Bro. Mosè Pozzi, who arrived in Bengal in 1868 and worked there for thirty years, teaching in particular catechism, died in the Concettini rest house of Saronno.

Sacerdotal Jubilee of Mons. Pozzi

June 18 of 1901 was the date of golden jubilee of Mons. Pozzi ordination. For the very joyous day Mons. Jurt, Bishop of Dhaka, Mons. Viganò, Bishop of Hyderbad and Fr. Menleman, Jesuit Superior wanted to be present. Fr. Menleman was representing Mons. goethals, Archibishop of Calcutta who in that period was sick. Also this time the Raja of Krishnagar gave his luxury coaches and the Bishops, with the famous ornated elephant and a band, were carried in the roads of Krishnagar, everyone had a day of joy. It was a true triumph for the catholic religion, so well represented in Krishnagar by his holy Bishop: Mons. Pozzi.

The month after, on july 7, Sr. Margherita Gemo died a godly death, the "jewel" sent to Bengal and her place was taken by Sr. Ester Piccioli. She fixed her residence in Mangalore, in the novice house of the indian Charity Sister.

In 1902 Fr. Picchi and in 1903 Fr. Donzelli, both just arrived from Italy, were assigned to Jessore and in 1905 Fr. Beretta was assigned to Bhoborpara.

In occasion of his indian jubilee ( 50 years of presence in India) Pius X, on march 31 of 1905, elected Mons. Pozzi, with the joy of Krishnagar diocesis, Assistant to tle Papal Throne. But happyness and mourning often are very near: in some months Mons. Pozzi was on his death bed.

Death of Mons. Pozzi

Since many years Mons. Pozzi was suffering but his conditions never gave, to the Missionaries, the impression that their Shepard was going to leave them in a short time. But the heath was rapidly deteriorating, general anemy and swelling of both legs should have indicated to them that no many months were left. On october 22 of 1905, after 51 years of missionary life, Mons. Pozzi was leaving this earth for a better world. The details of his disease and of the death were given in a letter of Fr. Armanasco :" Mons. Pozzi had all the best soul's qualities and all the virtues wishable in a Bishop. His " Mitis and Humilis" motto was more than adequate to him. Not only Bishops, Missionaries and sisters, Catholics of various countries were admiring him for his goodness and humilty but also the english employees, mainly protestant and even the pagans, always holded him in the hifhest consideration. The prayer spirit and a continuos comunion with God were the essence of his life. All the night, at the end of a day in which he never had a pause, he was very slowly and with the help of his small walking-stick, he was going in the Church for some hours, to be alone with Jesus. In the last days he was no more able to go alone and someone was helping him to descend the Church stairs, but he did never want to discontinue this holy habit. He celebrated, also in these conditions, with very high devotion the Holy Mass up to october 11, in that day he was no more able of going out from his bed. He was also tolerating all the sufferings of his illness with patience an submission to the holy will and, if some time he was complaining for his suffering he was immediatelly exclaming " My God, give me more patience! For You, My God, for You! " He wanted his bed sprinkled with holy water and, immediately after, his face was shining again. Calm and submission to God will was always present in him. He also asked for a general confession of all this life, with such piety and contrition to wring tears. He never was afraid of the death, as he was always confident in the God goodness and in the Jesus Christ Blood.. In the last moments of his life he blessed all the Sisters, saying one word to anyone of them and also did the same to those who, in tears, were approaching him to kiss for the last time his hand. He kissed with great affection his personal cross. While Fr. Taveggia was saying the Prayers " in expiratione", his holy soul enriched by a full life spent at the service of God, was leaving his body at 08.15 a.m. of october 22, 1905. The corpse was exposed for a long time as many were not only the catholics but also the protestants, hindu, muslims who wanted to venerate him. The district magistrate, immediately after knowing the death of Mons. Pozzi order the closing of all the offices, courts included, and wanted to be present to the funeral of the Shepard. All the clergy of the diocesis was present, with a great number of people, to the solemn funeral celebrated by the Archibishop of Calcutta.

The corpse was buried in the Krishnagar Church and on the tomb-stone with his name it has been written: " I, the good Shepard ". I add an epysode which I like to remember: the tomb was excavated in the floor of the Church, corresponding to the limit of the old cemetery. When this operation was in process, an intact coffin was found and, with extreme commotion, it was discovered that it was the coffin of sr. Gonzaga Carminati, a pious Sister higly considered from Mons. Pozzi. And as the two souls worked together in theyr charity and devotion apostolate, the two corpse were united in the tomb silence.

Election and consacration of Mons. Taveggia

With Papal Bull of august 22, 1906 Mons. Santino Adele Taveggia was elected Mons. Pozzi's successor. Mons. Taveggia received the Bull when he was at Sonada, and returned to Krishnagar were he was consacreted from Mons. Clere, Bishop of Visigupatam and his old seminary classmate, the Archibishop of Calcutta and his assistants and Mons. Viganò, Bishop of Hyderabad. A Jesuit delivered a speech in bengali and the Archibishop of Calcutta congratulating for the marriage with the bengali Church said: " Beautiful spouse for the redemption of the Blood of Christ and full of merits with God for the holiness of the previous Bishop Mons. Pozzi but also for the 27 years already spent in Bengal from Mons. Taveggia, years difficult and without many results and comforts."

The words of Archibishop were not exagerated, as Mons. Taveggia had already working very hardly in the previous 27 years and also the note that, sometime, the consolations were not a enough. Mons. Taveggia worked with the Muci of Jessore , he started with incredible difficulties the Christianity of Faridpur and gave a strong impulse to the Bhoborpara Mission.

In 1906 three Fathers arrived: FF. Castelli, Pedrotti and Rho. After some months passed for the study of english F. Pedrotti is assigned to Saidpur and Fr. Castelli to the Cathedral Parish. Father Rho, unfortunately, since the very beginning was suffering for malaria; the situation was becoming even worse in june, with continuos fevers and, to complicate the alredy compromise situation, also a peritonitis attack. He died on july 14, 1907.

In 1907 arrived Fr. Reschini, assigned to Jessore and Fr. Crotti was assigned to Andharkota, beyond the Ganges, were a Christian community, visited from Bhoborpara Fathers, was in formation. F. Crotti remained in Andharkota less than two years as he did not resist to the difficult conditions and, because of his health, was compelled to return in Krishnagar in 1909. He was also unable to make this journey alone and it was necessary to carry him. Fr. Castelli, who worked in Bhoborpara was called back to assist him and conducted him to Hyderabad, even if the doctors suggested an immediate repatriation. Father Crotti was definitely transfer in Italy and died in Bergamo on september 26 of 1910 while Fr. Castelli, returned to Krishnagar, become the Cathedral Parish.

Other four Missionaries arrived in 1910: three of them: FF. Monfrini, Lazzaroni and Ferrario were assigned to the Missions beyond the Ganges and the fourth: Fr. Assietti to Bhoborpara.

In 1910 the responsability of Provincial Mother was transfered from Sr. Piccioli to Sr. Nazzarena Gaboardi, who hade been already very active both in simulia and in Krishnagar but, also for her, the new assignement was short. A disease without any hope was giving her incredible pains, and she was accepting them with great generosity, offering them to God for the salvation of many souls. Comforted by these holy sentiments died on august 1st, 1912.

The year before, 1911, an other Sister: Antonia Ferrari, after 51 years of religious life of which 51 unbroken passed in Bengal, died in Krishnagar. For his work she was a real " Mother of the mercy" and with this name was normally called.

In 1912 the assignment of Sr. Nazzarena was given to Sr. Franceschina Luraschi, she was since many years in Bengal and worked for the women education at simulia, in the Sunderbon, at Bhoborpara and also with the Santals.

Also for Sr. Franceshina the new assignement lasted for a short time, as she died in Krishanagar on march 11, 1914.

Apostolate beyond the Ganges

The history of the Mission in the land of natives at the north of Ganges will form part of a sepate chapter. A short introduction is in any case necessary. A small group of Pahari was converted in Andharkota in 1902. In the following years, mainly due to activity of the big Missionary Fr. Rocca, started the evangelization of Santals, munda and Mahali with the building of the centers of Dhanjuri and Benedwar. Fr. Rocca was also visiting the Christians coming from Ranchi to work in the tea gardens in the Duars, and put the premises of the flourishing Christian communities of the Jalpaiguri district, among Munda amd Oraons. While the Bhoborpara Fathers were going regularly to Andharkota Fr. Armanasco, in Krishnagar, was very enthusiastic about the conversions among Santals and other natives. Many times he started to visit their villages and to learn their language (he already was a master in bengali). Also Mons. Taveggia was very happy about the F. Rocca activity and, after the first baptisms he wanted visit personally some native village to give confirmation to those sons of the forest.

Everything was going in the best way but there is no rose without a thorn. To promote these new conversion it was necessary to give some financial support to the new centers, but the Mission was short of capitals. What was possible was already done and it was difficult to support the new requests coming from the santal Mission. Mons. Taveggia vas suffering a lot for this situation and F. Rocca was trying all the possible to solve it, he was considering the possibility to ask for a further sacrifice from the Fathers of the bengali mission in order to get something more in the santal one.

Very probably the arguments of F. Rocca were that the conversions in the bengali Mission were much less of those of the santal one, which had a very promising beginning.

This proposal troubled considerably Mons. Taveggia who, in his heart of Father, would have been able to content everyone, he was also foreseeing that the Fathers of the bengali Mission would have been strongly against any idea to reduce they alrady very poor income. With the heart bleeding and with a great sorrow he wrote on july 30, 1910 to F. Rocca : " The proposal you have done to me, will be perhaps good in your mind, but not in mine. I have the same impression experienced by a mother who sees his son of age leaving the family to assure to himself a better future, without caring (or better with the purpose to relaese himself from the problem ) of the situation of his brothers, situation which he consider uncertain. I am very much concerned about the santal, munda and mahali Missions, but at the same time I am concerned about all the other Missions. I must repeat to you that I do not like to build destroing, but consolidating. For this reason it is our duty, all together, to promote all the Missions at the same time, following the means that or Lord will provide tous. He is the " lapis angularis qui facit utraque unum" santals and bengali, He is the Lord who does not permit any division within his members. We hope that will not permit our death but, even so, we will die all together."

This correspondence between F. Rocca and Mons. Taveggia is very important because is a preamble to the division of the Mission. In the mean time the Providence allow both Missions, santal and bengali, to go ahead on the same track. Mons. Taveggia has everything possible to give a financial support for the development of the santal Mission. He was very happy when he was able to give to that Mission extra-offers for the building of new Chapels, Churches and schools. He gave also his full approval to the trials of F. Rocca and Fr. Armanasco of getting the cooperation of the franciscan Missionary brothers of M. Poinsur (in Italy at maslianico).

It has also to be noted that, since 1910 and with the only exception of the FF. Costa, Curioni and Carnevali, all the Father arriving from Italy were assigned, sooner or later, to the Mission beyond the Ganges.

In the mean time the bengali community, even if not increasing in the number of his members, was consolidating also in terms of maturity and religious instruction. Mons. Taveggia in 1906 did a translation of the 4 Gospels and the Acts of the Apostoles. This was extremely needed and it was a real masterpiece. Despite his perfect knowledge of the bengali language, Mons. Taveggia asked for the help of a bramin, the Prof. Mukerji, Vice Director of the Krishnagar College, who had a perfect knowledge of his motherlanguage but also knew latin and greek. In addition to this new translation of the Gospel for the Christians it was already available the " small catechism" of Mons. Pozzi, the " Catechism for the intermediate classes" of Fr. cazzaniga, the " Catechism for the high classes" of Fr. Armanasco , books of sacred, ecclesiastic and apologetic history of Mons. Marietti and a concise book of meditation of Fr. Armanasco. Also Fr. Rocca did a special book for the pagans: "The true religion".

In 1911 arrived from Italy Fr. Pietro Costa, assigned to Jessore, Fr. Anselmo, the future second Bishop of Dinajpur, who was temporarly kept in Krishnagar and Fr. Curioni, sent to Bhoborpara to replace Fr. Assietti dead on october 10, after a snake bite.

In 1913 arrived Fr. Mellera and in 1914 Fr. Belgeri, both assigned to the santal Mission.

Fr. Anselmo became famous in Krishnagar for the easiness in learning the bengali language and, after one year from his arrival, was able to replace as Cathedral Parish Fr. Castelli who was sent to Andharkota. But the malaria did not aloow him to remain in that place and in 1914 went to Simulia.

With great joy of all the Sisters in may 1914 Sr Anna Gemo, Sister of Sr. Margerita, was elected to replace Sr. Franceschina. She was in bengal since many years and her deep religious spirit as well as her great heart were already known. She promoted the introduction of the Sisters in the Krishnagar Hospital.

She, with Mons. Taveggia, in 1922 was founding the Native Catechist Sisters Congregation, called " Immacolata Sisters " and in 1926, for the beatification of the Maria Bambina founder: Mother Capitanio, she brought two of the in Italy. But Sr. Gemo will be always remembered in Krishnagar for her charity withot limits. Only one, between the numberless epysodes, will be here remembered. She was very much involved in the santal Mission and many santal orphans were staying in her Krishnagar orphanage, but her reception possibilities were not endless. She was, to her regret, compelled to say to Fr. Cattaneo, who already brouht many of them from Rohanpur, that he had no possibility to accept new ones. But Fr. Cattaneo who also, from his side, had a boundless charity attitude and knew very well Sr. Gemo, had recours to a stratagem. Instead of bringing the orphans directly to the convent, he was bringing them to the Church and, after the Holy Mass celebration, he was telling them to go to the Sisters, coming for the cleaning of the Church. Naturally the Sisters were bringing the girls to the Mother Superior and, when they were saying that their village was Rohanpur, she called Fr. Cattaneo and said to him that she was not in position to accept any more orphan. Fr. Cattaneo was already prepared and, with his peculiar and catching laugh replied "Sorry, Mother, but I did not bring any girl in your convent, therefore if you are unable to find a place for them please be so kind to bring them again in the Church" At this point Sr. Gemo had nothing to say, Fr. Cattaneo left and the same refrain was happening other two or three times. At that point Sr. Gemo said to Fr. Cattaneo that it was better to avoid to continue to play that comedy and to bring directly the orphans to the convent.

On december 4, 1915 in a small cell of the " Carmelitani Scalzi of Taranto" convent, died Fr. Giovanni Pietro Marzi, who took the name of Fr. Carmelo. He was a Garibaldian, become Missionary and arrived in Bengal in 1876, staying eight years in Jessore. He was compelled to repatriate in Fermo, his native country and obtained a degree in theology, was for one year Rector of the seminary and, after, General Vicar of that diocesis. Some years later was entering in the " Carmelitani Scalzi" and become General Commissary of the Order, it was selected also to become Bishop but he did not accept.

In 1917 Fr. Anselmo was assigned to the Santal Mission and P. Castelli become Cathedral Parish in Krishnagar.

In 1918 died in Italy Fr. G. B. Scotti, a veteran of the Mission. He repatriated in 1887 and, even in very bad health conditions, continued in Italy his missionary work. He founded in Lecco a College and some Parish schools and, as director of a local magazine " Il Resegone" was always able to insert some article related to the Missiopn. After having comforting many unfortunate souls in Bengal he devoted his charity to the patients of the local Hospital, as spiritual director. Every month he was going to the Institute in Milano for the spiritual retreat. In the Holy Easter day he died an holy death.

In 1919 a cholera epidemic caused, in particular, the death of many children. The number of the deaths was so high that sometime it was needed to use the same coffin for two of them. Also some Sisters were infected but, thanks to God, they were able to recover.

During the three years of the Great War it was not possible to send any new Father in Bengal. and, in 1919 the first after war expedition arrived: Fr. Obert was assigned to Simulia and FF. Galbiati and Margutti to the native Mission.

In 1921 Fr. Rocca came back from Italy and became Cathedral Parish in Krishnagar, allowing Fr. Castelli to go to Ranabhondo. from this place he was also able to visit the villages near Krishnagar. Fr. Castelli stayed there for two years, up to 1923, when he come back to Krishnagar to manage the construction of the second floor of the Sisters convent. After the death of Fr. Nava he was going to Simulia.

In the following year new Father arrived from Italy:

1922: Fr. Michele Bianchi

1923: FF. Carnevale and Grossi

1924: FF. Ceroni and Brambilla

1925: Fr. Martinelli

1926: FF. Pigoni and Bucari

1927: Fr. Favrin.

All of them, except Fr. Carnevale were assigned to the Mission beyond the Ganges.

In 1926 an other mourning affected the Mission. The angelic Fr. Ceroni, one of the most promising Missionaries, was dying in Bhoborpara due to a sunburn; during his short period of apostolate he was admired for his activity and his piety. Even in Rohanpur, were he worked only for some months, he left unforgettables traces of his zeal. He was particularly attracted from the semplicity of Santal and was very happy when his Bishop, Mons. Taveggia assigned him to Bhoborpara ì, in the santal Mission.

On sept. 23, 1927 Fr. Paolo Rigamonti dyed in his village, Desio. He worked many years in the bengali Mission were he devoted hie life but was getting back a lot of ingratitude, as we' ll mention in the Jessore chapter. He repatriated il 1892 and continue, up to his death, to work with an heart of true Missionary. For many years he was Chaplain of the Civic Hospital of Desio.

Hidden heroism of the Sisters

In the Krishnagar, in 1927, 25 tombs of missionary Sisters were a tangible proof of the heroism and of the silent martyrdom of many Systers. Unfortunatly it is impossible to praise all of them, for those not mentioned at least their name should not be forgotten.

To anyone of them, victims of their charity, and also to those Sisters being today still in activity with their sacrifice we want to mention the Fr. Longa words related to Sr. Angiolina Baglio: " She is one of those Apostoles who, giving the impression of doing nothing, is making true miracles: it is unbelievable her engagment in good works! ".

The 1927 is the year of the division of the Mission between Krishnagar and Dinajpur. But, before entering in the detais of this division, it is necessary to complete the history of the Jessore and Bhoborpara Missions.

The catholic population of the Mission, at the division moment, was 1172 persons.