Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Located in the cell of the Capuchin Convent in Frascati (Rome) in which Cardinal William Massaia spent the last years of his life (1880-1889), the Ethiopian Museum holds many artifacts and documents from his long mission spent among the Galla tribes of Ethiopia. Capuchin William Massaia (1809-1889), whose 200th anniversary of birth is being celebrated this year (see Fides 29/2/2009), is considered one of the greatest missionaries of the 19th century, as he was the first to go and evangelize the tribal people of Galla, to study culture and promote a series of social aid projects.
Fr. Wieslaw Block, OFM Cap, former Museum Director and member of the National Committee for the Bicentenary of Massaia told Agenzia Fides of how “in 1890, devotees of William Massaia made an effort to carry out the last will of the friar and transferred his body from the chapel at Propaganda Fide to the Cemetery of the Frascati Convent. In 1909, when the centennial of his birth was celebrated, the first exposition was prepared with objects that he had left to posterity. Then, between 1911 and 1932, the collection was added on to, and conveniently left in the apartment.”
Massaia spent much of his life as a missionary traveling. Appointed the first Apostolic Vicar of the Galla in 1846, he spent 35 years on the mission, embarking on unknown and risky paths. The difficulties for entering further into the Galla territory forced him to cross the Red Sea by boat and find an access route through Abyssinia, later following the Blue Nile River. He finally reached Gudru in 1852, six years after having left Italy. He then moved on to Lagamara and Kaffa.
For three years (1864-1867), he reorganized his mission in Europe. Later, in 1868, he traveled through the Somali Desert, to Scioa, where he spent the last ten years of his missionary work before being sentenced to exile by Joannes IV, King (Negus) of Ethiopia. Fr. Block continued: “The artifacts made of hand-crafted wood, the vestments, the canvas paintings, and many objects of everyday life given to the Convent of Frascati witness to the lively interests of Massaia amidst his long trips. He was a missionary with a deep appreciation for the geography, culture, art, and language of Africa. For example, there is the first Galla grammar book, a pioneer study which is still of great use today, or his many observations of the native dress. All this had positive effects on his pastoral activity, especially on the formation of the local clergy that faithfully accompanied the Capuchin Bishop on his mission.” Massaia's bicentennial celebrations include a “study day” on June 7, 2009, at the Frascati Franciscan Covent and the Ethiopian Museum. Agenzia Fides will soon be publishing a Dossier on the life and work of Cardinal Massaia (AM) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2009)
