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THE LETTERS OF ST. TERESA

NIHIL OBSTAT

DoM JusTiNus McCann, o.s.b. censor deputatus

IMPRIMATUR

^ JOANNES, ARCHIEPISCOPUS BIRMINGAMIENSIS

18 AUGUSTi 1922

THE LETTERS
OF SAINT TERESA

A COMPLETE EDITION

TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH

AND ANNOTATED

BY THE BENEDICTINES OF STANBROOK

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
CARDINAL GASQUET

VOLUME III

LONDON: THOMAS BAKER. MCMXXII

/^a

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

PAGE

1577

1578

Dec. 4. Avila 201 Philip II

Dec. 7.

202 Gaspar de Salazar

Dec. 10.

203 Juan de Ovalle

204 Mary of St. Joseph

After Dec. 17. ,

205 Doiia Ines Nieto

Dec. 19.

206 Mary of St. Joseph

Dec. 29.

207 Roque de Huerta

Date uncertain ,

208 Father Gracian

»? IT J

209 „

210 To the Prioresses

,, „ 211 Father Gracian

Jan. 16.

212 Teutonio de Braganza

Feb. 10.

213 F. Juan Suarez

Feb. Note from Father Suarez

,, Letter from Father Gonzalo Davila

Feb. 12. Avila 214 F. Gonzalo Davila

Feb. 16.

215 Father Gracian

March 2.

216

March 9.

, 217 Roque de Huerta

March 11.

218 Father Gracian

Lent

219 To a relative

March 26.

220 Dona Maria de Mendoza 63

March 28.

221 Mary of St. Joseph

April 15.

222 Father Gracian

'April 17.

223

M 1>

224 Doria Juana Dantisco

April 26.

225 Father Gracian

226 „

April 30.

227 Ana de San Alberto

267541

LIST OF LETTERS

1578 Mav 7. Avila

Nfav 8.
Mav 14.
May 22.

About June .,
June 4.
July 28.
Beg. of Aug.
August
Aug. 8.
Aug. 8 & 9.
Aug. 10.
Aug.
Aug. 14.
Aug. 14, 15.
Aug. 24.

Early in Aug. „
End of Aug.
Sept.
Sept. 29.

Probably July ,,
Oct. 4.
Oct. 15.
Nov. 15.
Nov.

End of Dec.
Dec. 28.

End of Dec.

End of Dec. ,,
Date uncertain „
End of Dec.

1579? — —

1 579 About Jan. Avila
.. Jan. 31.

'.', Feb. 4. !!

PAGE

228 Father Gracian

229

230

231

232 F. Gonzalo Davila

101

233 Mary of St. Joseph

104

234 Fray Domingo Banez

111

235 Father Gracian

113

236 ,.

114

237 Juana de Ahumada

114

238 Father Gracian

116

239 To an unknown person

122

240

126

241 Father Gracian

132

242 Roque de Huerta

138

243 Father Gracian

139

244 Roque de Huerta

143

245 Father Gracian

145

246

147

247

148

248 „

149

249

152

250 F. Pablo Hernandez

153

251 Father Gracian

157

252

166

253 Fray Mariano

167

254 „

170

255 Roque de Huerta

171

256

175

257 Dona Juana Dantisco

178

258 Yen. Anne of Jesus

179

^^59

180

260 Anne of St. Albert

181

261

181

262 Ven. Anne of Jesus

182

263 Mary of St. Joseph

183

264 To some ladies

184

265 Father Gracian

185

266

186

267 To a Carmelite nun

187

268 Father Gracian

188

269 D. Fernando Pantoja

189

270 To the nuns of Seville 193

271 Dona Ines Nieto

196

LIST OF LETTERS

Vll

1579 Feb. 20. Avila

,, March 12. ,,

„ Bef. March 25. „

„ March 25. „

,, Beg. of April „

„ April

„ April 21.

„ May 2.

„ May 3.

End of May „

„ June 9.

„ June 10.

„ June 18. „

„ June 21. „

„ June 24.

,',' July 7. Valladolid

„ July 18.

n July 22.

11 )) I) )t

„ July 25.

,, End of July „

„ July 26.

„ July 27.

,, Oct. 4. Salamanca

„ Nov. 19. Toledo

,, Dec. 3. Malagon

„ Aft. Dec. 8.

„ Dec. 15. ,,

„ Dec. 18. „

„ End of year „

„ Dec. 21. „

,, End of year „

1580

Bef. Jan. 15.
Jan.
Jan. 13.
Jan. 14.
Jan. 15.
Beg. of Feb.
Feb. 1.

Malagon

PAGE

272 Father Gracian 167

273 Roque de Huerta 200

274 Fray Mariano 202

275 Fray Juan de Jesus 205

276 Father Gracian 208

277 „ „ 211

278 „ „ 212

279 Roque de Huerta 216

280 Isabel de San Jeronimo 218

281 Nuns of Valladolid 228

282 Mary Baptist 232

283 Father Gracian 236

284 Ana de la Encarnacion 240

285 Mary Baptist

286 Mary of St. Joseph

287 „ „ ,,
Father Gracian

242
244
247
248
252
254

288

289 „

290 Mary of St. Joseph

291 Teutonio de Braganza 258
292
293
294

295 Roque de Huerta

296 Lorenzo de Cepeda

297 Father Gracian
Dona Isabel Osorio

Roque de Huerta
Father Gracian

Father Gracian

Unknown
Father Doria
Father Gracian
Unknown

298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307

308 Father Gracian

309 Mary of St. Joseph

310 Nuns of Seville

311 Father Doria

312 Father Gracian
313

314 Ven . Maria de Jesus

315 Mary of St. Joseph

261
262
263
264
266
269
273
276
278
282
286
288
289
294
296
296
297
298
304
307
312
316
318
320

THE LETTERS OF ST. TERESA

CCI

Prefatory note

The position of St. John of the Cross was somewhat
anomalous. Unfortunately we have no account of the
transaction from his own pen and therefore rely more
or less on fragmentary notices. When St. Teresa became
Prioress of the Incarnation, (October 15, 1571) she
obtained from the Visitor, Pedro Hernandez,the appoint-
ment of St. John as confessor to that convent, with Fray
German de San Matias as his companion. Although the
powers of the Visitors were withdrawn, the Visitors
themselves were renominated by Ormaneto under the
title of Reformers, and the appointment of St. John
appears to have remained unquestioned, being at least
tacitly confirmed by the Nuncio and the provincial. Angel
de Salazar. Therefore, on the publication of the acts of
the general chapter of Piacenza, St. John, a Discalced
Carmelite, found himself away from any of the priories
of the Reformed, in a position which normally belonged
to the Caked. The provincial Chapter of Moraleja, (May
1576) which elected Gutierrez provincial and tried to
enforce the decisions of Piacenza, seems to have taken
cognizance of the state of things, but it was not until
the end of that year or the beginning of the next that the
Prior of Avila, Alonzo Valdemoro, had the two fathers
removed from the Incarnation and conveyed to the
Vol. III. 2

2 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Caked Carmcl at Medina. This caused great scandal
and Orinaneto ordered that they should be restored to
the Incarnation, at the same time forbidding the Caked
to interfere with the spiritual administration of the con-
vent. On the death of the Nuncio, (June 1 7), the position
changed. The powers of Visitors and Reformers had
lapsed ; the Nuncio was dead ; the former provincial had
never given any written permission, (probably because
it was not thought necessary) and the present provincial
was opposed to the chaplaincy of St. John and Fray
German. St. John and his companion were ordered by
Tostado to leave their post and return to one of their
own priories, as though they were intruders. They
refused to do so, as they had been nominated by the
highest authority and had received no proper notice of
the termination of their office, nor does any one seem
to have been chosen to fill their place. This refusal,
perfectly justifiable on all grounds, was construed as
rebellion against the decrees of the general chapter and
the two friars were apprehended on the night of Dec. 3,
1577, and hurried away to Caked priories, St. John to
Toledo and Fray German to Moraleja. There, apparently
without being heard in their own defence, they were not
only treated as contumacious rebels, but with a refinement
of cruelty for which probably neither the Vicar General
Tostado, nor the provincial Gutierrez, but the prior,
Hernando Maldonado, alone was responsible. Fray
German escaped soon afterwards but St. John was im-
prisoned for nine months in a tiny cell with neither light
nor air except from a hole in the roof. He was fed
scantily with salt fish, given little to drink, and disciplined
so frequently and severely in the refectory after supper
that the scars were seen on his shoulders after his death.
Meanwhile the M itigated acted as chaplains and confessors
to the community of the Incarnation. {Found, chap, xxviii,
note 3.)

Avila, December 4, 1577*
TO PHILIP II

Complaint of the seizure of St. John of the Cross and
Fray German at the Incarnation. Maldonadoy Prior of
Avila, and the nuns of the Incarnation. He imprisons
Fray Antonio.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with

your Majesty.

AS I am convinced that our Lady has chosen
your Majesty to defend her Order as its pro-
ted:or, I feel bound to appeal to you about its
affairs. For love of our Lord I beseech you, Sire,
to forgive such audacity.

Doubtless your Majesty is aware that the nuns
of the Incarnation wished me to come to them,
thinking that I might be able to deliver them from
the Calced friars, who certainly offer a serious
obstacle to the recollection and observance the
community desire — the lack of which was entirely
owing to the Mitigated fathers. The sisters are
mistaken in thinking that I could help them, for
while the Calced hear their confessions and make
their visitations, my presence there could do no
permanent good, as I always say to the Dominican
Visitor, who knows it is true.

Meanwhile, until God reftifies matters, I tried
to improve the nuns' case by settling in a cottage

' Fuente 1 74, Vol. I. Letter iv, first edition of the Letters published
in Spanish.

4 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

close by a Discalced friar, (who serves God so
fervently as to edify the sisters), with another friar
as his companion. All Avila is so astonished at the
improvement wrought by him that they consider
him a saint, as in my opinion he is, and has been
all his life.

The late Nuncio, hearing of this and of the harm
done by those of the cloth, had the matter tho-
roughly investigated by the citizens. He ordered
under pain of excommunication, that the Discalced
friars should be sent back to the Incarnation from
which the Caked had removed them by force,
treating them insultingly to the scandal of the city.^
He also decreed, under penalty of excommunica-
tion, that no friar of the cloth should go to the
convent on business, to say Mass, or to hear con-
fessions, which the Discalced and secular priests
alone were entitled to do.

After this, all went well with the house until the
Nuncio's death, when, without having shown by
what authority, the Mitigated returned, and with
them, the former disturbances. A friar ^ who came
to absolve the nuns, has treated them so badly,
with such injustice and lawlessness, that they are
in deep distress and are not freed from their pen-
alties, I have been told.

Worst of all, he has deprived them of the two
confessors. People say he has been made Vicar
Provincial, which must be true as he has more

'Sec letter to Rubeo, February 1576. Vol i.

^ At the end of November, Philip intimated to Sega that Tostado
must take steps to absolve the nuns of the Incarnation from all censures.
Maldonado did this in such a way that their state was worse than ever.

TO PHILIP II 5

power than the others to make martyrs. He keeps
the two fathers imprisoned in his priory, having
forced open their cells and seized their papers.

The neighbours are scandalized and astonished
at his daring, for he is not a superior and shows
no authority for his acflions; the confessors are
subjects of the Apostolic Commmissary and your
Majesty is very near the place. These Calced friars
seem to fear neither justice nor God. As they have
long desired, our confessors have fallen into their
hands — I am^ deeply grieved, for I would rather
have seen our fathers in the power of the Moors
who might be more merciful. This friar, who
serves God very fervently, is so weak from all he
has suffered that I fear for his life.

For love of our Lord, I implore your Majesty
to command that the confessors should be set free
at once and that the sufferings infiicfted on the poor
Discalced by those of the cloth should be stopped.
The Discalced do nothing but endure in silence,
gaining great merit, but scandal is given, as the
same kind of thing takes place in other towns.
At Toledo, this spring. Fray Antonio, a holy old
man, who was the first to embrace the Reform,
was seized and imprisoned for no reason."* The
Mitigated say the Discalced must be abolished, by
order of Tostado. God have mercy on us ! Those

"* Fray Antonio de Jesus (Heredia), on returning from escorting
St. Teresa from Toledo to Avila, had been seized and imprisoned by
Maldonado as an apostate friar because he would not renounce the
Reform and return to the Mitigation. Mariano was in safety with
influential friends at Madrid, where he remained during the troubles,
helping the Discalced with such secrecy that neither the Nuncio nor
the Calced ever suspected him.

6 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

who ought to prevent offences against Him
commit such sins, growing worse every day!

Unless your Majesty commands that matters
should be remedied, I do not know what will
happen for we have no other earthly aid. May our
Lord spare you to us for many years. I trust that
He will shew us this mercy since so few but you
care for His honour. I and all the nuns pray con-
tinually for your Majesty.

Written at St. Joseph's, Avila, December 4,

Your Majesty's unworthy servant and subject,
Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.

ecu

Avila, December 7, 1577^

TO FATHER CASPAR DE SALAZAR

Persecution of the Discalced. St. Teresa 's eleBion as
Prioress of the Incarnation. The ^ Life' and the
^Interior Castle\

JESUS !
May the Holy Spirit be with you, my Father.

A LETTER was brought to me from your
Reverence to-day, the Eve of the Conception.
May our Lord reward you for the comfort it gave
me which I really needed as you must know that,
for more than three months, hosts of devils seem

' Fuente 175. The name of the addressee is wanting, but no doubt
the letter was written to Father Caspar de Salazar, S.J., Granada. The
direction is: 'To the Very Magnificent and Most Reverend Sefior
and Father of mine, in Granada.'

TO FATHER CASPAR DE SALAZAR 7

to have leagued together against the Discalced
friars and nuns. The persecutions and accusations
raised against us nuns and Father Gracian have
been so numerous and hard to bear that we could
only seek refuge in God. I believe He heard their
prayers (for in fa6l they are good souls) as those
vs^ho presented the memorials to the King have
withdrawn the scandalous tales they told about us.
Truth is a great thing, for even before that, the
sisters rejoiced. It was not much that I should be
glad, for such things are so customary now that it
costs me little to remain indifferent.

And now, as a climax, the nuns of the Incarna-
tion have elected me as Prioress with a majority
of fourteen or fifteen votes. But the Calced friars
have been clever enough to place and confirm in
the office the nun with fewer votes. It would have
been a great blessing for me, had it been settled
peacefully, but as the nuns of the opposition, over
fifty in number, refused obedience to her except
as Vice-Prioress, he excommunicated them. Theo-
logians say that the excommunication was invalid;
but these religious were prevented from hearing
Mass or seeing their confessors for two months,
being greatly harassed meanwhile, as they are still
though the Nuncio has ordered that they should be
absolved. What a life to witness all this ! The case is
being tried before the Royal Council, but though
this is a great trouble to me, it will be a far greater
one if they take me back there. Pray about it for
charity's sake, for until we are a separate province
I believe we shall never be free from disturbances.

8 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

This the devil is doing all in his power to prevent.
Oh ! How I should like to talk to you and tell you
many things, for past and present events form a
history, and I do not know how it will end. When
anything fresh occurs, I will send you a full account,
as you tell me letters travel safely. It would have
helped me to know that you had such a friend in
Madrid; perhaps even now it may be useful.

I wrote a long letter to your Reverence from
Toledo; you do not say whether you received it.
It would be just my luck if you were to go there
now I have come here. To see you would have
afforded some relief to my soul.* Peralta was very

' 'Peralta' is evidently the Saint herself and 'Carillo' the addressee
of this letter. The 'jewel' is the Life which had been brought before
the Inquisition at Toledo and had there come into the hands of Cardinal
Quiroga, the Grand Inquisitor, nominated as Archbishop of Toledo,
who was delighted with both the book and the writer. The second
'jewel' was The Interior Castle which St. Teresa had finished writing
on November 24 — a week before. The 'Jeweller's design' no doubt
alludes to the plan of the book revealed to her by our Lord in her
vision of the soul as a crystal. {Interior Castle Intr. p. i 7, 3rd edition.)
The goldsmith is the Saint herself

Father Gracian wrote as a note to chapter vi, book iv. of P. Ribera's
Fida de Santa Teresa: 'What passed between us about the Book of the
Mansions was this : while she was at Toledo and I was her superior,
we were discussing several matters relating to her soul, when she ex-
claimed: "Oh, how well I explained this in my Life, which is at the
Inquisition!" I answered: "As we cannot get it back, note what you
remember of this and other subjects and write another book. Let it
be impersonal, so that people cannot tell to whom it refers." (Note,
Jno Teresiano, vol. vii.) She replied: 'Why do they want me to write ?
Leave it to theologians and learned men. I am silly and do not know
what to say; I shall use the wrong terms and injure souls. Many books
have been written about prayer. For the love of God, let me spin my
flax, go to choir, and do the work of the house like the rest of the sisters,
for I am not fit to write. I have neither the health nor the head for it.'
(Dilucidario). Father Gracian insisted, and in order to persuade her,
told the Saint to consult Doctor Velasquez, her confessor. The Doctor,

TO FATHER CASPAR DE SALAZAR 9

grateful to Carillo for his kindness to her relative :
not that she cares for her, but that it showed
Carillo's good will. Tell him so if you meet him,
forPeralta will never find such loyalty in any friend.
It is easy to see under Whose auspices the friendship
was formed.

Tell Carillo that the business about which she
wrote to a certain person in Toledo has never been
settled. Undoubtedly he has the jewel in his
possession, in facfl, he praises it highly and will
not return it until he is tired of it. He says he has
a reason for examining it. But if Seiior Carillo
came here, Peralta says he would see another gem
which, she believes is much more valuable, as
there is nothing outside to take from its beauty.

It is more delicately enamelled and wrought, as
the goldsmith says he knows his work better than
when he made the other. The gold is purer though
the gems are not so conspicuous. It was made after
the Jeweller's design, which people say is evident.
I do not know why I have given you so long a
message: I am always inclined to be prosy, even
at my own cost; but as Carillo is your friend vou
will not mind delivering it. Peralta says she did
not send her letter to you by a certain person, as
it could only have been a formal acknowledgement
and nothing more.

Always let me know about your health. I am
glad to hear that on the whole you are free from
trouble: this is not my case and yet, I know not
how, I enjoy peace which nothing disturbs, glory

who carried matters with a high hand as her director, unhesitatingly
ordered her to write the book.

10 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

be to God ! The noise in mv head troubles me as
it is continual. Do not forget to pray for me and
for our Order, as there is urgent need of it. May
His Majesty preserve your Reverence and make you
a saint as I ask of Him. Amen. These nuns beg
for your prayers: they are very good souls. All
of us, especially myself, consider ourselves your
daughters.

The unworthy servant of vour Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCIII

Avikj December lo, 1577^
TO JUAN DE OVALLE
Family matters. Troubles at the Incarnation.

Jesus be v^ith your Honour.

HAVING little time for writing, I will only say
that I am taking great pains about your busi-
ness. I have written twice to Doiia Luisa* and think
I shall do so again as she seems tardy in answering.
Icertainlvhave done and am doing all in my power.
May God effect what is best for the salvation of
both of you, for that is the chief thing. You need
send nothing to that lady, for I fear the money has
been wasted. I even grudge the expense of your
journey to Toledo, for which I see no results. It
would not be a bad plan to give something to her

' Fuente 176. The original belongs to the Discalced Carmelites,
Bujalance.

^ Luisa de la Cerda.

TO JUAN DE OVALLE ii

brother, who manages the affair; you would lose
nothing by it, for they never know what to do un-
less they see some prospect of gain for themselves.

As gentlemen always spend the winter in the
country, I do not know why you both dislike it so
much. As you, (I mean, my sister) would have
Dona Beatriz^ for a companion, I do not pity you.
Remember me very kindly to the latter.

My health is not worse than usual, which is a
great boon.

The nuns are absolved from the excommunica-
tion but are as resolute as before. Their state is
worse, as the Discalced fathers have been taken
away.

I do not know what will happen; I am deeply
grieved, for these Calced fathers seem mad.

My brothers are well. They do not know of
this letter (I mean from the messenger) though
they may have learnt of it elsewhere.

Teresa has no fever, but a cold. May God be
ever with you all.

To-day is December lo.

Your unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

^ Juana's daughter, who afterwards became a Carmelite.

CCIV

Avila, December lo, iSll-^

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,

PRIORESS OF SEVILLE.

An 'Agnus Dei\ Return of the sisters from Paterna
to Seville. The nuns of the Incarnation and the Caked
friars, hnprisonment of St. John of the Cross and
Fray Ger?nan. The house at Seville.

Jesus be with you, my daughter!

OH, what a long time it is since I read a letter
from you, and how far away you seem! But
even if you had been nearer I could not have writ-
ten to you lately on account of all the disturbances,
which will be told to you. I assure you that God
does not leave me idle long.

Before I forget it, I want the Anues Dey fsicj
set with pearls. You need never ask my permission
for anything that pleases you, for it pleases me to
see you happy. You are very welcome to keep it.

They say the province has revolted again, and
I very much wish that as this struggle is going on,
you would send at once for the nuns from Paterna;
I am extremely anxious that you should.* Our
Father tells me he wrote to you to that effect by
advice of the Archbishop. Obtain the permission
from the latter before any one else persuades him
to the contrary. The sisters remind me to ask you
for a little caraila gum,' as it does me great good.

' Fuente 177. The autograph belongs to the \"alladolid collection.
- The nuns had been recalled; they reached Seville on December 4.
^ An aromatic gum from the palm tree.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 13

It must be pure; for charity's sake do not forget
it. You could send it very carefully packed to
Toledo, whence it would be forwarded here or give
it to a messenger who comes here from Seville.

Be sure to do all you can as regards Paterna, for
setting aside the sisters' welfare, it would be for
your own peace of mind, for I do not know how
they endured such suffering. My companion will
give you the history of it.

Will your Reverence inform me whether you
have paid for your house, whether you have any
surplus money, and why you are in such a hurry
to leave it. Explain it to me, for the Prior of las
Cuevas has written on the matter.

You must know that the nuns of the Incarnation
have been absolved after having (as you are aware)
been excommunicated for two months. They were
treated very harshly. The king told the Nuncio to
order that they should be absolved. Tostado and
his advisers sent the Prior of Toledo there. He
absolved them, but to tell you of all his oppressions
would be too long a tale. He left them in a harder
case and more disconsolate than ever, solely because
they wished me to be their prioress instead of the
nun chosen by the Calced. The Mitigated have
deprived them of the two Discalced confessors
appointed by the Apostolic Commissary and the
late Nuncio, taking them away by force like male-
fadors. I shall be very anxious until I see the two
friars freed from these gentry, for I would rather
they were among the Moors. It is said that on the
day they were seized, the confessors were thrashed

14 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

twice and ill treated in every possible way. Mal-
donado, Prior of Toledo, took Fray John of the
Cross with him to present him to Tostado. The
Prior of Avila, having taken Fray German to San
Pablo de la Moraleja, told the nuns of his own
party, on his return, that he had left the traitor in
safe hands. It is said that when Fray German left,
blood was flowing from his mouth.

The nuns were then, and are now, far more
distressed by this than by all their own sufferings,
severe as they are. Of your charity pray for them
and for the two saintly captives who will have been
imprisoned a week to-morrow. The nuns declare
they are saints, and that during all the years they
have been at the Incarnation, nothing has been seen
in them unworthy of the Apostles themselves.

I do not know where the frenzy of these people
will stop. May God in His mercy remedy the evil,
of which He sees there is need !

I commend myself earnestly to Fray Gregorio,
asking him to obtain prayers for help in all these
troubles, for what these nuns are suffering is lam-
entable; indeed they are martyrs.

I am not writing to him, as I did so a short time
ago: his letter went with yours. Give my kindest
remembrances to my Gabriela and the rest. May
God be with you all!

To-day is December lo, 1579- 1578. fsic.)

I cannot understand with what money you wish
to buy another house; I do not even remember if
you have paid for this one. I seem to recoiled:
your saying that you had settled the rent. But
supposing that person does not enter as a nun, she

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 15

will certainly keep her fortune, especially if she
arranges a marriage for her sister. Give me all the
details for charity's sake. Your letters will travel
safely by Father Padilla, (provided you entrust
them to the Archbishop), or by our Father: they
would come sooner than via Toledo.

Since you are so rich, do not forget to settle the
debt you owe my brother. It would be a great
help if you only gave him two hundred ducats, as
nothing comes to him from the Indies and he pays
a yearly rental of live hundred ducats for the pro-
perty he purchased.

Tell me about the disturbance in the province
and who has been made Vicar. Remember me to
Father Evangelista and say that God is giving him
good opportunities of becoming a saint. Let me
know all about the health of yourself and the
sisters: if you have not time, my Gabriela will
write. Greet Beatriz and Senor Garci-Alvarez
from me; I am very sorry about his illness. Give
kind messages from me to the nuns and Father
Nicolao. May God proted: you for me.
Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

Take great care of your health: you know its
importance. Perhaps you are going to live where
you will be roasted alive. Remember that your
present home has many conveniences and is newly
built, and that I, in spite of all objed:ions, placed
you in it, for certainly I desire your comfort. You
know how people praised the house.'*

* Mary of St. Joseph was resolute ; she moved to another house
later on.

ccv

Avila, after December 17, 1577*

TO DONA INES NIETO

The Saint has an interview with Philip II at the
Escorial.

. . . Imagine, Dona Ines, what this insignificant
woman must have felt in the presence of so great
a king. I was too confused to speak, for his penetrat-
ing gaze — one of those that probe the soul itself —
was fixed on me and seemed to pierce me through and
through. I cast down my eyes and stated my cause
as briefly as possible. After explaining matters, I
looked at him again, and his expression had changed,
being kinder and more mild. He inquired whether

" This letter was published for the first time with a photographic
reproduction of the original by Don Bernardino de Melgar, Marques
de San Juan de Piedras Albas, in the Boletin de la Real A cade mia de la
Historia, Madrid, May, 1519. The first page is missing. The letter
describes St. Teresa's Interview with Philip II, to which she was pro-
bably summoned in consequence of her letter of Dec. 4. This letter
was written to Dofla Ines Nieto, wife of Senor Albornoz, who was
superintendent of the estates of the Duke of Alba and accompanied
him as his secretary to the Netherlands. Albornoz seems to have re-
turned with the Duke to Spain where he occupied a position at court.
He helped to bring about the marriage between Don Fadrlque and
his cousin. Dona Maria de Toledo, which the king resented severely,
Imprisoning both the Duke and his secretary. The Duke was set free
in order to conquer Portugal in 1580; Albornoz, who accompanied
him, died in October of the same year as secretary to the army In Lisbon.

On December 4, i 5 77, St. Teresa had certainly not seen Philip II and
she must have gone to court before she broke her arm on Christmas
eve. As she wrote letters from Avila on Dec. 10 and Dec. 19, the visit
must have taken place between Dec. 1 1 and 18. In a letter of Aug. 1 9,
1578, she says it was possible to go from Avila to Madrid and return
in 5 or 6 days : the Escorial, where the king was, being half-way, there
was ample time for her journey.

TO DOS A INES NIETO 17

that was all I wanted : I answered that I had asked
a great deal. *Then', he replied; *you may be at
peace, for all shall be done as you wish '. His words
were a great comfort to me. I knelt to thank him
for his extreme kindness. He bade me rise, and
making this wretched nun, his unworthy servant,
the most courteous bow I ever saw, he gave me his
hand to kiss. I went away in jubilation, praising
God in my soul for the help this Caesar* had pro-
mised me.

As I left the other building where the Duke was,
your kind husband ^ to whom I owe so much, came
up to me and told me that the King, our Seigneur,
had ordered him to write out my petition so that
my wishes might be carried out with no delay.
This was done; I dictated and Seilor Albornoz
noted down my words.

This being over, I set out from Madrid for the
convent of the glorious San Jose, at Avila, where
I hope to see the settlement of the affair which
has such able administrators.

Trusting that you may have good health and

" Though Philip was not emperor as his father had been, the Saint
gives him this title here and in another letter — S.C.C.M. — Sacra
Cesaria Catolica Majestad. The title 'Caesar' was used in Spain at
that time in accordance with the practice that obtained very early in
the Roman Empire of so designating the heir-presumptive to the purple.
There is a tradition at the Escorial that she began her speech with the
words: 'Sire, you are thinking: "I see before me this gad-about
woman",' quoting Sega's description of her.

^ From this we gather that the Duke of Alba and his secretary were
probably concerned in bringing the Saint to court, even-if they did
not instigate the visit. Dona Ines evidently knew all about it, though
until this letter was published, none of the historians seem to have
mentioned it.

Vol. ni. 3

1 8 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

that God will grant you His glory in return for all
you do for us, as I ask of Him in my miserable
prayers.

Your Honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.

CCVI

Avila, December 19, 1577.'

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,
SEVILLE

Sufferings of St. yohn of the Cross, Fray German,
and the nuns of the Incarnation.

Jesus be ever with your Reverence, my daughter.

YOUR letter came together with the potatoes,
the keg, and seven lemons. All arrived in first-
rate condition, but the carriage was so dear that
your Reverence really must not send me anything
more, for I have it on my conscience.

As I wrote to you via Madrid rather more than
a week ago, I will not say much now for there is
nothing fresh regarding the matters of which I
told you, and about which we are deeply distressed,
as it is sixteen days since our two friars were im-
prisoned, and we do not know whether they have
been set at liberty, though we trust that God will
watch over them. As Christmas is near and affairs
of justice cannot be attended to until after King-
tide, the sufferers have a long trial before them

' Fuente 178. Autograph in the Valladolid collection. (Fr. A.)
The handwriting is that of a secretary down to the last paragraph; the
rest is by St. Teresa's pen.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 19

unless they have been released. The case of the
nuns of the Incarnation is also very sad for they are
overwhelmed with troubles especially by their two
saintly confessors' having been taken from them and
treated so cruelly. Of your charity pray for them
all, for their sufferings are lamentable.

I am glad to hear that you and all the sisters are
well, also that you have discovered the kind service
Bernarda* was doing us. God grant the widow
may do as you say, so that the nuns may not lose
her fortune.*

When I wrote to you, I sent a letter via Madrid
to the Prior of las Cuevas, as I told you, but I am
not certain whether this messenger is dependable,
so I will say no more.

Remember me kindly to Father Garci- Alvarez,
and to Fray Gregorio, whose letter greatly pleased
me, though I do not answer it for the reason stated
above.

I will inquire whether any one at Avila knows
the Rector of Seville and will get some one to
write to him. Remember me very kindly to my
Gabriela, (whose letter delighted me), and to all
the sisters, and give any affecftionate message you
like to Dona Leonora: tell her it is a great comfort
to know she shows such kindness to your com-
munity.

To show you what happens, I must tell you
that twelve reales were charged for the porterage

" Dona Maria Valera, mother of Sister Blanca, had been sending
generous alms to the nuns by a beata named Bernarda who had taken
upon herself to give them secretly to some one else.

^ The widow with the gold nuggets never entered the convent
after all.

20 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

of your parcel, which was very loosely tied to-
gether when it arrived, — I cannot tell why.

Abide with God, and may He give you all as
happy a Christmas as I wish you.
December 19.

Teresa and the sisters send you their kindest
remembrances. I am suffering severely with my
head; (I do not know why people imagine that I
do not), and so many troubles coming together
make me very weary at times. I am not sure when
this letter will reach you, nor whether this messen-
ger is trustworthy. My brother is well. Be sure to
give many greetings from me to the nuns and the
sisters at Paterna, who make me laugh with their
chant. As far as we can learn, their hopes will soon
vanish and they will see the fadts plainly. You
may tell them as much as you like from me.
The year 1577.

Your Reverence's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

Mind this : I enjoin you very strictly to obey
Gabriela as regards your health, and I bid her take
care of your Reverence, for you realize how im-
portant your well-being is to us.

CCVII

Avila. December 29, 1577^
TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID.

'The porterage of letters.

Jesus be ever with your Honour. Amen.

AS I am answering your letter by another route,
I will not say much except to beg you to in-
form me by the bearer how many of my letters
you have received, if any. I should not like them
to be lost as they are most important. As I shall
'feel anxious until I know whether they are in your
hands, will you let me know by the first messen-
ger that goes, and be kind enough to forward the
enclosed letter to Captain Cepeda,* my brother.
Will you see that it goes by a trustworthy messen-
ger and let me have the answer to my inquiries
by him, as I think it will be the safest way. May
our Lord give you His holy grace. Remember me
kindly to Doiia Ines and the ladies.
Sunday, December 29.
Your Honour's unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

^ Fuente 1 79. The original letter belongs to the Discalced Carmelites
of Logrono. It is addressed to 'The very Magnificent Senor Roque de
Huerta, Chief Forester to His Majesty, Madrid.' Roque was helping
the cause of the Reform at court and in the Royal Council of which
he was secretary.

^ Jeronimo de Cepeda, then in the West Indies.

CCVIII

1577 Date uncertain.^
TO FATHER GRACIAN
Dowry of postulants.

. . . Men of the world care little for principle,
when self-interest is at stake. This is the case with
the Mother Prioress.* Having become used to
superfluities at Pastrana, she has preserved little
poverty of spirit. It pains me, and will do so when-
ever I witness it for these houses were founded for
the glory of God, confiding solely in Him, so that
I fear that if we begin to trust in human aid,
divine aid may sometimes be lacking. This does
not apply to this affair, for I know the gentleman
would not send his daughter there it it were the
case. However, as we owe him so little, it must
have happened by the will of God.

Your manner of visiting the Discalced seems to

' Fuente 1 80. The original belonged to the Marquis de Villa Alegre,
Granada, and was longer than the copy that we have.

^ Mother Isabel de San Domingo (de Ortega), one of the first pro-
fessed at St. Joseph's, Avila, had been prioress at Pastrana and had
transferred her community to Segovia in 1574. St. Teresa speaks of
her in the highest terms in her letter to Father Gracian, 1578, saying:
'That convent requires a prioress like Isabel de San Domingo . . . they
would not dare to complain of one whose virtue is so well known.'
Isabel founded a convent at Saragossa and spent the last 19 years of
her life at Avila. She was raised to a high state of prayer and during
the last four years of her life, when she was almost speechless and
suffering from terrible diseases, her infirmarians used to hear the angels
singing to her. Her doctors venerated her as a saint and knelt by
her bed-side when they attended her. She died in 1623, after having
made two most important depositions for St. Teresa's canonization.
{CEuvres iii, 328.)

TO FATHER GRACIAN 23

have been taught you by God; may He be praised
for all things!

Your Paternity need give me no command on
the subjed:; I take your opinion as such and shall
conform to it. I really shall be glad to be freed
from the burden, but I fear there is more love of
money in some convents than I like. God grant
they are not deceiving you more than me. I think
that this has been the greatest grief of all to me,
and as far as I know my own mind, I am resolved
(whether you are near or even, I think, if you were
far away,) to receive no postulant without consulting
you, even if your Paternity is no longer Superior.
It is impossible never to make mistakes: time alone
will prove whether we were right, but if we are
influenced by dowries, matters will be worse still.

I enclose the information sent by the prioress.
When I make many inquiries, I do so for the good
of the convents and their affairs. I do not know
how she could suggest such a thing; may God
forgive her and give her light to judge better in
future — but how I am excusing myself! The
worst of it is that I am strongly tempted regarding
the person I mentioned.

CCIX

Date uncertain, i^ll-^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

Difficulty of finding postulants with all the required
qualities.

.... As I have often said, your Paternity must
not suppose that postulants with money and the
quaUties required are always to be found. I assure
you that I have been obliged to make allowances
on account of the small number of candidates, so
that perhaps you may not find any nun who fulfils
all the conditions . . .

My Father imagines that I have rarely had to
make such allowances in new foundations, but I
have often done so. We cannot overcome these
difficulties without suffering something. . .

The ambition of these sisters astounds me. I
allude to the prioress in your neighbourhood. As
no doubt she does not understand her own motives,
if she performs her duties well otherwise, you
should overlook her defed:s and not discourage
her. . .

' These fragments are placed here because they seem to have some
analogy with the preceding letter. In the Madrid edition of 177 1
they are numbered 36, 37, 39.

ccx

Probably written in 1577^
A CIRCULAR SENT TO THE PRIORESSES

On the profession of novices.

. . . We decree that the black veil is not to be
given to novices w^ho cannot read or vv^rite, or who
are not sixteen years old.

After a year and three days, the novice asks all
the assembled nuns three times, in the refed:ory
or in the chapter room, to be admitted for her pro-
fession. Her examination is to take place within a
fortnight after giving notice to the examiners. After
that period, if the examiners have not come, the
examination shall not take place nor shall any one
demand it, nor inquire as to the novice's will.

It is not lawful for the bishop or his vicar to
enter the enclosure for the examination: but he
must come to the choir grille according to the
decree of the above-mentioned Council of Trent.

We absolutely forbid that the bishop or his
vicar should ask any questions not included in that
decree, or which do not relate to the examination.
Therefore we desire that the young girls or novices
should not be required to answer any questions

' Fuente, vol. Ill, Escritos sueltos, xv. Fray Antonio de Jesus states
that the original document, in the handwriting of Ines de Jesus, was
kept in the convent of Medina where the tradition was that it had
either been dictated or originally written by St. Teresa, being probably
a regulation made by her and submitted to Fray Hernandez in order
that he might give it binding force. The part referring to the exam-
ination of novices is quoted word for word from the Bull given by
St. Pius V, May 16, i 567 to the mendicant Orders. {Bullarium Roma'
nutn, V. iv, p. 373. See (Euvres iv, 291,) The first part is missing.

26 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

except as to whether they arc entering the convent
of their own free will or no.

CCXI

Date uncertain. 1577 ?^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

Prophecy of the triumph of the Reform over its enemies.

.... I saw a violent tempest of trials. As the
children of Israel were persecuted by the Egyptians,
so shall we be persecuted, but God will enable us
to pass through the sea dry-shod, and our oppo-
nents will be swallowed up by its waves. . . .

' Mother Mary of St. Joseph gives this revelation in her Ramillete
de m'lrra when speaking of the troubles between the Calced and Dis-
calced at this time. Ribera tells us that it was received by St. Teresa
four years before the separation of provinces, which gives its approxi-
mate date. (Book iv, ch. v.)

CCXII

Avila, January i6, 1578.^

TO DON TEUTONIO DE BRAGANZA, ARCH-
BISHOP OF EVORA

Congratulations on his consecration. Persecutions of
Father Gracian and the Discalced. Sufferings of the
nuns of the Incarnation. Seizure of St. yohn of the
Cross and Fray German. Diffculties in the way of
founding more convents of Discalced nuns, especially
in Portugal.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Most Illustrious Lordship. Amen.

[RECEIVED a letter from your Lordship more
than two months ago which I should much have
liked to answer at once, but I waited as you asked
me until I could announce some lull in the tempest
of trials that have beset the Discalced friars and
nuns since August. So far, things have grown
worse every day, as I will relate. I only wish I
could see you, for I cannot express in writing my
joy at the news in your letter delivered to me by
the Father Redior* this week, though I had learnt
of it in greater detail more than three weeks before
and have heard about it from another quarter since.
How could your Lordship imagine that such a

' Fuente 182. The Spanish is corrected from a copy of the first
edition in the National Library, Madrid, as what was unfavourable to
the Caked had been changed by former editors.

' Father Gonzalo de Avila.

28 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

thing could be kept secret?' May His Majesty
grant that it may render Him honour and glory
and that you may increase in sanctity, as I believe
you will. You may feel confident that He will not
refuse the earnest prayers of souls who seek His
service alone in all their petitions. I, wicked though
I am, pray for it continually, as your servants do
in all these convents, in which I daily discover
souls which put me to confusion. Our Lord seems
constantly drawing them to us from such out of
the way places that I do not know who can have
told them of our Order.

Then let your Lordship be very courageous and
never let a doubt that God has ordained it pass
through your mind, for I feel certain of it. Be con-
vinced that His Majesty wishes you to carry out
your desire of serving Him. You have long been
inactive and our Lord stands in urgent need of some
one who will uphold the right, for unless God raises
up for us some protestor, we who are poor and of
low degree can do little, however much we strive
to aim at nothing but His service. Malice has so
increased, and ambition and love of honours are
so canonized by those who ought to tread them
under foot, that even God Himself seems to seek
help from His creatures, though He could avenge
virtue without their aid. Since those He chose to
succour it have failed Him, He calls on others
whom He knows can help.

Let your Lordship strive to carry this out, as
I am convinced you will, for I trust that God will

^ Don Teutonio had been consecrated Bishop of Evora in the pre-
vious October.

TO DON TEUTONIO DE BRAGANZA 29

give you strength and health and grace to succeed
in all ways. We nuns aid you by continual prayers :
may the Master give you fellow workers with a
love for souls to set your mind at ease. It is a great
comfort to me that the Society (of Jesus) stands by
you as it does ; this is the greatest boon in every way.

I was delighted to hear of the success of the
Marchioness of Elche: I felt very anxious and
distressed about the matter until I heard it had
ended satisfactorily. God be praised! When He
sends such a multitude of trials at once. He gener-
ally brings things right, for, knowing our weakness,
and having our welfare at heart, He tempers our
trials to our strength. This I believe will be the
case with us, for had I not known for certain that
our friars and nuns were striving to obey their
Rule honestly and fully, I should have feared
sometimes that our opponents would have succeeded
in their aim which is to destroy this new-born
Reform inaugurated by the most holy Virgin. The
devil uses such artifices that God seems to have
given him leave to wreak his malice.

Such plots and efforts have been used to discredit
us (especially Father Gracian and myself, for it is
at us the blows are aimed) that I assure your
Lordship that if you knew of the calumnies uttered
against him and the memorials presented to the
King, containing the gravest charges against him and
the Discalced nuns, you would be astounded at its
being possible to invent such malicious falsehoods."*
I realize that we have gained much by it. These
nuns are as recollected as though it did not affedt

* See letter of December 4, i 577.

30 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

them, and I am astonished at the perfection shown
by Father Gracian. God holds a precious treasure
in his soul, for he prays specially for his accusers
and bears his trials as cheerfully as a St. Jerome.
Having been Visitor of the convents for two years,
he knows the nuns well and cannot endure their
being slandered, for he thinks they are angels and
calls them so. God was pleased that those who
accused us should withdraw their statements. The
other charges against Father Gracian* were exam-
ined by order of the Royal Council, which brought
the truth to light. Other calumnies have been
retradled, making it clear that many at court are
blinded against us by passion. Your Lordship may
feel sure that the devil has been trying to prevent
the good that is being done by our houses.

I will not tell you all that has been done to those
poor nuns of the Incarnation who, for their sins,
eledled me as prioress. There was a tumult, and
every one in the place is horrified at what the nuns
suffered, and still suffer. I see no prosped: of its
being over, so extreme is the rigour Father Tostado
shows them. For over fifty days they have not
heard Mass nor mav thev speak to any one even
now. They were said to be excommunicated, but
all the theologians of Avila contradid: it. The nuns
were to be excommunicated if they eled:ed any
one outside the convent, but were not told that
this was said on my account. Thev believed that

^ One of the accusations brought by the Calced Carmelites of Seville
against Father Gracian was that he robbed them of 3000 ducats be-
cause he had ordered them at his visitation to have all their books and
property in common. A very clear explanation of Father Gracian's
position is given in St, Teresa's letter of August 10 of this year.

TO DON TEUTONIO DE BRAGANZA 31

as I had been professed in it and had lived there
for so many years I could return to it if I liked, my
dowry being there and the Discalced not having
a separate province. The Calced fathers confirmed
in the office of prioress another nun with fewer
votes. The Royal Council is considering the case
of the nuns who are doing penance ; I do not know
how the matter will end.

I was deeply grieved at being the cause of such
dissension and scandal in the city, and of trouble
to so many souls, for more than fifty-five religious
were excommunicated. My only consolation was
that I had done all I could to prevent their eled:ing
me. I assure your Lordship that one of the heaviest
crosses I could have in this life would be to live
in that convent, for during all the years I spent
there I was never well for an hour.

Sorry as I am for those souls, some of whom are
very perfed: as is evident by the way in which they
have borne their troubles, what has grieved me
intensely is that, more than a month ago, by order
of Father Tostado, those of the cloth seized the
two Discalced friars who were confessors to the
convent, who were excellent religious, and had
edified the whole neighbourhood during the five
years they have lived there, having kept the obser-
vance of the community in the state I left it. One
of them at least. Fray John of the Cross, is held as
a saint by nuns and people, and I do not think they
over-rate him : in my opinion he is a corner-stone.
These two chaplains had been installed in their
office by the Dominican Apostolic Visitor and the

32 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

late Nuncio, and as they were subjects of the Visi-
tor Gracian, people are shocked at the irregularity
of the proceedings. I cannot tell how the matter
will end. What grieves me is that the Calced have
taken them both away, we do not know where, but
I fear thev are being cruelly treated and I dread
some catastrophe. The Royal Council is inquiring
into a complaint made about this matter also. May
God bring things right !

Will your Lordship excuse this long account.
I am so glad that you should know the truth about
events in case Father Tostado should visit your
neighbourhood. The Nuncio*^ has shown him
much favour since he arrived and forbade Father
Gracian to make his visitation, though the latter
does not cease to be Apostolic Commissary on that
account as the Nuncio had not shown his powers,
nor, he says, had he deprived Father Gracian of
his office. However, Father Gracian went to Al-
cala at once and is now suffering severely in a cave
at Pastrana. As I said, he has made no further use

* Philip Sega, Bishop of Plasencia and friend of St. Charles Borromeo,
had been nominated as Nuncio in Spain before the death of Ormaneto.
He was related to Cardinal Buoncampagni, uncle of the reigning Pope,
Gregory xiii. and protector of the Carmelite Order and an opponent
of the Reform. Before leaving Rome, Sega had been strongly prejudiced
by Buoncampagni and the Calced against the Discalced. Unfortunately
he did not examine the claims of the latter before taking action against
them. However, he did them justice later on and petitioned for the
separation of provinces. He was afterwards Nuncio in Portugal and
Germany and Legate in France and was made Cardinal by Innocent ix.
He died in Rome in i 596. He seems to have been a one-sided judge
and to have condemned Owen Lewis, Bishop of Cassano and one of
the founders of Douai College, harshly and rashly when commissioned
to draw up a report of the troubles of the English College. {Ormaneto,
p. 95. Found. Introd. xlv. ch. xxviii, note 5)

TO DON TEUTONIO DE BRAGANZA 33

of his commission but has remained there. Every-
thing is in a state* of suspension. He and all of us
are most anxious that he should not continue his
visitation, as it would be very bad for us unless we
are made a separate province by God's permission.
If we are not, I cannot think what will become
of us. When Father Gracian went to Alcala, he
wrote to me saying that, should Father Tostado
make a visitation there, he was determined to obey
him and that all we nuns were to do the same.
Father Tostado has been neither there nor here.
I believe God has prevented him, for, considering
what ill-will he has shown since, I think he would
have done us immense harm. Those of the cloth
declare that it is he who does everything and that
he is arranging about making a visitation, which
would be fatal to us. In fad:, he is the sole cause
of all these troubles. It has been a relief to tell
you the whole history though your Lordship may
find it rather tiring to read, for you are under great
obligations to favour this Order; besides, you will
know the obstacles to our going to your part of the
country. There is another difficulty which I must
explain.

I cannot cease to endeavour in every possible way
to prevent the destruction of the good beginning
we have made, nor does any theologian who hears
my confessions advise me otherwise. Consequently
those fathers are very angry with me and informed
our Father General, so that when the General
Chapter he had summoned met, the Calced fathers
decided and our Father General ordained that no

Vol. III. 4

34 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Discalced nun (especially myself) should go out
of her convent under pain of excommunication.
I might choose which house I liked to live in.
Obviously, this was done to prevent any further
foundations of nuns. It is grievous that a multitude
of candidates are clamouring to enter our convents,
but as we have so few houses and may found no
more they cannot be received.

Though the former Nuncio ordered me not to
cease making foundations, and I hold extensive
patents from the Apostolic Visitor, I am firmly
resolved to found no more convents except by
command of our Father General or the Pope, for
as I am not to blame, God is showing me mercy
by it as I was worn out. But if I could render
service to your Lordship, it would not tire me, for
it is hard to think I shall see you no more ; if I
were told to make the foundation, it would com-
fort me greatly.

But, setting aside the decision of the General
Chapter, as the patents granted me by our Father
General only applied to the kingdom of Castile, I
should require a new mandate. I feel certain that
our Father General would not grant one at present.
It would be easy to obtain it from the Pope, especi-
ally if he were shown a testimonial drawn up by
order of Father Gracian, explaining our customs,
our life, and the good done to others wherever our
communities go. Competent judges say that it
would suffice for the nuns' canonization. I have
not read it because I am afraid its praises of me
are exaggerated.

TO DON TEUTONIO DE BRAGANZA 35

I should be extremely glad, if your foundation is
to be made, that the matter should be settled with
the Father General and he should be petitioned to
allow further foundations in Spain, for there are
nuns who could make them without my leaving my
convent. I mean that, when the house was ready,
they would be sent to it, for souls are being de-
prived of great benefits. If your Lordship could
arrange it with the Proteftor of our Order, (who
they say is the Pope's nephew), he could settle
affairs with our Father General. I feel sure you
would be rendering eminent service to our Lord
and a great favour to our Order.

As I wish your Lordship to understand the case
thoroughly, I must mention another difficulty.
Father Tostado is instituted Vicar General of Por-
tugal, and it would be a hard fate, especially for me,
to fall into his hands. I believe he would oppose
our proje(ft with all his strength. As far as we can
see at present, he will not be Vicar General in
Castile, for he exercised that office there, especially
in the case of the Incarnation, without having
shown his powers, which gave a most unfavourable
impression. He was constrained by a royal mandate
to deliver his powers to the Royal Council, having
already received a notification to that effed: last
summer. His credentials have not been returned
to him nor do I think they will be.

We have letters from the Apostolic Visitors for-
bidding any one who is not Discalced and has no
order from our Father General, to visit convents;
but we have no such guarantee in Portugal and if
we were subject to those of the cloth, perfediion

36 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

would soon collapse. The Mitigated had already
begun to do us much harm in Spain before the
Apostolic Visitors came.

Your Lordship will know how all these obstacles
can be overcome and there will be no want of good
nuns to serve you, besides Father Julian de Avila
who seems on the point of starting, and who kisses
your hands. He is delighted at your good news,
which he knew before I told him, and convinced
that you will gain much merit in our Lord's sight
by your office. Maria de San Jeronimo, formerly
Subprioress of this house, kisses your Lordship's
hands and says she will gladly go to Portugal to
help you if our Lord ordains it. May His Majesty
dired: all things for His glory and proted: your
Lordship and increase your love for Him!

No wonder that you cannot be as recolledted as
you wish among your new duties. Our Lord will
repay you double, as He does those who have for-
saken self for His service, though I hope your
Lordship will reserve some time for yourself, as
all our welfare depends on that.

St. Joseph's Convent, Avila, January i6.

For love of our Lord, I entreat you not to tor-
ment me by addressing me by such titles.^

The unworthy servant and subje6t of your
Lordship,

Teresa de Jesus.

' St. Teresa alludes to such titles as ' Reverend ', ' Very Reverend,' etc.

CCXIII

Avila, February lo, 1578^

TO FATHER JUAN SUAREZ, PROVINCIAL
OF THE COMPANY OF JESUS, IN CASTILE

The Saint assures him that she had no part in Father
Salazars projeSi of leaving the Society and joining
the Discalced Carmelites.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with

your Paternity. Amen.

A LETTER from your Paternity 'delivered to
me by the Father Red:or certainly surprised
me very much, as it states that I have negotiated
about Father Caspar de Salazar's* leaving the
Society of Jesus to enter our Order of Mount
Carmel because our Lord had revealed that He
wished it. As for the first point. His Majesty knows,
as you will find to be the truth, that I never wanted
it, much less tried to bring it about. When first I

' Fuente 183, vol. Ill, No. 20, first edition. P. Gregoire saw the
original letter at Salamanca. Only the first line is in the Saint's own
handwriting.

" Gaspar de Salazar entered the Society of Jesus while a young man.
In I 560 he was made rector of the college of San Gil, Avila, where he
became St. Teresa's confessor. {Life, ch. xxii-xxv.) He was successively
rector at Madrid, Marchena, Cuen9a, Belmonte, and the professed
house at Toledo. He died in 1593, still a member of the Society.
St. Teresa speaks of the great graces he received in prayer and the
warnings she was to give him of persecutions he would suffer. {Life,
ch. xxviii, 3.) She sometimes regretted, later on, that she had dis-
couraged his joining the Discalced. Father Salazar told Father Enrique
that before the Saint died she appeared to him and advised him about
his affairs. St. Teresa owned to Father Enrique that she had done so.

iJG'?54.1

38 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

learnt of the projed:, (which was not by your letter),
my anxiety and grief increased the bad health from
which I was suffering. I heard of it so recently that
I think your Paternity must have known of it long
before.

As for the revelation you mention, as Father
Salazar has not written to me and I knew nothing
of his determination, I cannot tell whether he had
any revelation. If I myself had had the * false re-
velation' of which your Paternity speaks, I am not
so rash as to wish him to make such an important
change on that account nor to tell him of it, for,
glory be to God, I have learnt from many people
what value and credit to attach to such things. Nor
do I believe that Father Salazar would be influenced
by a revelation unless there were some other motive
for ad:ion, as he is very shrewd.

Your Paternity says the matter is to be investi-
gated by the Superiors; this would be most prudent:
you have only to order it. No doubt the Father
will do nothing without your permission since you
have spoken to him: at least, so I believe. I will
never deny our great friendship for one another
and the kindness he has shown me, though I am
certain that in what he has done for me, he has
been instigated more by a wish to serve our Lord
and His blessed Mother than by friendliness to
any one.

Indeed, I believe that sometimes we have not
written to one another for two years. Our friend-
ship dates from long ago when the Father found
me in far more need ot his aid as there were only
two Discalced friars in our Order. He could have

TO FATHER JUAN SUAREZ 39

made this change more easily then than now,
when, glory be to God, I believe there are more
than two hundred friars, numbers of whom are
capable of dirediing us in our humble mode of life.
Never have I thought that the arm of God would
be more shortened as regards His Mother's Order
than it would be to others.

As for your Paternity's alleging that I wrote to
people to spread the report that you were opposing
Father Salazar's projed:; may God never write me
in the book of life if such an idea ever passed
through my mind! Excuse this expression which
I think will make you realize that I behave towards
the Society as one who has its interests at heart
and who would lay down her life for them, if it
would serve our Lord.

The divine secrets are profound, and since I have
taken no greater part in this affair than I have
owned to you, of which God is witness, neither
do I wish to interfere with it in future. Should
the fault be laid on me, it will not be the first time
I have been blamed when innocent, but experience
has taught me that, when our Lord is pleased. He
smoothes the way. I cannot believe that even for
grave reasons, and much less for one so slight as
this. His Majesty would allow His Society to op-
pose His Mother's Order, which it has helped, by
His decree, to reform and renovate. Should He
permit such a thing, I fear that what is reckoned
as gain in one way will be a loss in others.

We are all vassals of this King: God grant that
the servants of His Son and of His Mother may,
like valiant soldiers, only watch the flag of our King

40 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

so that we may follow His will. If we Carmelites do
this sincerely, it is clear that those who bear the
name of Jesus cannot draw apart from us as they
so often threaten me they will. May God spare
your Paternity to us for many years.

I know what kindness you have always shown
us, and miserable creature as I am, I often pray for
you as I beg you will for me. For the last six months
trials and persecutions have never ceased to rain
upon this poor old woman, and she does not reckon
this matter as the least of them. And now, I give
you my word that I will never advise Father Sa-
lazar to take this step, nor ask any one else to, nor
have I ever done so in the past.
To-day is February lo.

Your Paternity's unworthy servant and subjecfl,
Teresa de Jesus.

The following notes from Father Suarez and Father Gonzalo Davila
are required to explain what follows.

Note from Father Suarez to the Re5lor of the Society at
Avila^ to be forwarded to the Mother Teresa de Jesus.

JESUS
If it shall come to my knowledge that a religious of an-
other Order wisjies to enter the Society in this province,
which contains twenty-six colleges and houses, and if I
judge that it is not expedient to receive him, I will, with
the help of our Lord, within twenty-four hours despatch
notices forbidding his admission to the superiors of all
the houses and colleges in all parts who have faculties to
admit him. Most of these superiors shall receive these
notices within eight days: all of them shall do so within
a fortnight.

LETTER FROM FATHER DAVILA 41

Therefore, if the Mother Teresa judges that Father
Salazar should not be received into her Order, let her
write a letter stating so plainly to the head of her Order,
who is to communicate its contents to the rest of the
superiors. Or, let her write to the superior of each house
to that effect, so that all may be cognisant of it within
a fortnight, for the Mother Teresa and Mother Prioress
of Avila have known of the matter for a longer period
than that. This, with the help of God, will be effectual.

Suarez.

Answer to Letter CCXII from Father Gonzalo Davilay
Rector of the Society of Jesus^ Avila^ enclosing the former
letter to St. Teresa.

Jesus be with your Reverence.
I RECEIVED a letter from the Father Provincial yesterday
in which he says he is sorry to learn that you were pained
by his letter and begs you to read it again, when your
present feelings have subsided : you will then see that
a better interpretation can be put upon it and you can
take it in a kindlier way. He states that you may write to
Father Salazar and the superior or superiors of your
Order, telling them that he may be received, or refused
if there are valid reasons for it. Also that, as Father
Provincial, he is satisfied with having done his duty by
advising the parties concerned that he is aware of the
matter, so that, should the change be made and people
found fault with them, the blame might not fall on him
for having known of it and said nothing. Father Suarez
begs you, for love of our Lord, to remember him in
your holy prayers. He says that, God willing, he will
soon be in Avila and will then consult you as to whether
any more steps are to be taken.

These are the words of our Father Provincial, who
sent me the enclosed paper for you. For my own part,
I entreat you, for love of our Lord, to carry out his

42 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

request with exactitude and to write energetically to the
same effect to Father Salazar, as the Father Provincial asks
you, for as I remarked this very day, I fear the letter you
have already sent him may not be strong enough. Do
not hesitate to tell Father Salazar and the Discalced
Superiors that the former is not to enter your Order,
nor is he to be received without express permission either
from the Holy Father or from his own General. Of this
I am sure, that you will thus not only not offend our
Lord but will please Him greatly.

Will your Reverence return the enclosed paper to me
and tell me what you think of doing, as, in my opinion,
it will be of no small consequence to you that you should
have the charity to accede to our wishes.

Your letters have been given into the hands of Brother
Bartolome Sicilia.

CCXIV

Avila, about February 12, 1578 ^

TO FATHER GONZALO DAVILA, RECTOR
OF THE JESUITS AT AVILA

St. Teresa discusses the letter from Father Suarez^
S.y. about Father Salazar.

JESUS!
May the Holy Ghost be with your Paternity.

I HAVE read the Father Provincial's letter again
more than twice, each time having found in it
such a want of regard for me and so strong a
convid:ion that I have done a thing which never
crossed my mind, that his Paternity cannot be
surprised at my feeling pained. This is of little

' Fuente 18^, Vol. iv, no. 16 of first edition of the Letters.

TO FATHER GONZALO DAVILA 43

consequence, for were I not so imperfed: I should
be pleased if he mortified me, which as I am his
subjed: he has the right to do.

Since Father Salazar too is his subje(5t, it seems
to me that it would be better that Father Provincial
should himself stop his projed: than that I should.
Why should I write to religious who are not my
subjeds, as you suggest, for that is their superior's
duty and they would be right in paying little atten-
tion to my words ? In fad, I can see no other course
to take, nor do I know what are the truths you wish
me to tell Father Salazar; for short of declaring that
it has been revealed to me from heaven that he is
not to enter our Order, I know of nothing more
that I can add.

But as I said to your Reverence, there is no
reason why I should tell every one what I think,
which would greatly injure one to whom I owe
staunch friendship, especially as I am certain from
what he said and what I know of him, that he will
take no step without the knowledge of the Father
Provincial, and if he does not speak or write to his
Paternity, it means that he will not carry out his
projed. If the Father Provincial can stop it by
refusing his permission, I should be affronting a
man of Father Salazar's position and religion by
aspersing his charader in all our priories, (even
supposing the friars paid any attention to my re-
quest) for it would be a gross aspersion to say that
he wanted to do what would undoubtedly offend
God.

I have spoken to you with perfed sincerity and
I beheve 1 have done all that is required by self-

44 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

respe(fl and Christianity. God knows my words are
true; were I to do more, I should be a(fting against
both the one and the other.

As I have told your Reverence, when I have
done what I believe to be my duty, God gives me
courage to bear, with His help, whatever painful
consequences may devolve on me.* At least I
cannot complain that I was not forewarned about
them, nor have I omitted doing all I could. Per-
haps your Reverence may be more to blame for
your request than I am for not complying with it.

I am also certain that, should the result be
contrary to your wishes, I shall be censured as
though I had done nothing to hinder it and that
our having discussed the matter will bring about
the fulfilment of the warnings given me. If this
means trials for me, let them come and welcome !
My offences against the divine Majesty deserve
worse punishment than could be inflidied — yet I do
not think I deserved that it should be infli6ted by
the Society, even had I taken any part in this affair,
which neither helps nor hinders your interests.
Your foundations are laid too deep. God grant that
my foundation may be that of never flinching from
doing His will; and may He always give your
Reverence light to adt in the same way. It would
be a great comfort and joy to me if we saw things
in the same light.

I should be much relieved, if the Father Pro-
vincial came here, for it is a long while since God
granted me the pleasure of meeting him.

* This apparently refers to the last paragraph of Father Gonzalo'$
letter given above.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 45

The unworthy servant and daughter of your Rever-
ence,

Teresa de Jesus

ccxv

Avila, February 16, 1578^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, AT ALCALA OR
PASTRANA

St. Teresa s arm broken by the devil. Affair of Father
Salazar. A postulant for Seville.

JESUS !

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Paternity, my Father, and give you strength
this Lent for the work which I know that you have
before you ! I am wondering whether you will have
to travel from place to place. For the love of God,
take care you meet with no falls on those bad
roads, for I feel more anxious about it since my
own arm was broken ^ The arm and hand are still
swollen and my arm is in a bandage like a coat of
mail, so that I can hardly use it.

There is a hard frost here ; there has been none
since the beginning of winter : but, the weather is so
fine that one feels the cold here much less than at
Toledo — at least I find it so. Perhaps it is because,
as your Paternity ordered, a door has been opened

' Fuente 185. Most of the original letter is in the convent of
Santa Ana, Madrid.

^ On Christmas eve the devil threw St. Teresa down a flight of stairs
and broke her left arm. On rising, she exclaimed: *God help me! he
tried to kill me!' An interior voice replied: 'He did, but I was with
thee.' For the rest of her life she was unable to dress and undress herself.

46 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

into the ante-chamber near the infirmary, making
our cell as warm as a stove. In fa6l I have got on
extremelv well in this house as regards the cold.
Your Paternitv's orders always succeed — God grant
I may succeed as well in obeying them!

I should like to know whether the health of
Fray Antonio de Jesus still improves and what has
become of Fray Mariano' who has so completely
forgotten me. Will you remember me kindly to
Fray Bartolome.

I enclose a letter written to me by the Provincial
of the Society about Carillo's'^ affair, which dis-
gusted me so much that I should have liked to
answer more forcibly than I did, for I knew he
had been informed that I had no share in the
matter, which is the truth. In fa(fl, as I told your
Paternitv, I was very sorry when V heard of the
proje(5l and extremely anxious that it should not
be carried out. I wrote the most emphatic letter
possible to Father Gaspar de Salazar, like the
answer I enclose to the Provincial, in which I
make my statement on oath, as I thought that
otherwise the fathers would not believe me in their
present frame of mind. It is most important that
they should trust my word about the 'false reve-
lations,' of which he speaks and should not suppose
that I used them to influence Father Salazar, which
would be a gross falsehood.

But I assure your Paternitv that I fear their
threats so little, that I am astonished at the liberty

^ Father Mariano was in safe shelter with some influential friend at
Madrid. He was a great favourite of the king.
* Carillo was Father Caspar de Salazar.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 47

of spirit God has given me. I told the Father
Rector that when I was convinced that anything
would render God service, the whole Society or
the whole world could not stop my carrying it out,
but that I had done nothing to forward, nor would
I stop his projedl. He asked me at least to write
to Father Salazar, repeating as I have said in the
enclosed letter that he could not carry out his plan
without incurring excommunication. I asked: *Is
he acquainted with the Briefs?' He replied: * Better
than I am.' I said: *Then I am certain he would
not knowingly offend God.' The Father Redior
answered: * Perhaps his strong affecflion might
deceive and mislead him.' So I sent Father Sala-
zar a letter by the messenger who takes this.

How silly it is, my Father, for I knew from cer-
tain indications that the fathers had seen my letter
to him, though I did not tell the Father Re(5lor
so. I warned Father Salazar in it not to trust his
brethren, for Joseph, too, had brothers. I know the
fathers will read it as it must have been his own
friends who revealed his plan. I am not surprised,
as they take it overmuch to heart; they must dread
his setting an example,

I asked the Father Reftor whether any Jesuits
had become Discalced. He answered 'Yes: Dis-
calced Franciscans; but they had first been turned
out of the Society and were then given permission
to become friars.'* I said that this might be done

^ Several young Jesuits who wished for the contemplative life had
joined some of the older Orders. Father Barci, S.J., wrote to the
Propositor General in 157+ : 'The Certosa of Valencia eats into our
Society like a moth ; unless stopped, it will ruin us. Five students have
gone there from this college in the last few years.'

48 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

now. But the fathers are not willing, nor am I will-
ing to tell Father Salazar that he ought not to take
the step. I will merely state the case, as I have done
in this letter, and leave it to God. If it is His work,
the fathers will consent; otherwise, (as I say to
Father Salazar) I have consulted others on the sub-
jed, and he certainly ought not to take the step.
Lawyers who hold the contrary opinion must be
reiving on the common law, like the other lawyer
who persuaded me, at the foundation of Pastrana,
that I could receive an Augustinian nun, in which
he was mistaken. As for the Pope's giving permis-
sion, I do not believe he will, for the doors will be
closed.

Will your Paternity make inquiries and let
Father Salazar know the result, for I should be
deeply pained if he offended God, which I am sure
he would not do deliberately.

I feel very anxious, for if he remains where he
is, he will lose credit from the fathers' knowing of
his wish to join another Order, yet he cannot carry
out his projed: unless it can be done lawfully, and
I always keep in mind what we owe the Society
— though as for their harming us, I do not believe
God would allow it. To refuse to receive Father
Salazar if we could, out of fear of them, would be
to wrong him and would ill requite his kindness.
May God dired: the matter; He will guide the
father, who I am afraid may have been too much
influenced by revelations during prayer, for they
say he gives over much credit to them. I have often
told him so, but with no avail.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 49

It troubles me to think that the nuns of Veas
must have had something to do with the plan, as
Catalina de Jesus was extremely anxious he should
join us. The great thing is that Father Salazar
certainly serves God faithfully, and if he is mis-
taken, believes that he is obeying the divine will.
His Majesty will watch over him. But he has got
us into difficulties, and unless I had learnt what I
told you from Joseph,^ I think I should have done
all in my power to stop the projed:. But though
I do not trust in revelations as this father does, I
am most unwilling to oppose him. How do I
know that I should not deprive his soul of some
great good? for, believe me, it has never seemed to
me that he had the spirit of the Society.

While this matter was being discussed, Ardapilla
wrote, suggesting that I should tell the ravens to
apply to Joannes, asking him to send some one to
Avila to examine the case. I should be extremely
glad if I had nothing to do with it, but as many
objedlions occurred to me, I excused myself as best
I could. I know that he suggests it to help us but
really there is no help for the present state of things
except to go to the root of the matter, unless Paul
takes it into his own hands. May God take charge
of it as I wish He would ! I heartily regret that I
am the stumbling-block for all the rest, and as I

* 'Joseph' stands for our Lord and 'Ardapilla' and 'Joannes' allude
to the Licentiate Padilla.

Juan de la Miseria says in his autobiography that eight Jesuits wished
to join the Reform when the college was founded at Alcala but Father
Gracian refused them admittance on account of the objections of their
superiors.

Vol. in. 5

50 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

have sometimes said, much the best remedy might
be to throw me into the sea like Jonas, to calm the
tempest which perhaps is raised by my sins.

The Prioress of Seville writes asking me to
obtain your permission to admit another sister of
Blanca, the Portuguese, who has not reached the
canonical age:^ indeed, she must be much younger.
It would be well to receive her to pay the rent of
the house, for I cannot remember how much they
owe. If, when Blanca's parents pay her dowry,
they would lend the convent the amount they
would give later on to their other daughter (if she
enters), or if they would pay the rent in exchange
for her board and lodging, it would not be a bad
plan. The sisters are never tired of telling how
much they are indebted to this Portuguese. Your
Paternity must think it over and do what seems
best to you.

If I write to you, I never know when to leave
off. My brother always asks me to send you his
kind remembrances: will you accept them now,
once for all, from him and from all the sisters. May
our Lord proted: your Paternity and bring you
here soon, for you are urgently needed on my ac-
count and for other reasons. I do not deny that
there may be one of which you are unaware. Dona
Guiomar is ill; she comes here rarely, as her com-
plaint has quite incapacitated her.

Will your Paternity send the enclosed letter
immediately to Father Salazar, by means of the
Prior of Granada who is to deliver it with the

' Dofia Francisca Freyle.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 51

greatest secrecy. Be sure to insist upon that.' I
dread any Fathers of the Society writing again either
to me or to the sisters here, for they are exceedingly
plain-spoken. Or you might send the message via
Madrid, asking Roque to take special care of it,
paying the porterage well. If he entrusts it to the
same muleteer, it is sure to arrive safely. On no
account negle(5t this, my Father, for it ought to
be sent to Father Salazar to prevent his taking any
steps in the matter if he has not already done so. I
think it would be well if your Paternity put off
giving him the licence ; it would be best for him.
May God give you what is best for you, my Father,
as I desire.

To-day is the first Sunday in Lent.

The letter from the Father Provincial and its
answer may prove useful to us some day. If you
think so, do not tear them up.

Your Paternity's unworthy servant and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.

'^ Father Gracian did not forward St. Teresa's letter to Father Salazar,
as appears from her letter of May 22 of this year.

CCXVI

Avila, March 2, 1578 ^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA DE
HENARES

Father Gracian s prayer. Father Salazar. The jour-
ney to Rome.

JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit be with your Paternity, my

Father.

1HAVE received two letters from you; one dated
the Carratolendas^'^ the other enclosing one for
the sisters about the good Shepherd. God grant
our offerings to Him may be what you wish, but
I believe He will give far more than we shall.
The little manuscript, too, is good. I do not know
why Paul says he understands nothing of (divine)
union : what he writes about the obscure light and
impetus proves the contrary; but as it passes
quickly and is rare, it is not thoroughly realized.
I feel very envious of the souls you are to help
and sorry that I am here, doing nothing but eat,
sleep, and discuss those fathers, our brethren, who
always give us something to talk about as the
enclosed paper will show. I have told Sister Cata-
lina to describe what is happening, to save myself
fatigue, as it is late and Master Daza will preach
us a sermon this evening (a good one ! ) The

' Fuei.te 186. The original belongs to the Discalced Carmelite
convent, Seville.

" From Carries tollendas — deprivation of meat — the popular name
for Shrove-Tuesday.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 53

Dominicans are extremely kind; they preach once
and the Society twice a week to us.

I remember your Paternity's sermons perfed:ly
well.

I do not know what tempts you to travel from
place to place to preach, for I am really grieved at
the slander spoken against you. God proted: you,
my Father, but these are dangerous times and it is
very rash to move about when there are souls to
be cared for everywhere. God grant that what
seems zeal may not be some temptation which will
cost us dear. A cat^ sufficed in that place (I believe
there were Dominicans and Franciscans as well)
though I cannot imagine that blessed ni2in?>[bendito)
preaching well. Remember me kindly to him and
let me know whether the people go to hear his
sermons — But what curiosity! — Do not tell me,
but tear up this letter lest, for my sins, he comes
across it.

So you eat in the hospital ! Those nasty cod pies!
How we laughed at them! But what they tell me
about your Paternity makes me wish you were not
so rash. Carillo ^ may well say I am a coward.
He has answered the first letter I wrote him telling
him it was the devil's plot and a great many other
things. He said I made him laugh, and changed
his opinion neither much nor little, and that I am
like a rat afraid of the cats. He declared he had

^ St. Teresa had written : *■ basta el Padre Casiano, Father Castano
would suffice,' but crossed it out and substituted *■ bastaba el gato?
Father Gracian had retired to Alcala while the question of the Nuncio's
power to deprive him of his office was being decided at Rome. He
now insisted on travelling about to preach Lenten sermons.

* Carillo is Father Salazar.

54 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

held the Blessed Sacrament in his hands while
swearing to carry out his intention, which the
whole world could not force him to relinquish. I
assure you I am terrified, for his brethren declare
that he, and whoever gave him the habit, would
be excommunicated. He states that he has his
Provincial's permission and a letter from your
Paternity, and that though you have a man's
misgivings, you write like an angel. He is right,
for your letter is angelic. It is hard that the Jesuits
should ask us not to recive him; it must be because
they believe it is not feasible. They are so energetic
that they have probably written to your Paternity
already, asking you to give notice to the priories.
They urged it on me so persistently that I told
them I had referred the matter to you.

Certainly if the thing is to be done and is lawful,
as this father declares, it would be far better to
have it over than to make such a disturbance by
warning the friars. I do not know what you are
to do, for if it is lawful, it seems to me against one's
conscience not to admit Father Salazar. From
what he says, I believe no one will prevent him,
so it would be better to defer writing to the priories
if you have not written. May God diredl the matter,
for the more the Society opposes it, the more it
seems to me that it would give God glory and the
devil is trying to stop it. The fathers must be afraid
that Father Salazar will not be the only one to leave
them; but they are so numerous that it would make
little difference to them, even if those you mention
joined our Order.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 5^

Regarding Paul's scruples as to whether he may
use his power or not/ he seems to have been suff-
ering from melancholia when he felt them and
wrote to me on the subjed:. As it is evident from
the reasons he gives, I made no further enquiries,
for, according to Ardapilla, these doubts will be
short-lived, as the memorial from the Archangel has
been presented by Gilbert, and he is expefted from
day to day.

I have shared the terrors of Elias ^ at your absence ;
there is everything to fear for people who go
through those narrow lanes. May the Lord deliver
Paul from those who are so blinded that I should
not be astonished at anything they did. I am more
astonished at him who does not dread them, but
travels about without real necessity.

To return to what I was saying. I wrote to
Paul long ago telling him that an extremely learned
Dominican theologian, to whom I related what
had passed with Mathusalem^ told me (I believe)
that the latter had no power unless he showed on
what authority he adied; so we need discuss that
question no more.

I should have liked to send your Paternity the
letter from the Prioress of Valladolid, describing
the disturbances about Carillo's affair. She declares
that the fathers of the Society are perfe(5tly satisfied
with me and the Discalced; she suggests that
theirs were empty threats. What preoccupies my

' Paul stands for Father Gracian; Ardapilla for the Licentiate Padilla;
the Archangel for Gaspar de Quiroga, and Gilbert for the Nuncio Sega.
^ Father Elias de San Martin, rector of Alcala.
' The Nuncio Sega,

^6 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

mind and causes me misgivings, which I wish your
Paternity to examine and state very clearly, is
whether Father Salazar can do as he wishes with-
out offending God or incurring excommunication.
If what his brethren say is true, your Paternity
cannot possibly receive him. If the Count de
Tendilla goes to Rome, or even if he does not go
there but only presents his petition, I believe that
permission will certainly be granted.

I was delighted to hear the good news that the
Count was going to Rome, as the friars can accom-
pany him. May God direcft the matter and prote6l
your Paternity for me. I do not know whether I
have answered all your questions for want of time
— but what a long letter considering I have no
time! The nuns beg your prayers and are much
pleased with the offices you gave them. I have not
seen Dona Yomar, who rarely comes here, being
in bad health.

To-day is March 2.

Your Paternity's unworthy and true daughter —
and what a true daughter! How little I feel that
for some of the other fathers !

Teresa de Jesus.

I am extremely sorry that Father Mariano is so
delicate; make him eat well and on no account ar-
range about his going to Rome until he is stronger,
for his health is most important. Oh, how long
your Paternity's sister delays coming,* and how we
want her! They tell me my Isabelita^ is very well.

"■ She took the habit at V'alladolid two months later, under the name
of Maria de San Jose.

'" i'aUicr Gracian's little sister, then at Toledo.

CCXVII

Avila, March 9, 1578^
TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, AT MADRID

Trials of the Carmelites of the Incarnation.

Jesus be ever with you. Amen.

IT will be a week next Monday since I sent you
a letter by a waggoner of Avila, telling you of
the proceedings of the Provincial Magdaleno/ and
enclosing copies of the chancellor's letters and the
notification made to him. 1 do not know whether
you have received them, and should be glad if you
would tell me, as I feel anxious. The enclosed
papers will show you what has occurred since. I
am extremely sorry for these nuns: in fadt, I do
not know what to think, except that God must love
them very deeply since He sends them so many
heavy trials.

For the whole ten days that the Provincial and
Valdemoro have been at the Incarnation, they have
done nothing but persuade and threaten them,
bringing people to tell them what they will sufi^er
unless they obey and vote differently and annul
the petition they signed to the Council.

The Provincial is in a great hurry, now he has
got what he wanted, to go to court; it is supposed
that he wishes to present the nuns' signatures to the
Royal Council. I implore you, for charity's sake,
to take means to make the truth known, and that

' Fuente 187. The autograph is at the Carmelite priory, Madrid.
^ Fray Juan de la Magdalena, whom St. Teresa often calls by this name.

58 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

force has been used: it would he doing a great ser-
vice to those poor nuns. Do not allow the Council
to believe that those fathers' information is true;
it has all been a case of tyranny. If Senor Padilla
can read these papers, show them to him.'

Father Magdaleno has declared positively that
he has a royal mandate to seize your person if you
are found in Avila, and that he was two leagues
from Madrid when they called him back to give
him the order. He adds that Tostado has full
powers over both Calced and Discalced and that
he has sent Fray John of the Cross to Rome.*
May God, for His Name's sake, deliver the father
from his hands, and may He bestow on you His
holy grace.

March 9.

Your honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

For love of God, I entreat you to make known
at once to the members of the Council what force
has been used with the nuns. It would be a great
boon for all of us, and no one pities these martyrs.

It is three days since this was written, and the
Provincial is still tormenting the sisters.

^ Roque dc la Huerta, as secretary to the Royal Council, was able
to render great service to the Reform. The Licentiate Padilla had
much influence with the king who had appointed him to reform
several religious houses.

* St. John of the Cross had remained at the Priory of the Calced at
Toledo all the time.

CCXVIII

Avila, March ii, 1578.^

TO FATHER GRACIAN.

Troubles of the Reform and the nuns of the Incarna-
tion. A postulant.

JESUS be with my Father and deUver him from
those Egyptians,* for I assure yuu that I am
horrified at what they have done to those poor
nuns. I have tried to persuade the sisters to obey, as
great scandal is being given, and people here
(especially the Dominicans) think that I am right.
I suspect that the Mitigated are banding together
to destroy the Retorm and I am weary of their
outcries. In tad:, the nuns have suffered for a long
time, and unless I had sent telling them that I
thought it would not prejudice the justice of their
claim, I do not think they would submit.

Their cause has made little progress since the
Discalced fathers left them. It is true that I wrote
to Roque and Padilla saying that if the Discalced
confessors' affair was not cleared up, and the Calced
remained as Visitors, there was no need for haste
on the part of the Royal Council^ for it appeared
useless for me to go there as prioress, even if the
nuns gained their suit. Yet I should seem to be
treating them very badly if I did not go there, but

' Fuente 188, vol. v. no. 14, 1st edition of the Letters.

' The Mitigated friars.

^ The nuns of the Incarnation had appealed to the Royal Council
against the setting aside of St. Teresa's election, but as their two Dis-
calced confessors could not plead their cause, Ana de Toledo, the choice
of the Calced, was established as prioress.

6o ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

forsook them after all they have endured. On the
whole, I think I shall not refuse especially as, though
it seems useless, the Master must succour these souls
in some way. I compassionate them deeply, for as
you will see by the enclosed papers, they are being
afflid:ed. Be kind enough to forward the Mss. to
Fray German,'^ so that he may pray for the sisters.
It is well that he has left his prison.

But I am much distressed about Fray John, lest
they should bring some fresh charge against him.
God treats His friends terribly: though, to tell the
truth He does them no wrong, for He served His
Son in the same way.

Will your Paternity read this letter, which was
brought me by a gentleman from Ciudad-Rodrigo,
who came here expressly to arrange about this
postulant. He says much in her favour; if it is the
fadt, she will be an acquisition. She would bring
four hundred and fifty ducats and a good trousseau.
The community at Alba are asking me for a novice.
The girl wants to go to Salamanca, but she would
enter at Alba, though the former needs her most
on account of the state of the house. She could
be received at whichever convent your Paternity
chooses. I will undertake to persuade her to con-
sent, and she seems suitable to either place.

Two girls at Burgos are negotiating about their
entrance at Avila. They are said to be very good
and would have a dowry of fifteen hundred ducats
— a sum that is required to finish the house and

'' Fray German escaped from Moraleja. He was made Prior of
Mancera in i 579 and died during the following year with the reputa-
tion of a saint.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 6i

build the enclosure wall. With the dower of an-
other postulant, everything could be completed.
Will your Paternity give the required permission.

What a disturbance that Father of the Society is
making about the sister of the Prioress of Veas ! I
sent to the Prioress of Medina asking her to make
enquiries about her. We shall see what they say, for
they must know more about it. Your Paternity
should be cautious, for such natures do not change.
Though Ana de Jesus has seen her several times,
as they must have told him, I answered her as
though I knew all, being in a hurry and finding
that they had spoken neither to the brother nor
sister on the matter. The brother is a member of
the Society, and I believe that they are helping
one another.*

It is a severe trial to have been kept so long from
making my confession to your Paternity, for much
to my grief, there are not such advantages here as
at Toledo.

This letter was written yesterday. I have just
heard such tales of the unjust treatment of the nuns
of the Incarnation, that it is grievous. I fancy some
of the sisters here dread falling into the hands of
the Calced which does not surprise me, for it is a
thing to be feared. May God set matters right
and proted: your Paternity. It is late at night and
the messenger starts early tomorrow.

To-day is March ii.

Your Paternity's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus

^ The meaning of this sentence is very obscure ; probably the
copyist made mistakes.

CCXIX

Avila, Lent, 1578.^

TO A RELATION OF THE SAINT AT
TORRIJOS.

A letter of condolence. Isabel de San Pablo.

JESUS !

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Honour.

AS God was pleased that it should not be my right
arm which was broken, I am able to write to
you. I am better, glory be to God ! and can keep
Lent: with the presents you constantly send me, I
shall get through it well. Though your kindness
is shown to me, yet Sister Isabel de San Pablo* is
so strongly tempted to love me dearly that it is a
much greater kindness to her. Her society is a
great comfort to me, for she seems an angel, and
it comforts me to know that you and the seiioras
are well. I kiss their hands repeatedly. I pray
earnestly for all of you to our Lord.

I am very sorry to hear of the death of that
senora: when the news reached me, I had just
written an answer to Don Teutonio congratulating
him on the good match she had made. I owe much
to him. The members of this family are passing
through great troubles; they evidently render God

' Fuente 189. The Carmelite convent of Segovia has the original.

* A second-cousin of the Saint, the first to be professed at Avila, she
having left the Incarnation with St. Teresa. She preserved her baptis-
mal innocence until death.

TO A RELATION ^3

good service, which is our chief happiness on
earth, for if a life so short has any value, it is to
purchase eternal life. I thank our Lord that you
are not careless in this respedl as I beg Him may
always be the case with you and these senoras.

Lorenzo kisses their hands and your own re-
peatedly.

Your unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

ccxx

Avila, March 26, 1578.*
TO DONA MARIA DE MENDOZA.
Consolation in trials.

JESUS !

MAY the Holy Spirit ever be with your Most
Illustrious Ladyship and give you strength to
bear such trials, for you have indeed received a
heavy blow, and I grieved deeply over your sorrow.
Yet the favours that our Lord shows you convince
me that He will not fail to console you in this
sorrow and to recall to your memory what His
Majesty and His glorious Mother suffered in this
holy season. If we realize this as we ought, we
shall bear all life's trials easily.

I should much like to be with you so that I
might share your grief, though even here I have
borne no light part of it. My only comfort has

' Fuente 190. The original letter belongs to the Discalced Carmelite
convent, Ecija. The year is uncertain but the signature shows that it
was written after 1576, as before that date the Saint signed herself
Teresa de Jesus, Carmelita.

64 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

been to beg St. Joseph and our Lord to be with
you. Besides our other prayers, we have not neg-
lected to intercede for that holy soul, which I hope
God has already taken to Himself, since, before it
learnt more of the world's evils, He drew it to
Him. All things pass so quickly that, if only our
minds faced this truth, we could not weep for those
who die and go to gaze on God, for we should
rejoice in their gain.

As far as appearances go, I too was very sorrv
for the Count, but God's judgments are wise and
His secrets inscrutable; perhaps the Count's salva-
tion may have depended upon his losing his position.
I believe that His Majesty watches over all your
interests with special care, for He is a most faithful
friend. Let us feel confident that He has considered
what is best for souls — all else matters little in
comparison. Eternal weal or woe is what signifies;
so I beg of you, for love of our Lord, not to brood
over your reasons for sorrow but to think about
what is consoling. Thus you will gain greatly, but
by the other course you would lose. Besides, you
might injure your health of which you are bound
to take care because of its importance to all of us.
God grant you a long life as we beg of Him.

The sisters and the Mother Prioress kiss your
hands repeatedly, as I do those of my senora. Dona
Beatriz.

To-day is Wednesday in Holy Week. I did not
write before, thinking you would not wish for letters.

The unworthy servant and subje6t of your most
illustrious Ladyship,

Teresa de Jesus,

CCXXI

Avila, March 28, 1578^

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,
PRIORESS OF SEVILLE.

Sister San Francisco. Postulants. Advice and mes-
sages for the nuns.

Jesus be with you, my daughter, and give vou and

all your daughters as happy an Easter as I ask

from Him!

IT was a great comfort to me to know that you
are all well. I am as usual ; my arm is in a very
bad state and so is my head; I do not know what
Office they are reciting. Doubtless it is best for
me.

I should be very glad if I could write you a
long letter full of affectionate messages for every
one. Will your Reverence give them for me,
especially to Sister San Francisco,* whose letters
have given us great pleasure. Her office of prioress
has shown us her good qualities. O Jesus ! how
lonely I feel at being so far away from you! May
He unite us in eternity, for I comfort myself with
the thought that all is passing quicklv.

I am amused at what you say about the defeats
inFray Bartolome's sisters, which would be unbear-
able, even if the candidates could buy the house with
their dowries. On no account take either of them

^ Fuente 191. The autograph is at the Carmelite convent, \^a!ladolid.

^ Isabel de San Francisco (de Vega) who had been prioress at Paterna.
She had been professed at Toledo, and thence removed by the Saint to
Veas and Seville.

Vol. HI. 6

66 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

if they have not their wits about them; it is against
our Constitutions and an incurable evil. The other
girl of thirteen is very young; the mind is constantly
changing at that age. You will know what is best:
believe me I wish for whatever is to your advan-
tage.

Before I forget it, I must say that I do not approve
of those sisters' writing an account of their prayer:
there are many drawbacks to it that I should like
to explain. Setting aside the time it wastes, it cur-
tails liberty of soul and may even lead to imagining
what did not take place. I will tell our Father if I
do not forget; otherwise, you must do so. If what
occurs is important, it is never forgotten : if it is
forgotten, it was not worth writing down. It will
suffice if they speak to our Father about what they
remember when they see him. When the sisters
have scruples, let them tell them to your Reverence,
for if they feel confidence in you, I think God will
give you light to guide them. I lay such stress
on this because I know the objections to thinking
over what to write, and how the devil encourages
such things. If the matter is really serious, your
Reverence may write it down without letting the
nuns know. If I had taken notice of the things San
Jeronimo told me, she would never have stopped:
though some of them seemed to me certainly
genuine,! said nothing. Believe me, the best course
is to thank God for giving them to us, and when
they are withdrawn I should humble myself, ^by
which the soul is sure to benefit.

What Sister Eliseo' says is right, but not being

^ In6s de San Elias (de Morales) went with Mary of St. Joseph to

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 67

so learned a woman as she Is, I do not know who
those Assyrians are. Remember me very kindly to
Sister Eliseo of whom I am extremely fond; also
to Sister Beatriz and her mother. I am glad to hear
from you about the latter and to receive your good
news about all the community. God forgive those
friars for treating us so badly ! You must not believe
all that you hear at Seville. They give us more
hopeful news here, which rejoices us, though *in
obscurity'* as Mother Isabel de San Francisco says.

Besides my broken arm, I have suffered severely
with my heart for several days. Will you send me
a little orange-flower water, packed so that the
flask does not get broken in transit. I should have
asked for it sooner had I not feared such an acci-
dent. The agua de angeles was so delicious that I felt
scrupulous about using it and gave it to the chapel
where it did honour on my behalf to the glorious
Saint Joseph.

Give very kind messages from me to the Prior of
las Cuevas (for I am very fond of that saint) also to
Father Garci-Alvarez and to my Gabriela. (Our
Mother certainly has some reason for calling her
*my Gabriela').* I should almost envy you the joy

Lisbon. She was distinguished by her zeal for strict observance. Ines
so dislilced being put into any office that, on hearing she was to be
made prioress, she prayed that she might die before the election and
her petition was granted. {(Euvres, tv. 38).

^ It seems as though Mother Isabel was making a sly allusion to the
noche oscura of St. John of the Cross.

^The last part of this letter is written by the secretary, Isabel de
San Pablo, who interposed this little remark. The postscript is also
hers. Gabriela had been the devoted infirmarian of the Saint while
at Seville.

68 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

of living with her but for our deep love for one
another and that I know the same mutual affedlion
exists between your Reverence and your daughters.
What need is there for Mother Isabel de San
Francisco to tell us this? If she had been sent to
Seville solely to praise you and your nuns up to
the skies, her journey would have been well spent.
But wherever your Reverence may be, my Mother,
you will always be praised. Blessed be He who
gave you such rich gifts which you employ so well.
I commend myself to the prayers of my Mother
San Francisco — I can say no more — and to all the
others, especially Sister San Jeronimo. Teresa
commends herself to yours. Senor Lorenzo de
Cepeda is well. I hope, my Mother, that you will
be able to decipher this letter for as the writing-
implement is bad*^ and the hurry great, what can
the result be?

To-day is Friday of the Cross.'

Do not send more than a small quantity of
orange-flower water until we see how it travels.
Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.

The secretary is Isabel de San Pablo, the servant
of your Reverence and all your community.

My Mother, I have just remembered having
heard that you have some large and beautiful
pidiures at Seville, which Father Julian de Avila
praised very highly. Our Mother told me to ask
you for one of St. Paul. Will your Reverence send

* The secretary.

' Good Friday, when the Adoration of the Cross takes place.

TO FATHER GRACIAN ^9

me a very good one, for, (excuse my saying so) it
must be one that I shall love to look at.

CCXXII

Avila, April 15, 1578^

TO FATHER GRACIAN

The Saint warns him against elediing a Provincial
without permission ; she advises him to have recourse
to the King or the Pope or the General instead. Visit of
Father Gracians mother and sister to Avila.

Jesus be with your Paternity, my Father.

INCE Father Prior of Mancera* left I have
O spoken about the province to Master Daza and
Doctor Rueda, as I wish you to do nothing with
which fault can be found. Even though the matter
should succeed, it would grieve me more than any
check to our plans for which we were not to blame.
Both my advisers say your projecfl would be difficult
to carry through unless your Paternity's commission
aifords special faculties for it. Dodtor Rueda spoke
most strongly and I rely greatly on his opinion as
he is very judicious, as well as a most learned man.
He declares that it is an extremely difficult matter
to hold an eled:ion, because it is a question of juris-
did:ion; that without permission from the Pope or

' Fuente, 192. Vol. III. No. 22 of first edition.

^ The Prior of Mancera, Juan Jesus de Roca, had proposed that the
Discalced should convoke a Chapter and elect a Provincial of their
own, thus making the Reform into a separate province. Unfortunately
St. Teresa's warnings were disregarded: the plan was carried out at the
Chapter of Almodovar on October i^ of this year.

70 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

the General it could not lawfully be done, and the
votes would be invalid.

It would be quite enough to make the Calced
rush to the Pope and cry out that the Discalced
had withdrawn from obedience by choosing their
own superiors in an unauthorized way. It has an
ugly sound. Dodlor Rueda thinks it would be more
difficult to get such an election confirmed than to
obtain permission from the Pope for a separate pro-
vince, which he would be willing to grant if the
king wrote to his ambassador to ask for it. This
would be easy to manage if his Majesty were
informed how the Calced treat the Discalced. Per-
haps, if the matter were laid before him, he might
be glad to take the step. The petition would be a
great help for the Reform, as the Mitigated would
respedl it more and not imagine that they would
be able to abolish it.

Would it not be well for your Paternity to sub-
mit the question to the Father Master Chaves,^
enclosing the letter I send by Father Prior.? Pie
is very sagacious, and by using his influence with
the king might perhaps obtain the latter's inter-
vention. In that case our friars who are going to
Rome might take the royal letters with them. But
on no account ought they to relinquish their pro-
ject of going there for as Dod:or Rueda maintains,
the most sure and straightforward way is to appeal
to the Pope or the General.

I assure you that if Father Padilla and the rest
of us had had recourse to the king, our affair would

^ Fray Domingo Chaves, Dominican, confessor and almoner of the
king. He had been one of the Saint's confessors.

TO FATHER GRACIAN

have been settled by this time. In fadt, your Pater-
nity might yourself address his Majesty and the
Archbishop* on the subjecft, for if the king has to
confirm and approve the Provincial's eled:ion it
v^ould be better that he should do so beforehand,
so that if he refuses his consent we may avoid the
blame and failure of the election's proving invalid.
Your Paternity also would be greatly discredited by
having undertaken what was beyond your power
and committed a blunder.

The Dod:or said it would be more tolerable if
the Dominican Visitor or some other person made
the eled:ion than that the Discalced superiors
should themselves hold it, and that, as I said, in
these cases of jurisdiction, the important point is
that the principal superior should be invested with
lawful authority,

I lose heart at the thought that people would
have some right to blame your Paternity, though
my courage only takes a stronger flight when you
are not at fault, therefore I have not lost a moment
in writing this so that you may consider the mat-
ter seriously.

Do you know what has occurred to me? that
perhaps our Father General may have made use
against us of the letters I wrote him (though they
were very good in themselves) by showing them
to the Cardinals and that perhaps I had better send
him no more until our affairs are settled. It would
be well, if there is an opportunity, to make the
Nuncio a present. I know, my Father, that when
you are in Madrid, you do a great deal in a day:

^ Don Quiroga.

72 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

if you talked to one person and another and to
your friends at court, and Fray Antonio spoke to
the Duchess, much might he done towards persuad-
ing the king to carry out what we plan, as he wishes
to maintain the Reform. Father Mariano might
mention the matter, as he sees him to speak to,
and could explain our position, beg him to help
us, and remind him that the little saint. Fray Juan,
is in captivity. In fadl the king listens to every one,
and I do not understand why Father Mariano,
especially, does not discuss our affairs with him and
beg his aid.

But how I chatter and what nonsense I talk to
your Paternity, and you put up with it all ! I assure
you that I feel crushed at not being free to carry
out and insist on what I have said being done.
Now that the king is setting out on a long journey,
I wish something could have been settled first. May
God accomplish it as He has the power. We are
all longing for these senoras' visit.* The sisters at
St. Joseph's are firmly resolved not to allow your
sister to leave them without giving her the habit.
It is extraordinary how anxious the nuns are to
please your Paternity ! I am very grateful to them
as they form a large community and are in need of
money, yet they never reckon that, on occount of
their longing to have some one among them re-
lated to you. Oh ! what does not Teresita say and
do ! Yet I am glad to have her here, for if she left
she would go so far away that I could not enjoy her

' Father Gracian's mother, Dona Juliana Dantisco, who was to pass
through Avila with her daughter whom she was taking to the convent
gt Valladolid.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 73

company and might perhaps never see her again.
However, the decision as to her home rests with
me and I ought to oppose her staying here for she
has been received for Valladolid where she would
be very well off, while the nuns, especially Casilda,
would be much disappointed if she did not go there.
It is Juliana who will stay here, though I say no-
thing on the matter. It would be very hard for
Dona Juana if I sent her to Seville, and even the
girl herself might feel it when she grew up. Oh!
how I long to have your other sister, the one who
is with the Doncellas. She remains there and is
unhappy for want of knowing the remedy, but she
would be more at her ease here.

My brother Lorenzo, who is taking you this
letter, is on his way to court, and I believe will go
from there to Seville. Will your Paternity kindly
allow him to enter the convent there to examine
a cooking-stove installed by the Prioress, of which
they speak wonders. Unless he sees it, we cannot
have one made like it here, and if it is what they
say, it would be a real treasure for all the friars
and nuns. I will write asking her to allow him to
enter the enclosure. But if your Paternity thinks
this unnecessary, let me know, as he will be spend-
ing some days in Madrid. If you only read what
they write about that stove you would not be
surprised at these nuns wanting one like it. They
declare that it surpasses Soto's forge ^ and more
could not be said in its favour.

As I believe that Mother Prioress is writing to

* The forge near the convent of St. Joseph's.

74 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

you, I will conclude, only asking God to have your
Paternity in His care for me. The Prioress of Alba
is as ill as she can be. Pray for her, for, say what
they will, hers would be a great loss to us as she
is very obedient, and when that is the case, a nun
corrects all her faults when she is told of them.
Oh! What a trial the Malagon community is suf-
fering from Brianda's absence! But I laugh at the
idea of her returning there.

Dona Luisa de la Cerda has lost her youngest
daughter. I am deeply grieved at the troubles God
sends her. The widow is now the only daughter
left her. I think it would be well for your Pater-
nity to write to console her, for you owe much to
her.

Will you consider the question as to your sister's
remaining here? I will not oppose it if you prefer
it, or if Doila Juana would rather keep her near
her. But I fear lest, having already decided on
her own account to enter at Valladolid, she might
be tempted about it later on if she stayed at Avila
for she will hear of things they have there which
are lacking here, were it only their garden and
orchard, for the soil of Avila is miserably sterile.

God have you in His care for me, my Father,
and make you as holy as I wish. Amen, amen.
My arm is recovering.

To-day is April 15.
Your Paternity's unworthy servant and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.

Dona Yomar is at Avila; she is better in health
and very desirous of seeing your Paternity. She is

TO FATHER GRACIAN 75

weeping for her Fray John of the Cross as are all
the nuns. This has been a painful affair: the
Incarnation is beginning to return to its former
condition.

CCXXIII

A Vila, April 17, 1578 ^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

Dangers of Father Gracians intended visit to Avila.
Dona Juana a7id her daughter Maria s journey.
ObjeSfions to the Discalced holding a General Chapter
for eleSiing priors.

Jesus be with your Paternity, my Father!

OH, how ill you acfled in sending me so short
a letter when you had so safe a messenger as
Juan! I was indeed glad to see him and to learn all
particulars about your Paternity. In the letter I
gave to Father Prior of Mancera for you, I answered
several of the questions you ask. Your making so
much of my opinion is a real mortification for me.
Whatever appears right to you, will be the best
thing.

I have grown so timid from seeing that the devil
draws harm from whatever is good that, while
those fathers^ are in the ascendant, I wish to give
them no further chance of speaking or adling
against us, for, as I said, they make use of every
opportunity, and I should not be astonished at any-

' Fuente 193. The«original letter is at Seville.
» The Mitigated.

76 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

thing they did. They do not think they offend
God, as their superiors are on their side, and they
do not care for the king, finding he says nothing,
whatever they do. If they should venture to inter-
fere w^ith your Paternity, it would be a most
unhappy thing for us, as, setting aside the deep
grief and afflicflion which we should all feel, we
should lose all courage and our cause would be
lost. May God deliver us as I believe He will,
but He wishes us to help ourselves. That is why,
besides the other reasons I mentioned when writing
to your Paternity, I force myself not to ask you to
come here, much as I should like it.

The Prioress of Alba' is extremely ill ; that is the
place which chiefly needs your Paternity's presence.
I wish the journey were safer for you than it can
be at present, and that you would remain where
you are until things are more settled and that
Peralta* has left. I know what the Mitigated have
done since the king sent for Father Mariano, though
they would not be so daring in Madrid as they are
here. On the other hand, it pains me so that I do
not know what to say, except that life in this world
is no longer endurable.

Your Paternity questions whether it would not
be better to travel by another route, as Avila
is out of the way. xAlthough I very much wish
to see the senoras, yet if your Paternity accom-
panies them you could keep your journey a secret
better by the other road as it does not pass by the

^ Juana of the Holy Ghost.

*'Peralta' stands for Tostado, who was then at Madrid: in the
beginning of May he returned to Portugal.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 77

priories of any of these good Calced friars [benditos).
Otherwise, it would be extremely hard that, for
the sake of saving eight leagues, you should refuse
me this favour. They could rest here for a few
days and give us the pleasure we are all looking
forward to eagerly. I said this in the letter to your
Paternity which my brother (who left to-day for
Madrid) is taking to you.

In the third place, I am very sorry to hear of the
plan of Doiia Juana's accompanying her daughter
to Valladolid : this would involve a journey of
eighty leagues, from which she might be dispensed
as her health is valuable to us. I made the journey
myself, and though it was as easy and pleasant as
possible because I travelled with Dona Maria de
Mendoza, I found it very wearisome.

Your Paternity must know that I am deter-
mined your Mother shall go no farther than Avila,
for which there is no real necessity if a maid
accompanies Dona Maria and her brother, as
matters are already arranged at the convent. It
would be a great mistake for Dona Juana to under-
take such fatigue, as she has already seen her
daughter. It would be better even if she deferred
her visit until Dona Maria takes the veil, when,
God willing, there will be less danger and your
Paternity could accompany her without so much
risk. Your Mother's health is so precious that I
venture to assert my opinion, and shall at all events
do everything in my power to prevent her going
farther than Avila, which is not a trying journey
in fine weather.

It has just occurred to me that if she comes by

78 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

carriage it would be best to chose the Avila route,
as I believe it has no mountainous passes as the
other has.

I have been wondering whether, (supposing
that Dona Juana does not come and no one but
Senor Tomas Gracian^ accompanies his sister,) it
would not be well for Fray Antonio de Jesus to
go with them, as he has recovered from his illness.
You will say that he too is a Discalced Carmelite,
but his white hair will disarm criticism. No notice
will be taken of the travellers as your Paternity
will not be of the party, for it is on you that all
eyes are fixed just now. I should be very glad to
see Fray Antonio now that he has risen from his
sick bed. This idea occurred to me : if it is unprac-
tical, treat it as nonsense for I do not understand
what I am talking about.

I assure you that I should be delighted to see
Doiia Juana but I think it would be extremely rash
of us to allow her to undertake the journey,
especially if she went further than Avila. God
deliver me from myself since I care so little for
my own consolation, and may He give me some
opportunity of solacing my soul at leisure with
your Paternity !

My brother gave you my letter in which I stated
how difficult Doctor Rueda and Master Daza
considered it would be to eled: priors without a
mandate from the Pope or the General, because it is
a matter of jurisdid:ion. As I have written at length

^ Tomas, Father Gracian's brother, who succeeded his father as
secretary to Philip II.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 79

on the question,* I will only ask you to refledl upon
it seriously, for the love of God. It is very labori-
ous for you to consider every matter so deliberately,
but God will grant you easier times in future. For
the present, my Father, we must so ad: that He will
protedl you. The Prioress and Subprioress have
sent you letters by my brother.

Should you require any help from Judge Cov-
arrubias you must say so; he is very intimate with
my brother.

God be with your Paternity and preserve you to
me for many years, making vou very holy.
To-day is April 17.

Your Paternity's unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

You must know, my Father, that I feel distressed,
as I did not exped: Doila Juana would come so soon.
The choir is roofless, the workmen are very noisy,
and the grilles have been removed, yet I should
have been delighted to see her at the grille. What
a life! What with the heat and the cold we could
not stay in the choir, but it will be very comfort-
able now. Consider whether it is possible to give
leave for Doila Maria to enter our house; it is
extremely untidy, but that will only make her
like her own convent better.

^ See letter of April i 5.

CCXXIV

Avila, April 17, 1578 *
TO DONA JUAN/V DANTISCO'

'Joy at hearing that Dona J nana is coming to Avila.

JESUS !

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with
your Honour and repay you for your letter to
me and the good news it contains. Your visit
to Avila with Dona Maria ^ will be very welcome.

You have much reason to be pleased for I do
not know what better fortune could be granted
you than that God should call your daughter to a
state in which, while serving His Majesty, she
will find deeper peace than can be imagined. I
trust in God that it will render Him great service.

On the one hand I longed that vou should come
here, for it is some time since I have had much
pleasure in anything. On the other hand, I was
grieved at seeing you undertake so long a journey
which could be avoided, as I care more for your

' Fuente 194.. The autograph belongs to theDiscalced friars of Alcala.

* Juana Dantisco, the beautiful daughter of the Polish ambassador
at Madrid, married Diego Gracian and bore him twenty children,
many of whom became Discalced Carmelites.

^ Maria de San Jose (Dantisco) took the habit at Valladolid on May
5 at the age of fifteen and was professed the following year. St. Teresa's
letters constantly mention her in high terms. She was at Madrid at
the time of Father Gracian's expulsion from the Order. She bore the
trial in silence and perfect patience, but for a month she lived almost
without food and sleep, spending her time in prayer and penance.
Maria was twice prioress at Consuegra and died after severe suffering
in 161 1. She appeared in glory to her sister Juliana, a nun at Seville.
(^(Euvres III, 405.)

TO DOSA JUANA DANTISCO 8 1

health than for my own comfort. I wrote to our
Father Visitor on the subjed:, and about his joining
you, to which there would be many drawbacks.
Whatever he decides will be for the best.

I have not received the letter you say you wrote
to me. The Mother Prioress and all the sisters
desire to be remembered to you and are looking
forward very much to a visit from you and Dona
Maria. May God direcfl all for His greater glory.
Our sisters at Valladolid are getting the serge for
your daughter's habit. I beg His Majesty to protect
you and the secretary, to whom I wish to be kindly
remembered, also to the senoras, especially Doila
Adriana, though really she is very forgetful of me.
To-day is April 17.

Your unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

My dear little Isabel de Jesus'^ has already writ-
ten to me. All the nuns say they cannot express
how pleased they are with her, in which they are
right.

* Isabelita (Bela), Father Gracian's little sister, twelve years old, then
at Valladolid. She had worn the habit four years.

Vol. III.

ccxxv

Avila, April 26, 1578.^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

Rash judgment of superiors. Arrival of his mother
at Avila.

JESUS be with your Paternity, you who are both
my Father and my superior as you say, which
caused me no little laughter and pleasure. In
fadl, whenever I recall your words I am amused at
the solemn manner in which you declared that I
must not judge my superior. O my Father ! how
little need there was for you to swear, even like a
saint, much less like a muleteer, for I thoroughly
realize that fadt.

When God gives such zeal and longing for the
good of souls as He has to your Reverence, He does
not withdraw that zeal when the superior's subjedls
are in question. I will say no more now, except to
remind your Paternity that you gave me leave to
criticize and hold my own opinion of you.

Yesterday, April 25, the Senora Doila Juana
arrived late in the afternoon ; in fad:, almost at night-
fall. She was in very good health, glory be to God !
I was delighted to see her, as day by day I love her
more and she seems better and more sensible.
I was highly pleased with our nun* whose joy is
beyond description. She seemed, when she entered
as though she had lived here all her life. I trust

' Fuente 195. The autograph belongs to the Carmelite nuns, Alcala.
^ Maria de San Jos6 who must have entered the enclosure.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 83

in God great things will come of her; she has a
fine character and mind. I heartily wish that Dona
Juana were not going to take her any further, but
your Paternity has made this angel so fond of
Valladolid that no persuasion would induce her to
remain here. May God be praised and may He
watch over your Paternity.

The unworthy daughter of your Paternity.
Teresa de Jesus.*

CCXXVI

Avila, April 26, 1577*
TO FATHER GRACIAN, AT MADRID

Teresita wishes to leave Avila for Valladolid with
Dona 'Juana and her daughter.

. . . Oh, as for Teresita! what has she not said
and done, although she behaved well, declaring
discreetly that she would do as I wished, though
she showed plainly that it was not what she wanted.
I talked to her in private and told her a great deal
about this convent: how it had been founded by
miracle and other things. She answered that she
did not care more for one place than another, and
we thought we had begun to influence her, though
I saw she was sad. She ended by secretly asking
Doila Juana to be sure to take her to Valladolid

^ P. Gregoire, who has seen the autograph at Alcala, says that it
ends here. What is printed by Fuente as a continuation is here given
as a separate letter.

' Fuente 195. This may have been a note or a postscript written
on another sheet of paper.

84 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

without letting any one know that she wished it.
Dona Juana and I think that the only course to
take is to allow Dona Maria to receive the habit
at Valladolid, lest she should regret leaving Avila
for that convent if she had been clothed here. She
stated plainly to me that she would feel pained at
changing, and ought not to leave the house that she
had once entered, so I believe that Dona Juana will
start after dinner tomorrow with her daughter. I
should have preferred her stopping here until Mon-
day, but when I discovered how expensive it would
be, I did not like to say much to persuade her. She
is staying with my brother, and Aranda takes great
care of her. May God be with her ! I feel very
anxious about her, although she has accomplished
the worst part of her travels and was quite well
when she arrived. God will be pleased to prevent
her being injured by the journey, and she is healthy
and has a good constitution. I embraced her at the
door when the Senora Maria entered the convent,
for I love her dearly. May God bring her safely
home, for she is very precious to us. May He be
praised and may He watch over your Paternity.
Your unworthy daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXXVII

Avila, April 30, 1578^

TO MOTHER ANA DE SAN ALBERTO
PRIORESS OF CARAVACA

Permission to profess three novices.

IN virtue of the authority deputed to me by the
Father Visitor Provincial, the Maestro Jeronimo
Gracian de la Madre de Dios, I grant permission
to the Mother Prioress of Caravaca, Ana de San
Alberto, to admit to their profession Sisters Flo-
rencia de los Angeles, Ines de San Alberto, and
Francisca de la Madre de Dios, and I give leave
to the sisters to pronounce their vows. God grant
it may be for His honour and glory, and may He
make them worthy daughters of the Virgin, our
Lady and our Patroness! Amen.

Written at St. Joseph's, Avila, April 30, 1578.
Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.

' Fuente Escritos sueltos i 2. The autograph belonged to the Discalced
friars at Venice in the i8th. century.

CCXXVIII

Avila, May 7, 1578*
TO FATHER GRACIAN, AT MADRID

Dona Maria takes the habit at Valladolid. ProjeBs
for the Reform. The Saint's arm operated on by a
bone-setter.

Jesus be with your Paternity, my good Father.

1 LEARNT the day before yesterday that Dona
Juana reached ValladoHd in good health, and
that on the eve or the feast of the holy Angel,
Doiia Maria was clothed. God grant that it may
be for His honour, and may He make her a great
saint! The Prioress of Medina wrote telling me
that she would have been glad to give her the
habit had Dona Maria wished it, but I do not
think she did. As I told you in my letter, the nuns
at Valladolid were much disappointed at your
Paternity's not having gone there. I have told
them that, God willing, you will soon visit them;
indeed, your presence there is greatly needed. As
Tostado has left, there is nothing to fear.

I am writing to ask Father Mariano to bring
you with him if he comes here with the Sicilian
Father* as your presence will be necessary, if any-
thing is to be arranged concerning the plan men-
tioned in his letter. If what this friar says is correcfl,
I assure your Paternity that it affords a prompt

' Fuente, 196. The autograph belonged to the Discalced priory,
Guadalajara.

^ Padre Silicien. He is supposed to have been an Italian priest who
might be able to influence the Father General.

TO FATHER GRACIAN gy

way of arranging matters with our Father General :
all other means seem to me very tardy. If this
proved unsuccessful, we should still have time to
try other measures. May God prosper the plan.

Should the Sicilian Father not come here, I
should like you to have an interview with him.
I think we ought to discuss the whole matter with
him, though whatever your Paternity decides upon
will be best.

As I wrote you a long letter a few days ago, I
shall not say much now, for letters arrived from
Caravaca to-day which I must answer and I am
writing to Madrid.

O, my Father, I forgot ! The woman came to
cure my arm,* which cost not a little to both of us.
The Prioress of Medina did well in sending her. I
had lost the use of my wrist, and the pain and labour
of restoring it were terrible as it is a long time since
I had the fall. But after all, I am glad of it, for I
have experienced some small degree of what was
suffered by our Lord. I think the arm is cured,
though on account of the agony I suffer, I can
hardly judge. Still, I can move my hand easily and
lift my arm to my head, but it will be some time
before the cure is complete. Believe me, if the

* The woman was a cuiandera or quack bone-setter. St. Teresa sent
the nuns to the choir to pray for her while the curandera with her
companion, a strong peasant woman, wrenched the arm which had
healed wrongly and reset it. The Saint uttered no sound and the
sisters found her as calm and composed after the operation as they left
her. She said she was glad to share something of our Lord's pain when
He hung on the cross. In his deposition for the canonization. Fray
Diego de Yanguas stated that, when describing to him how her arm
had been broken and reset several times, she said 'I do not think anj^
living human being has suffered as I have,'

88 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

woman had delayed a little longer, 1 should have
lost the use of my hand. To tell the truth, I should
not have grieved much if it had been God's will.
So many people went to the woman to be cured
that my brother's house could not hold them.

I assure you, my Father, that since you left, I
have undergone suffering of every kind. Some-
times, when one cross succeeds the other, the body
becomes weary and the soul grows somewhat
cowardly though it seems to me that the will
remains firm.

May God ever be with your Paternity. Your
daughters here commend themselves to your
prayers.

To-day is the Vigil of the Ascension.

Doiia Yomar's'^ health is better : she is here now.

Your Paternity's unworthy daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXXIX

Avila, May 8, 1578.^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

Fray Antofiio and the nuns of Malagon. Ana de la
Madre de Dios as Vice-Prioress.

Jesus be with your Paternity!

TO-DAY, the feast of the Ascension, after
having written the enclosed letter, I received
yours, via Toledo, and they pained me deeply.

^ Dona Yomar had entered as a postulant but was obliged to leave
on account of ill health.

' Fuente 197. This letter was iSo. 25 of Vol. iv, in the first edition.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 89

I assure you, my Father, that this measure is
most imprudent. Tear up this letter directly you
have read it or you know what will happen if my
correspondence with you is added to the other
grievances he* has against me. I am weary of him,
for though I like him very much, (in fadf, very
much indeed,) and he is a saint, I cannot but
recognize that God has not given him talents for
a ruler. Now do you not see how he gives credence
to these nuns, blinded with passion as they are, and
without further inquiry seeks to abolish and intro-
duce whatever he chooses.

I am aware that the Vice-Prioress^ is unfitted to
rule; however, her faults are not such as to disgrace
the Order but are confined to the convent. I had
already written to the community, telling them
that you will visit them and set matters right, and
that they must consult their confessor about their
temptations instead of the nun in charge. It is
most unwise to wish to give Sister Isabel de Jesus
authority over that community as Subprioress, for
the two or three days during which she held that
position while Mother Brianda was there furnished
those same nuns with subjects for endless tales and
jokes. They shall never have her for that office,
for though she is a good nun she is unsuited for the
charge. It would be folly to deprive Ana de la

^ Fray Antonio, who had visited Malagon to set things right in the
convent.

* Ana de la Madre de Dios (Palma). (See letter of July z, 1577.)
She was made temporary prioress at Malagon during the illness of
Brianda de San Jose. The nuns leagued against her, supported by an
indiscreet confessor, and their accusations were believed by the Visitor
Fray Antonio de Jesus.

90 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Madre de Dios of her position for two days, by
which time Mother Brianda may be back at Ma-
lagon, so eager is Father Antonio to take her home.
For my part, I should be very reludlant to let her
return unless she were soon to leave for another
foundation, as I dread her being at Malagon while
he remains there.

Fray Antonio accuses the Vice- Prioress of not
helping the Discalced fathers, but that was on
account of your Paternity's decree. His other
accusations regarding her 1 do not believe, nor that
she opposes what is done for me, because I know
her character. She is not mean but very generous.
Evidently the community make mischief of every-
thing she says. Your Paternity knows that Mother
Brianda wrote asking me to forbid Ana de la Madre
de Dios sending any help to the Discalced friars,
yet a nun complains to me that she has spent more
on them than on all the invalids together, though
the sick have been very numerous this year. My
opinion is, my Father, that what with the priest
who is there, and what with their own frame of
mind, they would find plenty of faults in St. Clare
if she went to the convent.

Their charge against the Vice-Prioress of ne-
glecfling the sick is a gross slander, for she is most
charitable. I found the former superior very close-
fisted, my Father. However, that matters nothing
as long as the reputation of the community does
not suffer, especially in a place visited by so many
people as Malagon is. What they say about the
honour of their house being tarnished by Brianda's

TO FATHER GRACIAN 91

going to Toledo is untrue, for she went there by
the dod:or's orders on account of her health. I do
not know what your Paternity can decide in such
a case. I am glad Father Antonio forbade them to
mention Mother Brianda; it was the wisest course
he could have taken.

Will your Paternity be good enough to inquire
into the matter seriously. The best plan would be
to send them as Prioress such a nun as Isabel de
San Domingo'^ with a good Subprioress, and to
transfer some of the nuns to other convents. You
ought to write to Fray Antonio promptly, dired:ing
him to make no changes until you have investi-
gated the affair thoroughly. I, for my part, will
tell him that he can take no further steps until he
knows your Paternity's orders. I will disabuse him
on certain points.

I am sorry about the state of the house at Mala-
gbn; it is a pity that no one should have come to
the nuns' assistance. They must have started build-
ing some small part of the convent; I should like
them to finish two floors and have the enclosure
wall eredled, so that if no more can be done at
present, all will not be useless. They would be
better off in that way than they are now, however
short their stay may be. Will your Paternity write
and tell them.

I do not know, my Father, how you could have

deputed Father Antonio as your delegate at Mala-

gon without cautioning him on several subjed:s.

I am amazed; besides, it seems to me a disgrace

* Isabel de San Domingo was then Prioress of Segovia. See letter
of May 15, 1577.

92 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

to the convent that nuns should be deposed from
or raised to the post of superior in so senseless a
manner. If I thought it possible that N. . . would
mend his ways, the best plan would be for him to
return there and finish his priorate, but I have lost
all hope of his improvement, and Fray Bartolome
de Jesus, Fray Francisco de la Concepcion and
Antonio Ruiz so insist upon his not going back
that I think it ^'ould be rash to allow it.

Will your Paternity investigate the matter and
decide as God leads you to think best, which is
the safest course. I will ask Him to enlighten you.
But it is necessary to look to the affair at once and
to prevent Father Antonio's martyrizing that saint
— for a saint she certainly is. May God be ever
with your Paternity.

Your unworthy subjed:,

Teresa de Jesus.

I do not think that Mother Isabel de San
Domingo would be averse to going to Malagon
and she could reduce that community to order.
Then either Mother Brianda or Mother Maria de
San Jeronimo could be sent to Segovia. May God
remedy the evil! The warm climate would not suit
Mother Isabel de San Domingo's health, but the
nuns would not dare to complain of her on account
of her high reputation.

I have opened this letter to cross out my words
about Father Mariano, in case it should be mislaid.
1 am tempted to be very angry with him.

ccxxx

Avlla, May 14, 1578*

TO FATHER GRACIAN

Father Gracians health and work. The clothing of his
sister at Valladolid. The convent of the Incarnation,
Money matters. ProjeB of foundations at Villanueva
de la Xara and Madrid.

Jesus be with your Paternity.

1HAD written this letter and was just about to
send it when our Discalced brethren arrived and
gave me those from your Paternity. I assure you
that they restored my health, for I received those
I enclose from Malagon last night, and the fatigue
of reading and answering them increased a severe
cold in the head from which I am suffering, but
the pleasure your letters gave me has revived me.
God be praised for granting you the strength to
render Him such service and help so many souls.
It is an immense consolation to me.

Yet I should be glad if you were here, for the
distri(5l in which you live must be very unhealthy
as no rain has fallen. I do not know why you
prefer it to Avila unless it is that God, Who knows
the future, has chosen this season for you to mini-
ster to these souls, and your efforts cannot but bear
much fruit.

Iforgot'to say in the enclosed letter how annoyed
I feel at Fray Hernando Medina's having given the

' Fuente 198, Daring the last century the autograph was in the
possession of a gentleman living in la Bafieza.

94 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

habit to our novice.* I do not know why that
foolish prioress is so anxious to please the Calced
fathers. The letter from Fray AngeP which I
transmit to you shows that they knew you were
to come with your sister. I am glad that you did
not as now you can make your visit satisfactorily.
I have already written to Ardapilla/ asking him
to persuade you to go there, and explaining some
of the reasons why your presence is required. In
fa(5l, even if you do not wish it, you must come for
it cannot be avoided.

I have been thinking what a comfort it would be
to me to have my daughter Maria de San Jose here
with me, for her good handwriting, intelligence,
and cheerfulness would be a help to me. May God
bring it about after her profession, though young
girls do not care for being with old women. I even
wonder at times that your Paternity does not weary
of me, unless it is that God so decrees in order that
I may be able to bear my life in which I have so
little health and pleasure except in your company.
I even think that one who receives favours from
God and loves Him truly cannot but like to be with
a person who desires to serve Him.

It will try me severely if Ardapilla comes here
with his old refrain about the Incarnation. I sent
to ask your Paternity whether his authority gives
him the right to order me to go there, and you did

^ At the invitation of Mother Mary Baptist, the Calced friar,
Hernando de Medina, had given the habit to Father Gracian's sister,
Maria de San Josd, at Valladolid.

* Fray Angel de Salazar, Provincial of the Mitigated.

■* The Licenciate Padilla, who wished St. Teresa to be obliged to
return to the Incarnation as Prioress.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 95

not answer. I must tell you that I should resist to
the uttermost, for it would be useless to be there
without the former confessors and while the con-
vent remained under the authority of the Calced
fathers. But if I am obliged to undertake the office
under pain of sin, you see that I am helpless. For
charity's sake, speak decisively, saying clearly what
I may and what I may not do: you ought not to
write so obscurely on such matters.

Pray much for me, because I am very old and
worn out, though my desires are vigorous. I will
give the sisters your kind messages. I wish your
Reverence would come here with the Prior of
Mancera.^ I assure you that I think you will be
wasting time where you are, for it will not be the
season for sermons.

What a disturbance those other nuns are making
about the hundred realesl Was I not right in saying
that it was necessary to be very cautious in making
Visitations? Another superior comes later on and
it is most important to give him no cause for
complaint. I am very angry, for the sister could
perfed:ly well have given you the money, as she
has control over such affairs and she is not in
much need of it.

It matters little about Fray Antonio;^ but how-
ever slightly he may blame me, if it reflefts upon
my Paul I cannot endure it, though I care nothing
for what he says of me.

May God protecfl you, my Father! It is a great

^ Fray Juan de Jesus (Roca).

® Fray Antonio showed a growing jealousy of St. Teresa's affection
for 'Paul' (Father Gracian).

96 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

grace for me that, as these fathers say, you should
be growing stout in spite of all your work. May
He be for ever praised! Dona Yomar was highly
delighted with your letter: she is well.

This is the fourteenth of May, and I am your
Paternity's true daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.

Fortunately for me, this long letter to you has
not harmed me so much as the one which I wrote
to Malagon: on the contrary, it has done me good.
As for the foundation at Villanueva, it is not to be
thought of if the Franciscans oppose it. The place
suits them, but they would have taught our sisters
to beg. Your Paternity is right: small towns are
terrible for us. A foundation at Madrid is what we
require and there is a good opportunity of starting
it at once. Believe me, it is an important matter,
as also that we should make Roque de Huerta a
present.

CCXXXI

Avila, May 22, 1578^

TO FATHER GRACIAN

Esperanza. Father Mariano and the Jesuits. Im-
prisonment of St. John of the Cross. 'Journey of the
Discalced friars to Rome. College at Salamanca.
That no extra burdens should be laid upon the nuns.

Jesus be with your Paternity.

AS the father who is to take you this letter is
about to start, I cannot write much. I am very
sorry that I was not told last night of his departure.
I am in better health and my arm is recovering.
I was astonished at hearing that, in his interview
with you, the *cat'* had spoken so strongly against
Esperanza.' God forgive him, for if Esperanza had
been as bad as they declared, they would certainly
not have striven so strenuously to keep him. I am
very glad you did not forward the letter to Seville,*
as I think it would be better to behave towards them
with the deepest humility, for we owe much to
them in the past and a great deal to many of them
still. As far as I have seen, this father is wanting
in prudence, so I hope you will not have much to
do with him.

* Fuente 199. The original letter was in the convent of Jeronymite
nuns, Espeja.

■ Former editions gave Cato or Caton, but the MS. at the National
Library, Madrid, gives the correct word gato, cat. See letter of March 2,
1578. (P. Gregoire.)

^Evidently 'Esperanza' here stands for Father Caspar de Salazar
who wished to leave the Jesuits and become a Discalced Carmelite.

* See Letter of February 16, 1578.

97
voi.ni. 8

98 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

I have heard from Toledo that they are exceed-
ingly displeased with me there. Yet the truth is
that I have done all I could for them and even
more than was just. Apparently their ground for
complaint against your Paternity and myself is that
we have taken such pains not to annoy them. I
believe that, had they looked only to God and tried
solely to serve Him as so good a projed: required,
they would be at peace and better pleased, for God
would have smoothed the way. When we ad: from
human resped, we always fail to attain our objed,
as we see in this case. Any one might have sup-
posed our plan was heresy, as I remarked to one
of these fathers. They are hurt because the matter
became public. Certainly, my Father, both they
and we have been influenced by very mundane
motives in this matter. On the whole, I am glad
that things have resulted as they have ; I hope our
Lord will be satisfied.

I have already told you how anxious the fathers
of the Society are that Father Mariano* should
call and examine their spring of water. For some
time past they have been asking him to do so and
he has answered that he will be passing through
Avila during this month. However, I beg your
Paternity to write telling him on no account to
omit visiting them: do not forget this.

I am astounded at the conjuring trick they have
played with Fray John of the Cross and at the

' Fray Mariano was a most skilful engineer. By the king's appoint-
ment, he had rendered the Guadalquiver navigable from Seville to
Cordova and had planned a system of canals by which the Tagus
might water the adjoining fields.

TO FATHER GRACIAN

way our business has come to a stand-still. May
God redlify it! We hear from Toledo that Tostado
has already left, but I do not believe it. He is
reported to have made Fray Angel *^ his delegate.
I do not know what to think about your Paternity's
not coming to Avila. I see that you have good
reason for it, yet time is passing without our send-
ing to Rome, and we are losing all by depending
on hopes which will not be fulfilled for the next
thousand years. I cannot understand it, nor do I
know why Nicolao' does not go there, for it would
not impede the other plans.

I realize that your Paternity is more solicitous
than any one else in the affair; still, to perform
our duty to the Father-General could do no pos-
sible harm, and this is the right moment for it.
Unless this is done, I believe that nothing else will
be of lasting good. Harm never comes of having
several strings to one's bow.*

It is an excellent idea to call that college *St.
Joseph's.' May God reward your Paternity for that
and for your part in its establishment which would
be of great advantage to the Order.^ Your decision
about Toledo is quite right, for the nun is very
narrow-minded, and the prioress must be extremely
silly to tell your Paternity that if you wish they
can go to law about the case, as it concerns the
convent and a large sum of money.

" Fray Angel de Salazar. Tostado had gone to Portugal.
' Fray Nicolao Doria, who being an Italian was specially suited for
the commission.

* Las diligencias nunca son mains por ser muchas.

* The Discalced college at Salamanca for which Father Gracian was
striving to obtain permission.

100 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Dona Yomar is delighted witli your letters
to her as I am with mine, at which I am not
surprised.

That father feels the difference which no doubt
is made at Guadalajara between him and Paul.'°
The two persons are very different. The father is
overcome by natural feeling; I wish your Paternity
would overcome yours by being kind to him. I
think he speaks rather impulsively, but it is a great
thing to be able to bear with every one's weakness.
May God give us the strength we need in order
to please Him. Amen.

I do not know what answer to give your Pater-
nity about those nuns." Four hundred ducats for
twenty! I should not like to accept six hundred.
We must wait and see what Dona Maria de Men-
doza decides about it; she is sure to manage matters
well. I dislike the question of incomes extremely.

We were all shocked at what Mother Antonia'*
told us about the new regulations laid down by
Father N. . . I have written to him to inquire about
it. Believe me, my Father, our communities are
going on well and there is no need to cumber the
nuns by more rules. Whatever was added would
be burdensome: let your Paternity not forget that,
for charity's sake. Always insist on the sisters'
obeying the Constitutions and no more; they will
do much if they do that. You may rely on me as

'" A preacher from Pastrana who was to take the place of Father
Gracian.

" The community of Valladolid.

'■ Antonia del Espiritu Santo, one of the first four Carmelite novices
of the Reform, who had returned from Valladolid to Avila a few days
before: the priest was probably Fray Antonio de Jesus (Heredia.)

TO FATHER GONZALA DA VILA loi

regards whatever relates to the nuns, for I can judge
of that community by this one. Trifling as it might
be, any addition would be oppressive and I should
be the first to feel it unless it were imposed by your
Paternity in God's name. May He preserve you to
us for many years.

To-day is May 22.
Your Paternity's unworthy servant and daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXXXII

Avila, about June, 1578^

TO FATHER GONZALO DAVILA, S.J.

THE SAINT'S CONFESSOR

How to be recolleSied while leading a busy life,

Jesus be with your Reverence.

IT is a long while since anything has mortified
me so much as the letter 1 received from you
to-day, for I am not humble enough to wish to
pass for one so proud, nor ought your Reverence
to prove your humility at such a dear cost to me.
Never did I so long to tear up any letter of yours!
I assure you that you know how to mortify me,
and to show me what I really am by appearing to
think I believe myself capable of teaching others.
God deliver me from such an idea: I do not like
to remember it. I know that the fault is mine,
though perhaps I care less about that than for
seeing your Reverence truly devout. This weakness
and my love for you may be the cause of all the

' Fuente 222. Vol. iii, No. 21, first edition.

102 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

foolish things I say to you, and may make me
speak freely without considering my words. Some-
times 1 feel scrupulous afterwards about what I
have said, and did I not feel a scruple about being
disobedient, I should not comply with your request,
such repugnance do I feel at doing so. May God
accept it. Amen.

As one of my great faults is to judge others by
myself in the matter of prayer, your Reverence
must pay no attention to what I say, for God has
given very different abilities to you from those He
has bestowed on a foolish, insignificant woman like
myself.

Considering the grace our Lord has granted me
by enabling me to realize His a6tual presence, and
yet that much business must pass through my
hands on account of my office, I feel that neither
persecutions nor trials harass me so greatly as these
affairs. When the matter is one that can be done
at once, I sometimes, indeed generally, work until
one or two o'clock in the morning or even later,
in order that my soul may not be forced to attend
to anything but Him Who dwells within it. As
this has seriously injured my health, I think it
must be a temptation, though it seems to leave my
soul at greater liberty. I am like a person with a
very urgent, important affair to attend to, who, to
keep his mind free for it, finishes his other work
quickly: therefore I am glad when I can hand over
any business to the nuns, though perhaps I might
have done it better myself. But as there is a good
reason for it, His Majesty supplies what is wanting,

TO FATHER GONZALO DA VILA 103

and I find that my soul makes notably better pro-
gress if I withdraw it from earthly things. Though
I see this clearly, I am often careless about it, by
which I feel that I undoubtedly lose when I should
have gained, had I taken greater pains.

This does not refer to serious matters which
cannot be negledied, and I must be mistaken in
applying it to your Reverence, for your duties are
grave ones and I believe it would be wrong to
depute them to other people. Yet when I see that
your health suffers, I wish you had less work.
Indeed, I thank our Lord for the manner in which
you take to heart all that affe(fls the welfare of
your house, for I am not too foolish to understand
that your talent for business is a great grace from
God and acquires much merit for you. It makes
me very envious, for I wish my superior possessed
the same ability. Now that God has given you to
me as my soul's superior, I hope you will take as
much pains with it as with your spring of water*
(which greatly amuses me). But water is so neces-
sary in a religious house that all your labours are
spent in a good cause.

There is nothing left to say: I speak as openly
to you as I should to God Himself. I believe that
the efforts made by superiors to discharge their
duties are so pleasing to Him that He gives them
in a short time what He would otherwise only
have granted by slow degrees. This, as well as
what I said before, has been taught me by experi-
ence. However, as I know that your Reverence is

* The conduit and spring about which Fray Mariano was to give
advice.

I04 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

usually overwhelmed with affairs, the idea occurred
to me of saying what I did. On reflexion, I realize
that your circumstances differ from mine. In future
I will cure myself of the habit of speaking on
impulse, seeing how dear it costs me. The temp-
tation will cease when your health returns. May
God restore it as He can and as I desire.
The servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCXXXIII

Avila, June 4, 1578^

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,
PRIORESS OF SEVILLE.

Thanks for presents. Community affairs. An insane

nun,

JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit be with your Reverence,
my daughter.

1HAVE received two letters from you — one via
Madrid; the other came this week by the mule-
teer. But you delay so long in writing that I lose
my temper. Everything you sent arrived safely and
in good condition. So did the orange-flower water
which is excellent, but we do not want more
now: this is enough. I was delighted with the
pretty little jugs: we do not require any others.
As my health is better, I do not need so many
comforts, for I must be mortified some day. My
arm is recovering though I cannot dress myself yet:

' Fucnte 200. The original letter is at V'alladolid.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 105

they say it will be well when the weather grows
warmer. The box and the rest of the things were
excellent. Do not fancy that I eat all the sweets
you send; in fa6t I do not like such things. But
as long as I live I shall never lose my liking for
making presents, and as we are always in difficul-
ties and every one is not so eager to help us as my
Father the Prior of las Cuevas and Father Garci
Alvarez, all those little gifts are needed.

The explanations about the small stove* were so
clear that I think mistakes will be impossible. It
is now being made. Every one is astonished at your
ingenuity; the sisters thank you very much indeed,
as I do, for your efforts to please me in every way
show how fond you are of me. I am confident
of it, and can tell you that you owe me even more
affedlion, for I am surprised at my love for you.
You need not imagine that I prefer any one else,
for some do not suit my charafter. The misfortune
is that, though I pray much for you, my wickedness
prevents my being much help.

I regret to hear that you are suffering with your
heart. It is very trying but I am not surprised at
it, considering how many trials, you have had to
bear alone. Even though the Master gives us virtue
and courage to endure them, yet nature suffers. But
one thing should cheer you: your soul has made
very great progress. Do not fancy that I say this
to console you, but because I perceive the fadt,
and this progress, my daughter, is never made
without costing us dear.

I am deeply pained at what you tell me as it must

'The stove mentioned in the letter of April 15.

io6 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

be very disturbing for every one. It is a great thing
that the sister' has improved slightly; I hope our
Lord will cure her, for many such cases recover.
Her submission to treatment is satisfadlory. God
will restore her; perhaps He means to give you this
cross only for a short time and will draw much
good from it, as I heartily beg of Him.

Attend to what I am about to say. You are to
see as little as possible of the sister, for such things
so injure the heart that it might doyou much harm.
I enjoin this under obedience. Choose two of the
bravest of the nuns to take charge of her and the
rest need see little of her. The sisters must not feel
unhappy nor more sorry for her than if she were
suffering from any other illness. In one way she
deserves less pity, for the insane do not feel their
malady as they would any other disorder. We were
reading, the other day, about the convent of our
Order in which St. Euphrasia lived. Among the
community was a nun afflidied in the same way as
this sister; she would obey no one but the Saint,
who finally cured her. Perhaps there may be some
one in your house of whom the sister stands in awe.
Unless we were tried by ill health in our convents,
they would be like heaven on earth, and we should
gain no merit. Perhaps the nun would leave off
screaming if she were slapped: it would do her no
harm. You are right in keeping her shut up. I
have been wondering whether she suffered from
an excess of blood, which, I believe, causes pains
in the shoulders. May God cure her! You must
know that, though such things are regrettable, I

* One of the nuns at Seville had gone out of her mind.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 107

do not feel as sorry as though I saw imperfections
or discontent in the community, and since there is
nothing of the kind, bodily ills do not trouble me
much.

You know that those who are to enjoy the
companionship of the Crucified must bear the
cross, and we need not ask for it, (though my
Father, Fray Gregorio, thinks that we ought,) for
those whom His Majesty loves. He treats as He
treated His Son.

I wrote to my Father, the Prior of las Cuevas,
a few days ago. Remember me very kindly to him
and read the enclosed letter from me to Father
Garci Alvarez: give it to him if you think well.
On account of my head, which suffers from con-
tinual noises, (although it is a little better) I rarely
write to either of them, much as I like them: you
must always give them kind messages from me.

I was glad our Father ordered that the two nuns
so much given to prayer should eat meat. You
must know, my daughter, that I am distressed
about them, for if they had been near me, they
would not have undergone so many extraordinary
experiences. The number of these experiences
makes me doubtful of them, and though some may
be genuine, I am certain that it is safest to pay
little attention to them. Neither your Reverence
nor our Father should make much account of
them, but should depreciate them, for when they
are genuine, nothing will be lost in this way.
When I say 'depreciate them,' I mean you should
say that God leads souls by different ways and that

io8 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

this is not the way of the greatest sanctity, which
is the truth.

I am pleased with Father Acosta's* account and
that he has so high an opinion of the sister. I do
not wish her to tell him many of the prophecies
lest it should destroy his good impression if they
are not fulfilled, as happened to me in her case.
I do not mean that I lost my belief altogether, for
I know well that when many such things may have
been revealed by God, there may be others which
are merely imagination. I forget the date at which
the event foretold by the other nun was to take
place; let me know whether her prophecy comes
true or not, for letters arrive safely by this courier.
It has just occurred to me that I had better not
write to Father Garci Alvarez until you have in-
formed me as to whether he knows about the matter
so that I can speak to the point. Give him my very
kind regards and say that I was delighted with his
letter which I will answer.

Be very cautious about the two postulants who
wish to enter. It is a strong point that Father
Nicolao should be satisfied with them. God willing,
our Father will go there in September or even
earlier, as you know he has been requested to do,*
and you must a6l as he decrees. I feel very anxious

■• A saintly Jesuit at Seville.

^ To Seville. This order had been given by Pazos, President of the
Royal Council. (See letter of August lo, 1578.) He had consulted
the Holy See on the matter and had received the reply that the Nuncio
had no power to interfere with the religious of Spain unless requested
to do so by the king. Sega was furious with Father Gracian about it,
declaring that the latter had impeded his jurisdiction. He was also
very irate on account of the calumnies and processes brought by the
Mitigated against Father Gracian, as well as because of the memorials
presenced by the latter to Philip, stating the great harm that would

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 109

about his being with those people: prayers are
greatly needed for him.

All the nuns send kind messages. Oh, how
Teresa jumped for joy when she got your present!
It is wonderful how fond she is of you. I believe
she would leave her father to go with you. As she
grows older, she improves in charadler, and is very
sensible. She already receives Holy Communion
and with no little devotion.

My head is getting tired, so I will say no more
except to wish that God may have you in His
keeping as I beg of Him. Remember me kindly
to all the nuns and to the Portuguese and her
mother. Try to forget your troubles, and let me
know how the pain in your heart is. The orange
flower water is excellent. My heart has been better
during the last few days, for after all the Master
does not wish me to have so many trials at once.
To-day is June 4.

Please attend to the favour or rather the request
I make of you in the enclosed paper. For the
love of God be most careful in the matter which
is a service asked of me by some one to whom I
am under the greatest obligation. I told him that
if your Reverence could not succeed, no one could,
for you are both clever and lucky in everything
you undertake. You must take great pains about
it, which will please me extremely.

result to the religious Orders of Spain if the Nuncios issued Briefs
in contradiction to the commands of their superiors. These memo-
rials had been handed by Philip to persons who had shown them
to Sega. The Nuncio's indignation was so great when the decree came
from the Pope, that he declared he would return to Rome unless
Father Gracian were burned alive for having impeded his jurisdiction.
{Peugrin., Dial, ii, 39-41.)

no ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Perhaps Father Prior of las Cuevas may be of
some help, but I rely chiefly upon Father Garci
Alvarez. It seems a difficult task, but with God's
favour, everything is easy. It would be a real con-
solation to me if the matter were carried out:
indeed, I believe it would render great service to
our Lord as it is for the good of souls and can harm
no one. What is wanted is a complete set of sermons
by Father Salucio of the Order of St. Dominic.
Get the best copy that can be had. If you cannot
obtain them all, purchase as many as possible of
the best he preached. A year's sermons comprise
those for Lent, Advent, our Lord's feasts, our
Lady's and the Saints' commemorated during the
year, the Sundays from the Epiphany until Lent,
and from Pentecost until Advent. As this is a
private commission, it must not be mentioned
unnecessarily to any one. God give you good for-
tune in the matter. If you send them, let them go
by this messenger and pay him well. As long as I
am here, address your letters to St. Joseph's, which
is better than dired:ing them to my brother, even
when they are written to him, as he may be away
from home. In short, if you cannot colledl all the
sermons, get as many as possible.

It is a great comfort that Father Garci Alvarez
and Father Gregorio speak so well of your Rever-
ence and your daughters, though, being your
confessors, the reverse was to be exped:ed. God
grant they are telling the truth !

The servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCXXXIV

Avila, July 28, 1578^

TO FRAY DOMINGO BANEZ, VALLADOLID

The Saint advises him not to visit Avila. JJnjust
imprisonment of the Licentiate Padilla.

JESUS !

May the Holy Spirit be with you, my Father.
T RECEIVED a letter from you full of your
1 usual kindness and charity, of which you show
me so much that all I can do is to beg God to
repay you for it and the rest of your good deeds.

As regards your visit to Avila, I assure you that
I should be so grieved at what you would suffer
from your travelling companion and at the injury
this place does to your health, that, unless you
were coming to help me in my desperate need, I
should beg you not to spend your holidays here at
so dear a cost to yourself. Thank God, I am in no
need of your aid, and my many occupations and
trials would prevent my having the comfort in
your society that I should like. I therefore beg
you not to visit Avila but to find some more
pleasant spot in which to take the holiday you must
greatly need after working hard all the year. Be-
sides, if the Father Visitor should happen to come
while you were here, I should enjoy little of your
company.

Believe me, my Father, I am well aware that

' Fuente 201. The name of the addressee is missing; the letter seems
to have been written to Fray Domingo Banez. The autograph belonged
to the Bishop of Orduna.

Ill

112 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

the Master chooses for me in this life cross upon
cross. The worst of it is that He gives a part in
them to all who wish me well, by which I know
He means to make me suffer. May He be for
ever praised!

I am deeply grieved at Father Padilla's misfor-
tune, for I believe he serves God sincerely. May
God make the truth manifest, for many enemies
mean many trials, and we are all liable to the same
fate. But it is a small thing to forfeit life and
honour for love of so good a Master.

Will your Reverence pray much for us, as I
assure you that our affairs are in a state of chaos.
My health is fairly good: though my arm hurts
me so much that I cannot dress myself, still it is
improving and I wish I were improving in love
for God.

May His Majesty have your Reverence in His
keeping and make you as holy as I ask of Him.
Amen.

To-day is July 28.

The unworthy servant and true daughter of your
Reverence,

Teresa de Jesus.

Your servants the nuns of Avila beg earnestly
for your prayers. Do not allow the prioress to leave
off eating meat, and make her take care of her
health.

ccxxxv

Prefatory note.

On July 23, 1578, the Nuncio Sega revoked and an-
nulled all patents, authority and powers formerly granted
to Gracian by the Nuncio Ormaneto, ordering that by a
certain date Gracian should deliver to him all books,
documents, processes, seals, and other properties belong-
ing to his office. (This command was obeyed.) Gracian
was blamed because, after having been prohibited, he
had continued his Visitation. All were forbidden to ren-
der obedience either to him or to any other superior
appointed by Ormaneto. {Acta Cap, Gen.Ndi. i, page 560).

Avila, the beginning of August, 1578.^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

Encouragement and sympathy,

MAY the Holy Ghost be with your Paternity,
my Father, and give you strength to endure
this combat, for in our days God permits the w^orld
and the devils to assail few persons with such fury.
Blessed be His name Who has decreed that you
should gain such merits in so just a cause. I assure
you that, but for our natural affection, reason would
show us clearly what strong motives we have for
joy. I am relieved at hearing you do not consider
that you were excommunicated, though I never
believed you had incurred that penalty. . .

' Fuente 202. The beginning and end of this letter are missing.
It was published as No. 19 of Vol. vi, first edition.

Vol in. 9

CCXXXVI

Avila, August, 1578^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

The Saint reproaches himfornot answering her letters.

. . . May God protect your Paternity and permit
me to see you at rest some day, if only to recruit
your strength in order to suffer more! All the nuns
beg earnestly for your prayers. God grant you may
answer all my questions, for you have become very
like a native of Biscay!* I know there have been
reasons, but since it causes me such suffering no-
thing should have prevented your writing. . . .

CCXXXVII

Avila, August 8, 1578*

TO DONA JUANA DE AHUMADA,

THE SAINT'S SISTER AT ALBA DE TORMES

The Reform is transferred to the authority of the
Nuncio.

Jesus, Mary be with you I

GOD sends us all trials both here and at Alba.
May He be for ever praised! You need feel

^ Fuente 203. Another fragment of a letter. In one of the deposi-
tions for St. Teresa's canonization it is stated that she wrote to Father
Gracian every day while the persecutions were severe. This fragment
was No. 20 of Vol. VI, first edition.

■-' The natives of Biscay could not talk much as they knew little
Spanish.

^ Fuente 207. The autograph is at the Discalced Priory, Alba de

Tormes.

114

TO DONA JUANA ii^

no anxiety about Gonzalo's going away with little
Lorencico:* my brother would not consent, nor
does he think it suitable. I did not write to him,
as the lad who brought the letter had left when it
was delivered to me. Now I am praying for all
of you.

You must know that our affairs have suddenly
become as serious as they could be, for a counter-
brief has been obtained which subjects us all to
the Nuncio. I am not sorry for it as perhaps it
may be the best means of obtaining our eredlion
as a separate province ; also because Father Gracian
will no longer be among these people.

I am so hurried that I do not know what I am
saying; I am now sending advice on certain subje<fls
to the convents at Alba and Salamanca, therefore
I will only ask you to pray for me.

I am not more of an invalid than usual, as crosses
are health and medicine to me. Remember me
very kindly to Seiior Juan de Ovalle and Dona
Beatriz. The sisters here send you kind messages.
My brothers are well; they do not know that
Pedro' is going to Alba.

This is August 8, and I am yours,

Teresa de Jesus.

* The sons of Juana and Lorenzo. There was a question of their
going to the West Indies together.

' Pedro, the messenger, accompanied St. Teresa on several of her
journeys. On one occasion, when he began a low song, she said:
'Don't sing that, Pedro, for you will be a friar one day.' It was far
from his thoughts then, but at the age of seventy-one he joined the
Discalced and lived as a holy friar until the age of eighty-nine.

CCXXXVIII

Prefatory note.

Father Gracian was at Valladolid, engaged on making
nis Visitation by order ot the king, when the Nuncio's
agents arrived there to notify the counter-briet to him.
Being warned that an attempt was to be made to seize
him, Father Gracian hid himselt in the Bishop's house.
The messengers went to St. Alejo's Priory and tried to
break open the doors, but were prevented by a band of
armed citizens. The Nuncio's notary, seeing two friars
escaping over the wall, ran after them as tar as the Bishop's
palace, thinking that one ot them was Father Gracian.
The lawyer read the Brief aloud outside the door and
returned to IMadrid, where he told Sega that he had ac-
complished his commission. Father Gracian left for
Madrid, calling on S. Teresa, at Avila, on the way.

Avila, August 8 and 9, 1578 ^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, VALLADOLID

T^he Nuncio head of the Rejorm. Presentation oj his
Brief at Avila. Benefts oj trials.

Jesus be with your Paternity, my Father

I WROTE to you yesterday via Mancera and sent
the letter to the Subprior, asking hnn to inquire
whether you were at Peneranda as you exped:ed to
be. 1 begged hini to let no one else know, even the
friars. 1 also enclosed two letters from Roque in
which he lays much stress upon your going at once
to Madrid. Though he says he has written diredtly
to you on the subjedt, I tell you because I am afraid
that letters are intercepted.

' Fuente, 204. The autograph belongs to Don Crispo. (Fr. Ant.)
Vol. V, No. 19, in the first edition.

116

TO FATHER GRACIAN 117

In case you should not have gone to the place
you mentioned, I am despatching a messenger to
Valladolid, advising the Mother Prioress how to
answer, for Roque insists upon our replies being
identical, otherwise our cause would be lost. He
sent me a copy of what he wished said, which I
am forwarding to her. I have told the other com-,
munities the precaution may not be necessary.

It is very sad to see these souls in the hands of
one who does not understand them. However, my
anxiety and trouble are solely on Paul's account.
If only I could see him at liberty! I do not know
why, but even if I try, I cannot feel the same
about the rest. God will watch over you, and if
you are cautious there, I shall be content, as long
as you do not go to that other place.

I am greatly alarmed, for there cannot but be
danger in your going to and fro to say Mass. I am
astounded at what is happening and heartily wish
you would leave where you are and go to some
place where we should be sure you were safe. For
charity's sake, let me know your address, so that
I may not be as completely at a loss when I want
to tell you anything as I am at the ciphers, which
you change without explaining them. I should be
very glad if you had a companion, were he only a
lay-brother.

The prior of Santo Tomas* came to see me
yesterday. He thinks that it would not be a bad
plan if you waited for an answer from Joanes* and
deferred your visit to court until the business was

^ The Dominican Priory at Avila.
* The Licentiate Juan de Padilla.

ii8 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

settled. The Recftor/ and even my brother, were
of the same opinion after I had told them of your
letter to Joanes. Since your Briefs are to be deli-
vered to the President, I do not know why they
should press you to start at once. I wish you to go
solely for two reasons: one is my terror lest they
should seize your person at Valladolid, and it would
be better to leave than that this should happen,
(from which may God deliver you!) The other
reason is that we should see how the Nuncio
treated you before your interview with the king.
In any case, the presence of His Majesty would be
expedient.

This was written yesterday. It will prove to you
that I believe that God will give you light by
which to adt in this affair, as he gives you peace
in bearing it, for I have witnessed His intercourse
with you.* The state of the matter is that last
Sunday, the third instant, a Brief was notified to
Father Mariano which, as far as I understand, was
the same that was taken to Valladolid, but Roque
gave me few details. According to him, the Brief
is very long, and revokes the decrees of the last
Nuncio. It must be the one mentioned by your
Paternity, but little is known about it. No doubt
it was written by the Pope and published by the
Nuncio, as Fray Mariano declares in his answer
that he submits to his Lordship's commands.

* The Rector of the Jesuits. This concerns the Briefs, powers, etc.
given by the late Nuncio and the Pope to Father Gracian which were
now to be delivered up to Pazos, President of the Council of Castile.

"" While St. Teresa was praying she saw a vision of our Lord con-
soling Father Gracian.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 119

The Brief is said to ordain that the friars should
no longer consider your Paternity as their superior,
but should obey the Nuncio, and no one else. I
was glad of this ; perhaps the Nuncio will not give
those fathers as much authority as they exped:,
for he will wish to gratify the king. I believe, as
you say, that they long to have done with reforms :
there is no doubt about that, nor would anything
please me better than to see your Paternity set free.
All will come right later on.

No notifications have been made either here or
at Mancera. As the Provincial of the Calced has
not left Avila, they must be awaiting something.
Roque says that the Brief is to be notified in all the
houses but does not state whether that means the
friars or no.

I have written asking the Prioress of Alba to
keep the sister, and to Teresa Laiz*^ asking her
consent. It is such a consolation to me that God
gives you the grace to find some comfort among
your trials that I do not know how I could feel
sad.

I had reached this point in my letter when the
Reverend Father Rioja arrived at the door with a
lawyer to notify the Brief. They asked for the Mo-
ther Prioress, not for me, and as far as I can learn, it
is the same Brief that was sent to Valladolid, which
is said to be in the hands of the Royal Council.
God forgive me! I could never have believed that
the Nuncio would have given such an order — I
mean, could have expressed himself in such a
manner. Had you not followed the advice of so

* Foundress of the convent at Alba.

120 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

many learned men, I should not be surprised at
your Paternity's feeling it keenly, but as you have
always adled uprightly, and you suspended your
Visitations for a year until you knew that the Nun-
cio had affirmed that he had never withdrawn your
commission, I do not know how such things can
be alleged now. Though I am exceedingly pained,
yet, on the other hand, I am deeply touched,
knowing how circumspedtly you acfled, yet with
what infamies you are loaded. I assure you, my
Father, that God loves you greatly and that you
imitate Him closely. Rejoice that He gives you
the crosses you ask of Him for He will defend
you because He is just. May He be blessed for all
things.

Oh, what rich treasures these sufferings are, my
Father! No money could equal them in value,
since they purchase you so rich a crown. Remem-
bering that our Lord Himself and all the Saints
travelled by this way, I cannot but envy your
Paternity, for I am not found worthy of suffering
myself now, except by witnessing the pain of one
I love dearly — and that is far keener anguish.

Tomorrow we shall arrange together how to
send Father Julian de Avila to Madrid at once to
recognize the Nuncio as our superior, to make
friendly terms with him and beg him not to deliver
us over to the Calced. When Father Julian returns,
I shall write to several persons, asking them to
propitiate the Nuncio on your Paternity's account.
I intend to state the fadis and to explain how
long you refrained from using your commission

TO FATHER GRACIAN 121

until you learnt what he himself had declared. I
shall add that you always obeyed him willingly
until you discovered that Tostado had interfered in
order to destroy the Reform. I can assure the Nun-
cio truthfully that I am pleased with his a(5tion,
for anything is better than our subjediion to those
* of the cloth/

Father Julian de Avila must ask for what is
required in our houses, such as leave for workmen
to enter, and other matters of the kind, as I am
told that the Nuncio becomes our superior diredily
we render him obedience. May God prote<fl us all
for no one can force us to offend Him. In any
case, I shall still have St. Paul and nobody can
withdraw me from the obedience I promised to
that saint.'

The Brief has pained the sisters more than any-
thing on account of its aspersions regarding your
Paternity. The nuns commend themselves earnestly
to your prayers and are praying much for you at
my request. We need feel no fear, my Father;
we should praise God for leading us by the way
He walked. May His Majesty protect you for me
and grant that I may see you freed from all these
contentions.

To-day is the Vigil of St. Lawrence.

The unworthy servant and true daughter of your
Paternity,

Teresa de Jesus.

' An allusion to St. Teresa's vow of obedience to Father Gracian
(Paul). See Rel. vi.

CCXXXIX

Prefatory note.

The addressee of this letter is unknown ; it may have
been either Roque, or more probably, the Count de
Tendilla. Very likely Father Julian took it with him to
Madrid. (See last letter.) Yepes says that St. Teresa sent
a full and most excellent account of the affairs of the
Reform to the king, to be delivered to him by one of
the friars of the Order. She also wrote letters to the
Nuncio, to Rome, and to several influential persons on
the subject, besides a number forming a large volume
directed to Roque de Huerta, which Yepes declared he
had in his own possession. This and the next letter were
possibly addressed to Rubeo, who, as he died on the
fourth of the following month, cannot have received
them. The closing sentence seems to show that it was
sent via Madrid.

Avila, about August lo, 1578^

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON

'Justification of Father Gracians condiiB. The rela-
tive pollers of the Visitor and the Nuncio. Theologians,
lawyers i and the President of the Royal Council favour
Father Gracian.

. . . When the late Nuncio died, we considered
it certain that the powers of the Visitor had also
expired. However, the theologians and lawyers of
Alcala, Madrid, and some of those at Toledo whom
we consulted, said this was not the case but that as
the Visitation had been begun, in spite of the Nun-
cio's death it must be completed. Had it not been

' Fuente 205. \'ol. v. No. 20 of hrst edition of the Letters.

122

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON 123

commenced, the powers of the Visitor would have
ceased at the death of him who bestowed them.
President Covarrubias, in his turn, told Father
Gracian to continue his Visitation until it was
completed. All were agreed upon this point.

When the present Nuncio arrived in Spain, he
at once bade Father Gracian show him his authority
and the Ad:s of all his Visits. The latter wished to
retire from his post, but was told that this would
annoy the king, who had requested him to make
the Visitation. Father Gracian then called on the
Archbishop* and gave him an account of what had
taken place. The latter remonstrated with him, told
him that he had the courage of a fly, and that he
ought to go to the king and lay the whole matter
before him. When Father Gracian objedied on ac-
count of the Nuncio, the Archbishop replied that
every one has the right of appeal to the superior and
that this course must be followed.

The king ordered Father Gracian to return to
his priory, saying he himself would examine into
the matter. Some theologians (including even
President Romero) whom I consulted at Avila,
declare that, as the Nuncio had not shown the
faculties giving him authority in the case, Father
Gracian is not bound to discontinue his Visitation,
for which opinion thev give several reasons.

The Nuncio had not then shown his faculties, nor
has he done so vet, unless it has been within the
last ten days, though I know for certain that the
king requested b.im to disclose them.

Notwithstanding all these opinions, for about

- Don Quiroga, archbishop of Toledo.

124 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

nine months' Father Gracian did not use his powers
even to sign a document, though he was aware
that the Nuncio had declared, and even sworn,
that he had not forbidden him to continue the
Visitation. This can be vouched for by numerous
witnesses, also that when asked by a friar to deprive
Father Gracian of his commission as Visitor, the
Nuncio replied that he had not the power.

At the end of nine months, the acftual President
of the Royal Council, sent for Father Gracian and
told him to resume the Visitation.'^ The latter beg-
ged him urgently to withdraw the command, but
the President replied that this was impossible, for
it was the will of both God and of the king; that he
(Pazos) was in his present office against his own
wish, adding other reasons of the same kind.
Father Gracian asked whether he should go to
the Nuncio: this the President forbade, telling our
Father to have recourse to himself if necessary.
The Council then delivered to Father Gracian
several royal mandates authorizing him to apply
to the civil power wherever he might be.*

It had always been believed, from what the
Nuncio himself had said, that he had no authority
over the religious Orders, for when the king was
displeased at the way in which, without consulting
him, he had treated Father Gracian on arriving in

' From August or September 1577, until May or June 1578.

* In consequence of the decision of the Holy See that the Nuncio
was not to interfere with the religious Orders in Spain unless requested
to do so by Philip, Pazos gave this direction.

' Father Gratian never availed himself of this permission in spite of
the attempt made to capture him at V'alladolid.

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON 125

Spain, the Nuncio has done nothing nnore until now.
We therefore suppose that, since then, he must
have received some very special powers from the
Pope, on account of his present ad:ion: though, as
far as we know, he has not shown those powers to
the Royal Council or to any one else.

Father Gracian felt greatly perplexed, for, if he
had had recourse to the Nuncio, instead of obeying
the king, we should have lost favour with his
Majesty, who is our patron, and who upholds our
cause with the Pope, especially as we knew for
certain that the Nuncio was endeavouring to ap-
point as Visitor Tostado, a father *of the cloth'
whom the General chose as his Vicar. Tostado
undoubtedly came to Spain with the determination
of carrying out the regulations of General Chapter^
by abolishing all our priories except two or three.
No novices were to be received in these houses,
and the friars were to be dressed in the same man-
ner as the Calced. Father Gracian accepted the
office of Visitor with great relucflance, solely with
the object of defending the Reform.

It would be a very delicate matter for him to
render up his powers together with the A(^ls of the
Visits relating to the faults of the Calced friars
of Andalusia, because much of the information
was given him under promise of secrecy. To
reveal it would provoke the anger of all, and
destroy the reputation of many religious. Nor did
Father Gracian know whether the Nuncio was the
superior appointed to treat of the affair, since the
latter has never shown his authority.

*^That of Piacenza, held in 1575.

126 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

All this is true, and there are other fad:s which,
were they revealed, would prove clearly that the
Brief blames Father Gracian unjustly. He has
done nothing without the advice of learned men;
for, learned as he is himself, he never follows his
own judgment. He declares that it is a novelty in
Spain that a Nuncio should refuse to disclose his
powers, former Nuncios always having shown
them.

Will you kindly consider whether it would not
be well to have clearly written copies made of this
explanation and send them to several persons in
Madrid.

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXL

Avila, August, 1578*

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON AT MADRID

A plea for the Reform and for forgiveness for herself
from the Father General. She asks that the Discal-
ced may not be governed by the Caked. Arguments
in favour of a separate province.

. . . Indeed, notwithstanding the numerous letters
you have written to him* and the honour done to
him by it, the result has been the opposite of what
you wished. He no more writes to our commu-
nities nor deals with them than if he were not our

' Fuente 206. This letter is incomplete. The autograph belongs to
the Discalced nuns of Alcala de Henares. It was probably addressed
to the Count de Tendilla.

* Most likely Rubeo, the Father General.

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON 127

superior. Evidently people must have prejudiced
him, or he would not have behaved In so marked
a manner.

We v^ish to obtain for our communities from
his Most Reverend Paternity three most Important
concessions for our houses.

Firstly, If possible, he Is to be persuaded not to
give credence to what has been alleged against
Teresa of Jesus, for Indeed she has done nothing
unbecoming a most obedient daughter. This Is
absolutely true and nothing can be proved to the
contrary. He knows that she would not tell a
falsehood for anything in the world, and experience
has shown him of what people not personally ac-
quainted with her are capable when carried away
by passion. Let him make inquiries, and since he
Is our shepherd, let him condemn no one unjustly
and unheard. But if he will listen to nothing except
the accusations made against her, let him punish
Teresa and impose a penance on her, leaving her
no longer in disgrace, for she would prefer anything
to his displeasure.

Fathers forgive their children even for grave
offences: how much more should he forgive her
who has committed no fault, but has laboured
painfully to found convents, thinking to please him,
for not only is he her superior, but she bears him
the deepest affed:ion. Let him not permit so many
handmaids of God, with whom no one finds fault,
to remain in disgrace with him but let him hold
them as his daughters as he always has done and
acknowledge them publicly as such, since they
have done nothing to forfeit that right.

128 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Secondly, since the Apostolic Vicar no longer
rules over us and we are under his Lordship's
jurisdiction, will he nominate superiors to whom
we may have recourse for Visitations and our many
other needs. But we ask that these superiors should
be Discalced Carmelites who keep the Primitive
Rule, and that he will not subje(5l us to the friars
of the Mitigation. We beg for this both because
they lead a life so different that it is impossible for
them to understand ours and to corred: the sisters'
failings, also on account of the ill-success of their
government, of which his Lordship is aware. If
he wishes, he shall be informed of the complete
failure of the last father who filled that office,'
though he had been chosen as the most suitable by
the nuns themselves. Perhaps it may have been no
fault of his, but, as I explained, came from lack of
experience which does great harm.

Besides this, the two Apostolic Visitors stipulated
in the Ad:s of their Visit, imposed upon us by
obedience, that the nuns should be subjecft to the
Father General and to a superior appointed by
him, who, on account of the harm that had resulted
from a different choice, should be a friar of the
Primitive Observance: that is, a Discalced Car-
melite.

If his Most Reverend Paternity disapproves of
this plan, you might give him to understand (not
as coming from the nuns but as your private
opinion) that they would prefer placing themselves
under the jurisdiction of the Ordinary to being
visited and governed by the Calced, for as his

' Probably Fray Angel dc Salazar, Provincial of the Discalced.

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON 129

Lordship is so far away, much harm might be done
before they could appeal to him, as experience has
shown him. This was one reason why we did not
oppose the Visitors, which as Reformed religious
we had the right to do. However, we do not wish
to be in the power of the Mitigated again, having
already experienced it.

Until every effort has been made to carry out
the first plan, nothing is to be said of the second,
which I should regret to accept and should only
agree to if we should be ruined otherwise, as the
nuns would suffer terrible torment at being with-
drawn from obedience to the General. But surely
they will meet with some mercy from him, for
besides being held in high esteem for their virtue
by the king and the highest in the land, they num-
ber among them several ladies of rank. They are
in no need of money; the convents are built and
in flourishing condition, having been founded by
the nobles of the kingdom. God grant the time
may never come when the nuns may find them-
selves in such a condition, and separated from the
jurisdidiion of so good a shepherd."* May God
forgive whoever sowed these tares ! A most impor-
tant point, towards which, for love of our Lord,
I entreat you to dired: most strenuous efforts, is
that the Discalced should be constituted as a
separate province.

Our convents are always under the jurisdidion
of the Provincial, but as the nuns converse with

* The end of this paragraph from the word 'good a Shepherd'
was first published by Pere Gregoire, by whose kind permission it is
translated from the Spanish.

Vol. III. JO

130 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

God only, it would be a great advantage as regards
mortification and perfection that, if possible, the
direction of our communities should be conferred
upon the Father Master, Fray Jeronimo de la
Madre de Dios Gracian, as he has visited them for
several years. His interior spirit, his discretion, and
gentle manners, combined with great perfedtion and
gravity, make it evident that the Virgin has chosen
him to help the nuns to make great spiritual pro-
gress. They declare that at every visit he renews
their fervour and benefits them extremely.*

If it could be carried out, this would be the best
plan, as all the nuns would agree. Yet the thing
seems impossible, for our most Reverend Father
General is as displeased with Father Gracian as
with Teresa of Jesus: indeed, far more so for the
reasons given in the enclosed statement.*^ It was
this Father who was made Apostolic Visitor by
order of the late Nuncio and the King, and, con-
sidering the misdeeds alleged against him, no
wonder the Father General is annoyed with him!

Could the above plan be carried out, it would
render great service to our Lord, but as this seems
impossible, it is necessary to suggest the names of
other religious. These are: the Father President,
Fray Antonio de Jesus, or Fray John of the Cross,
these being the first to become Discalced Carmelite
friars, and very faithful servants of God. Should
these be unsuitable, let the Father General choose
one he prefers, as long as he is neither a friar * of the

■" The rest of the autograph is missing. The Spanish is taken from
Vol. VI, No. 48 of the first edition of the Letters.
*This appears to refer to the preceding memorial.

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON

131

cloth' nor an Andalusian. Do your best, for, God
willing, better terms for us may be arranged later
on. It would be a great thing first of all to be
delivered from the Calced.

Whoever is nominated must be careful to send
the appointed taxes every year to the General
as the Visitors should do in order to acknowledge
their delegation by him. Should he not do so (but
he will, as he is bound), the nuns will pay these
taxes. If the Father Master Jerome Gracian were
appointed their Visitor, the sisters would gladly pay
double and even much more, and consider them-
selves gainers, so important would be the advantage.
This must be repeated to no one except to him who,
after the most careful inquiry, is found to be the
Most Reverend Father General's chosen confidant.
It would be prudent to treat first with this adviser
on all the above-mentioned questions, for it is
essential, if our plans are to succeed, to gain the
good- will both by word and deed of those associated
with his Lordship.

In the third place, it would not be desirable that
the Father General should set a strid:er limit to the
powers of our superiors than that appointed to those
of other Orders who, when a convent or house is
bestowed for nuns, or the superior himself founds
one, have power to transfer to it sisters from the
older-established communities. Otherwise, it would
be dithcult to make foundations in his Order. Peo-
ple help the Reform and are glad to see it spread, as
was the Most Reverend General of Carmel himself
before he was misinformed on the subjed:. I do not

132 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

know what can have been alleged against such
religious, who give and who have given so good an
example, and who continue to found houses in
which they live sincere and devout lives, that he
should, as I said, deprive them of what is accorded
to all other religious bodies.

At the General Chapter, the Most Reverend
Father General forbade under pain of excommu-
nication that any nun (especially Teresa of Jesus)
should leave her convent; he also prohibited the
superiors' giving such permission. Yet, when a
house was ready for a new foundation, she had only
gone there with some other nuns to establish the
Order, taking possession of it with all possible
religious observance, according to the patents given
her by the Most Reverend Father General himself.
In fadl, those who witnessed it were edified, as can
be proved if necessary.

CCXLI

Prefatory note.

On August 9, by the king's order, the Royal Council
opposed the Nuncio's jurisdiction and issued provisions
forbidding the friars of the Reform to obey him, at the
same time commanding the governors of towns and
cities to intercept the communication of his briefs and
mandates. Father Gracian (who was to retain his office
of Visitor) received letters of provision entitling him to
protection by the magistrates against any measures that
Sega might take against him.

Avlla, August 14, 1578.^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

T^he Sainfs anxiety about Father Gracian. Advice
as to obtaining a separate province.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you,
my Father.

HAD your Paternity not visited Avila, I should
have gained small merit from our trials which
caused me little grief, but since then I have paid
my whole debt. I assure you that I was so touched
by the sight of you that my heart felt broken
all day yesterday, (Wednesday), for I could not
bear to see you so downcast and with such grave
reason, as wherever you go you are in danger and
obliged to skulk and hide like a malefad:or. Yet
never for a moment do I lose confidence in our
final success. The fad: is, my Father, that God has
sought a sure way of making me suffer by willing
that the blows should fall where they hurt me
more than when aimed at myself.

To-day, the vigil of our Lady's feast, the good
Roque sent me a copy of the letters of provision
which are a great comfort to us, for as the king
thus takes the matter up your Paternity will be free
from danger. Your peril was what tormented us,
for I know that the sisters are courageous about

' Fuente 208. Part of the autograph is kept at Fuencarrel, near
Madrid ; and the rest is taken from Vol. v, No. 25 of the first edition
of the Letters.

134 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

all the rest. The Master has not willed that I
should suffer long. It is fortunate that your Pater-
nity left here when you did and that you are
travelling via the Escorial.

You will tell me by the bearer, Pedro, all that
has happened and is happening. Let news be sent
to Valladolid, as the sisters there are anxious. They
sent a messenger here, as they had learnt what had
become of Fray Juan de Jesus.* At the same time,
do not forget to mention whether anything can be
done to help Fray John of the Cross,^ nor to tell
me whether it would be well to send some one to
the Nuncio to show that the Discalced know
something of obedience, since we are put under
his authority. We shall consult together here as to
our best course and shall follow it, if your Pater-
nity is no longer at Madrid, for such an adlion
cannot impair the justice of our cause, since we
have obeyed. I received letters to-day from the
convents of Valladolid and Medina; nothing has
been notified to them. The Mitigated must have

" Fray Juan de Jesus Roca, Prior of Mancera, who went to Madrid
to settle some dispute with the Vicar of Valladolid concerning the
foundation, presented himself before the Nuncio who would not listen
to him but condemned him to confinement for two months in the
Priory of the Calced at Madrid.

^ St. John of the Cross escaped miraculously from his prison on the
feast of the Assumption. Our Lady appeared to him and showed him
the window from which he was to descend. He let himself down
safely by a rope too short and frail for the purpose and was twice
miraculously assisted over high walls which he could not climb. He
entered the convent of the Discalced nuns at Toledo to give the
Sacraments to a sick sister, and hid in the infirmary while the Calced
friars searched for him. Canon Mcndoza sheltered him in the hospital
of the Holy Cross until he was well enough to return to the priory at
Almodovar.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 135

learnt what is happening, otherwise I feel sure
these brethren of mine would not have been idle.

My Father, I feel rather anxious, for amid all
this commotion and in these letters of provision, no
other Visitor is mentioned but my Father Gracian.
I should not like any edi6t to be sent from Rome
against him, so I think it would be well for your
Paternity to remember the light seen by Paul^
which seemed verified by that seen by Angela*
and that you should withdraw from this fire as far
as possible. But do not vex the king, whatever
Father Mariano may say. Your conscience is un-
suited to cases about which contrary opinions may
be held, for even when there is nothing to fear,
you are troubled, as you have been lately. This
course would appear right to every one. Let the
others settle their disputes among themselves : when
all has been arranged and made certain, it will be
enough for you to expose yourself to danger with-
out incurring scruples as well. I assure you that
my chief anxiety during all this commotion has
been the fear implanted in me (I cannot say how)
that you will not be relieved from the Visitation.
If it is the will of God, He will protedl you as He
has hitherto, but it would be torture to me.

If you withdraw as I have suggested, you will
need all your tadt in order to appear to fear nothing
but offending God which is the truth. Should your
Paternity converse with the Nuncio, justify your-

* This happened while Father Gracian was reciting Compline at
Toledo in 1577. The trials he was to undergo were also revealed to
St. Teresa. Re/, ix. 23. (David Lewis).

" Here begins the autograph kept at Fuencarral. The beginning of
of this paragraph was first published by P. Gregoire.

136 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

self in this affair, and explain, if he will listen, that
you will always obey him and only delayed sub-
mission in the past because you knew that Tostado
was bent on destroying our newly established Re-
form. You might say that he can discover the state
of our houses by making inquiries, and other things
of the sort.

Your Paternity should strive, in every possible
way, to obtain a separate province on whatever
conditions the Calced require. On that all depends,
even the very existence of the Reform. This must
be stated to the king, the president, the archbishop,
and all the rest, and they must be made to under-
stand what scandal and contention has resulted
from the want of it, especially in Castile, where as
there is neither Visitor nor justice to control them,
the Mitigated behave as they like. Your Paternity
will know better than I how to state the case: it
is very foolish of me to write about it, but I mention
it lest your other cares should cause you to forget
it. I am not sure whether Pedro will take this letter
as he cannot get a mule: at all events, the messenger
will be trustworthy. For charity's sake, let me
know all that is happening, however limited your
time may be, and tell me how Father Mariano is.

The nuns here commend themselves earnestly
to your prayers. If you witnessed their grief at
your trouble, you would be touched, for it is all on
my Father's account. I feel sorry for the sisters at
Veas and Caravaca: we sent them a messenger
and they must be in great distress for they have
heard nothing lately. We wrote to them holding
out great hopes, except as regards your Paternity,

TO FATHER GRACIAN 137

so that they might pray for you more fervently.
Be kind enough to let Roque know if there is any
means of communicating with them from Madrid.
I forwarded fifty ducats to him yesterday and am
sending to-day what will complete the sum of a
thousand reales!'

I should be very sorry if your Paternity were
obliged to remain at Madrid, or even where you
are, during the warm weather. As these affairs are
likely to take a long while to settle, would it not
be well for you to come to Mancera? For charity's
sake, consider the question, for we should be nearer
one another. Let me know what has become of
the prisoners taken at Pastrana. Oh, if only another
vision would deliver you from the torment into
which the other plunged you a few days ago! God
grant it, and may He grant me the favour of seeing
you in such a position that I may be freed from
all my fears. Amen.

To-day is the vigil of our Lady of August. Our
joys and sorrows come to us on her feasts as though
from her.''

The unworthy servant and subjed: of your
Paternity.

Teresa de Jesus.

•^ The autograph clearly shows that the last two clauses refer to
Roque, not Father Gracian.

' On the feast of the Presentation of our Lady, 1575, St Teresa had
been in great distress on account of the danger incurred by Father
Gracian when presenting the Brief at the Calced Priory, Seville. Our
Lord said to her : "O woman of little faith! be at peace : all is going
well." {Rel. ix, 27).

CCXLII

Avila, August, 14-15, 1578^

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO DON
ROQUE DE HUERTA

Cautio7i to he shown ahout entrusting the affairs of
the Reform entirely to the Nuncio.

... I believe that you are to speak to-day to
the king who arrived at the Escorial yesterday.
Let the greatest care be taken that what is entrusted
to the Nuncio is made sure of, for I see that many
things are treated more as a matter of custom than
as a right. This is what must be insisted on as
regards the province. . .

. . . brother. I beg your Honour to dired: that
it should be given into his own hands. . .

' Fuente 267. P. Fidel Fita assigns this date to tlie letter. (Bol. de
R. la Acad, de la Historla, lvhi. cuad 1.)

138

CCXLIII

Avila, August 24, 1578^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

Death of the king of Portugal. The necessity of urging
upon the Nuncio and others the establishment of a
separate province for the Discalced. The Count de
Tendilla. The fesuits and Father Mariano.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity, my Father !

WE were delighted with the letter Pedro
brought, so full of bright hopes for the
future which seem certain to be realized. May our
Lord dispose of matters as tends most to His service !
However, until I know that Paul* has had an inter-
view with Mathusalen and how it has passed off,
I shall not be free from anxiety. If your Paternity
should hear of it, have the kindness to write an
account of it to me.

I was deeply grieved at the news of the death
of such a Catholic king as that of Portugal* and
angry with those who let him incur such great

' Fuente, 209. The first part of the original letter belongs to the
Carmelite nuns of Rioseco; the rest is taken from Vol. iv, No. 26,
first edition.

"'Paul' stands for Father Gracian; 'Mathusalen' for the Nuncio.

^ Don Sebastian, king of Portugal, with a number of his subjects,
had lost his life on August 4, 1578, on the coast of Africa where they
had gone to establish the Christian faith. Ribera says that, more than
twenty years before, St. Teresa had seen a vision of an angel holding
a naked blood-stained sword over Portugal. While she was weeping
over the death of the king and his companions, our Lord said to her :
'Why do you grieve, if I saw that they were ready to come to Me ?'

HO ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

danger. We learn from all parts of the world that
there is little safety and no happiness to be found,
unless we seek them in suffering.

Your Paternity should make every possible
effort, in whatever way you think best, and under
any conditions, to obtain a separate province, for
though there will be no lack of other trials, it is a
great thing to be safely established. If the fathers
* of the cloth' were also to press the matter with
the Nuncio (as I believe thev would do willingly),
it would be a great advantage. Do not cease to en-
deavour to bring this about, as if the Nuncio sees
no opposition, he will listen to us more favourably.

We were delighted at his answer to the Miti-
gated about their adlion at Medina and their
endeavours to persuade the nuns to obey the Pro-
vincial *of the cloth.'

Valdemoro is Vicar there: as he did not receive
sufficient votes to be made Prior, the Provincial
named him Vicar in order to assist the house. Since
what took place some time ago, he is very angry
with the Prioress Alberta. The Calced fathers here
tell people that the nuns are to be placed under
their jurisdicflion, and many other things of the
kind. The sisters were half dead with terror of
Valdemoro, but I have reassured them.

Let us know when your Paternity thinks it ad-
visable to render some acfl of homage to the Nuncio,
and for charity's sake tell us, as soon as possible,
about your interview with him, for I shall be
anxious until it is over, though I trust in God that
all will succeed in answer to our many prayers.
I am very glad that you have found such a pleasant

TO FATHER GRACIAN 141

home : you need some comforts after your trials.
I wish the Count de Tendilla would accompany
you on your first visit to the Nuncio. Should the
latter grant you pardon, you will be completely
exculpated from all the slanders brought against
you. I feel certain that if some influential person
were to plead for Fray John with the Nuncio,
were he only entreated to inquire into the father's
character and the injustice of his imprisonment,
Sega would at once order that he should be sent
to one of his own houses.* I do not know by what
mischance it is that nobody remembers that saint.
The Princess of Eboli would intercede for him if
Father Mariano stated the case to her.

The fathers of the Society are very anxious that
Father Mariano should come to Avila at once, as
they are in great need of his help.* If, without
much inconvenience, he can be spared from Ma-
drid, I beg your Paternity to have the charity to
send him here, as these fathers have been asking for
him for a long while and are writing to the Nuncio
for permission. He would be with you again in five
or six days, as a day or a few hours would suffice
here. I beg you not to forget this amidst all your
other business. It is fortunate that you are able to
charge him with this commission, for, though it
seems unimportant, the fathers consider his help
absolutely indispensable.^

I do not know how we can repay Don Diego ^

* The escape of St. John of the Cross was not yet publicly known.
' This refers to the water supply for the Jesuits' house at Avila.
® Here terminates the part of the letter preserved at Rioseco.
' Don Diego Peralta, who was sheltering Father Gracian in his house
at Madrid.

142 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

in return for his great charity; heaven must recom-
pense him. Give him my kindest greetings and tell
him I entreat him not to forsake you until he has
found you a safe refuge for I am terrified at all
these highway murders. May God in His divine
loving-kindness prote(ft your Paternity. I com-
mend myself to the prayers of Doila Juana;^
remember me kindly to the secretary and the
sefioras. I sincerely hope we shall not give them
such trouble in future.

You must know that the Father General has
written to Dona Quiteria, as you will see by the
enclosed letter. God forgive those who have told
him such falsehoods against us! If His Majesty
should grant us the favour of being constituted as
a separate province, it would be well to send some
of our fathers to him at once, as I believe we
should eventually become his favourites. Let us
be His Majesty's favourites and then, come what
may ! xMay He proted: your Paternity for us. Amen.

The bell is ringing for Matins, so I will only say
that the prioress and sisters are well and feel much
consoled. They and my brother ask your prayers
and are pleased with the way our affairs are pro-
gressing. My greatest pleasure is that this detestable
Visitation, which cost us so dear, is done with, and
that your Paternity has no more to do with it as
I have long desired. Yet I cannot but fear lest so
great a blessing should not last long.

To-day is August 24.
Your Paternity's unworthy servant and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.

• Father Gracian's mother and his brother Tomas.

CCXLIV

Prefatory note.

This fragment of an unpublished letter must have been
part of the large volume of letters from St. Teresa to
D. Roque de Huerta, which Yepes says were in his
possession. At his death, in 1 6 1 3, as Bishop of Tarazona,
they were nearly all dispersed and lost. A photo of the
autograph of this fragment (which is kept at the Fran-
ciscan convent de la Concepcion, Madrid), was published
by P. Fidel Fita in the Boletin de la Real Academia de
la Historia, January, 191 1. He believed that it was
written on Aug. 24, 1578, and that the first sheet, now
missing, contained an account of the crisis of the Reform
which Roque cut off and probably sent to the Count de
Tendilla. While Rubeo was alive, St. Teresa would have
liked Father Gracian to go to Rome to explain and settle
matters with him.

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

Avila, August 24, 1578
Dangers of Father Gracian.

. . . Your Honour must not feel anxious, for our
Lord will bring things right when you least expedl
it. I feel, and I have felt, greater anxiety as to
whether our Father has put himself into the hands
of the Nuncio; for I would very much rather he
cast himself into the hands of God and faced the
dangers of the journey to Rome, and that he should
be one of those who go there. Perhaps I do not
understand what I am talking about.

For charity's sake let me know all that happens
at once, as we are greatly concerned about it.

143

144 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Tell me how Fray Antonio is: I was very sorry
about him, for they were heavy blows for one so
ill and weak to bear. He is a saint and God treats
him accordingly.

The Count's letter was a great comfort to me,
for I believe that God has chosen him for our
deliverer. I enclose the answer, which is of the
utmost importance. If he is at Madrid, will you
give it into his hands yourself; if not, send it by a
special messenger — but remember that on no
account must it be lost.

Your Honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCXLV

Prefatory note»

SegAj who had excommunicated Father Gracian at Valla-
dolid, now sent him an order to show his powers as
commissary. The king and the theologians whom he
consulted, advised Father Gracian not to comply until
Sega had shown his own powers. After a short stay at
Madrid, Father Gracian went to the priory at Pastrana.
While he was there, the Nuncio's deputies, Augustin
Suarez and Coria, came to present the Brief and receive
the submission of Father Gracian, Fray Antonio, Mari-
ano, and the community. At first the friars, relying upon
the royal provisions, determined to resist, but Father
Gracian first consulted a holy lay brother accredited with
supernatural discernment who told him that if the Dis-
calced submitted to Sega as the representative of the Holy
See, the Pope would grant them a separate province.
Father Gracian followed his advice, showing the royal
provisions to the Visitors as a proof that his compliance
was voluntary, and returned to Madrid. There he gave

TO FATHER GRACIAN 145

his documents to the Royal Council and went to the
king. Philip, indignant at his provisions having been
set aside, left the Discalced to their fate, telling Father
Gracian to call on the Nuncio and learn his wishes. Sega
refused to see him until the documents of the Visitation,
etc. had been transferred to himself.

If the three friars thought that their submission would
have propitiated Sega, they were mistaken. The inter-
view was terrible. After having excommunicated them,
he condemned them to prison: Mariano at Atocha;
Father Antonio with the Discalced Franciscans, and
Father Gracian with the Mitigated at Madrid. The exact
date of this affair is unknown, but their custody cannot
have lasted very long as the three fathers were free to
attend the Chapter of Almadovar by October 9. (See
PeregrinacioneSy Dial, in, p. 47; Found. Introd. xlvi, ch.
xxviii, note 9. For the royal provisions, see pref. note
to Letter ccxli.)

Avila, early in August 1578^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, AT MADRID

St. Teresa writes to Sega. Advises Father Gracian
as to how to behave to him.

Jesus be with your Paternity.

I VERY much wished to write you a long letter
in return for yours, which was downhearted and
melancholy throughout, but the letters I enclose
had to be sent, and now mv head will not allow me
to scrawl any more. Will you have the enclosed
missive directed to the Nuncio;* I have not written
the address lest I should make a mistake : let the

' Fuente 210. Vol. vi, No. 26, first edition. The original was at
the Cistercian Monastery, Poblet.
^ This letter has been lost.
Vol III. il

146 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

lady whose handwriting most resembles mine,
affix it.

In the first place, this Paul' of mine with all his
scruples, is very foolisli : your Paternity should tell
him so. There is nothing to say to your Paternity
on the subjedt. All theologians declare that his
conscience can be perfedlly clear until the Brief is
notified to him, and he would be mistaken in
putting himself into the Nuncio's hands before the
President has smoothed the way for him.'* If pos-
sible, the latter should be present during the first
interview your Paternity has with the Nuncio.

For the love of God do not let your fancy make
you prophesy such evils: He will bring things
right. I understand now why Joseph said, when
Ardapilla went away, that it would be well for our
afi^airs; if he is in such ill favour, there is no doubt
of that. It does not matter about those hermits:
God brings good to light as well as evil when He
chooses. You are under no obligations as to Mass;
I have inquired about it and you know it yourself.
Try to remain where you are, if it can be kept
secret: that is what makes me anxious. If you are
melancholy in such a comfortable life, what would
you have been had you shared the lot of Fray John?*

The money owing to Alonso Ruiz will be paid.
If he has not left, tell him that I have about a
hundred bushels. The money ought to be paid to

^'Paul' stands for Father Gracian, 'Joseph' for Christ, and 'Ar-
dapilla' for the Licentiate Padilla.

* The President of the Royal Council, Don Pazos, soon after made
bishop of Avila.

* St. John of the Cross.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 147

the Malagon nuns at once; his payment can go
with it.

My head prevents my writing more, my good
Father. Abide with God, and since you serve such
a lady as the Virgin, who prays for you, never
allow yourself to grieve, though I see there are
reasons for it.

Remember me affectionately to Dona Juana.
Teresa de Jesus.
Let the President be told we are praying earnestly
for his health.

CCXLVI

Avila, End of August, 1578^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, AT MADRID

Imprisonment and escape of St. "John of the Cross at
Toledo.

... I assure you that the treatment undergone
by Fray John of the Cross is ever in my thoughts.
I do not know how God can allow such things,
for even your Paternity is not aware of all. During
the whole of the nine months he was imprisoned
in a cell hardly large enough to hold him, small
as he is, and for all that time he never changed
his tunic, though he was almost dying. Three
days before his escape, the superior gave him a
tunic of his own, and disciplined him several times
severely. Fray John saw no one during his cap-
tivity. I envy him intensely. Thank God for giving
him courage for such martyrdom!

' Fuente 211. Nothing remains of this letter but these two fragments,
Vol. VI, No. 44. First edition.

148 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

It is well that the faits should be told so that
we may be more on our guard against these people.
God forgive them! Amen.

.... Inquiries ought to be made so that the
Nuncio can be informed as to how this saintly
Fray John was treated, blameless as he was. It is
a lamentable affair. Tell Fray German* to do so;
he will, for he feels very strongly about it. . . .

CCXLVII

Avikj the middle of September, 1578^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

Anxiety at St. 'John of the Cross having been allowed
to leave Toledo.

... I am deeply pained at the life Fray John of
the Cross has led, and that they have permitted
him, ill as he was, to start at once for Almadovar.
God grant that death may not deprive us of him.
As a personal favour to me, will your Paternity see
that he is taken care of there and not allowed to
leave. Be sure not to forget this. I assure you that
you would have few such religious left if he were
to die. . .

'' Fray German, St. John's fellow chaplain who was taken prisoner
by the Caked.

' Fuente, 212. This may possibly be part of the preceding letter.
Vol. V, No. 47, first edition.

CCXLVIII

Avila, September 29, 1578^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

ProjeSi of sending to Rome to obtain a separate province
and protestor . Father Ajitonio continues the Visitation.
Disappearance of Fray Juan de la Miser ia. Father
Paul Hernandez.

... If all were done it would be a great thing :
if both friars could not go, one should do so, but
it would be better to send two. They are much
liked by the Society (of Jesus) which would be no
small advantage in the negotiations.* In any case,
will your Paternity write to me at once, and for
charity's sake let us not confine ourselves to hopes
any longer. Every one is surprised at our having
no one to negotiate for us in Rome, so that the
Calced can do as they like. Let those who go, take,
a petition begging that the Discalced may have a
protecftor there.

There is need for us to ad: without delay, for
our time is very limited, as your Paternity is aware.
Being in Madrid, you can inform me whether it is
too late, for however we hastened matters I think
we should need the whole of Odober. I laugh at
myself for planning as though there were friars
at hand and funds for their journey. But if we
do not make a beginning, it will never be done:

' Fuente 2 1 3. The first part of the letter is missing. The Carmelite
nuns of Rioseco have the original.

" St. Teresa did not know that Rubeo had died on the fourth of
this month.

150 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

we ought to have begun to prepare diredlly we
submitted to the Brief.

Fray Antonio complains terribly, and with good
reason, that we have told him nothing.' I am sur-
prised at Roque, considering the number of mes-
sengers who travel between Madrid and Granada.
I told Roque that your Paternity would give notice
to Fray Antonio who, as he knew nothing of what
had passed, used his powers with less scruple. I do
not know what I have done with his letter ; if I
find it, I will send it to your Paternity.

I must own that I was grieved at learning how
lawless some of your Discalced friars are: I refer
to the one who went away with Fray Baltasar;'^
the Calced jailors were more grateful. God grant
he may obtain no followers when he is set at liberty;
but it is better that he should be with the Calced.

I fear lest those *of the cloth' may have seized on
Fray Juan de la Miseria^ as he has never appeared
since they say they last saw him. May God bring

' Fray Antonio de Jesus (Heredia) had been making a Visitation in
Andalusia as delegate of Father Gracian who had omitted telling him
that Sega had withdrawn his powers. Perhaps Roque de Huerta had
forgotten to give Fray Antonio Father Gracian's message.

* This alludes to a friar who left the Mitigation for the Reform and
afterwards returned to the Calced.

^ Fray Antonio says in his notes that Juan de la Miseria, who was
at Valladolid when the Nuncio's Visitors arrived, fled in terror to
Rome, where he consulted St. Philip Neri, who advised him to suffer
and obey. He died at Madrid over a hundred years old with a repu-
tation for sanctity. {Found, ch. xvii, 5, note.) Les GLuvres states that,
while in Rome he left the Carmelite Order and returned to the
Franciscans. Later on, he wished to rejoin the Discalced Carmelites but
was refused by the superiors and it was only through the intervention
of St. Teresa from heaven and by means of another Brief from the
Holy See that he rejoined the Reform.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 151

all things right, and may He preserve your Pater-
nity to us as I and your daughters beg of Him.
Amen. My health is fairly good. The Prioress of
Salamanca writes telling me that she has informed
you of the reception of the novice.

To-day is the feast of St. Michael.

Your Paternity's unworthy servant and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.

Will you read what you think fitting of this
letter to Father Mariano. Remember me kindly
to him and Fray Bartolome, also answer me
promptly about the journey to Rome. You must
know that a father of the Society, a great friend of
mine, is at Madrid. They say he went there on
account of the President; perhaps they may have
been fellow-citizens. If it would benefit us, I would
write to him: his name is Pablo Hernandez.

This letter was entrusted to a carter and returned
to me as he was taken ill on the road and brought
back to Avila. I have opened it to see what I had
written. I think it would be well for you to read
it, though you may find it tiring.

CCXLIX

Probably July, 1578

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO FATHER
GRACIAN

Distress on account of Father Gracians sufferings.

. . . The Discalced friars having . . . they owe to
them. All in this house commend themselves
earnestly to you. I am not astonished at the sand:ity
people say you possess: I should be astonished if
you did not, considering the prayers that are offered
for you by such good people as I believe your
daughters are. But what troubles our Lord has
sent us with these changes of superiors and the fears
I feel ! I assure you that . . . all is wearisome and
the other would have been rest. Blessed be God,
Who is pleased that our life should be so spent.
The life your Paternity leads me is very painful:

' This fragment of a letter in St. Teresa's handwriting has never
before been published. It belongs to the Discaked Carmelite nuns of
Chichester and is contained in a case with a document and other relics
of the Saint. The document states: . . . " J'assure, disje, que toutes ses
reliques ont 6te donnees par nos Meres Carmelites d'Hespagne a nos
premieres meres du Couvent Royal de Bruxelles avec des assurances de
personnes trcs digne de foy. En moyen du temoignage de I'afFection que
jay pour le couvent de nos Carmelites de Valenciennes, je leur en fais
present de tous . . . fait a Lille le 2 Juillet, 1701. Fr. Aubert de Ste.
Marie, Vicaire-Provincial, Carme Deschausse." The date of the
fragment is uncertain but it seems to have been written during the
troubles of the Reform, probably during i 578, as in the fragment dated
August of that year, St. Teresa complains that Father Gracian did not
write to her and she speaks there and in other letters of his being worn
out and exhausted by work and anxiety. If so, the fragment must be
anterior to October 15, 1578, as from that time, the Saint does not
address him as 'Your Paternity.'

152

TO FATHER PABLO HERNANDEZ 153

God forgive you for such days of suffering as you
have cost me with your fevers and the hemorrhage,
which they say has been very severe. I do not know
why you did not tell me of it. I own, my Father,
that it tries me so that I do not know how I manage
to speak a pleasant word to you, for though. . .

CCL

A Vila, October 4, 1578^

TO FATHER PABLO HERNANDEZ, SJ.
MADRID

Trials of the Reform and of Father Gracian. Petition
for help in respeB of the Royal Council and the
Nuncio.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you,

my Father.

A WEEK ago, I received a letter from Ana de
los Angeles, Prioress of Medina, telling me
that you were at Madrid. The news was a great
comfort to me, for I believe that God has led you
there in order to relieve me of some of my trials.
Since August last year they have been so numerous
and so varied that it would be an intense relief to
me if you visited me^ so that I could tell you about
some of them, though to relate them all would be
impossible. They culminate in our present position,
which will be described to you by the bearer of
this letter, whose affection for us makes him share
our sorrows, and whom we can trust implicitly.

' Fuente, 214. The original letter belonged to the Discalced con-
vent, Carnide.

154 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

The devil cannot endure the fervour with which
these Discalced friars and nuns serve our Lord. T
assure your Reverence that the perfection of their
lives would console you. There are nine houses of
friars containing many excellent religious, but as
we do not form a separate province no pen could
describe the annoyances and sufferings inflidled on
them by those * of the cloth.' At present our Father,
whether for good or evil is, under God, in the hands
of the Nuncio; and, for our sins the Mitigated have
brought charges against us, in which the Nuncio
places entire credit, so that I do not know how affairs
will end. They say that I am a gad-about, restless
woman, who founded convents without licence
either from Pope or General. Let your Reverence
consider whether anything could have been more
unruly or unchristian on my part. Many other
accusations unfit to be mentioned, are brought by
these blessed friars against me and Father Gracian,
who was their Visitor. Such unbearable calumnies
are deplorable, for I certify to your Reverence that
no one I have met serves God more truly with an
upright, pure conscience than he does. You may
trust my word for this. As perhaps you are aware,
he has been trained by the Society all his life. The
whole matter took its rise at Alcala. The Nuncio
is exceedingly angry with him for reasons concern-
ing which, were the truth known. Father Gracian
would be found to be little if at all to blame. I,
too, am in disgrace with the Nuncio, although
I have done nothing against his authority; indeed,
I willingly obeyed a Brief which he sent here,*

* See Letter of August 8,9. 1578.

TO FATHER PABLO HERNANDEZ 155

and wrote him the most humble letter possible.

I believe that all this trouble is sent from
heaven, that God wills us to suffer and that no one
should defend the truth or say a good word for me.
I declare sincerely to you that I feel neither trouble
nor pain regarding what affedts me personally:
indeed, it affords me special pleasure, though if it
were proved that these fathers' charges against me
were false, perhaps the Nuncio would not believe
what they allege against our Father Gracian, which
is the important matter for us. I therefore send
you a copy of the patents of authorization which
I hold, as the Nuncio declares that our acfls are
invalid on the ground that we have founded houses
without licence. As I perceive that the devil is
doing all in his power to discredit these convents,
I desire that God's servants should come forward
to defend them. O my Father, how few friends
we have in time of need!

They tell me that you are a great favourite of
the President and that you are now in Madrid
on his account. I believe that the Nuncio has given
him his own version of what I have told you, and
more as well. Your Reverence would do us great
service by undeceiving the President, which you
could do as an eye-witness, as indeed you are of
my soul. I believe it would be rendering great
service to our Lord. Will you explain to the
President how important it is that the new-born
Reform should flourish, for you know how lax our
sacred Order had become.

People declare that the Reform is a new Order

156 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

freshly Invented. Let them read our primitive
Rule: all we do is to observe it without mitigation
in all the rigour in which the Pope first authorized
it. Let them believe only what they see, and ex-
amine our lives and those of the Calced, instead of
listening to what the latter say, for I do not know
where the Mitigated got the many falsehoods with
which they attack us. I also beg your Reverence
to speak on my behalf to the Nuncio's confessor,'
to remember me to him, and tell him the whole
truth, asking him to lay it on the Nuncio's con-
science not to publish such charges against us until
he has investigated them. Say that, though I am
extremely wicked, I should not dare to commit the
adlions of which they accuse me. I ask you to do
this if you think it expedient; not otherwise.

If vour Reverence approves, you might also show
the Nuncio the patents by which I founded, one
of which contains a formal precept not to cease
making foundations. When I asked our Father
General not to make me establish any more con-
vents, he wrote in reply that he wished me to
found as many houses as I had hairs on my head.
It is not right that so many nuns who serve God
devoutly should be discredited by such accusations.
Since, as I said, it is you of the Society who trained
me and gave me being, it seems to me right that you
should declare the truth, so that such a grave per-
sonage as the Nuncio, who has come to reform our
religious Orders and is not liimself a native of Spain,
should learn who ought to be reformed and who
ought to be taken into favour, and should punish

^ Don Luis Manrique.

TO FATHER PABLO HERNANDEZ 157

the persons who have told him such falsehoods.

Your Reverence will know what is best to be
done. I ask of you for the love of our Lord and
His precious Mother that as you have helped us
ever since you knew us, you will do so now in our
dire need. They will repay you generously, and
your Reverence owes it to me for my good-will
towards you and in defence of the truth, which
you will make known in the way you see best.

I beg your Reverence to keep me informed of
everything, especially about your health. Mine
has been very poor, for our Lord has tried me in
every way this year, but I care little for myself.
What troubles me is to see that these servants of
God are suffering for my sins. May His Majesty
be with your Reverence and protecfl you! Kindly
let me know whether the report is true that you
are to make a long stay in Madrid.

To-day is the feast of St. Francis.

The unworthy and loyal daughter of your
Reverence,

Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.

CCLI

Prefatory note.

While Juan Jesus de Roca was in retirement at Madrid
he wrote frequently to Sega, begging to be heard in
defence of the Discalced. At last the Nuncio visited him
at the priory and Fray Juan pleaded for the Reform
and its foundress. At the name of St. Teresa, Sega ex-
claimed angrily: 'Do not mention her name! She is a
restless, gad-about, disobedient, contumacious woman
who promulgates pernicious doctrine under the pretence

158 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

of devotion. She leaves her cloister against the orders
of her superiors and the decrees of the Council of Trent.
She is ambitious and teaches theology as though she were
a doctor of the Church in spite of St. Paul's prohibition.'
The *rock of bronze' defended the Saint against each
charge and convinced the Nuncio of her innocence. He
then begged that the Discalced might be constituted as
a separate province as the Caked would not govern them
according to their Rule and wished to suppress them.
' 1 give you my word not to subject you to the Mitigated,'
answered Sega: Write to all your communities telling
them to apply to me for what they want, for I myself
will govern you in future.' (Reforma^ bk. iv, ch. xxviii,
XXX. 2. Found. XXVIII, note 9.) This was probably the
occasion on which he liberated Fathers Gracian, Mariano
and Antonio.

Unhappily the Nuncio's favourable state of mind was
soon changed to anger and indignation. The Apostolic
Visitors had decreed that when their term of office had
expired the members of the Reform might meet in
Chapter and elect a Provincial of there own. Relying on
this, Fray Antonio de Jesus, who in the Chapter held at
Almodovar 1576 had been made first Definitor and ap-
pointed vice-gerent of Father Gracian in case of the latter's
absence or revocation, summoned the Discalced priors
and their socii to a Chapter to be held at Almodovar on
October 7, 1578. Here Fray Antonio was elected Pro-
vincial, which was considered both by the friends and
enemies of the Reform as equivalent to constituting it
as a separate province. Besides this, friars were appointed
as messengers to the Holy See to negotiate the affairs of
the Discalced. Saint John of the Cross went to the
Chapter and did all that he could to persuade his brethren
against taking such a course. Before the Chapter was
dissolved. Fray Juan de Jesus Roca arrived from Madrid
and vehemently urged the wrongfulness of the act. He
told his brethren that they could not plead the decree of

PREFATORY NOTE 159

the Visitors on which they rehed because they had for-
feited all right to a separate government when Father
Gracian submitted to the Nuncio. He begged them to
undo what they had done, but they, by way of reply, had
him confined to his cell for a month so that he might not
return to Madrid and denounce them to Sega. In fact,
his remonstrances had no more effect than those made
by St. Teresa when first she heard of the plan. (Letter
of April 15, 1578. Found. ^ Introd. xlvii, ch. xxviii.)

* Hardly was the Chapter over when the Nuncio heard
of the proceedings. Not only did he annul the acts of
the Chapter, (which had been held in virtue of former
permissions granted by Ormaneto which had expired
with his death, and had also been revoked by his succes-
sor) but he declared Fray Antonio's election to be illegal
and summoned him to appear in his presence with the
other superiors. (Fray Antonio had not obeyed this order
on November 13). Sega also immediately dissolved the
separate province and decreed that the houses of the friars
should be incorporated with those of the Caked of the
provinces of Castile and Andalusia respectively, under
the jurisdiction of Didacus de Cardenas and Juan Guti-
errez. At the same time, the Nuncio forbade any one to
change the rules, to molest the priors, or remove the
officials from their charges. Sega issued letters patent to
this effect on October 1 6, and on the same day ordered
that a minute account of the whole affair should be
drawn up for the secretary of state of Pope Gregory xiii.
Sega also acted very severely towards several of the
Discalced. The Provincials, especially Juan Gutierrez,
not only carried out his orders but also disobeyed his
decrees by molesting the nuns and friars, into whose
houses they entered as into conquered citadels.' {Acta,
Cap. Gen. Vol. i, p. 560).

When Father Gracian and the other superiors appeared
before the Nuncio he spoke sternly to them and refused
to allow them to plead their cause. The Brief of Oct, 16

i6o ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

so incensed the king and his Council that, without
waiting for an answer to their appeal to Rome, he sent
a royal provision to all the Discalced nuns and friars
commanding them not to obey the Nuncio as he had not
shown the powers that enabled him to interfere with the
religious houses of Spain.

Meanwhile, the Nuncio excommunicated the fathers
who had taken part in the Chapter and sent St. Teresa
back to Toledo, bidding her remain enclosed there. Fray
Antonio was imprisoned at la Roda; Mariano was de-
tained first at Atocha and then, as that place was near
Madrid and it was thought that he might influence the
king, of whom he was a favourite, he was removed to
Pastrana. Fray Antonio and Fray Gabriel de la Assun-
cion were relegated to the Franciscan priory of Madrid.
Father Gracian, after having been confined in the Calced
Carmelite priory in Madrid was sent to the Discalced
priory of Alcala de Henares. The Reform was forbidden
to admit novices and its ruin seemed inevitable.

Two friars chosen by the Chapter of Almodovar were
sent to Rome on the affairs of the Discalced: Fray Juan
de San Diego, prior of the house of Mount Calvary, and
Fray Pedro de los Angeles. The latter was distinguished
for his austerity. 'You are going to Rome barefoot but
you will come back shod,' St. John of the Cross told him.
The prophecy was fulfilled. At Naples, on his way to
Rome, Fray Pedro met the Vicar General CafFardi and
delivered the documents to him instead of placing them
in the hands of the authorities at Rome. They were never
returned. Enervated by the luxury he enjoyed during
his stay at the palace of the viceroy at Naples, Fray Pedro
left the Reform for the Mitigation. On his return to
Spain, he sold his white mantle at Granada, where it was
bought by the Venerable Anne of Jesus, who sent him
a message that he must look to his soul, for he would
soon die. She refused his repeated requests for an inter-
view, but one day, seeing the door of the convent chapel

TO FATHER GRACIAN i6i

open, he went in to pray and was struck with such remorse
that he wept himself blind and died three days afterwards,
about three years after his return from Italy. The only
result of his mission was to defer the necessary steps
being taken for the Reform.

Avila, October 15, 1578^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

Death of Rubeo. Chapter of Almodovar, That the
friars should not be sent to Rome.

JESUS !
May the Holy Spirit be with your Paternity,
my Father.

ON seeing you delivered from those affrays,
I was delivered from my trouble about the
rest of the affairs, come what mav !

I was deeply grieved at the news they sent me
about our Father General;* I feel very sad about it.
On the day it arrived I could do nothing but cry

' Fuente 215. The autograph is at the convent of Corpus Christi,
Alcala de H^nares.

"Rubeo or Rossi was born at Ravenna in 1507. He became a
Carmelite at the age of seventeen, studied at Siena and Padua, took a
doctor's degree, and taught at the Roman university Sapienza. As
companion to the Father General Audet, he became thoroughl}' ac-
quainted with the affairs of the Order and was unanimously elected
General in 1564. Two years before, as Vicar General, he had been
sent by the Pope to visit and reform every province and house of the
Order. These faculties were confirmed and extended by Pius V.
Rubeo's journey through France, Spain, and Italy took him two years.
Philip, who had welcomed him at first, was displeased at the severity
with which he treated the relaxed religious of Andalusia. Rubeo
visited Avila in i 567 and was henceforth St. Teresa's firm friend and
devoted champion. He declared that she did more for the Order in
Spain than all the friars put together. Unfortunately, through no fault
of hers, misunderstandings arose which were never cleared away before
his death which occurred on Sept. 5, 1578. Found, ch. ii.

Vol. HI. 12

1 62 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

and I bitterly regret that we should have given such
trouble to him who certainly did not deserve it.
Had we gone straight to him, our path would have
been smoothed for us. God forgive him who
always prevented it, for I could have arranged it
with your Paternity, though you gave little credit
to my opinion on the matter. The Master will
bring matters right, but I feel it keenly, and also
what your Paternity has suffered ; for what you told
me in the first of the two letters you wrote after
your interview with the Nuncio, stabbed me to
the heart.

You must know, my Father, that I was ex-
tremely distressed at your not having shown him
your powers at once;' your adviser can have cared
little for the trouble you would draw down on
yourself. I am glad experience will have taught
you in future to take the proper course as I have
always advocated, instead of rowing against the
stream. To tell the truth, obstacles have blocked
our way. However, there is no more to be said
about it, for God ordains such things so that His
servants may suffer.

I should like to write more, but this letter must
go at nightfall and it is late in the evening now.
I have sent a lengthy letter to the Bishop of Osma,*
asking him to consult with the President and
Father Mariano about the matter of which I wrote,
and to let me know the result.

I have just seen my brother who desires to be
kindly remembered to you. All here think that

* See Prefatory note to Letter ccxlii.

* Alonso Velasquez, St. Teresa's confessor at Toledo,

TO FATHER GRACIAN 163

it would not be well to send friars to Rome, (es-
pecially now that Father General is dead,) for the
following reasons. First, that their going would
not be secret, and before they left Spain perhaps
they might be captured by the Calced which would
expose our fathers to deadly danger, and their
papers and money would be forfeited. Again, they
do not know how matters are managed in Rome, and
when they arrived, our Father General no longer
being there, they would be taken up as recusants
when they were seen wandering through the streets,
and there would be no one to defend them, as I
told Father Mariano. If, with all influences in our
favour, we have been unable to free Fray John^ in
Spain, what would it be in Rome?

Every one here (especially my brother, who is
much grieved at the way the Discalced are treated)
opposes the idea of our sending friars to Rome,
believing that some one should be sent who under-
stands the law in such questions. Lorenzo considers
this a very important point, as he knows the Miti-
gated fathers well. The aflfair would be put entirely
into the hands of the person mentioned in my
letter. Docflor Rueda feels such complete confidence
in him that he thinks no one else would be required.

Let your Paternity examine the whole matter
carefully, and if you and Father Mariano agree
with what I say, despatch a messenger to Almo-
dovar, telling them not to make arrangements for
the fathers' journey to Rome. Will you send me
word about it at once. The delegate who would
be sent from here is thoroughly capable, but

^ St. John of the Cross.

164 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

would cost rather more. If the funds can be found
now, each convent will give its share later on.
We could borrow from the legacy left to Alcala
and repay it afterwards, for I certainly cannot supply
the money from Avila at present. I am telling
Father Mariano so, as you will see by the enclosed
letter.

Keep in good health, my Father: the Lord will
bring all our affairs right. God grant we may agree
this time and that nothing more may be done for
the present to give these friars a chance of marty-
rizing us.

Your Paternity's unworthy subject,
Teresa de Jesus.

Things are in a terrible state* just now and the
devil is helping the Calced. He did himself a good
turn when he exchanged the Archangel^ for the
temporizer who is there now. I do not know how
such folly could have been committed, but I believe
they would have done worse had Ardapilla been
there. I realize now, my Father, what martyrdom
you suffered amid such conflicfling opinions. They
should have left you alone, for God was evidently
guiding you.

All your daughters here beg for your prayers.
I am glad you ordered that the subjed: should not
be mentioned. Let us adl with deliberation and

* The rest of this letter is written by a secretary.

' Don Covarrubias y Leyva, Bishop of Segovia, a staunch supporter
of the Reform, as President of the Royal Council had upheld Father
Gracian's authority throughout. He died at Madrid on September 27,
I 577, and was succeeded as President by Pazos. St. Teresa here alludes
to the documents having been given to the Council instead of to the
Nuncio. Ardapilla probably stands for the Licentiate Padilla.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 165

carry out this plan about Rome. Time smooths
difficulties and, as your Paternity says, things will
be settled there in time. Only, I wish you were
near me so that we could see one another from time
to time; it would be a great consolation to my
soul. However, I do not deserve consolation but
cross after cross — as long as you have none, let them
come and welcome.

I am fairly well, though this head of mine is in
a very bad state.

May God be ever with your Paternity ! For
charity's sake, do not tire yourself by writing much.
I am very glad they are electing no Provincial:
from what your Paternity says, it is extremely
prudent, though when Fray Antonio told me they
were bound to nominate one under pain of sin, I
did not contradidl him. I thought all had been
settled there but if they have to go to Rome to
obtain the confirmation of the elections, they might
also petition for the separate province. If they pass
through Avila, let them give me an account of all
that is to be done.

To-day is Od:ober 15.

I am your Paternity's subjed: and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus

CCLII

Avila, November 15, 1578.*

TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

The Saint condoles with him on his imprisonment and
begs him not to leave the Order.

... God give you strength to be steadfast in the
right amid such great peril. Blessed are such trials,
however grave, when they do not turn us from the
right path. I am not astonished that those who
love your Paternity endeavour to free you from
them and seek for the means, though it would not
be well to forsake the Virgin in a time of such
distress. I venture to declare that Dona Juana
would not advise it, nor would she consent to such
a change.* God preserve us from it ! Instead of
avoiding trialsyouwouldplungeyourself into them,
for with God's favour, ours will soon be over, but
perhaps those of the other Order might last your
life -time.

The more I refled: upon the case of your being

' Fuente, 216. Corrected from the copy at the National Library,
Madrid. The original letter belonged to a gentleman of Santiago.

* Father Gracian states in the Peregnnaciones (Dial, ix, p. 141) that
a friend, (probably instigated by the Calced) told his mother that he
had meditated leaving the Reform for some other Order on account
of the persecutions he was suffering, and begged her to persuade him
to do so. She sent word to her son: 'They tell me you thinl< of
leaving our Lady's Order. If such a thought has ever passed through
your mind, never speak or write to me again, nor count me as your
mother, for he shall be no son of mine who, too cowardly to bear
persecutions, deserts such a Mother as the Virgin Mary and her Order.'
The Count de Tendilla threatened to stab him if he left the Reform.
Father Gracian answered that he had no intention of quitting the
Reform, but he had much difficulty in pacifying his mother.

166

TO FATHER GRACIAN 167

made Visitor again, the worse it seems. I should
live in terror at seeing you involved in a thousand
difficulties in countless ways. The power of making
visits lasts no longer than eating a mouthful of
bread, but we might witness your being constantly
involved in danger. I entreat you, for the love of
God, even if the Nuncio commands you. . .

CCLIII

Prefatory note.

The Count de Tendilla called on the Nuncio and begged
him to allow the Discalced to state their case to him: on
meeting with a refusal he lost his temper and spoke
indignantly. Quitting Sega's presence, he went to
Chumazero, the king's attorney-general, whom he per-
suaded to use the civil courts in defence of the friars. The
issue was a decree of the Royal Council suspending the
Nuncio's orders until the friars had had a hearing. Copies
of the decree were sent to all the houses of the Discalced,
but all of them, with the exception of Granada, of which
the Count de Tendilla was a benefactor, declined the
king's protection in that form and submitted to Sega.

Neither the Nuncio nor his emissaries nor the Mitigated
Provincials and Visitors paid any attention to these
provisions. Sega's deputies continued to visit the houses
of the Reform, dispose of their superiors, change their
constitutions and send exaggerated accounts of any faults
they could discover to the king, the Nuncio, and the
Royal Council. They also made vile accusations against
the moral character of Father Gracian and the nuns,
dragging even St. Teresa's fair fame in the dust. (Santa

1 68 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Teresa^ by Don Mir. Vol. iv. ch. ix. Found, ch. xxviii.
note lO.)

Avila, November, 1578'
TO FRAY MARIANO, ALCALA DE HENARES

Advice as to his behaviour to the Caked.

Jesus be with your Reverence, my Father.

IN a letter received to-day from Don Teutonio,
at Madrid, he tells me that the Nuncio did not
leave. If so, unless yon are detained at Alcala by
illness, it is inadmissible that you should seem to
disobey him. You must know, my Father, that I
think these fathers wish to be friends with us now,
and until we see how God means to dispose matters
it would be well to temporize with them as you
have done hitherto. Certainly I do not blame the
Nuncio, but the devil must have planted his
batteries so cleverly that nothing would surprise
me. Do not let your Reverence fear because no
one dares defend you, for God is your proted:or,
and since he has done us the favour of your con-
trolling your temper until now, perfed: yourself on
that point, and let that be your cross, which can be
no light one. Believe me, you could not have borne
it unless the Master had given you special grace.

As for the Council's reply, there is nothing to
hope for from that quarter. Do you not see it con-
tains nothing but empty compliments? What need
is there to send them the document from here, since
they have a copy which they know is correcft.? The
time has not come yet; let us wait awhile. God

' f uente 117. Vol. v, No. 35 of first edition.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 169

knows better what He is doing than we know what
we want.

What do you think of the way they speak of us
in the enclosed paper? I do not know why the
Discalced try to disprove such calumnies. Our
Father is adling wrongly: it derogates immensely
from his dignity. For the love of God, show the
paper to nobody. People would think us senseless
to notice such scurrilities, or to take steps to clear
ourselves : I think it would show great imperfection
if we did anything but laugh at them.

You must know, my Father, that all these letters
and the many affairs at which I have worked quite
unaided have ended by producing such noises and
weakness in my head that I have been forbidden
to write anything personally unless it is absolutely
necessary, so I will say no more. I will only add
that, as for obtaining what you speak of from the
king, you must not contemplate doing such a thing
until you have considered it well, for in my opinion
you would lose much credit by it. God will settle
the matter in some other way. May He preserve
you for my sake.

Your Reverence's servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLIV

Avik, November, 1578*
TO FATHER MARIANO, MADRID
Advice as to his conduSi.

Jesus be with your Reverence.

OH ! How 1 wish this could be a long letter,
for yours delighted me, but they bled me
yesterday so that 1 could not write, and they have
ordered that the operation should be repeated to-
day. I did not know the messenger would start so
soon and he asks me to be quick. The cupping has
given fresh life to my head. I shall soon recover,
please God!

What cheers me is that, as you must remain at
Madrid, you are staying with the Calced friars:*
but be cautious, my Father, for they will weigh
your every word. For the love of God, be very
guarded and do not be outspoken. I quite believe
what they say of Tostado: if he is wise he will
not return without the consent of him who has the
right to give it,' and he is trying to get the invi-
tation from your Reverence. I never heard of
anything so amusing.

I have received the letters you mentioned having

' Fuente, 218. The original belongs to the Carmelite convent,
Segovia.

' The Nuncio, on hearing of the Chapter of Almodovar held by the
Discalced, imprisoned Fray Mariano in the priory of the Calced at
Madrid, but sent him soon after to that of the Discalced at Pastrana,
being afraid of the friar's influence over the king.

"The Nuncio Sega. In spite of all the troubles of the Reform, he
was friendly with Fray Mariano.

170

TO FATHER MARIANO 171

sent: our Father's came yesterday. As regards Fray
Baltasar/ I certainly wrote to him more than once.
As your Reverence is living with the friars, you
will be in great favour at Madrid. Continue to a(5t
as you are doing, and please the Nuncio; for in
fad: he is our superior and every one thinks well
of obedience,

Tiiere is no time to say more.
Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLV

Prefatory note.

While the persecutions raged St. Teresa had remained
calm and courageous, and even laughed at the terrible
charges made against her, saying that if she had not
committed these crimes she was guilty of many others,
and the people who accused her were holy men so that
she must be in fault in some way. But on Christmas eve,
when she expected better news, so sad a letter reached
her from Father Gracian that she broke down. 'God
give me patience!' she cried; then reflecting for a mo-
ment, she exclaimed: 'Now, Lord, Thou art granting
my desires for suffering.' She shut herself in her cell
and wept and prayed till nightfall, refusing any food. In
the evening. Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew knocked
gently at her door and persuaded her to come to the
refectory. There the lay sister saw our Lord take some
bread, bless it, and put it to the Saint's mouth, saying:
'Eat this tor love of Me.' During the long Office and
Midnight Mass, the tears streamed from her eyes at the
thought of the foul charges brought against those who
* Probably Baltasar de Jesus.

172 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

lived such lives of purity as the Discalced. (Depostion
of Mary of St. Joseph.)

Avila, towards the end of December, 1578.^

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

Thanks for his help. Notification of the Odiober Brief
at St. "Joseph's, Avila.

JESUS!
May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Honour.

ENCLOSED is a letter for the Father Master
Chaves,* telling him that you will acquaint
him with the state or our affairs. Manage to find
an opportunity of talking to him and giving him
my letter, and tell him how those blessed fathers
[bemlitos] treat us. I think this missive will have
some etfedl, for I beg him to speak to the king
and explain the injuries done to us nuns when we
were subje6t to the Calced. God forgive them! for
they give your Honour such work that I do not
know how you have strength to bear it. I know
that the cost must be heavy : it depresses me deeply
that I cannot do what I wish on account of the
many claims upon me here. Much as I should like
to help to pay for the fathers' journey to Rome,
I do not see how I can, as the other houses have to
subscribe by my means. It will be no small thing if
the sum is found. However, I should consider it
all well spent, for if we were at peace I could carry

' Fuente, 1 19. The original belonged to the Carthusians of Saragossa.
^ Philip's confessor, formerly confessor to St. Teresa; he was a
Dominican.

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA 173

out my wishes with regard to him to whom we
are under such great obHgations.

This information will show you how little the
royal provision avails us with these fathers. I do
not know whether they would respe(5l even the
king himself. As they are accustomed to do as they
choose and matters are favourable to them here,
I assure you that it would be the most dangerous
risk possible to attempt to arrange affairs with
them just now. You mention that the Discalced
at Alcala and Pastrana submitted to the Calced,
but as I do not know whether their answer was
identical with ours, will you be kind enough to
tell me, for our Father^ has said nothing to me on
the subjedl. He cannot have been at Pastrana.

I received all the papers you sent, but they
arrived too late for the other houses. Will you let us
know of what use they are to us unless the authori-
ties order that our fathers should be driven out of
their priories or take any other extreme measure.
This morning has been a day of doom: all the
lawyers, men of letters, and gentlemen present were
horrified at the irreligious behaviour of the Calced
friars. I was greatly distressed and would willingly
have allowed them to hear . . . but we did not dare
to speak. Believe me, they cannot truthfully assert
that they saw us do anything amiss, as Pedro* was
at the door and went to tell my brother diredlly
the fathers came. I felt anxious until I saw Lorenzo
arrive with the corregidor. However, their presence
will benefit us little as people will probably put

* Father Gracian.

* The out-door porter already mentioned.

174 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

more faith in the inventions of the Calced than in
our truthfulness. Be charitable enough to send our
Father a statement of all that happened for I have
not time to write to him. Also kindly let me know
whether you are both well.

I sent another letter by mistake for the one from
Valladolid which I asked you to read and forward
to him. The one meant for you is still here. I
asked him how the Visitation of the Calced friars
succeeded and gave him an account of all that had
passed. I have asked the nuns of Valladolid and
Medina to write to you on the matter

Let me know what you can about Fray Baltasar's
interview with the Nuncio, also whether the
Mitigated friars are entitled to notify to our fathers,
as, according to the wording of the Brief, no one
but the Provincial has the right to delegate such
authority. So people declare here, but I am uncertain
as to its being the case.

Report says that I am to be transferred to another
convent; if it should belong to the Mitigated, how
much worse a life mine will be than that which
they led Fray John of the Cross! I wondered
whether an excommunication was to be fulminated
against me to-day, as a small document came with
the large one. I do not merit the grace of such
sufferings as Fray John's. I was extremely glad
that the father left so opportunely. . .*

* The rest of the letter is missing. It is not icnown to whom the
Saint was alluding.

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA 175

CCLVI

Prefatory note.

The Nuncio went to the king to ask for an apology from
the Count deTendilla. 'The count owes you satisfaction,'
replied Philip, 'and I will see that he offers it, and will
show him that no one in my kingdom is allowed to show
disrespect to the Holy Father's representative with
impunity. But,' he continued in icy tones: 'I am aware
of the hostility shown by the Mitigated against the
Reform which looks ill, as the Discalced lead austere and
perfect lives. See that you favour virtue, for people tell
me that you are no friend of the Discalced.' The Nuncio,
who knew the inflexible character of the king, was much
disturbed by his tone and manner, for now both king and
court and council, as well as the people were against him.
The count, who was absent from Madrid, wrote an
apology containing an account of the wrongs suffered by
the Discalced at the hands of the Mitigated. He directed
it to Pazos who showed it to Philip by whom it was
transmitted to Sega without a word. On the Count's
return to court, he called on Sega who cut short his
excuses by saying: 'I protest that I have meant to do
right in this matter. To prove it, I shall be glad if the
king will choose some persons to examine into the affair
with me.' Philip, greatly pleased, chose four assessors :
Don Luis Manrique, the royal almoner ; Canon Villa-
vicencio, Augustinian, preacher to the court ; Fray
Hernando del Castillo, Dominican ; and Fray Pedro
Hernandez, Dominican, who, as already stated, the Duke
of Alba had summoned to court to take charge of the
affairs of the Reform. Of Don Luis Manrique it is told
that when Sega said to him: 'You are rather the advocate
of the Discalced than their judge,' Manrique replied : ' And
your Eminence is more their fiscal-procurator than their
judge.' The assessors requested the Nuncio to hand over
to them all documents and informations written by the

176 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Mitigated against the Discalced for investigation. (Don
Mir. Bk. IV. ch. x.)

At the same time, the Royal Council declared that no
decree of the Nuncio should be accepted by the authorities
and tribunal until the case of the Discalced had been heard.
With their concurrence, the final sentence was passed on
Father Gracian on December 20, (to be carried out at
once). By this he was to be absolved from all censure
and to retire to the priory of Alcala de Henares, which
he was not to leave without Sega's permission. He was
to fast three times a week, take the discipline once a week,
have no part in the affairs of the Discalced nuns and friars,
and was forbidden to write to any one but the Nuncio and
his father and mother. However, he was allowed to say
Mass and preach. . . Joannes Baptista Caffardo (Vicar
General of the Carmelite Order after the death of Rubeo)
took the first opportunity of writing in a friendly manner
to the Discalced who replied on December i, promising
submission and obedience. {^A^a Cap. Gen. Vol. i. p. 561.
Found. Introd. xlviii; ch. xxviii, 4, 5, and notes.)

In both his Peregrin, and Adkiones to Ribera's Vida de
Santa Teresa., Father Gracian says that though he could
have cleared his character, yet rather than injure the
prospect of the separation of provinces by the delay, he
allowed himself to be condemned and punished for the
crimes alleged against him by the Caked, merely telling
the Nuncio that he was innocent and resigning his fate
into Sega's hands.

Avila, December 28, 1578^

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

Good ?iews about the Reform. Private affairs.

JESUS be ever with your Honour, and may He
make you as happy this Christmastide and new

' Fuente 220. Vol. v. No. 51, first edition. Fray Andres says the
original letter or an ancient copy was at the Discalced convent, Calatayud.

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA 177

year as you have rendered me with such good news !

The letter brought by Pedro Ries* made me
feel very sad on Christmas day and the next day,
but on St. John's feast, in the morning, another
carter came with yours which cheered us extremely.
God be praised for such a signal mercy! I assure
you that the rest gives me little trouble now,
though I should be very glad to see the two fathers
set free.' I trust that having granted us this favour,
God will bestow the others. May His Majesty
obtain for us the separate province, as He sees its
necessity.

God reward you for having told the licentiate
about the money and for all your other help. I
should not mind a longer delay. This will suffice
until we receive an answer. When you pay the sum
let me know, and I will refund it at once without
fail.

I beg your Honour to give the enclosed letters
into the hands of the addressees; it is necessary.
Always acknowledge the letters you get from me
or 1 shall feel anxious, with good reason. Remem-

^ The servant of the convent already mentioned. The letter contained
an account of the slanders against the Discalced.

* The two fathers were probably Gracian and Mariano. The latter
had been sent first to the Dominican priory at Atocha, then to Pastrana
by the Nuncio who allowed none of the Discalced to remain at court
except Doria, who had not taken part in the Visitation and probably
was not present at the Chapter of Moraleja. Doria was supposed by
the Caked to be an easy-going man of limited abilities with whom
matters could be easily settled. The politic Italian stayed at the Caked
priory at Madrid, under the pretext of helping a relation at court who
obtained permission for him from the Nuncio to communicate with
the Discalced. Consequently he went to and fro between Madrid and
Atocha to negotiate with Pedro Hernandez, and kept St. Teresa and
the superiors of the Discalced informed as to what was being done.
Vol. HI. 13

178 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

ber that it is most important that all these missives
should be delivered with caution. When these
fathers of ours are free, the rest will trouble me little,
for God will do better than we could, since the
work is His. Remember me to Dona Ines and the
senoras.

It is Sunday, the feast of the Innocents.
Your Honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLVII

Avila, December 28, 1578^
TO DONA JUANA DANTISCO, MADRID

Consoling her for Father Gracians imprisonment.
The kings order that the councillors should inquire
into the affairs of the Reform.

. . . My Senora, you know that for a long while,
his whole prayer, accompanied by ardent longing,
has been to beseech God to send him crosses. I
perceived that His Majesty was preparing him for
coming trials: and what trials they have been!
May God's name be praised! Our Father will find
that his soul has made such progress that he will
not recognize himself. He has caused us all to
gain great merit. The thought of what you must
all have suffered has been constantly before my
mind, but you, too, must have profited by it.

When once I see the others at liberty too — and
they will be freed for they have fewer accusers
than before — I shall be perfe(5lly contented, for, as

' Fuente 221. The first two lines are missing. The original is at
the Jesuits' church, Huesca.

TO VEN. ANNE OF JESUS 179

I said, I feel certain, on account of the many devout
souls praying for it, that our Lord will watch
specially over this affair — the most important one
for us. He will do whatever tends most to His own
glory and service. May His Majesty have you in
His care and prote(5l you, also the senor secretary,
whose hands I kiss with those of the senoras.

The sisters here kiss your hands: they are very
glad of what has been done, and I am still more
glad of what I told you, though we shall all
continue some penances for a time. Our Father's
letters were always helpful to our souls; we used
to read them aloud together as though they were
sermons, but the devil is trying to deprive us even
of that. However, God is over all !

To-day is the feast of the Innocents.
Your Honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLVIII

Avila, towards the end of December, 1578^

TO THE VEN. ANNE OF JESUS AND HER

COMMUNITY AT VEAS

Praise of St. yohn of the Cross as a direSior.

... I declare to you that I should esteem it as a
favour if my father, Fray John of the Cross, were
here, for indeed he is the father of my soul and one

' Fragment of an autograph letter found in an account of the virtues
of St. John of the Cross among the archives of the Order, written by
Magdalena del Espiritu Santo, his spiritual daughter and foundress of
the convent at Cordova. St. John was then at the Priory of the Calvary,
two leagues off, and used to walk to Veas once a week, whatever the
weather was, to hear the nuns' confessions.

i8o ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

of those from whom I have reaped most good by
opening my heart to him. My daughters, imitate
me with perfect frankness, for I assure you that you
can look on him as standing in my place; you will
be greatly pleased at the result for he is extremely
spiritual, experienced, and learned. Those who
were guided by him here miss him greatly. You
should thank God for having brought him to your
neighbourhood. I am writing to him, asking him
to help you, as I know his great charity will lead
him to do whenever you require it. . .

CCLIX

Avila, towards the end of December, 1578^

TO THE VEN. ANNE OF JESUS, PRIORESS
OF VEAS

77?^' Saint recommends the nuns to open their conscience
to St. yohn of the Cross.

... I am indeed surprised, my daughter, at your
making such unreasonable complaints, considering
that my Father, Fray John of the Cross, visits you,
for I assure you that, since he left, I have found no
one like him in all Castile, nor is there any one who
inspires souls with such fervour on their road to
heaven. You should all recognize that you possess
a priceless treasure in that saint. Each nun should
lay open her soul to him; she will discover how it

' Fuente, 224. This fragment occurs in the information for the
beatification of St. John of the Cross given by Mother Francisca dc la
Madrc de Dios, nun of Veas.

TO MOTHER ANNE OF ST. ALBERT i8i

will profit her, and will advance rapidly in the
spiritual life and perfection, for our Lord has given
him special grace for such guidance. . .

CCLX

Avila, towards the end of December, 1578^

TO MOTHER ANNE OF ST. ALBERT
PRIORESS OF CARAVACA

. . . 'The Saint sends St. yo/in of the Cross to confess
the nuns.

. . . Daughter, I will arrange that Fray John of
the Cross shall pass through Caravaca. Look upon
him as though he were myself and open your souls
to him frankly. Rely on him, for his is a soul to
which God communicates His spirit. . .
#^

CCLXI
TO THE SAME^

St. John of the Cross consents to hear the nuns'
confessions.

. . . Daughter, Fray John of the Cross is going
to Caravaca. Let your community open their souls
freely to him as though he were myself, for he has
our Lord's own spirit. . .

^ Fuente 225. This fragment is given in the deposition made by
Mother Ana de San Alberto for the beatification of St. John of the
Cross. Caravaca is twenty leagues from Veas.

^ The same as the preceding letter. In those troublous times, letters
often went astray. Probably these were sent by different routes.

CCLXII

Avila, towards the end of December, 1578*

TO THE VEN. ANNE OF JESUS, PRIORESS
OF VEAS

The Saint thanks her for having provided money to
help the commission sent to Rome.

MY daughter and my crown ! I cannot thank
God enough for the favour He did me in
drawing you to the religious life. For, as His
Majesty, when He delivered the children of Israel
from Egypt, set before them a column which
guided andenlightenedthem by night and sheltered
them from the sun by day, so He seems to have
done for our Order — and your Reverence, my
daughter, is the column which enlightens and
defends us. All that you have done for these fathers
has been most judicious and your devotion and
generosity prove that God dwells in your soul. May
the Master, for Whom you have done it, reward
you and may He grant to these efforts the success
befitting them! . . .

* Fuente 227. The autograph does not exist, as during a dangerous
crisis St. Teresa wrote to the Ven. Anne of Jesus telling her to destroy
all she had written to her. This letter is quoted by Angelus Manrique
in his life of the V^en. Anne of Jesus. ( Bk. in, ch. xiv, 3.) The latter
had given 400 gold pieces towards the expenses for sending the two
friars to Rome : the Count de Tendilla had done the same and Doria
had subscribed 8000 reales. St. Teresa might well apply the words of
St. Paul (Phil. IV, I ; and i Thess. ii. 19) to her whom she had from
the first considered as her equal in the Order.

182

CCLXIII

A Vila, during the year 1578*

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,
PRIORESS OF SEVILLE.

The Saint begs her to bear patiently with the chaplain
Garci Alvarez.

. . . For love of our Lord, I entreat you, daughter,
to suffer and be silent, and not to consent to that
Father's* being dismissed, even though he should
give you more trouble and annoyance than he has
already, as his faults do not amount to an offence
against God. I cannot endure that we should
show ingratitude to one who has done us good. I
remember how, when people tried to cheat us
about a house they were selling us, he showed us
how we were being tricked, and I can never forget
this service and what trouble he saved us. He has
always seemed to me to serve God sincerely and
to be well-intentioned. I know very well that
gratitude is no perfection in me — it must be my
nature, for a sardine would bribe me.

' Fuente 228. Ribera, Bk. iv, ch. 23. Yepes, Bk. iii, ch. 10. The
beginning and end are missing.

* Father Garci Alvarez had been put back as confessor to the nuns
by the Provincial of the Mitigation. When the Caked came to the
convent, Beatriz de la Madre de Dios and Margarita de la Concepcion
again brought false charges against Mary of St. Joseph and Father
Gracian, and even against St. Teresa herself The result was that Mary
of St. Joseph was deposed from her office and Beatriz was made
prioress in her stead. When Fray Angel de Salazar was made Visitor
of the Discalced, he investigated the matter, proved the falsehood of
the accusations and restored Mary of St. Joseph to her post. (See Letter
of Dec. 13, 1576). For the help given by Father Garci Alvarez in
choosing a house, see Found, ch. xxv, 5-7.

'83

CCLXIV

Avila, the end of December, 1578'

TO SOME LADIES WHO WISHED TO JOIN
THE DISCALCED

The Saint asks them to wait until the trials of the
Reform are over.

Jesus be with your Honours.

(RECEIVED your letter. It is always a great
comfort to me to hear from you and to learn that
our Lord keeps you faithful to your good purpose.
It is no small grace in this Babylon where what you
hear is better calculated to dissipate the soul than
to make it recoUedted. It is true that enlightened
minds learn from the many changes that take
place how vain and fleeting are all earthly things.
Any one who did not understand our Lord's ways
would be deeply grieved at the fortunes of our
Order for more than a year past,* but seeing that it
all purifies souls, and that God must, in the end,
favour His servants, there is no cause for fear, but
great reason to wish that our trials may increase and
to thank God for allowing us to suffer for justice'
sake. You, Senoras, must do the same, trusting in
Him, and your wishes will be granted when you
least expedl it.

May His Majesty have you in His keeping and
make you as holy as I ask of Him. Amen.

' Fuente 229. Vol. i, No. 41. first edition.

^ From this sentence it is inferred that the letter was written about
the end of 1 578.

184

CCLXV

Avila, either the beginning of 1579 or end of 1578 ^

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO FATHER
GRACIAN

Encourages him to suffer persecutions.

... I consider that God is showing a great favour
by giving strength to Paul to make these great
resolutions in the midst of such tempests. An hour
a month of such a favour is a great thing when
there is so much to deprive him of his peace. Glory
be to Him from Whom the gift comes !

Paul's fulfilment of that contract will content
me, for after all, the other troubles will come to an
end — nor would it matter much if they did not.
Will your Paternity warn him that I shall keep that
written promise with which to confront him if he
breaks his word.

It came in time to reassure my fears, for my one
dread is lest Paul should in any way go against the
will of God. Joseph has comforted Angela strongly
on this point and assured her that Paul is doing well
and acquiring more and more merit. . .

' Fuente 230. This fragment of a letter is given by Father Gracian
in his Peregrinacion (Dial, xvii, pp. 509, 5 10). He says that he wanted
to make a vow of always doing what was most pleasing to God, in
imitation of St Teresa, but she persuaded him merely to make a con-
tract with her to that effect in order to avoid scruples. Joseph and
Angela stand for our Lord and St. Teresa.

185

CCLXVI

Avila, the end of December 1578^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID
Advice and encouragement.

. . . The intuition which Paul affirms he received
of the greatness of Joseph is a very high one. How-
ever, there are degrees of perfecftion in the works
we accompUsh for Him, for as we can never judge
of the purity of our intention, we must be as pru-
dent in such matters as in all else, putting little
confidence in ourselves.

How you will laugh at this nonsense, my Father!
you will think, that Paul is always before my mind.
However, he might forget my recommendation
with all his other cares and it is as well to remind
him: at any rate, it can do no harm.

. . . Oh! How well my Paul's name suits him!
At one moment he is raised to heaven: at the next
in the depth of the sea. I assure you that we may
well glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .

... I love them tenderly and am delighted when
you praise them, but you show me gratitude as
though / had done it. . .

' Fuente 231. This letter is composed of several fragments published
in Vol. VI, numbered 25 to 29. It is not known whether all were included
in the same letter. The fragments are from notes taken by Sister Maria
de San Jose, sister of Father Gracian.

186

CCLXVII

1579'?
TO A CARMELITE NUN

How to bear persecution.

... In order to profit and advance by means of
persecutions and injuries it is well to refled: that
God has been ofFended by them before I have.
When the blow strikes me. He has already been
ofFended by the sin. The soul that loves its
Bridegroom ought already to have pledged itself
to be entirely His and to have no will of its own,
and if He bears with the injury, why should we
resent it? Our only sorrow should be that God has
been offended, for the soul itself is not diredily
affedled but is only reached by the sensitiveness of
the body which richly deserves to suffer in this
world.

To die or suffer* — this should be our wish.

No one is tempted more than he is able to bear.

Nothing happens except by the will of God.

•My father,' said Eliseus to Elias: *you are the
chariot of Israel and the driver thereof.' ^ . .

' The autograph was in the convent of Guadalajara in the
eighteenth century.

^ The Saint here, as elsewhere, writes: 'Die or suffer;' not as often
given: 'Suffer or die.'

^ Pater mi, pater mi, currus Israel et auriga ejus. iv. Kings, ii, 12.

- 187

CCLXVIII

Avila, about January, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

Trials of Father Gracian

... I am astonished at the letters from Alcala,
especially at the one written by your Paternity: I
am extremely annoyed. God help us, how little we
know ourselves! I declare, as I wrote before, that
I am so terrified at what has been done already
that 1 do not like your being there, and I believe
my fears will be justified. I would rather you went
back to the *cats.' The threat is a good one. . .

' Peregrin. Dial. xvi. p. 307. While Father Gracian was confined in
the Discalced College at Alcala, the prior, Father Elias, a great friend
of his, was taken ill and charged him to hold the community chapter
occasionally. Three of the friars wrote secretly to the Nuncio accusing
Father Gracian of exercising authority in the house contrary to Sega's
decree. The latter was very angry and wrote to Father Gracian,
blaming him severely. Father Gracian had been staying, by the Nun-
cio's order at the priory of the Calced Carmelites in Madrid, where he
had been very kindly treated. This is what the Saint means when she
wishes he would return to the 'cats.' Father Gracian looked upon this
as a prophecy of his joining the Mitigated later in life and of their
treating him better than did Doria's party.

CCLXIX

Avila, January 31, 1579^

TO DON FERNANDO, CARTHUSIAN PRIOR

OF LAS CUEVAS, SEVILLE

The Saint asks him to befriend the nuns at Seville in
their persecutions^ and to deliver a letter from her to
them. A situation is wanted by the letter-bearer.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Ghost be with your
Paternity, my Father.

WHAT does your Paternity think of the way
in which this convent of the glorious St.
Joseph is being looked after, and of the manner in
which his daughters have been, and are now being
treated, in addition to the very long period during
which they have suffered spiritual trials and worries
from him who ought to have comforted them?* It
seems to me that if they asked for crosses from God,
He has exceeded their requests. May He be praised
for all things ! I really feel very little pity for those
who went to Seville with me : sometimes I am glad
because of what they will gain in this war made
against them by the devil. But I do pity those who
have entered from Seville, who, when they ought
to be learning to be peaceful and to become familiar
with the pra(5lices of the Order, are prevented by
all this disturbance, which, as they are new to the

' Fuente 232. The autograph belongs to the Carmelite nuns of Seville.
* Probably Father Garci Alvarez.

189

190 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

religious life, may do them much harm. May the
Master bring things right !

I assure your Paternity that the evil one has been
trying to disturb the community for a long while.
I wrote to the Prioress advising her to consuh you
about her troubles but she must have felt too shy
to do so. It would have been a great comfort to me
if I could have laid the whole case before you, but
I am afraid to put it in a letter and should not
have told you what I have, had not the messenger
been thoroughly trustworthy.

The lad came to ask me whether any one in
Seville would be kind enough to recommend him
to a situation, for, though a native of Avila, he
cannot live there because the climate is too cold.
He was in service with a Canon, a friend of mine,
who assures me that he has a good characfler and
is honest, can write well, and keep accounts. For
the love of our Lord, I beg your Paternity, if you
have the opportunity, to do this kindness to me
and service to His Majesty. If requisite, you could
mention what I have stated as I am certain the
Canon would tell me the whole truth.

I was glad when he applied to me as it was a
comfort to write to your Paternity and I could ask
you to let the former prioress' and the nuns from
Castile have the enclosed letter from me. You
will know already that she has been deposed from
her office and replaced by one of the sisters who
entered at Seville. She has suffered many other
persecutions, and the Calced have even gone so

^ Mary of St. Joseph. Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, who falsely
accused her, was put in her office.

TO DON FERNANDO 191

far as to make her give up the letters I wrote to
her, which are now in the Nuncio's possession.
The poor nuns have been in great want of some
one to console them. Theologians at Avila are
astounded at what they have been forced to do
through fear of excommunication.

What I fear is that they may have laid a heavy
burden on their souls. They cannot have understood
what they said, for statements are made in the
process which are utterly false: I was there at the
time and nothing of the kind happened. But I am
not surprised at the nuns' becoming bewildered, for
one was kept under examination for six hours. Any
one without much sense would have signed what-
ever the fathers wanted. We learnt here to read
before we signed, so that nothing could be got from
our nuns.

Our Lord has tried us in every way for the last
year and a half, but I am perfedlly confident that
He will come to the protecflion of His servants,
both friars and nuns, that the devil's plots in this
convent will be discovered, and that the glorious
St Joseph will manifest the truth, and what kind
of nuns they are who came from here. As for those
from Andalusia, I do not know them, but I do
know that their word has greater weight with the
authorities, which has done much harm in many
ways.

For love of our Lord I entreat your Paternity
not to desert our sisters but to aid them with your
prayers in their tribulation, for they have no other
helper but God and no one on earth to whom they
can turn for comfort. But His Majcst), Who sees

192 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

what they really are, will succour them and inspire
you with the charity to do the same.

I enclose my letter to them unsealed, so that if
they have been told to deliver up those I write to
the Provincial,^ your Paternity may get some one
to read it to them, for it might be a relief to them
to see my handwriting. It is believed that the
Provincial wants to turn them out of the house;
in that case the novices would wish to accompany
them. It is evident to me that the devil longs to
do away with Discalced friars and nuns, and that
this is the reason of such assaults, but I trust God
that he will gain little by them. Let your Paternity
remember that you have been their only protestor
in Seville, and now, in the time of their direst need,
you should help the cause of the glorious St. Joseph.

May His divine Majesty preserve you for many
years for the benefit of the poor, (for I know now
how you helped those Discalced fathers) and may
He increase your sanctity as I constantly ask of
Him!

Your Paternity's unworthy servant and subjed:,
Teresa de Jesus

If it would not tire your Paternity you are
welcome to read the enclosed letter to the nuns,

* The Provincial of the Mitigated Carmelites of Andalusia was Fray
Diego de Cardenas. The charges against the nuns were chiefly aimed
at blackening the character of Father Gracian.

CCLXX

Avila, January 31, 1579*
TO THE NUNS OF SEVILLE

Exhorts them to bear persecutions with resignation
and joy. The Saint's grief at the calumnies uttered
against Father Gracian by the two nuns.

JESUS !

May the grace of the Holy Ghost be with your

Charities, my daughters and sisters.

[HAVE never loved you as I do now nor have
you ever been so bound to serve our Lord as
when He is granting you the great grace of sharing
somewhat of His Cross and the extreme abandon-
ment His Majesty experienced on it. Happy the
day when you came to this place where such good
fortune awaited you ! I envy you immensely : it is
the fa(5t that when I heard of all these reverses
(which have been fully described to me), of how
they tried to drive you from the house, with other
details, instead of regretting it, I felt immense joy
within myself at seeing that, without your having
crossed the ocean, the Master had enabled you to
discover mines of eternal treasures. I trust in Him
that these will make you very rich and you will
share your gains with us here. I feel full confidence
that, in His mercy. He will aid you to bear all
your troubles without offending Him in anv way.
Do not be distressed because you feel your trials

' Fuente 233. The autograph belongs to the nuns of Seville.

Vol. in. 14

194 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

deeply, for our Lord wishes to teach you that you
are not as strong as you thought you were when
you longed for sufferings so ardently.

Courage, courage, my daughters! Remember,
God never sends any one trials too heavy to bear,
and He is with those in distress. Since this is certain
you need fear nothing, but rely on His mercy, for
He will bring the whole truth to light and we shall
discover some of the hidden plots with which the
devil has been trying to upset everything, which
caused me more pain than your present crosses.

Prayer, prayer, my sisters ! And now let your
humility and obedience shine forth. Let no one
outvie all your Charities, especially the former
Prioress, in obedience to her who has been appointed
as your deputy-superior.

Oh ! What a good opportunity for profiting by
the good resolutions you made to serve our Lord!
Remember, He often proves us to see whether our
actions will carry out our resolutions and promises.
Do honour to yourselves as daughters of the Virgin,
and to your sisters, by the way in which you bear
this severe persecution; do your best and the good
Jesus will help you. Though He may sleep in the
boat, when the storm increases He will quiet the
wind. He wishes us to ask Him, and He loves us so
that He is always seeking how to do us good.
Blessed be His name for ever. Amen, amen, amen.

All our communities are praying much for you,
so I trust that, in His loving- kindness, God will
soon bring matters right. Be of good cheer, for
when we consider it, all we undergo for so good a

TO THE NUNS OF SEVILLE 195

God amounts to little, considering what He bore
for us, for you have not even shed your blood for
Him yet, and you are with your sisters, not in
Algiers. Leave it all to your Bridegroom and you
will see that, before long, the sea will swallow up
those who war against us as it did King Pharoah,
leaving God's people free and longing to suffer
more, seeing what they have gained by it in the
past.

I have received your letter and wish that you
had not burnt the one you wrote before, as it would
have been useful. Theologians say that you might
have refused to deliver up my letters, but it is not
of much importance.

God grant that all the blame may fall on me,
though I have felt the penalties of those who suf-
fered wrongfully as a heavy burden.

What pained me was to see, in the process of
information drawn up by the Father Provincial,*
charges which I know to be utterly untrue, for I
was at the convent at the time. For love of our
Lord examine carefully whether any one made the
statements through nervousness or by mistake, for
nothing matters as long as God is not sinned against.
But falsehoods and slanders too, grieve me deeply.
I cannot believe the statements, for every one knows
how upright and modest Father Gracian's be-
haviour to us has been and what help he has given
us to advance in our Lord's service. This being the
case, it is very wrong to bring such charges against
him, however insignificant.

Have the kindness to say so to these sisters, and

* Fray Diego de Cardenas.

196 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

abide with the Blessed Trinity. May They have
you in Their keeping! Amen.

The community here send you very kind mes-
sages. When the clouds have blown over, they
hope to have a full account of the matter from
Sister St. Francis. Remember me to the good
Gabriela, whom I ask to keep happy, for I know
how very keenly she must grieve over the way in
which Mother Mary of St.Joseph has been treated.
I feel no pity for Sister San Jeronimo if her desires
are genuine: otherwise, I pity her most of all.
To-morrow will be the eve of our Lady of the
Candles (Candlemas Day).

I should much prefer talking to Senor Garci
Alvarez to writing to him, and as I cannot say
what I wish in a letter, I am not sending him one.
Remember me to those of the Andalusian sisters
to whom you dare mention this letter.

Your Charities' unworthy servant
Teresa de Jesus.,

CCLXXI

Avila, February 4, 1579*
TO DONA INKS NIETO, MADRID

The Saint consoles her in her trials and the imprison-
ment of her husbandy Senor Albornoz.

JESUS!

MAY the grace of the Holy Ghost ever be
with you and give you grace to profit by your

' Fuente 234. On account of his son having married without the
king's consent, the Duke of Alba was imprisoned. Dona Ines' husband,
who was implicated in the affair, shared the Duke's punishment.

TO DONA INES NIETO 197

trials! I have grieved over them and prayed about
them to our Lord, though on the other hand I
realize that they are favours such as His Majesty
grants to those He loves dearly, in order to rouse
us and make us indifferent to the changeful, fleeting
things of this life, so that we may strive to win
eternal life.

What commotions and calumnies there have
been this year! I was deeply grieved when first I
heard of the imprisonment of Senor Albornoz, but
on learning that it was connected with Don
Fadrique's affair, I trusted in God that his trial
would soon be over. I kiss the hands of Senor
Albornoz. The time will come when he would
not exchange the days he spent in prison fetters for
all the gold chains in the world. God grant him
good health, with which troubles can be better
borne. I pity you less, because I believe our Lord
has given you the strength to pass through heavier
trials. May His Majesty grant you more grace
every day and preserve you to us for many years.
Amen. To-day is February 4.

Your Honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXII

Prefatory note.

Early in this year, Philip told the Nuncio that Father
Gracian had been punished enough; the latter was there-
fore pardoned and restored to his former dignity. The
Discalced at once submitted their affairs to him and
begged him to take steps to obtain the Brief and the

198 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

erection of a separate province. Father Gracian accord-
ingly sent to Rome Juan de Jesus Roca, the vahant de-
fender of the Reform, and Fray Diego de la Trinidad,
Prior of Pastrana. The latter, formerly a member of the
Hieronymite Order, subsequently became Prior of Seville
and Provincial of Andalusia and died in 1582. The two
fathers, disguised as laymen, embarked for Naples in
May. Father Gracian would have liked to go to Rome
himself and found a priory there.

Avila, February 20, 1579^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, MADRID

Advice as to founding a house in Rome and sending
two friars there. The Saint begs Father Gracian not
to go himself as he intended.

... As we are anxious to settle matters, I do not
wish to make any plans that cannot be properly
carried out. We must consider carefully whether,
though we are in a better position for doing so, it
would be well to found a house in Rome until the
Reform is more consolidated. It would be a terrible
mistake on all hands if the Calced there, who are
so near the Pope, should aft as our enemies. Also,
if you send the letter to the kmg's canon there,*
your Reverence should advise him as to who should
be nominated as Provincial.

I should not like you to go to Rome at present,
as things are so well arranged that there seems no
need for it, and we must not all remain here doing
penance with no one to help us. If you must go,
it would be fitting that you should do so for the

^ Fuente 235. The first page is missing. This was part of a long
letter belonging to the convent of Santa Ana, Madrid. (Fr. A.)
* Canon Montoja, who resided in Rome.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 199

General Chapter, and if God grants us the favour,
you would go as Provincial, when it would be your
duty. Those who are starting now would wait for
you there; then we should be represented by per-
sons who would maintain our credit. May our Lord
dispose of matters as will tend to His greater glory
and may He increase your sanctity and preserve
your Reverence to us !

I have not had time to say anything which would
cause you fresh annoyance (and with good reason).
I am afraid Father Mariano ' will be left unpunished
because God considers that he is weak in courage.
May His Majesty give us strength to die for Him,
for this contest has certainly been one of His favours.
To-day is February 28.

Your Reverence's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

But is not this just such a letter, full of advice,
as an old woman with little humilitv would write ?
God grant that some of it may be to the point!
If not, let us be good friends as before.

^ Fray Mariano had not taken part in the Visitation and was liked
by the Nuncio. He was a great favourite of the King, who had lately
sent him to Jerez to extract minerals from some waters there.

CCLXXIII

Avila, March 12, 1579^
TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

The Sainfs confidence in the success of the 'Reform.
Letters of recommendation forwarded to Rome.

JESUS!
May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

1AM sorry for your trouble about our affairs,
but you must know that I do not let them
depress me, for I realize that our trials come from
God and that He watches over them with greater
care than we could give. So whatever happens, I
shall be content, having prayed about the matter
with some saintly souls. Perhaps what seems to
us most adverse to the divine glory may contribute
most to it, so do not let these matters afFedt you:
the world is not coming to an end yet.

As soon as I see that our fathers are safe and
that they are to be treated justly, there will be
nothing to fear: yet even if they are treated unjustly
we shall never be better off than now when we are
suffering blamelessly. Moreover, they tell me that
the Nuncio is a great servant of God : therefore by
degrees he will investigate the truth, as will the
other judges. Since we can neither interview our
fathers nor send them letters, it is useless to write,
though I should have liked to console them and
let them know how I envy them. I received the

' By kind permission of P. Gregoire, this letter has been translated
from the Spanish first published by him. The original is at Brussels.

200

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA 201

letter you forwarded wVz Toledo and the one brought
me by Pedro Rias, which was so disconsolate that
it made me laugh and thank God for your charity
in taking our affairs so much to heart. Some day
we shall be able to help you in return. It was
needless for the judges to declare that they would
be impartial in their judgements, for they would
be unjust if influenced by anything but the truth.

Dona Maria de Montoja is mistaken in thinking
that we ever supposed that the letters to be given
to the Canon* would settle our affairs, for that
must remain with God. But such testimonials give
credit to the petitioners by showing that they are
devout and are considered to be so in Spain, and
the more such witness is borne of them the better.

Doctor Rueda gave me these letters to be for-
warded to His Majesty. Will you deliver them
personally into his hands with my homage. I should
much like to answer the Count,' whose hands I
kiss repeatedly. We were very glad to hear that
his son is well, and it is a great comfort to know
that the Count is at court.

Will you entrust the letter addressed to the Prior
of St. Augustine's to some who will place it in his
hands, letting nobody know that either you or I
have anything to do with it. I think it can do no
harm. As the Discalced Franciscan Father is a
great friend of mine, kindly give the letter addressed
to him to a trustworthy messenger. The other is
for my brother. Please hand it to some one who is
going to his neighbourhood, asking him to bring

^ Doubtless Canon Montoja.

* Probably the Count de Tendilla.

202 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

the answer back to you to be forwarded to me by
you. Forgive me, for with the exception of the
last, the letters are of importance to our Order. I
find that the carriers always deliver our letters to
each other safely. We need try no new routes, for
as these fathers have what they want they will not
watch us so closely. Always seal your missives
carefully.

I think that when I see Father Gracian freed
from being Visitor the rest will seem bearable.
That was what kept me in perpetual torture. I
should be content if a Visitor of any other Order
were imposed on us as long as he was not one of
those (Calced) Fathers of ours.

May God prosper our affairs as He has the power
to do, and may He watch over you and those ladies
to whose prayers I earnestly commend myself.

To-day is the twelfth.

Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXIV

Avila, some time before March 25, 1579^
TO FRAY MARIANO, ALCALA

ProspeB of brighter days for the Reform. Warning
to Fray "Juan de fesus Roca to keep in hiding. The
Saint writes to the Nuncio and the king.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

MY Father Mariano, the account given in your
letter of the Nuncio's order that the Reform

' Fuente Vol. iii. p. 229. Don Fuente does not consider this letter
genuine because the style differs from that of the Saint. The

TO FATHER MARIANO 203

should be destroyed gives me unceasing pain. You
tell me that, at the instance of the Caked fathers,
he has made provision to that effed: and that at
Valladolid they tried to seize Fray Juan de Jesus,
vs^ho arrived at court in a state of great depression,
shared by all your Reverences, at seeing me virtually
imprisoned.

May God be for ever praised, since- it is His
will! But now that I see the world and hell have
risen against my sons, I feel such certainty that His
Majesty and my Father St. Joseph will take our
cause in hand that, from this day, my Father, you
may hold yourself as the vidior, not the vanquished.
Lucifer seeks nothing less than to destroy this little
flock of the Virgin. But the result will not be what
he exped:s: on the contrary, my son, those who
now persecute us will favour us. So let your grief
be changed into joy. I grieve because my sons
suffer on account of a sinner like myself, and are
being hunted and persecuted. This is why I grieve
and sigh; for as to the rest, I am assured of vicftory
since our cause is that of God.

Will you ask Fray Juan de Jesus to return to
Dona Maria de Mendoza's house at Valladolid and
to remain there until I send him word. Kindly
give him the enclosed letters and dired: him to

original is said by the first editors to have belonged to Raymond Bru,
Barcelona. It seems to have been written by a secretary in her own
wording. The date and address are missing. P. Gregoire thinks that
the letter is authentic and that it dates from the end of 1578 to the
early part of i 579. The same may be said of the following letter which
he has seen and of which he declares that the signature is undoubtedly
that of St. Teresa. As a rule, the Ven. Ana de San Augustin was her
secretary at Avila.

204 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

travel via Baitrago, not Segovia, which will be
safest. And will you, my Father, go at once to the
king and deliver this letter from me to him. Explain
the state of affairs to him as I am also doing : you
will then see whether he has the service of God
at heart. Be very humble in his presence, evincing
no resentment against those who have given us the
opportunity of gaining merit, for we ought always
to show great patience. I warn you of this, lest
the point should be touched upon, for in this way
difficulties will be smoothed away.

Will you wait three days before handing the
Nuncio the other letter, so that the king may have
had time to speak to him first. You will see how
things go on, but have faith, my Father, and do not
be weak enough to say that we can suffer no more,
for with Christ we can do all things. Let yours be
a living faith, for it is that which obtains great
graces from God. I say this so that henceforth we
may know that we should trust in God.

Will you call on the Princess of Pastrana on my
behalf; tell her that I carried out her wishes at once,
that she is not to grieve because of my imprison-
ment for I deserve far worse a fate, and that we
shall soon see one another. I will keep the rest
of my advice until we meet.

My companion* has no appetite; will you pray
for her. She asks you to remind Fray Juan de la
Miseria^ to paint the Saint Joseph he promised her.
Will you see to it for I should like every one to be
as devoted to my Father, Saint Joseph.

^ Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew.

^ St. Teresa did not know that he had fled to Rome.

TO FRAY JUAN DE JESUS 205

I am well and stout, but so low-spirited because
my life is all enjoyment without any penance that
every one who sees me pities me. Will your
Reverence pray for me and ask God to make me
good. May His Majesty be praised in all and for
all and may He bestow His grace and Holy Spirit
on your Reverence.

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXV

Avila, March 25, 1579^
TO FRAY JUAN DE JESUS, VALLADOLID

yoy amidst trials. A vision foretelling the future
success of the Order.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be with the soul of my
Father, Fray Juan de Jesus.

I RECEIVED your Reverence's letter in this
prison in which I live very happily, since I
endure all my trials for my God and my Order.
What grieves me, my Father, is the suffering I
bring upon your Reverences: it is this which
tortures me. Therefore, my son, neither you nor
the other fathers must be sorry for me, because,
like St. Paul in this (though not in sandlity), I can
declare that for me prisons, and trials, and persecu-
tions, and torments, and ignominy, and affronts,

' Fuente Vol. iii p. 232. See note i of preceding letter.

2o6 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

borne for my Christ and my Order are delights
and favours.

Never have I felt more indifferent to crosses
than now. God succours the prisoners and afflidled
with His aid and favour. I render Him a thousand
thanks, as it is right that you should all do, for the
mercy He shows me in my captivity. Is there, my
son and my Father, — is there any greater joy, or
pleasure, or sweetness than to suffer for our good
God.? When were the Saints happy and satisfied
with their lot except when they suffered for Christ
their God? This is the safe, the most certain way
to Him; in the cross must we find our joy and
happiness. So, my Father, let us seek the cross and
desire it: let us embrace our trials — and alas for
the Discalced, alas for ourselves, if ever they fail
us!

You tell me in your letter that at the instance of
the Father-General, the Nuncio has ordered that
no more houses of Discalced friars are to be founded
and that those already established are to be
suppressed; that he is highly displeased with me
and speaks of me as a restless, gad-about woman;
that the world is in arms against me, and that my
sons are in hiding in the caves, and mountains, and
most secret places, lest they should be discovered
and seized. This it is that touches me and that I
grieve over: I sorrow because, on account of a
wicked woman and a bad nun, my sons must suffer
such persecution and trials, forsaken by all men
though not by God, Who will never forsake nor
abandon those whom He so dearly loves.

TO FRAY JUAN DE JESUS 207

To comfort my son and his' brethren, I will tell
you something very consoling, but it must be kept
secret between us two and Father Mariano, who
would be vexed at others knowing it, and not
himself. You must know, my Father, that while
a nun of this convent* was at prayer on the vigil
of the feast of my Father, St. Joseph, she saw him
in a vision with the Virgin praying to her Son for
the Reform. Our Lord told the religious that hell
itself, besides many people in the world, were
delighted at seeing our Order destroyed, (as they
thought,) but at the verv moment when the Nuncio
ordered its destruction, God confirmed its stability.
Our Lord also bade the sister have recourse to the
king, who would be a father to the Order. Our
Lady and St. Joseph said the same and other things
besides which cannot be stated in a letter. They
also declared that, God willing, I should be freed
from my imprisonment within twenty days.* Then
let us all rejoice, for from this day the Discalced
Reform will flourish.

You, my Father, should stay in Dona Maria de
Mendoza's house until I write again. Father Ma-
riano is to take one of the enclosed letters to the
king and the other to the Duchess de Pastrana.
But be sure your Reverence does not leave the house
lest you should be arrested. We shall soon see our-
selves at liberty.

^ The Saint herself.

^ As Father Angel de Salazar was made Visitor of the Reform on
April I, and his first act was to write a respectful letter to St. Teresa,
setting her free to visit her convents, this prophecy may well have been
fulfilled.

2o8 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

I am well and in good condition, thank God,
but my companion has no appetite. Pray for us
and say a Mass of thanksgiving in honour of my
Father, Saint Joseph. Do not write to me until I
ask you. May God make you a saint and a perfed:
Discalced friar !
To-day is Wednesday, March 25, 1579.

I have already informed Father Mariano that
you and Father Jeronimo de la Madre de Dios are
to negociate our affair in secret with the Duke
del Infantado.

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXVI

Prefatory note.

After some delay, the body of assessors had sifted the
true from the false statements, so that, on April i, 1579,
the Nuncio revoked the rights he had conceded to the
provincials and constituted Fray Angel de Salazar Visitor
of the Reform by letters patent with most minute
instructions regulating the favourable treatment of the
Discalced. Fray Angel, being in failing health, could not
visit Andalusia in person, so made Father Gracian his
delegate there. [Found. Introd. p. li. ch. xxviii, note 12)
Fresh petitions having been presented by the Count de
Tendilla, (April 26,) the body of assessors declared that
the Discalced ought to be separated from the Caked and
constituted as a separate province. This sentence the
Nuncio transmitted, with his good will and approval, on
Nov. 1 1, to the secretary of state of His Holiness.

Avila, the beginning of April, 1579*

TO FATHER GRACIAN

St. Teresa s delight at the prospeSl of seeing him
soon. Father Angel Salazar nominated Vice-General
of the Reform. That Mary of St. Joseph should be
reinstated asprioress at Seville. Fray fuan de fesus^
journey to Rome,

JESUS!

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Reverence, my Father, and repay you for
comforting me with the hope of seeing you. It
would indeed console me. I beg you, for love of
our Lord, to arrange for your visit, for exped:ed
pleasures are hardest to miss, and I believe that it
would render God service.

With this joy in prosped; I have borne bravely
the elediion of the new superior. God grant he
may enjoy the office for but a short time! Not
that I wish him to die, for he is the most able
among the Mitigated and will be very obliging to
us, especially as, being so shrewd, he will know
how matters will end. In a way, the choice is as
distasteful to the Calced as to us. We who prad:ise
perfediion could wish for no one more appropriate
than the Nuncio, who has made us all gain in
merit.

Thanks to our Lord, Fray Gregorio is already
back in his own house ! I shall thank Him again
if your Reverence can get the Prioress of Seville
reinstated, for she is certainly the right person for
the post. If not, Isabel de San Francisco would do,

' Fuente 236. The autograph is at the Carmelite convent, Henares,
The last part is missing.

209
Vol. III. JL5

2IO ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

for the present prioress is ridiculous and will ruin
the house. May God guide the choice as serves
Him best and may He reward your Reverence for
your care of those poor strangers!* It must be a
great relief for them to be free from the Provincial
of the cloth so that they can w^rite and receive
letters. I sent them one by the Prior of las Cuevas;
I should not be sorry if it fell into the hand of the
Provincial as I intended when I wrote it.

Our traveller* has got ready very quickly: the
more I see of him, the more confidence I feel in
his success. We had a discussion because I wished
a duplicate copy made of the letter to the king to
be sent by the first courier who starts to Canon
Montoya, with a letter I am addressing to his
mother, asking her to forward it. I am telling him
that the royal letter will either be given to him at
the same time or delivered later on by two fathers
who are on their way to proffer their obedience to
our Father the Vicar-General.* I think that in so
important a matter it is best to send two copies of
the letter by different routes, as we are uncertain
whether our traveller will reach Rome safely, and
it would be terrible for us, in the present condition
of affairs, to wait for a second journey. Moreover,
since the Canon has taken up our cause, it would

^ The Castilian nuns of Seville. Beatriz de la Madre de Dios was
then prioress.

■' Evidently Fray Juan de Jesus (de Roca) v/ho visited the Saint at
Avila before starting for Rome. See Prefatory note of the letter dated
Dec. 28, 1578. The two Discalced fathers bore with them the letters
of submission signed by the members of the Reform. They also took
with them letters of recommendation from Philip II to the Holy See,
besides petitions and other important documents.

* Cafardo had been Vicar-General smce the death of Rubeo.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 211

be well not to set him aside, for as time goes on
he will prove a good friend to us in many ways.
The affair is not so easy to manage that such pre-
cautions are needless. I believe it would be best
to leave the business to him, and to let the two
fathers go straight to the Vicar-General. I feel little
confidence in the secret's being kept, and if the
fathers mention it to one another and the Vicar-
General hears of it, he would probably be annoyed
at their not having had recourse to him first.
Nothing of the kind would happen with the Canon.

Fray Juan asks what reason there would be for
his going to Rome if Canon Montoya takes the
matter in hand. The excellent reason is that per-
haps there may be need of both of them.

Let us hope that Fray Juan will find these mat-
ters settled when he reaches Rome. However it
will be no small advantage that the superiors there
should meet with more observant and strict religious
than they have seen before. The two fathers could
also justify us to the Vicar-General. He thinks that

CCLXXVII

Avila, April, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN

Concerning the two nuns who had caused the scandal
at Seville.

... I am amazed and grieved at these two souls :
may God convert them ! It seems as though all the

^ Fuente 237. The accusation had been laid before the Royal
Council: the defence of Father Gracian and Mary of St. Joseph was

212 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

furies of hell had met at the Seville convent to
deceive and blind people both within and outside
it. I assure your Paternity that, from the moment
I heard of the trial, my one fear was of that which
has come to pass — that some calumny should be
brought against Paul. That unprincipled deputy-
Prioress had always fostered certain grave slanders,
and this dread has beset me for days. O Jesus, how
it has distressed me ! No trial through which we
have passed is of any account compared with this.
God has indeed taught us how little we should de-
pend on creatures, however good they may be, and
that we ought to be wary and less simple. God grant
that this may suffice for Paul and myself ! . . .

CCLXXVIII

Avila, April 21, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA OR
PASTRANA

'Joy at the prospeSi of a speedy meeting. Profession
of his sister Maria de San Jose. The nuns oj Seville
and Father Alvarez.

Jesus be with your Paternity, my Father.

1HAD written the enclosed letter when yours
arrived. May God have given you as happy an
Easter as I wished and as your daughters prayed
for here ! God be praised for so arranging matters

undertaken by Father Nicolas Doria. The two accusers were Beatriz
de la Madrc de Dios and Margarita de la Concepcion.

' Fuente 238. As the letter is addressed to 'My Father Paul, in the
grotto of Ellas,' Father Gracian does not seem to have been liberated
by the Nuncio at this date.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 213

that there will be an end of your long absences, so
that poor Angela will be able to speak of her soul,
for since you have been away she has never been
able to obtain relief from any one else. We have
indeed had to contend with troubles in every way.
I think that you must have had the larger share
since our Lord has so quickly rewarded you by
allowing you to help so many souls.

Dona Juana* has just written to me concerning
our Sister Maria de San Jose, but does not mention
you. Although she says she was pressed for time,
I complain of this omission. I told the Prioress of
Valladolid to profess your sister as soon as her year's
noviciate had expired. She answered that she had
never thought of taking any other course until I
wrote postponing the profession. In fa(5l, it appeared
to me that the delay mattered little if it meant that
your Paternity would perform the ceremony, but
the present arrangement is best. Since we have
such certain hopes of a separate province, I agree
with the Prioress that all will be well.

My brother kisses your hand. Little Teresica is
very happy and as childlike as ever.

I feel rather relieved about Seville, as the Calced
can no longer interfere with that community. The
Archbishop ' writes saying that the Discalced fathers
were in a very difficult position when the documents
arrived and were delighted to get them. They
hear the nuns' confessions, and the Father-Vicar,
Fray Angel, tells me that Father Nicolas will go

^ Father Gracian's mother. His sister Maria de San Jose was pro-
fessed in May, at Valladolid.

^ Don Cristobal de Rojas y Sandoval, Archbishop of Seville.

214 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

there in a month's time to restore active and passive
voice to Mother Mary of St. Joseph and put her
back in her proper rank and to hold an election.
From what Father Nicolas u^rites, I gather that the
sisters are very prudent w^hich vv^ill set a good
example to the Order. He must see me before
going to Seville, so that I may the better understand
what has passed there and may give him some
advice for Mother Mary of St. Joseph, in case she
should be re-eled:ed prioress. Father Garci Alvarez
no longer visits the convent: he says he has been
forbidden by the Archbishop. May God bring the
matter right and soon give me the opportunity of
fully discussing many matters with your Paternity.
I feel sure that you must be in great favour with
Father Joseph*: that is the important thing. I am
amused at hearing that you wish for more crosses:
for God's sake leave us without them, for you do
not bear them alone ! Let us rest for a few days. I
know that a person who has once enjoyed them,
realizes that there is no more nourishing food for
the soul, but not being sure whether these trials
would extend to others besides him who asks for
them, I cannot desire them. I mean that there
ought to be a great difference between enduring
suffering ourselves and seeing our neighbour suffer.
This question must be explained to me by your
Paternity when we meet. May our Lord enable us
to serve Him well in whatever way He wishes,and
may He preserve your Paternity to us for many
years and make you as saintly as I ask of Him !
Amen.

* Our Lord.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 215

I wrote to Valladolid, telling the prioress that
she need not write to Dona Juana for the payment
of your sister's dowry, as it was not to be sent until
after profession, and even that was left undecided.
Since the nuns received her without a portion, they
cannot complain if it is not given, and in other
convents the sisters ask God for what they need.
I said no more and sent the prioress your letter
addressed to Dona Juana. The matter is satisfa(5t-
orily arranged for the present. I should not like
your mother to mention the affair to Fray Angel,
close friends as they are, as there is no need for it
at present. Your Paternity knows the way of the
world and how easily friendships are dissolved. I
think that in one of your letters you gave me to
understand that this had already happened but you
may have been alluding to something else. In any
case, will you caution Dona Juana. Abide with
God, and do not so negled: me as to forget to pray
for me to His Majesty, but when you bear other
souls in mind, remember that vou have to render
an account to God of mine.

This is the last day of Easter week.
Your Paternity's unworthy servant and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.
Will you tell Dona Juana the date of the pro-
fession, as I have no time to write to her. I so
dread speaking of the matter I mentioned that I
rarely allude to it, nor shall I in future. I have
answered my daughter, Maria de San Jose. It
would be a great comfort to have her with me, but
our Lord will allow me no solace.

CCLXXIX

Avila, May 2, 1579^
TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

'Journey of Fray 'Juan de Jesus Roca to Rome. The
Nuncio's four assessors.

JESUS!
May the grace of the Holy Ghost be with your

Honour.

Ihave received your letters and Joseph Bullon's:*
our Lord be his guard! for it is trying to see
him go so far away, but as the necessity is great,
it must be endured. We all owe much to him: his
virtues and talents deserve respecfl. May God
prosper him. I entreat you to tell me when and
how he starts. I cannot endure the suspense until
he leaves this country, considering how he is
travelling, lest any misfortune should happen to us :
at such a jun(fture it would be terrible.

God reward you for your good tidings! I assure
you that since those two senores and my friends
the Dominican fathers have been appointed asses-
sors,' all anxiety about our affair has left me as I
know them personally. I feel certain that, with

' Fuente 239. Vol. v, no i 5. The autograph cannot be found.

' Fray Juan Jesus de Roca, took the title of Jose Bullon, a family
name. He and his companions went to Rome disguised as solicitors
bent on obtaining a dispensation for the marriage of Don Francisco
Bracamente. The latter, a gentleman of Avila, presented Fray Juan
with a costume, sword, mule, and 400 ducats. The two friars spent
a year in Rome collecting all the evidence and documents required.

^ The Dominican assessors were Fray Hernando de Castile and Pedro
Hernandez. See letter of Dec. 28, 1578. Pref note.

216

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA 217

four such men, what they settle will be for
the honour and glory of God, which is our sole
objedl.

What troubles me now is the case of those
fathers, for such vile accusations are very painful
to nuns who wear the same habit. May God
remedy the matter and prote(5l and repay you for
your good-will and kindness to this Order, for
which I give our Lord sincere thanks. Where
charity exists, His Majesty finds work for it. May
He watch over you and Dona Maria and make
you both very holy, as I do not negled to ask of
Him, wretch though I am.

To-day is May 2.

Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXX

Avila, May 3, 1579*

TO MOTHER ISABEL DE SAN JERONIMO
AND MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH '^

Congratulations on the community s being freed from
the dominion of the Caked and the cessation of their
persecutions. Advice as how to treat the two sisters
who brought about the troubles.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence, my daughter.

[RECEIVED the letters from you and my
daughters the day before yesterday. O Jesus!
What a comfort it would be to be with you now,
as it would have been in the past, so that I might
have shared the abundant treasures our Lord lav-
ished on you! May He be praised for ever! Amen.

Great as was my affecflion for your Reverence
and the rest, it has doubled now, particularly for
you who have borne the brunt of the troubles. But
it is true I was specially pleased at hearing that you
had been deprived ot your voice and office, for
though I realize that my daughter Joseph is very
faulty, I know that she fears God and would never
have done anything which deserved such punish-
ment.

I sent a letter to your community by my Father,

' Fuente 24.0. At one time this letter was not supposed to be
authentic but the autograph in St. Teresa's handwriting has been dis-
covered in the Carmelite convent of Boadilla del Monte.

'This is the address, but the letter is specially meant for Mary of
St. Joseph.

218

TO TWO NUNS 219

the Prior of las Cuevas, to be delivered as he
thought best. Did he receive it and the other one
addressed to himself? Also, to whom did he give
charge of your letters? I wish to know whether I
must rewrite it. When Father Nicolas heard of
what had happened to his brother's letter, he tore
it up. You owe much to him, but you have made
a more favourable impression on him than on
Father Garci Alvarez. I am sorry that the latter
does not say Mass at your convent now, but the
loss is yours, as it used to give him great trouble.
We certainly owe much to him, but I do not know
how to bring him back. If the Archbishop would
not bid him return when asked by the Prior of
las Cuevas and Father Mariano, I know of no one to
whom he would listen. I was annoyed at Father
Mariano's notes. How could he think of introducing
such a thing into your house, much less of carry-
ing it out? The fa(5t is, the devil is so furious with
us that he has tried to injure us in every way, es-
pecially . . . ' the greatest trial of all.

It seems now as though our Lord were about to
curtail his liberty and I hope that by degrees He
will bring the truth to light. Small regard has been
paid to it in your convent. I was deeply grieved
at hearing what charges had been brought in the
deposition, many of which I knew to be absolutely
false as I was there at the time to which they re-
ferred. What I have discovered since about these
nuns has made me thank God heartily that He did
not allow them to invent anything worse.

^ A few words here are Illegible,

220 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

These two souls distress me greatly*: we must
all ask God specially to give them light. Ever since
Father Garci- Alvarez behaved in the way of which
you know, I have dreaded what has come to pass.
Your Reverence may remember that I wrote to
you twice, saying that I thought the mischief came
from inside the house. I named one of the culprits
but did not susped: Sister Margarita, who was on
her guard. To tell the truth, I was never satisfied
with the former nun though I sometimes thought
it was a temptation coming from my evil nature.
I mentioned the matter to Father Gracian as he
had so much to do with her, in order that he
might watch her. Therefore, I am not much sur-
prised at her behaviour: not that I thought she was
bad but that she was subjed: to illusions, had astrong
imagination, and was the sort of person to be tricked
by the devil as she has been. He knows well how
to take advantage of people's chara6ters and want
of sense. In fad, we ought not so much to blame
her as to feel genuine pity for her. In her case, I
must beg your Reverence and the nuns to have
the charity to do as I asked them, which I believe
is the best course to take. Let them thank God
for not permitting the demon to tempt any of them
so terribly, and let them think, as St. Augustine says,
that in the same position we should have done
worse if tempted as they were.

My daughters, you must not lose what you have
gained: remember how St. Catharine of Siena*

■" Sisters Beatriz de la Madre de Dios and Margarita de la Concepcion.

* Andrea, a sister of penance, was dying of so terrible a cancer that

no one but St. Catharine would nurse her. In return for the Saint's

TO TWO NUNS 221

treated the woman who defamed her characfler.
Let us fear, yes, let us fear, my sisters, for if God
withdrew His hand from us, what sin might we
not commit? Believe me, that sister had neither
the imagination nor the brains to invent such tales,
so the devil gave her a companion, whom he
certainly must have taught what she said. God be
with her!

First of all, I wish you to pray fervently and
constantly for her, in facfl, if possible continually,
as we are doing here, asking God to favour us by
enlightening her, so that the devil may allow her
to escape from the hallucination under which he
holds her. I look upon her as partially insane.
People are to be met with (although not in our
convents) whose imagination is so strong that they
fancy they see whatever their mind pid:ures to them.
The bad spirit must have a hand in it. I fear he
must have made this sister believe she saw what
he thought would be most likely to ruin your house.
In that case, she would not be so much to blame
as we suppose. If a madman really feels convinced
that he is God the Father, nothing will drive the
idea out of his head. My daughters, you must
manifest your love for God by showing as much
compassion to this nun as though she were the child
of your own father as she is of our true Father, to
Whom we owe so much, and Whom the poor little
creature desired to serve all her life. Pray, sisters,

charity, the sick woman brought shameful charges against her, but
St. Catharine only treated her more tenderly than before. At last her
accuser repented and besought her pardon. St. Catharine said she bore
her no grudge, the devil having deceived her, and thanked Andrea for
reminding her to be more watchful over herself.

222 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

pray for her, for many a saint falls and returns to
the right path. Perhaps she needed this to humble
her. If God grants us the grace of showing her she
was wrong and if she retracts her words, we shall
all have gained by her sufferings, as even she may
do, for He knows how to draw good out of evil.

My second request is that, for the present, you
must not dream of her leaving your convent: it
would be a serious mistake and inexpedient in
every way. You think that you would avoid diffi-
culties by it, but they would increase. Wait awhile;
this is not the time for such a change, for many
reasons I could state: I am surprised that they
should not have occurred to your Reverence. Think
the matter over and God will reveal them to you.
Trust in Him and in us, who are considering more
fully what is best for the house. Do not mention
the subject at present or even think about it if you
can help it.

The third thing I ask of you is not to show any
dislike to the sister but to be kinder to her than
ever. Let all be pleasant and sisterly to her and to
the other nun. Try to forget the past and think
how they would like to be treated, were they in
the same position. Be sure that this soul will be
cruelly tormented, though no one may know of it,
for the devil will be furious at not having succeeded
better. He may make use of her to commit some
crime that would destroy her soul and her reason;
perhaps the latter could easily be done. This is what
we must all bear in mind and not what she has done.
The devil may have made her believe that she was
benefiting her soul and rendering God great service.

TO TWO NUNS 223

Never mention the matter before her mother*^
whom I pity sincerely. Why did no one tell me
how she bore it and what she said to her daughter?
I wanted to know that, and whether she understood
her intrigues.

I am afraid the evil one may tempt the two
sisters in another way by making them fancy they
are disliked and ill-treated. I should be exceedingly
annoyed if any grounds were given for it. A letter
has reached me already stating that the Fathers of
the Company (of Jesus) think it wrong that she is
being harshly treated. You must all be very cautious.

My fourth request is that neither this sister nor
any other nun is to be allowed to talk to persons
outside the convent except in the presence of a
second nun, who is to be on her guard, neither
must the community confess to any priest except
a Discalced friar. Let them choose whichever
they like, as the Father Vicar-General has given
the friars leave to hear your confessions. Be careful
that the two sisters do not plot together secretly.
Do not be severe with them in any way, for we
women are weak until God brings us back to the
right path. It would not be a bad plan to put
Beatriz into some office in which she would have
nothing to do with outsiders, for solitude and
reflection on the past would harm her greatly; so
let those who see that they can benefit her, keep
her company sometimes.

I expedt that Father Nicolas will call on us
before going to Seville. I hope he will come soon

^ Juana de la Cruz, who entered the convent as a lay sister. (^Found,
xxvi.)

2 24 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

as we can discuss the matter more fully. For
charity's sake, do as I ask you. In any case, those
who sincerely long for sufferings bear no grudge
against people who injure them, but love them
better. This will prove whether their trial has
improved the nuns. I trust that our Lord will soon
set things right and restore the convent to its
former state, in fad:, to a better state, for His
Majesty always repays a hundred-fold. I beg all of
you again most earnestly, not to mention the past
to one another, for it could do no good but very
much harm.

.You must behave most prudently in future for,
as I said, I dread lest the devil may play us the
trick of persuading poor foolish little Beatriz to
leave the convent. I am not without the same
misgivings about Sister Margarita, but she has more
sense. Be very watchful, especially at night, for the
evil one is trying to injure the reputation of our
convents and sometimes renders possible what
seemed impossible.

If the two sisters ceased to be friends, or quar-
relled we might get to the root of the matter and
there would be some chance of convincing them
of their mistake. Your Reverence will understand
that the closer friends they are, the more they will
scheme together. Prayer can do much: so I hope
that the Master will enlighten them, for they grieve
me greatly.

It would not be a bad plan to have an account
written of the whole affair: it would serve as a
warning for the future since, on account of my sins,
we have not learnt from other people's experience.

TO TWO NUNS 225

But if Sister San Francisco is the historian, she must
not exaggerate but make a perfedlly simple state-
ment. My daughter Gabriela must copy it out.

I should like to write to the whole community,
but my head is not fit for it. I send you all many
blessings. May you be blessed by our Lady the
Virgin and by the most Holy Trinity ! The whole
Order is indebted to your nuns, especially to those
not yet professed; they have given ample proof of
being its loyal daughters and I beg the other sisters
to pray that they may indeed be so in the future.
Let all who wrote to me take this letter as their
answer. Although addressed to Mother Mary of
St. Joseph and the Mother Vicaress, it is meant for
every one.

I wish I could have written to my Sister Jero-
nimo.^ Tell her she need grieve more for loss of
credit to the convent through Father Garci Alvarez'
having left it than for his reputation, for he is well
known in Seville. It is on the unfortunate strangers
that all the blame will fall, for people will think
that though he may be partly at fault, the nuns
cannot be exempt. As I said, I know that he bears
a good character, and as for the rest, he is saved
much trouble. Decidedly we cannot exaggerate
what he has undergone for us and what we owe to
him, which God alone can repay. Remember me
very kindly to him, I should have written a long
letter to him, had my head been equal to it. How-
ever, as I could not say what I wish in pen and ink,
I am not writing to him, though I should have
the right to complain, for though other people

^ A cousin of Father Garci Alvarez.
Vol. III. 16

226 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

knew what great evils these hlessed women [bendi-
tas) were charging the convent with, nothing was
said to me. It would not have been much if I had
asked you to tell me, from time to time, what was
being done, considering that I had to bear the brunt
of it, instead of your waiting until the matter was
remedied by those who bear little love for us, as all
the world knows. However, after all, truth may
suffer but cannot perish, so I hope God will make
it more evident.

Remember me to the good Serrano: I hope the
time will come when we can repay all we owe
him. Give very friendly messages from me to the
saintly Prior of las Cuevas. Oh, that I could spend
a day with him! May God have you all in His
keeping for me and make you as holy as I wish!
Amen.

The sisters here have wept over your troubles
more than I have, and earnestly beg for your prayers.
I will write again soon. As for Mother St. Joseph's
affair about which you ask me to pray, perhaps
it will be settled before this letter reaches you.'
You are doing well now: do not be in a hurry.
There is no need to have the eledlion before we
send you word from here : we are not neglecting it.

If Father Mariano is at Seville, show him this
letter and ask him to return it. I am not writing to
him as I do not think my letter would reach him.
Remember me kindly to Fray Gregorio: I should
very much like to hear from him. I do not know
what to say about Mass; do not be hasty about it.
If there is no one to say it, do not die of grief: be

*The reinstatement of Mary of St. Joseph as prioress.

TO TWO NUNS 227

content with having Mass on Sundays until God
provides it more often. It will give you a chance
of gaining merit.

I am fairly well. Father Julian de Avila has felt
your trials keenly.^ I believe that if he thought he
could help you, he would gladly go to Seville. He
asks your prayers earnestly. God give you strength
to suffer more and more, for you have not yet shed
your blood for Him Who gave all His for you. I
say this because we have not been idle here.

To-day is the Feast of the Cross."

The unworthy servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

Oh, how my brother has sympathised with your
troubles ! I had to console him. Pray for him, for
you owe it to him. All the advice given ,in her
letter by the Mother Vicaress, Isabel de St.Jeromino
seems to be very sensible, and shows more courage
than Mother Saint Joseph possesses.

Remember me to Sister Beatriz de la Madre de
Dios and tell her I am glad she is free from work,
for she told me in one of her letters how much
that office gave her. Say many kind things from
me to Sister Juan de la Cruz.

^ Having assisted at the foundation of the convent of Seville, Father
Julian took a special interest in it.
'" The Invention of the Cross.

CCLXXXT

Avila, the end of May, 1579*

TO THE MOTHER PRIORESS AND THE
NUNS OF VALLADOLID

A request for two hundred ducats for the Discalced
fathers who had gone to Rome. Dowry of Father
Gracians sister, Maria de San "Jose.

JESUS !

May the grace of the Holy Ghost be with your
Reverence, my Mother, and with all mv dear sisters !

I WISH to remind you that, as far as I can remem-
ber I have never asked you either to admit a
novice without a dowry, or to grant me any other
favour of much importance. This has not been
the case with other convents, for one has received
as manv as eleven penniless nuns and is none the
worse for that — in fa(fl, it is the most flourishing.

I want to ask you for something which vou are
bound to give for the good of the Order and for
several other reasons. Though it is to your own
advantage, I choose to take it as a personal favour
and you must consider it as done to me, for I am
very anxious lest what is important for the service
of God and our peace, should fail for want of funds.

The enclosed letters from a Discalced father,
the Prior del Calvario, now in Rome, will show
how urgently he begs us to send him two hundred

' Fuente 241. The autograph belonged to the Valladolid collection
but was given by the nuns to the community at Calahorra. This letter
is addressed: 'to the Mother Prioress and my sisters and daughters of
Mount Carmel in the convent of Valladolid.'

228

TO THE VALLADOLID NUNS 229

ducats at once. The Discalced friars, having no
superior, can do nothing. They could give so little
help to Fray Juan de Jesus and the Prior of Pas-
trana, who have also gone to Rome (though I
have not heard w^hether they have yet arrived),
that the latter took with them a hundred and fifty
ducats from our house at Veas, besides the sum I
had already furnished. It is a great favour from
our Lord that some of our convents can supply
their needs. After all, it is only once in a lifetime.

Father Nicolas writes from Madrid saying that
he has found some one who, out of regard for him,
will advance the two hundred ducats on the dowry
of Sister Maria de San Jose if the convent will
give him a receipt for the sum. That will suffice,
even though there should be delay in repaying him.
I think this is very fortunate and beg you as a
charity to send for a lawyer when you receive this
letter. Let him draw out the form of her profession
as though she were already professed in a business-
like manner (as otherwise nothing can be done) and
forward it to me at once with the bill of promise.
The two documents must be drawn out separately
and not on the same sheet of paper. You see the
importance of there being no delay.

If you think that it is a large sum and wonder why
the other convents do not take their share, I assure
you that each one is doing all it possibly can, and
those, like this community, who can give nothing,
give nothing. We all wear the same habit because
we help one another; for whatever belongs to one,
belongs to all, and she gives much who gives all
she can. You would be astonished if you knew how

230 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

heavy the expenses are. Sister Catalina de Jesus
could tell you. If the convents do not provide the
money, I can earn nothing with my maimed hand,
though it costs me far more to colledt and beg for
contributions — indeed, it is a torment I could
undergo for no one but God.*

Besides this, I have still to ask for another two
hundred ducats promised to Canon Montoya, who
has kept us alive. God grant that sum may suffice
and that no more money may be needed! However
it is a great mercy that money can purchase us such
peace. What I have already asked you for is indis-
pensable: the gift for which I am about to beg I
leave to your good will, though the request seems
to me reasonable and one of which both God and
the world would approve.

As you are aware, you received Sister Maria de
San Jose without a dowry for the sake of her
brother. Father Gracian. I have learnt that her
mother (who was very short of money) postponed
her daughter's entrance into your convent until
arrangements had been made that she should have
four hundred ducats. Dona Juana thought that you
would extend the charity you had shown Father
Gracian and that she would be able to settle her
own money difficulties with the dower money, for,
as I said, she stands in need of it.

I am not astonished at her feeling its loss, though

* The studied, strained style of this letter shows what an effort it
cost the Saint. However, the money was sent gladly and without delay,
as the next letter testifies. As regards the treatment of the two offen-
ders, Fuente says : that not only for its sublime charity, but for the
wisdom and human prudence of the Saint's advice, this letter is, in
^is opinion, one of the most interesting of the collection.

TO THE VALLADOLID NUNS 231

she is so good- hearted that she is always expressing
her gratitude to you for what you have done. The
enclosed letter from the Father Master Gracian
will show your Reverence that a hundred ducats
is to be discounted on account of the expense to
which the girl has put her mother, so that your
account should come to three hundred ducats. You
must reckon little on what the sister will inherit,
as her parents' income consists solely of what the
king allows them — not a regular salary — and will
cease when the secretary dies. Should any property
remain, it will have to be divided among so many
children that, as Doila J nana wrote to say, it is not
worth reckoning. I do not know whether I have
kept her letter: if I find it, I will send it to you.
In short, the receipt ought to be for at least three
hundred ducats. In my opinion, you would do well
to acquit her of the whole four hundred ducats, as
she will none the less send you the other hundred
when she has them. Even if she did not, she has
earned them well by the terrible trials she has passed
through on account of her son in one way or another
ever since the day he began his visitations, not to
mention what we owe to Father Gracian. Many
a dowerless nun has been received into the Order
with much less reason than we have for taking one
for his sake.

The nuns at Toledo asked neither for bed,
trousseau, habit, nor anything else with his sister
who entered there, nor was anything given her,
and they would have been very glad to receive
Sister Maria de San Jose on the same terms if she
had chosen their house. God has bestowed such

232

ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

characters and talents on this family that the nuns
prefer them to other girls with dowries. As I said,
you must do as you judge best about the hundred
ducats, but there is no choice about the other sum
as the necessity is urgent.

When once our affairs are settled, an examina-
tion must be made as to what each house has con-
tributed and the surplus money returned to those
who have given more than their proper share, which
will be your own case. Let us help one another
now as far as we can. I ask the Mother Prioress
not to oppose the sisters' wishes, for I feel sure that
they are no less loyal daughters of the Order than
other nuns who are doing their utmost. May God
make them as holy as I pray of Him ! Amen.
Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

In any case, tell Sister Catalina de Jesus to read
this letter before all the sisters, and I shall be greatly
displeased if she omits a word. The same is to be
done with the enclosed letter from Rome.

CCLXXXII

Prefatory note.

Fray Angel de Salazar had told Saint Teresa to go to
Malagon where the nuns were in trouble and to take
the office of prioress there, but was persuaded by Father
Gracian to choose another nun for that post. However,
he desired her to go to Malagon, calling on the journey
at the houses ot Medina, Valladolid, Alba, and Salamanca.
It was at the request of Bishop de Mendoza and his
sister who were in trouble that she was sent to comfort
thern at Valladolid. The patent to be confirmed was for

TO MOTHER MARY BAPTIST 233

the foundation of the house at Villanueva which took
place on February 21, 1580. Saint Teresa was now a
confirmed invalid of sixty-four years of age, with a
crippled arm.

Avila, June 9, 1579^

TO MOTHER MARY BAPTIST, PRIORESS
OF VALLADOLID.

Thanks for money for the cause of the Reform at Rome.
The Saint's intended visit to Valladolid and Salamanca
and the foundation at Villanueva. Casildas relatives
refuse to pay her dowry.

JESUS!

MAY the Holy Ghost be with your Reverence
and repay you and all the sisters for the happy
feast [buenas Pascuas) you have given me by sending
the quittance so willingly. It came just in time, for
the messenger from Madrid had not started to re-
turn there, which, as the fathers had written urging
me to be prompt, 1 look upon as the greatest good
fortune. 1 assure you that had the money been sent
for my own food, I should not have felt more
grateful. You have behaved like generous souls
and done a signal favour. May the Holy Ghost
reward you! 1 can promise you that God will give
you far more in return. Read this part ot my letter
to the community: I send the kindest messages to
all of them. I told those at Madrid what you said,
so that they might know what they possess in you.
I have written much to-day, and it is so late
that I can say little more. In the first place, for

' Fuente 342. Tiie autograph belongs to the Seville collection. (Fr. A.)

234 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

charity's sake take care of your health, so that I
may find you well if God lets me visit you, as the
Father Vicar, Fray Angel, hints in his letter that
I may hope to do. It would be for so short a time
that I should not like it as I should be going many
leagues out of the way only to have the pain of
leaving immediately. He writes: *I think that you
would deserve well if you called at Malagon,
where I would confirm in writing the patent I have
given for the convent, by which you would gain
more merits than if you founded it. On your way,
you could call on those senores to console them as
they ask of you.' He encloses the bishop's letter
and requests me to start for Salamanca diredlly
afterwards to buy the house for the nuns there.

You must know, my daughter, that they stand
in the greatest need of it, yet they are as silent as
the dead, which lays a still stricter obligation on
me. See what a poor old crone I am, yet I am to
start at once for Malagon! I assure you it makes
me laugh, yet I have courage for more than that.
May God prosper the plan! Perhaps our despatches
may arrive before I have done with Salamanca, in
which case I could stay with you a little longer, as
some one else could settle affairs at Malagon.

Many persons susped: that perhaps the Calced
friars would be glad to have me at such a distance,
and grounds for the idea are not wanting. No doubt
his Paternity* would not be sorry at my removal
from the neighbourhood of the Incarnation. Indeed
time is needed for the affairs of the difi^erent con-
vents, and people will have no chance of finding

" Fra^- Angel de Salazar.

TO MOTHER MARY BAPTIST

235

fault with my journey as though there were no
genuine reason for making it. May the Master
diredl matters in the way in which I can serve Him
best !

Father Angel bids me look on this as merely the
preliminary sketch, because he must consult Fray
Pedro Hernandez before anything can be done. He
will explain matters more fully on writing to the
Bishop. He wishes to please those senores in every
way^ and is so exceedingly kind-hearted that he
really cannot tell when to say no.

He has approved of the college for Discalced
friars' but not of the convent for nuns. The decision
was not his own — Fray Antonio de Jesus and the
Prior of la Roda thought the convent undesirable,
much to my delight, for I have refused it several
times on account of the eight beatas there, as I
should prefer making four foundations.

Fray Pedro Hernandez strongly insists on our
founding no more houses, even though we should
obtain the authorization, until we have a separate
province. For this he gives strong reasons, as people
have written to tell me. As the Nuncio is so irri-
tated, and others are prejudicing him against us, it
might do harm : we must consider well before we
aft.

I am vexed at all this commotion about Casilda's
dowry: it will result in her getting nothing at all.
In my opinion they ought merely to have given
you the two thousand five hundred ducats they

^ The college of Salamanca was founded by Father Gracian on
June I, I 581. The convent was that of Villanueva. See Found, ch.
XXVIII, note 14.

236 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

promised, or at least two thousand. What is the
use of such a disturbance ! So small a sum should
never cause such disputes. . . "*

CCLXXXIII

Avila, June 10, 1579^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

T^he Saint's wish for a separate province. 'Journey
of the ^ poor old crone' to Malagon. Her loneliness.
Payment of money by Valladolid nuns.

JESUS!

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Paternity, my Father, and may He have granted
you this Whitsuntide all the graces and gifts you
need to serve Him as you ought, in return for His
having chosen you to help His people at such cost
to yourself. Thank God for it! There certainly is
much to reflect on and write about this history.
Though 1 do not know the details about the con-
clusion, it must have been very satisfactory. At all
events, if God allows us to have a separate province,
none in Spain will have been granted with such
deliberation and authority, which implies that He
has destined the Discalced for a greater work than
we imagine. May His Majesty spare Paul to us for
many years that he may enjoy our prosperity and
may work while I watch him from heaven, if I
deserve to get there!

* The rest of the letter is missing.

' Fuente 243. It is believed that the original was at Alcala.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 237

They have sent me the receipt from Valladolid.
I am exceedingly glad that the money is being
forwarded. God grant the business may be settled
quickly, for though our present Superior* is very
good, he is not the man to clench the matter satis-
factorily : in fa6l, he is only a substitute.

The enclosed letter will show your Paternity
what is required of the poor old crone. It may be
only suspicion, but it appears to me as though these
brethren of mine were more anxious about getting
me at a distance than about the needs of Malagon.
I felt rather hurt though I do not mind going to
Malagon. But I should not like to be made prioress,
as I am not fit for it, and I should be afraid of
failing in our Lord's service. Will your Paternity
beg Him that I may always be perfedl in that, and
then let come what may, for the more work, the
greater gains.

In any case, will your Paternity tear up the
enclosed letter. It is a great comfort that you are
well, but I should not like you to be where you
are now in the hot weather. Oh! My soul grows
lonelier every day away from your Paternity, though
it always seems to be near Father Joseph* — and so
life passes, with no earthly joys but in ceaseless
torment. You ought not to belong to this world
after the reasons for detachment God has given
you, and the many means of keeping your mind in
heaven. In fa(5l, the more I think over this trouble
and the means God has taken to overcome it, the
more I am lost in wonder. If He is pleased that

■ Fray Angel de Salazar.
' Our Lord.

238 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

these xA.ndalusians should be corre<fled in any way,
I should look upon it as a special grace that it was
not bv your hands, as it would not be right for
vou to treat them severely though it would have
benefited them. This has always been my wish.
I was much pleased with what Father Nicolas
wrote on the matter; I send you his letter.

All the sisters here beg for your prayers. They
are deeply grieved at the thought of my leaving
them: I will let you know what happens. Of vour
charity, pray much for me. You will remember
the complaints made about my journeys and who
were their authors.* What a life I lead! However
that is of little consequence.

I wrote to the Father Vicar yesterday, stating
that my inability to lead the community life would
be a drawback to my being made Prioress, other-
wise I should have no objection to be there: I
would go to the end of the world under obedience.
Indeed, I believe that the harder the work, the
better I should be pleased at being able to render
any trifling service to this great God to Whom I
owe so much. I certainly think we serve Him better
when we adl solely out of obedience. As for my
Paul, I should be pleased to do anything that gave
him pleasure.

I could tell him many things that would please
him, but am afraid to trust them to a letter, especi-

* It was Fray Angel de Salazar himself, who was now sending
St. Teresa forth on this journey under pain of excommunication, who
had blamed her for travelling in the past, declaring it was contrary to
the decrees of the Council of Trent and that she must not leave her
convent to make foundations. (See letter to Father Gracian, Oct. 21,
1576).

TO FATHER GRACIAN 239

ally those relating to my soul. I enclose these
verses from the Incarnation to make you laugh —
though there is more cause for tears at the present
state of the house. These poor nuns try to cheer
each other. They would be very sorry if I left
Avila, as they still have hopes (which I share) that
matters may come right with their convent.

The sisters at Valladolid were happy to send the
two hundred ducats, and so was the Prioress. She
would have borrowed them if need be, and has
given me the quittance for the whole four hundred.
I was highly gratified, as she is really fond of
amassing money for her house. But I wrote her
such a letter ! I was amused and astonished at seeing
how Dona Juana understood her chara6ter, for she
wrote telling me that she felt misgivings because
the Prioress had forwarded the money without a
word. To tell the truth, I have always found Mother
Baptist very well disposed as regards Maria de San
Jose which proves her liking for your Paternity.

May God have you in His keeping, my Father!
Amen, amen.

Remember me kindly to the Father Re6lor and
to the father who wrote to me the other day. Yes-
terday was the last day of Whitsuntide. I have not
come to my last day even yet!

Your Paternity's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXXIV

Avila, June i8, 1579*

TO MOTHER ANA DE LA ENCARNACION,
PRIORESS OF SALAMANCA.

The Sainfs journey to Salamanca. Don Andrea de
Xtmene and Isabel de yesus.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence!

TO-DAY, the feast of Corpus Christi, I received
from the Father Vicar, Fray Angel, the en-
closed letter for your Reverence and a formal order
to go to your convent. God grant you have not
managed the matter! I am told that it is the request
of Don Luis Manrique. But, if it will help to settle
your affairs peacefully, I am quite willing, and I
only wish that I could go to you at once, but his
Paternity has told me to visit Valladolid first.
Doubtless he could take no other course; most
certainly I had nothing to do with it, for, between
ourselves, I have done all that was lawfully possible
to avoid the journey, as it seemed to me unnecessary
at present. However, he who holds the place
of God knows best. His Paternity tells me to
shorten my stay at Valladolid, but even then, I must
be there the whole of next month, and God grant
that may suffice.

I do not think the delay will be of much con-
sequence to you. Keep the visit a secret from Pedro

' Fuente 244.

240

TO MOTHER ANA 241

delaVanda* for he would kill us all with his arrange-
ments, and it is best that he should make none.

If anything happens, you can write to me at
Valladolid. Your letters have not arrived and the
student's father is searching everywhere for him.
Do not be distressed about me, for I shall be in the
neighbourhood of Father Baltasar Alvarez. I am
glad to hear that the Bishop of Salamanca is well
again.

Tell Sister Isabel de Jesus* that I am deeply
grieved to hear of her illness. I have written to the
Prioress of Segovia telling her to ask Senor Andres
de Jimena to come here at once if he wishes to
speak to me: I do not know whether he will. The
Father Vicar has written authorizing me to settle
the matter. I hope the senor will not fail to come,
for, with God's grace, we shall not quarrel, as I
only wish to serve and please Him.

Tell my dear Isabel de Jesus that I do not want
to find her an invalid: I wish her health of body,
and am content with the state of her soul. Kindly
tell her this. The messenger is waiting so I can say
no more, except to beg God to proted: you and to
ask to be remembered to all the nuns.

To-day is the feast of Corpus Christi.
The servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

' See letters of August 2 and October 6, 1573.

^ Isabel de Jesus was the novice whose song threw St. Teresa into
an ecstasy. Don Andres de Jimena, her brother, had taken the house
for the convent at Segovia. {Found, ch. xxi, 2-4.) The business he had
now to arrange may have had something to do with the gift brought
by his sister to the convent of Salamanca. See letter to her written at
the beginning of 1572.

Vol. III. 17

CCLXXXV

Avila, June 21, 1579^

TO MOTHER MARY BAPTIST, PRIORESS
OF VALLADOLID

The Sainfs visits to Valladolid and Medina. Casildas
dowry.

Jesus be with your Reverence.

MUCH as I tried to despatch this letter quickly,
it will be late in leaving, as there is a Mass of
obligation to-day and I have had a visit from Father
Nicolas, whom I was very glad to see.

I am forwarding your letter to our Father Vicar
and stating the apparent advantages and reasons for
his granting you the permission, also why you did
not receive Ana de Jesus. I always feel misgivings
about those large fortunes, though from what you
tell me about the girl, she seems really called by
God. May it render Him good service. Amen.
Greet her warmly from me, and say I am very glad
that I shall see her soon.

I am exceedingly sorry to hear of Dona Maria's
illness. God grant her health, as I beg of Him; for
when I am separated from her, I realize how ten-
derly I love her.

You must know that on the feast of Corpus
Christi I received a formal order to visit your
convent under such pains of censure and disobedi-
ence as to ensure that the Bishop's wish and the
request he made of his Paternity should be carried

' Fuente 24.5.

242

TO MOTHER MARY BAPTIST 243

out. Therefore, I intend leaving here a day or two
after St. John's feast.

Will you be kind enough to forward to Medina
a letter that our Father Vicar is writing to you, as
I must see it when I arrive there. Tell the sisters
of that convent not to make a ceremony of my
reception. I ask the same of your Reverence, for
I assure you it mortifies instead of pleasing me.
This is the facfl, for I feel confounded at thinking
how undeserving I am, and the more they do, the
more deeply I feel it. Remember, you must do as
I wish unless you wish to humiliate me severely.

I do not answer your other questions, as, God
willing, I shall see you soon. By order of our
Father Vicar I shall not stay more than three or
four days at Medina, as I am to call there again
on my way to Salamanca. He says my visit to
Valladolid must be a short one. Kindly tell these
plans to Dona Maria and the Bishop. They have
reason to be pleased at our Father's having been
put in his present position, as he naturally wishes
to please them. This is why he has overcome the
many obstacles to my journey. Your Reverence
also has gained your end. God forgive you ! Pray
that my visit may result in your being less bent on
getting your own way.* This seems to me impos-
sible, but God can do all things. May His Majesty
make you as good as I beg of Him. Amen.

I have not given your message to the nuns yet.
As for Casilda's affair, settle nothing until I see

^ Mary Baptist was very fond of giving advice to St. Teresa. On one
occasion, the Saint, turning to Father Gracian, said laughingly: 'Jesus!
How much she knows! It makes me feel a fool. I blush at being so
ignorant and good for nothing!'

244 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

you. When we know what her mother intends
giving her, we can tell his Paternity. Since her
attacks of tertian ague are not severe, we need not
trouble about them. Remember me to her and
the rest.

To-day is Sunday within the 06lave of Corpus
Christi. The bearer of this letter arrived at five
o'clock in the morning and is being sent off a little
before mid-day.

The unworthy servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXXVI

Avila, June 24, 1579^

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,
SEVILLE

Praise of Father Nicolas Doria. The Saint bids her
accept the office of prioress and discusses the convent
affairs.

JESUS!

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Reverence, my daughter. I do not know why
my daughters at Seville are silent when I am con-
stantly wishing to hear from them. I assure you
that / am not silent regarding your interests. I
must tell you that Father Nicolas, who is now
Prior of Pastrana,* has paid me a visit, much to my
relief, and I thank God for having given such a
member and so good a man to the Order. His

' Fuenle 246.

" Fray Doria had been nominated prior in place of Fray Diego de
la Trinidad, who had gone to Rome.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 245

Majesty seems to have chosen him to re-establish
your convent, considering the labour and fatigue he
has undergone for your sakes. Pray much for him,
for it is a debt you owe.

As for you, my daughter, give up this ridiculous
perfection of objed:ing to be re-eled:ed as prioress.
It is childishness and nothing else, after w^e have
all been wishing and striving for your replacement.
The matter is not your Reverence's private concern
but that of the whole Order. It would contribute so
much to God's service that I wish to see the affair
settled, as well as on account of the honour of the
community and of Father Gracian. Even though
you had none of the qualities requisite for the
office, nothing else would be suitable: how much
more when *for want of good men'* as they say.

If God grants us this favour, you are to be silent
and obey without a word or you will make me very
angry. You have said enough to show us that you
do not desire the post, and in fadt there is no need
to tell any one who has borne it that the office is a
heavy cross. God will aid you and the storm has
passed for the present.

I am very anxious to know whether these two
nuns* are conscious of their fault or if they oppose
you in any way, and how they behave, as I feel bur-
dened concerning their souls. Be kind enough to
give me a detailed account of the matter. Will you
send your letters by the Archbishop to Roque de
Huerta; he will forward them wherever I may be.

^ The Spanish saying: 'For want of good men, my husband was
made Mayor.'

* Beatriz de la Madre de Dios and Margarita de la Concepcion.

246 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Sister Isabel de San Pablo* will tell you all the
news at the end of this note, as I have not time for
more.

Remember me affecftionatelv to my daughter
Blanca. I am exceedingly pleased with her and very
grateful to her father and mother for all their good-
ness to you : thank them for me. I assure you that
I am astonished at the account of what has passed
in your convent, and I wish you would tell me the
whole truth clearly and exadlly. Above all, let me
know how the two sisters are going on for, as I
said, I am very anxious about them. Remember
me very kindly to all the nuns: let the deputy
prioress consider this letter as addressed to her. I
commend myself earnestly to my Gabriela's prayers.
I cannot understand how Sister San Francisco got
through all her difficulties.

I am summoned to see Father Nicolas and am to
leave for Valladolid to-morrow. Our Father Vicar
General has sent me an order to go there immedi-
ately, and from thence to Salamanca. There is little
need for me at Valladolid, but Dona Maria and the
Bishop asked for me. However, I am really needed
at Salamanca where the nuns are in a very unhealthy
house and have much to suffer at the hands of their
landlord.* The life he leads and has led them be-
sides the fresh quarrels he picks with them every
day have tried them severely.

Will you all beg our Lord that a good house
may soon be purchased cheaply for them.

May His Majesty have you in His care for my

* Niece of St. Teresa, who wrote the latter part of this letter.

* Pedro de la Vanda. See Letter of June 18.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 247

sake, my daughter, and let me see you again before
Idle.

To-day is June 24, 1579.
I start to-morrow and am too busy to write to
my daughters or to say more. Let me know
whether they received a letter from me.
The unworthy servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXXVII

Date uncertain, 1579^
TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH

... I feel great shame and confusion, my daugh-
ter, at learning what those senores said of us Car-
melite nuns. We lie under a stringent obligation
to be what they described, lest we should make
them false witnesses. . .

^ Fuente 247. A fragment of a letter written to Mary of St. Joseph,
given by her in her Ramillete de m'lrra. She says that St. Teresa, hearing
that the General and the Calccd fathers were bringing unjust charges
against the Discalced nuns to the Holy Father and cardinals, obtained
testimonials in their favour from the bishops and other persons ac-
quainted with their convents. These documents were sent to Rome.
The most favourable were from the faithful defender of their cause,
Don Alvaro de Mendoza. Velasquez declared that the nuns of the
Reform were mirrors of perfection for Spain. It is to these statements
that the Saint refers.

CCLXXXVIII

Prefatory note.

St. Teresa set out with her attendant, Blessed Anne of
St. Bartholomew, on June 25. Her travelling companion
was a priest who disliked her extremely and took every
opportunity of annoying her, but her generosity and
meekness won his heart before the journey was over.
She went several leagues out of her way when she left
Avila to call at a priory where the community were
strongly adverse to her. No one came to greet her when
she arrived, but she went to the religious, and by her
gracious manners made them her friends so that they
accompanied her part of her way when she left. The
Saint called at Medina but her stay must have been very
short as she reached Valladolid on July 3. She remained
there for a month.

Valladolid, July 7, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

'Journey to Valladolid. Sister Maria de San Jose
and a novice. PauPs journey to Rome. An interview
with Father Nicolas Doria. The Licentiate Godoys
daughter.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity, my Father.

I ARRIVED at Valladolid four days ago, in good
health, thank God, and not at all fatigued, as the
weather was very fresh.

I am astonished at the joy shown by the nuns
and senores at seeing me, I cannot tell why. All

' Fuente 248.

248

TO FATHER GRACIAN 249

here commend themselves to your Paternity's
prayers. The prioress says she does not write to
you as she is too fond of gossip to talk with a
mute.* I found Sister Maria de San Jose' very well:
she is contented, as the nuns are with her. It was
a pleasure to see that and the flourishing condition
of these convents, considering the poverty in which
they were founded. May God be for ever praised !

A good novice with talents and a fortune of nearly
twenty thousand ducats has taken the habit here,
but we think that she will give comparatively little
to the house on account of her strong affed:ion for
her sisters. However, she will bring a fairly good
dowry, so that, with what the prioress already has
in hand, the community will almost have enough
for the settled income which they all desire.

As for Paul's journey to Rome, it is a dream
which need not be discussed or even thought about,
but I fear that, if he is made Provincial, he will be
bound to attend the General Chapter. Take no
notice of the father who so strongly urges you to
go there without saying why, or how you should ;
but thank God for having so arranged matters that
the journey is not necessary. We do not need a fresh
trial now to remedy the old ones, nor do I wish your
Paternity to harbour the idea for a moment.

Father Nicolas spent three or four days with
me at Avila. It was a great consolation to find there
some one with whom you could discuss the affairs
of the Order and who could help you, for I feel
satisfied with him and it has pained me deeply that

' The Nuncio had forbidden Father Gracian to write to the nuns.
^ Father Gracian's sister.

250 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

you should be so unaided in the Order. He cer-
tainly seems to me shrewd, sensible, and devoted to
God's service though he does not possess the charm
and sweetness God has given to Paul, for few
receive such gifts. But Father Nicolas certainly is a
man of talents, very humble and penitential, sin-
cere, and capable of gaining the good will of others.
He will thoroughly understand Paul's worth and
is firmly resolved to follow his lead in everything.
It was a great comfort to me, for if Paul agrees with
him and you are both of one mind in future, it will
be most advantageous in many ways, and an im-
mense relief to me.* For, whenever I think of what
you have suffered from those who should have
helped you, I feel it as one of my heaviest trials.
So, my Father, do not let your Paternity hold aloof
from him, for unless I am much mistaken, he will
prove extremely useful in many ways. We discussed
and planned numerous affairs. God grant the time
may come when they can be carried out, and this
sheep-fold of the Virgin, which has cost Paul so
dear, may be set in perfed: order.

Our Lord be praised that your Paternity is in
good health. Do me the kindness of keeping away
from Alcala as much as possible while this heat
lasts. I cannot say how long I shall remain here,
as I have been put in charge of the business at
Salamanca. I am content to be here, but I can say
with truth that I am not discontented anywhere.
Yet I shall do my best not to remain over this
month, for I dread lest, by ill luck, some one should

* The antagonism between Falhers Doria and Gracian steadily
developed until it resulted in the latter's expulsion from the Order.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 251

purchase the house offered us at Salamanca, which
is most suitable though dear. However, God will
provide for us.

Lest I should trouble your Paternity, I have
never liked to tell you how insufferable the nuns
of Alba find the daughter of Godoy the lawyer.*
I have done my best to give her every chance, but
it is impossible to endure her. Being deficient in
intelled;, she cannot be reasoned with and must be
very discontented, for she screams loudly. She
declares it is because she feels sick: I do not believe
it. I asked the Mother Prioress to write me an
account of some of the many causes of complaint
she has against the postulant, so that I could show
her letter to the lawyer. She sent me the note I
enclose. On second thoughts, I considered it best
not to show it to him but merely to inform him
that his daughter is unsuited to us. I am exceed-
ingly sorry, as we owe much to him, but she could
not be kept in any of our convents.

I shall soon be going to Alba and will investigate
the matter, but I think that will be of little use,
for, from their statements, she must be far from
being in her right mind. As she stands in awe of
her father, she would be best with him. I have not
seen him yet: he wrote to me at Avila asking me
to allow his daughter to remain at Alba until some
other home was found for her. We shall agree to
his request. I always dreaded taking her on account
of the pain her dismissal would cost him. Every-
thing possible has been done for her: God grant
that he may recognize this.

^ A lawyer of Valladolid who was a benefactor of the Discalced convent.

2 52 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Remember me very kindly to Fray Bartolome:*
I was delighted with his letter: I hope he will not
be tired of showing me such charity, though I
am too tired to write to him on account of the
number of ladies who have visited me. The Con-
desa de Osorno called yesterday. The Bishop of
Palencia'' is here : both you and all of us owe much
to him. I ask for the prayers of the Father Red:or.*
May God have you in His care and make you
persevere in the sandlity I ask for you.

To-day is July 7.

Your Paternity's true daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXXIX

Valladolid, July 18, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

Godoy the lawyer and his daughter. ProjeSf of a
foundation of friars at Valladolid. A message for
Eliseus.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity, my Father.

GODOY, the lawyer, has been to see me since
I last wrote to you. He seems to me an ex-
cellent man. We fully discussed the subje6t of his
daughter. Thank God, a community of Bernardines

'' Father Gracian's companion and secretary.
' Don Alvaro de Mendoza.

'* Fray Eliasde San Martin, Rector of the Discalced college at Alcala.
' Fuente 249. The autograph is venerated at the Cistercian College,
Alcala. (Fr. A.)

TO FATHER GRACIAN 253

(who liveatValderas, I think), are wilUng to receive
her, so we arranged that when I go to Alba I am
to investigate the matter and if I still consider her
unsuited to us he will take her to the other convent.
I was delighted at the news, for I regretted her
dismissal, yet from what has been told me, I think
it best for her to leave at once, lest she should lose
the opportunity that offers. Her father behaves like
a Christian. For the last few days he has been suf-
fering from tertian fever : though it is a mild form,
it is painful. Will your Paternity pray for him.

You must know that the Abbot* here is a great
friend of the Bishop of Palencia. I have had an
interview with him and we are on good terms.
There is already another provisor. If God gives us
the funds, we can certainly get permission to found
at San Alejo's.' The prioress is ill: she came to see
me and keeps firmly to her purpose. Being in danger
of death, she had named Godoy the lawyer as her
executor and signed all the documents relating to
the matter. May God dired: the projed:, as He has
the power to do, and as I heartily desire!

My dear Sister Maria de San Jose is well and is
loved by the whole community : she is a little saint,
as is Casilda. All the sisters, particularly the Mother
Prioress, beg for your prayers. My health is fairly
good; Valladolid suits me. I shall do my best to

^ The Bishopric of Valladolid was not yet established; there was only
a collegiate church dependant on the Bishopric of Palencia. The abbot
was Don Alonso de Mendoza. His Procurator, instigated by the Caked,
had impeded the foundation by the Discalced, who had gone to law
on the matter.

^ A hermitage in the charge of a devout woman whom St. Teresa
called the prioress. The Discalced founded a priory there in 1581,

254 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

start soon as 1 am anxious about Salamanca, but
my stay will be prolonged until next month.

I must tell you about a temptation concerning
Eliseus* that I had yesterday which still besets me.
It seems to me that he is careless sometimes about
telling the whole truth regarding certain matters.
Though I know that it is in things of little moment,
yet I should like him to be very careful on the point.
Will your Paternity, for charity's sake, insist upon
the matter, for I do not think that absolute perfediion
can exist without such care. — See how I interfere in
such matters as though I had no other work! Will
your Paternity be careful to pray for me, as I stand
in great need of it. And now, abide with Him, for
I have written to other people and I am tired.
To-day is July 1 8.
Your Paternity's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

Remember me to the Father Redtor and to Fray
Bartolome. I beg you for the love of God to let
me know how your health is during this heat.

ccxc

Prefatory note.

On June 28, Fray Angel de Salazar had issued a patent
stating that by order of the Nuncio he had examined the
process drawn up against Mary of St. Joseph by Fray
Diego de Cardenas, and having found that the charges
were groundless, in accordance with the wish of the
Seignory, he now replaced her in the office of prioress,
commanding her to accept it at once under pain of ex-
communication.
* Father Gracian.

Valladolid, July 22, 1579^

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,

SEVILLE

Congratulations on her re-eleBion as Prioress.
Confessors to be chosen from the Disc alced fathers.
Enrique Freyle's daughters.

JESUS!

THE grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Reverence, my daughter! What good reason I
have for calling you so, for though I felt great love
for you, it has increased so much that I am aston-
ished at it, and long to see you and embrace you
tenderly. Praise God from Whom all good
comes, and Who won you the vicftory in so fierce
a struggle. I do not ascribe it to your virtue but
to the constant prayer made for you in our convents
of Castile. May His Majesty enable us to make
Him a fitting return for His favours.

From the letters sent me by the Father Provin-
cial from the nuns, and from yours delivered by
Father Nicolas, I learnt that your Reverence had
been reinstated in your office. I was extremely
glad, for no other means could have restored peace
to souls. You must be patient: since God has
given you such a desire for suffering, be glad to
welcome it in this way, for I realize that yours
will be no light cross. Were we to choose the trials
we wanted and set aside the rest, we should not be
imitating our Bridegroom, Who, keenly as He felt
the ordeal of His Passion, ended His prayer in the
Garden by saying: Fiat voluntas tua. We must
* Fuente 250.

256 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

always do this will and let Him choose for us.

I have asked Father Nicolas to advise you as he
thinks best; as he is very prudent and knows you
personally, I submit my opinion to his. I only ask
that, so far as possible, as regards your soul's di-
rection, your Reverence and the nuns should avoid
consulting any one but our Discalced fathers. Do
not be concerned if they fail you at times, or if you
do not receive Holy Communion so frequently, for
it is more important that we should not suffer from
our former difficulties. Should the community or
any of the nuns wish for a change occasionally, do
not oppose it.

I am so pressed for time that I did not intend
to write to you. Remember me very affectionately
to all the sisters and thank them on my behalf for
the good judgement they have shown, and for try-
ing to please me. May the Blessed Virgin repay
them, bless them, and make saints of them.

I do not think that you can refuse to admit
Enrique Freyle's* eldest daughter, as you owe
much to him. In this case you must follow the
advice of Father Nicolas, to whom I refer you. The
youngest cannot possibly be received at present,
both on account of her age and because it is not well
to have three sisters of one family in any convent,
much less in ours, in which the communities are
limited. Put the question off by objed:ing that she
is too young, but do not displease the parents.

" A rich Portuguese living at Seville. His wife had given generous
alms to the nuns there. Three of their daughters became Carmelites.
The first, Blanca de Jesu Maria, professed in 1578, went to Lisbon,
was made prioress there and died in 1638. Her two sisters were Maria
de San Jose and Isabel de Santa Febronia. {CEuvres iv, p. 1 1 7.)

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 257

It would be well for you to repay my brother
when you are able, as I know he is in need of
money, having had a great many expenses lately.
You know what you owe him. Oh! How he has
felt your trials! God give you such rest as will
please Him. Write and give me all the details,
especially about those two poor foolish little sisters,'
about whom I am greatly concerned. Be kind to
them, and do all you can to make them realize
their fault.

God willing, I shall leave here on Saint Anne's
day, and I shall stay a few days at Salamanca. You
can send me letters by Roque de Huerta. All the
sisters here commend themselves earnestly to the
prayers of yourself and the community. You are
deeply in their debt.

We owe thanks to God for the state of all these
convents. Will you pray for Malagon, also for the
business which takes me to Salamanca, and do not
forget those who have helped us, especially in our
recent troubles.

To-day is the feast of the Magdalen.

I am so busy that I do not know how I have
managed to write this letter, which I have had to
set aside several times. This has prevented my
writing to Fray Gregorio as I intended. Will you
do so instead, giving him very kind messages from
me as I am exceedingly pleased with him because
he has taken a large share in the battle, as he will
in the spoils. Send me news about our kind father,

^ Sisters Beatriz and Margarita.
Vol.ni. 18

258 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

the Prior of las Cuevas, so that I may know what
to say to him about our affairs.
The servant of your Reverence,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCI

Valladolid, July 22, 1579^

TO DON TEUTONIC DE BRAGANZA,
ARCHBISHOP OF EVORA

The Saint sends him a copy of * The Way of Per-
feBion ' and the * Life of St. Albert.' ProspeB of war
between Spain and Portugal.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with

your Grace, Amen.

AS I sent a long letter to your Grace last week
when forwarding to you the little book,* this
is but a short note, written because I forgot to ask

' Fuente 251. The autograph belongs to the Discalced Carmelite
convent, Murcia. (Fr. A.)

* The copy of the IVay of Perfection now at Toledo. As Don Teutonio
wished to have some alterations made in it, the Saint re-wrote it. He
granted permission for its publication in I 580, but it was not brought
out until 1583, a year after her death, thus fulfilling her prophecy to
Father Julian that there would always be trouble and delay in pub-
lishing her books but that he would witness after her death what good
would be done by her writings.

St. Albert was a Sicilian Carmelite of the thirteenth century. The
Spanish translation of his work was made by Fray Diego de Yanguas.
(See Introduction to The Way of Perfection, Stanbrook edition, and Don
Teutonic's preface there given.) M. Morel-Fatio states that the Arquivo
bibliog^raphico of Jose Dos Santos V.I. mentions: La Fida y milagros de
el glorioio padre sant Alberto, de la sagrada religion de nuestra Senora del
Carmen. Fa esta obra dirigida a la niuy religiosa senora madre nuestra
Teresa de Jesus: fundadora de las descalsas Carmelitas: A cuya instancia se

TO DON TEUTONIO DE BRAGANZA 259

you to have the pamphlet, The Life of St, Albert
which is enclosed in the book, printed together
with it. This would be a great comfort to all us
nuns, as we only have it in Latin. It has been
translated, (for love of me), by a Dominican father,
one of the best theologians of these parts and a
great servant of God. As he had no idea it was to
be printed, he has neither obtained nor asked for
his Provincial's permission. However, that can be
of little consequence, supposing that your Grace
approves of it and orders that it should go to the
press.

In my letter to your Grace, I stated that our
affairs were prosperous and that I have been told
to go to Salamanca, where I expedt to remain for
a few days : I shall write to you from thence. For
the love of our Lord, do not omit to tell me about
your health, if only to compensate for my loneliness
when I no longer find you there. I also beg you
to let me know whether there is any prosped: of
peace,' for as I wrote to you, I am deeply distressed
at what I hear about our side. If on account of my
sins, the negotiations should end in war, I fear that
it would be most unfortunate for your country, and
could not fail to be very hurtful even to ours.

escribe. . . Jno de i 582, so that the book was probably published before
the Saint's death.

^ Several persons claimed succession to the throne of Portugal on
the death of Cardinal Henry. Among them was Don Teutonic's
nephew, the Duice of Braganza, whose wife was Doiia Catalina, Don
Manuel's grand-daughter; another claimant was Antonio, Prince of
Crate, illegitimate son of the Cardinal's brother; a third was Philip II
of Spain whose first wife was Maria of Portugal, and who was grand-
son on his mother's side to Emanuel the Fortunate and nephew of

26o ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

They say that it is the Duke of Braganza who
causes the dissension : which, setting aside the many
other reasons, grieves me exceedingly as he is a kins-
man of yours. For love of our Lord, since you must
have great influence over him, persuade him to
come to an agreement. Accounts say that our king
is doing all he can to bring this about, which is
strongly in favour of his cause. Picture to yourself
the great evils that may result, as I said, and let your
Grace look to the honour of God, as I believe you
will, regardless of all else.

May His Majesty diredl the matter as we entreat
of Him. I assure your Grace that I feel it so
poignantly that I would rather die than witness it,
if God allows things to come to the worst. May
He deign to preserve you to us for many years for
the good of His Church, granting you the sandtity
I ask for you and grace to smooth away these dif-
ficulties, which would render Him great service.
Every one here says that our king is in the right,
and that he has neglected no means of making sure
of it. May the Lord enlighten men to see the truth
without so many lives being lost in battle ! Now
that Christians are so few, it would be deplorable
that they should kill one another.

All the sisters here, your humble servants, who
are known to you, are well, and appear to be making
progress in perfediion. They are zealous in praying

John III. The Pope supported Philip's right which was made good
by the victory of the Spanish army under the Duke of Alba against
the Prince of Crato. Portugal remained under Spanish rule for sixty
years.

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA 261

for your Grace, and I, wretch though I am, do so
continually.

To-day is the feast of the Magdalen.
Written in the Carmel of the Conception at
Valladolid.

Your Grace's unworthy servant and subje(5t,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCII

Valladolid, July 25, 1579.^
TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

The Saint begs him to forward letters to Don Lorenzo
and Father Gracian.

Jesus be with you!

1 RECEIVED your letter and am much obliged
for your kindness in writing to me. Those
brought you by this messenger are for my brother.
Should he not be at Madrid, I have asked him to
apply to you for them. Will you be good enough
to open the letter addressed to him, take out that
enclosed for our Father Master Gracian, and after
inquiring as to his whereabouts, tell this messenger
to deliver the missive to him wherever he may be.
He is possibly either at Toledo or at Alcala: I
believe he is at Alcala. The letter concerns an
important matter and is sent for no other reason.
For love of God, forward it immediately, because,
as I said, it is of great consequence, and Father
Gracian cannot fail to be either at Toledo or at
Alcala. As I am only writing on this account, I

' Fuente 252.

262 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

will merely add that I pray God to be with you
and to have you in His keeping.

Yesterday was the feast of the Magdalen.
Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCIII

Valladolid, July 25, 1579*
TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

Good health of Father Gracian. Two angels at
Valladolid.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Paternity.

1HAVE been so busy ever since the messenger
arrived who is taking you this letter, that I
thought I should not have been able to send you
these few lines, lest I should omit other business
which was absolutely necessary.

Dona Juana tells me that you are ill with an
eruption on the skin, and that the dod:ors wish to
bleed you, but this friar* declares that you are very
well and in good condition, which has relieved my
anxiety. The heat must have affected you, as I
feared it would. For charity's sake, stop in Alcala
as short a time as possible.

I am in fairly good health and am to leave here
next Thursday for Salamanca. I am very happy
at seeing the way in which our Lord is directing

' Fuente 253.

■^ The bearer of the letter.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 263

matters : may He be for ever praised, and may He
at length permit your Paternity to speak, if only
as a relief to you in your many trials!

I have written to you twice since I have been
here. Our Sister Maria de San Jose is in good
health — she is an angel. Everything prospers with
this convent, and the postulant who has entered
will provide an annual income. She too is an angel,
and is very happy. May our Lord be with your
Paternity, for my head is extremely tired.

I assure you that I laugh at their giving you a
penance which affords rest to you and leaves us to
fight the end of the battle. May God grant us the
victory, and give you good health, which is the
important matter.

The Mother Prioress earnestly begs for your
prayers: she says she does not intend to write to
your Paternity until you have answered her: she
is more resolute than I am.

To-day is the feast of St. James.

The servant and daughter of your Paternity,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCIV

Fragment of a letter to Father Gracian, probably written
towards the end of July, 1579^

His need of sleep.

... I assure you that Joseph* is right in allowing
you to sleep. I am very glad for ever since your

' Fuente, 254, The autograph belongs to the Seville collection
(Fr. A.)
' Our Lord.

264 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Paternity left me I have begged and entreated Him
to do so, as you seemed to need it. At first I thought
He had done it for my sake : in fad: I really believe
He did, as I asked Him so earnestly. Perhaps sleep
will enable you to get through your w^ork. But,
after all, you have very little rest, for as you go to
Matins and rise early, I do not know how you can
obtain enough. . .

ccxcv

Prefatory note.

On July 15, a document signed by the Nuncio and the
four assessors was presented to Philip, begging him to
obtain from Rome the erection of a separate province for
the Discalced. Philip approved and the missive was for-
warded to the Holy See by Sega on November 1 1. Fray
Juan de Jesus Roca and his companion had reached
Rome safely after a trying journey during which they
had been alternately tempest-tossed, becalmed, and
threatened by Turkish pirates. Here they disguised
themselves as secular lawyers living in fear and trembling,
for Tostado was in the city and large numbers of the
Mitigated had assembled to elect Rubeo's successor.

Valladolid, July 26, 1579*

TO ROQUE DE HUERTA, MADRID

Good news from the Council at Madrid and from
Rome. Arrival of the two friars in Italy.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with

your Honour, Amen.

YOUR letter, with its good news about his
Majesty's decision, consoled me greatly. May
God preserve you and the assessors to us for many
years! You must know that when I heard from
you that Dona Maria de Montoya* was at Valla-
dolid, she had already left for court. I was extremely
sorry not to have known in time, being most
anxious to meet her. Will you kindly let me know
about the money matters, as I am concerned about
them. May our Lord prosper the affair as you
wish.

The bearer of the letter consoled me by telling
about our travellers to Rome, as I felt very anxious
on their account. Thank God for having saved
them from such dangers and bringing them safe
to port! Though Father Nicolas informs me of
what is happening, I am glad to hear of it from
you as well, for such good news never wearies,
however often it is repeated. May our Lord permit

' Fuente 255. The original, which is much deteriorated, is in the
Carmelite convent, Teruel.

^ Probably a sister of Canon Montoya, who was in Rome helping
the Discalced,

265

266 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

us to attain our wished for end soon, and may He
bestow His holy grace upon your Honour!
To-day is July 26.

Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCVI

Valladolid, July 27, 1579^
TO DON LORENZO DE CEPEDA, AVILA

A chalice. Francisco de Cepeda. Good news from
Seville and Rome.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Honour.

THIS relation of ours really tired me very much
by his visit. Such is life! Since those who are
separated from the world have to show so much
regard for it, you will not be surprised to hear that,
long as I have stayed in this house, I have not
been able to talk to the sisters (privately, I mean),
though several of them desire it extremely.

God willing, I start without fail next Thursday.*
I will leave a note, however short, to be given you

' Fuente 256. In the middle of the eighteenth century, the original
belonged to Dona Catalina Felix Pacheco y Ortega of the Villa de
San Clemente.

'St. Teresa left Valladolid on July 30. Her companion, Blessed
Anne of St. Bartholomew, was taken so ill with fever the night before
that the Saint said she would choose some one else. The lay sister was
so distressed that, after praying for her cure, the holy mother aroused
her from sleep and bade her rise, when she was found to have com-
pletely recovered. They started next morning, went for three or four
days to Medina, for a week to Alba, and thence to Salamanca where
they remained for about ten weeks.

TO DON LORENZO DE CEPEDA 267

by the messenger who is accustomed to take you
the money. They tell me that they have three
thousand reales ready for you, much to my joy,
also a very handsome chalice: indeed there is no
need of a better one. It w^eighs twelve ducats and
one real, I believe, and the workmanship costs forty
realeSy which comes to sixteen ducats minus three
reales. It is of solid silver and I think will please
you. The nuns showed me a chalice they have
here of the metal you mentioned. Though it has
only been used a few years and is gilt, it already
shows what it is, as the foot has turned black inside,
which is disgusting. I at once decided not to buy
one of the sort; it seems to me that as you take
your own meals off a silver service, you could not
possibly get a cheaper metal for God. I did not
expedl to get so fine and cheap a chalice, but that
huckster of a prioress^ made arrangements with a
friend to purchase it as though it were for this
convent. She wishes to be very kindly remembered
to you, but does not write as I am doing so. We
ought to thank God for the state in which she keeps
this house and for her talents.

My health is as good here as at Avila, and even
better. It is wiser to take no notice oi what you
mention. It is better for melancholia (for it can be
nothing else) to take this form than a worse one.
I was glad to hear that Avila* is not dead: in fad:,
as he is an upright man, God has been merciful
enough to let him fall ill in a place where he would
be carefully looked after.

' Mother Mary Baptist.

* Probably Father Julian de Avila,

268 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

I am not surprised at your being annoyed, but
I am surprised that you, who are so desirous of
serving God, should take so light a cross for a heavy
one. You w^ill say that you dislike it because it
prevents your serving God better. O brother, hov\^
little we understand ourselves! for all this consists
in a little self-love. Do not be alarmed at Fran-
cisco's* vagaries: they are natural to a boy of his
age. But even were this not the cause of them you
must not exped: every one to be as pundlual in his
duties as yourself. Let us thank God that He has
no other faults.

I shall not remain at Medina for more than three
or four days and less than a week at Alba. The jour-
ney from Medina to Alba will take two days, after
which I shall start at once for Salamanca. By the
enclosed letter you will learn how the prioress was
reinstated at Seville, to my great joy. If you wish
to write to her, send your note to me at Salamanca.
I have told her to pay the money she owes you by
degrees as you require it. I will see that she does this.

Fray Juan de Jesus has reached Rome. Our
affairs are prospering here and will soon be settled.
Canon Montoya*^ came here to bring the Cardinal's
hat to the Archbishop of Toledo. Our affairs are
in the Canon's hands and he will not fail us.

Will you pay a visit for me to Francisco de
Salcedo and tell him my news. I am very glad to
hear he is well enough to say Mass. God grant he

* Lorenzo's eldest son.

* The Licentiate Diego Lopez de Montoya was Canon of Avila
and Assistant General of the Inquisition. The Archbishop of Toledo
yvAs Don Gaspar de Quiroga.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 269

may recover. The sisters here are praying for him.
God be with you!

You can speak with perfect frankness to Sister
Maria de San Jeronimo if you Uke. I wish some-
times that Teresita were here, especially when we
are in the garden. May God make saints of both
of you. Remember me affedlionately to Pedro de
Ahumada.

Yesterday was the feast of St. Anne. I remem-
bered that you are very devoted to her and either
intended to build, or have already built a church
dedicated to her, of which I am glad.
Your Honour's servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCVII

Salamanca, October 4, 1579^
TO FATHER GRACIAN

Purchase of a house at Salamanca. 'The Saint objeSis
to the Seville nuns' changing their residence.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity !

ANGELA has not been able to free herself
entirely from her suspicions. It is not surpris-
ing, for she finds no comfort, nor will her affections
allow her to find comfort elsewhere. As she says,
she has many trials, is weak by nature, and is
grieved at finding her attachment unreturned.*

' Fuente 257. The original letter is at Jaen.

^ The Saint is speaking of herself and complaining of Father Graician's

270 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Kindly tell that gentleman that, though he may
be naturally forgetful, he ought not to be so in
this case, for when love exists, it does not slumber
so long.

However, we will change the subjecft. I am
very sorry to hear how exhausted your head is.
For the love of God, moderate your work, for
unless you attend to the matter in time, you will
find all remedies unavailing. Master and control
yourself, and learn from other people's experience,
since God's glory is concerned, and you know how
necessary your health is to us all.

I thank His Majesty heartily that our affairs
are so prosperous that, with His mercy, we may
look upon arrangements as concluded, and so es-
tablished as to show clearly that the work has been
done by God. Setting aside the importance of the
matters themselves, I am delighted on account of
your Paternity as you will now see the fruit of your
labours for which you have certainly paid dearly.
But it will be a great joy to you to be in perfedl
peace and most beneficial for your successors.

O my Father, what a trouble this house is to
me! Even though the matter was settled, the devil
managed to keep us out of the house, which is the
most suitable in all Salamanca, and the bargain was
a very good one for the landlord. It is impossible
to trust the sons of Adam! The owner himself
offered us the place: he is an upright gentleman,
looked upon in Salamanca as the most honourable

neglect in answering her letters. Angela is the Saint ; the cabalkro is
Father Gracian.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 271

man in the city, whose word is as good as his bond.
He had not only given his promise, but had signed
the agreement in the presence of witnesses, having
himself brought the lawyer with him, yet he has
broken off the contracft. Every one is astonished
except certain gentlemen who persuaded him to
this course for the sake of their own or their rela-
tives' interests. They had more influence over him
than the many friends who objected, especially one
of his brothers who had shown us great kindness
in the matter and who is much pained by the affair.
He had placed the matter in our Lord's hands, so
what has happened must be best for us. The trouble
is that nothing else at all suitable can be found in
Salamanca.^

If only these nuns had such a convent as the
Seville sisters have, they would think they were in
heaven. I am deeply grieved at the folly of the
prioress, who has greatly lost credit with me. I
fear that the devil has begun his work on that house
and wants to destroy it completely.

I assure your Paternity that I was highly pleased
by the letter from the young lady which you sent
me by Dona Juana. If you are satisfied, I shall be
glad to receive her as she wishes, for I had already
heard much in her favour. She must be admitted
at Seville when God wills, for I cannot endure the
foxiness shown by the community, and that prioress
is more astute than befits her state. Indeed, as I
told her at Seville, I fear she has never been frank

^ The nuns did not succeed in obtaining another house until after
St. Teresa's death. Anxiety on their account was her chief trouble on
her death-bed.

272 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

with me. I assure you that I had much to bear from
her there. As she has written several times since
saying that she repented, I thought that she had
improved as she acknowledged her fault. To tell
the poor nuns that the house is very unhealthy, is
enough to cause them to believe that it makes
them ill. I have written her some terrible letters,
and I might just as well have struck an anvil. The
enclosed letter from Father Nicolas will show the
state of affairs. For love of God, if you think you
have more influence over her, tell one of the friars
to write to her. I think we ought to send some
nuns there who possess the sound judgmentrequired
in such important business. Will your Paternity
ask Father Nicolas to write at once to Father Prior
requesting him to decline discussing the subject
with her, for he must be much to blame. I feel
certain that they are mistaken in attributing their
ill-health to the house itself, and the one they think
of taking would be far worse, being on the bank
of the river, they tell me. Besides, it has not the
fine views to be seen from their present convent,
which are a great recreation for the nuns. In fa<ft,
it is the best house in Seville, and the envy of this
comrhunity. May God bring the matter right.

*Fray Nicolas gave me a kind message from you,
but I hope you will remember to pray for me
which your many duties might make you forget.
My health is fairly good. The Prioress and sisters
earnestly beg your prayers. May God have you in

* Fuente was the first to publish the latter part of this letter begin-
ning with this paragraph.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 273

His care for me and let me see you soon. It is past
three o'clock in the morning.

To-day is the feast of St. Francis.

Your unworthy servant and daughter,
Teresa de Jesus.

CCXCVIII

Toledo, November 19, 1579^

TO DONA ISABEL OSORIO, MADRID'

The Saint asks her to defer entering the Order until
the foundation is made at Madrid.

JESUS !
May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

I DID not expe(fl to be able to write to you, and
as the Mother Prioress has already done so, I
will only say that Father Nicolas has set his mind
upon your entering no other convent but the one
which, God willing, we hope will soon be founded
in Madrid. Should you have the patience, after
waiting so long, to wait a little longer, it is most
important that you should tell no one of your
decision or of the projected foundation.

You must know that the nuns of Salamanca have
already consented to receive you; I tell you this

' Fuente 259. Don Cayetano de Arriaga of Burgos had the original
letter.

■ Dofia Isabel Osorio, a lady of Madrid, does not appear to have
become a nun. Her sister, Ines de la Encarnacion, was professed at
Toledo in i 580. She was noted for her perfect obedience and died in
1635, having worn the habit for 55 years. [CEuvres, iii, p. 437. See
letter of April 8, i 580). St. Teresa had left Salamanca for Avila early
in November and in spite of her illness had set out for Malagon. She
took five days to reach Toledo,

VqI. III. 19

274 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

because you have the certainty of entering there
should there be any doubt about the other; but
Father Nicolas thinks that, for many reasons, it
would render greater service to God if you helped
this new foundation, and that is the one objed: on
which we are all bent. Father Nicolas will soon
return from Seville and by that time you will have
decided as to which you prefer. May His Majesty
so guide you that you may be contented, and may
He use your soul for His greater glory and honour !
Amen.

I was delighted at witnessing the contentment
of our sister, who is yours also. We shall be con-
tented if you are as good, for she is an angel. She
was very glad to be with me.
To-day is November 19.

Your unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

Letter from Father Gracian to the 'Duchess of Alba,

at Uzeda.

Alcala, December i, 1579.*

Jesus, Mary!
Your Excellency,

As soon as I arrived at Alcala,
I placed in the hands of assessors the documents which
proved that I had not exceeded my powers. These gentle-
men did not think it necessary to show the papers to the
Nuncio or to restore complete liberty either to Father

' By kind permission of P, Gregoire we give the following impor-
tant letter first published in Lettres de Sainie Tkirese. Vol.ni, 2nd. ed,

FROM FATHER GRACIAN 275

Antonio' or to myself until the principal evidence had
been sent to Rome. However, thank God, this docu-
mentary evidence is now already on its way and is in
thoroughly trustworthy hands. That is all 1 know. In
consequence ot the bad weather, Mother Teresa of Jesus
was ill when she reached Toledo, as she had travelled
through the mountain pass. She wrote, telling me that
her indisposition was of little consequence, but 1 shall
feel anxious until I hear of her recovery.

When I reached this priory, I found the Reverend
Father Rector at death's door with a pain in his side.
However, God willed that he should live and also wills
that, besides the convalescents, we should have four reli-
gious ill m bed and should moreover suffer great poverty.
May His Majesty be praised! Amen. I desired Pangue
to ask you to be good enough to give us a little coal to
warm the invalids in the wintry weather, and as I know
that you are not annoyed when the poor beg for alms, 1
venture to remind you of it.

1 am very glad to hear that His Grace the Duke^ is
better. We never forget here to entreat our Lord to
grant you the grace and favour you both desire, which
we all need and pray tor daily.

Alcala, December i, 1579.

The chaplain and servant of your Excellencies,
Fray Jeronimo Gracian de la Madre de Dios.

' Fray Antonio had at first been confined in the priory of the Dis-
calced Franciscans at Madrid with Fray Gabriel de la Asuncion. As
the latter, being Prior of la Roda, was wanted there, the Nuncio sent
him back, accompanied by Fray Antonio, at the end of 1578. {Found.
ch. viii, 17.)

^ The Duke of Alba being still in prison, the Duchess was staying
at Uzeda in order to be near him.

CCXCIX

Malagon, December 3, 1579^
TO DONA ISABEL OSORIO, MADRID

T^he Saint asks her to enter the convent to be founded
at Madrid which her dowry would help to stablish.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Honour, and make you as great a saint as I daily

beg of Him.

FATHER Prior de la Roda* brought me two
letters from you : one must still be at Toledo.
I thank our Lord for your wish to forsake the
world, for such disillusion can only come from
heaven. I trust in His divine mercy that you will
render Him great service, responding to such good
desires by actions worthy of a true daughter of the
Virgin, our Lady and Patroness. I certainly would
not impede for a day so strong a vocation. I will
state the motive of my letter frankly, since you
are now our sister and my senora.

You must know that for several years many
people have begged me to found a convent at
Madrid, but I was so fatigued during my eight
days' sojourn there on my way to Pastrana by the
visits of the great ladies of the city, that I refused
my consent.' But now, after all our troubles, I see

' Fuente. 260. The original belongs to the Capuchins of Toledo.
St. Teresa had reached Malagon on Nov. 25.

^ Fray Gabriel de la Asuncion.

^ This was in May, 1 569. The foundation was not made at Madrid
until six years later, in 1595, after St. Teresa's death.

276

TO DOlSfA ISABEL OSORIO 277

that it would be well for our other houses to have
a convent there, and I have been persuaded to agree
to it. The great drawback is that I am assured the
Archbishop would refuse permission unless the
convent were founded with a yearly income.
Although there are several ladies there who have,
for many years wished to enter, and who could
well afford the money, they are not free to give it
until they are in the convent. Father Nicolas and
I thought that, as you could be of great help to us
perhaps you would wait a few days. God willing,
I believe it will not be a longer delay than you
expedled.

Will you pray about the matter? Should you
prefer another plan, I give my cordial approval:
let me know and you shall enter whenever you
choose, but this would endanger the prospe<ft of
the foundation at Madrid, and I think it would be
a great thing if you could be the means of for-
warding so good a work. May our Lord dispose
of it for His greater glory.

Father Prior arrived so late at night that I could
speak little to him on the subject. I will discuss it
to-morrow and let you know his opinion, but I am
writing to you to-night as I shall be very much
occupied about an affair of which he will give you
an account.

I am fairly well, glory be to God, though I was
tired when I arrived and have had more to fatigue
me since. May it render service to His Majesty,
and may He give you many years to be spent in
serving this great God and Master of ours !

Kindly remember me to Father Valentine. I

278 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

pray for him every day, and beg him to repay me,
though I should be richly repaid, wretch that I
am, by a very short prayer of his.

To-day is December 3.

Your Honour's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

Remember that what I have said to you is private,
for I cannot recoiled: having spoken so freely to
any one.

Fortunately, we have had a long interview about
your affair to-day; the decision remains unchanged
I enjoyed meeting his Reverence very much. He
will give you an account of it. You will let me
know what you have arranged with Father Prior,
which I am sure will be for the best.

ccc

Prefatory note.

St. Teresa found the house at Malagon which was the
gift of Luisa de la Cerda, in so unfinished a state that
the builders said it would take six months to finish.
However, she insisted upon its being ready by Decem-
ber 8, and herself worked harder than any one. Things
were soon set right in the community by the new prioress,
Jeronima del Espiritu Santo who took the place of Ana
de la Madre de Dios. Another reason for the Saint's
visit to Malagon was to examine the spirit of the Ven-
erable Ana de San Augustin, a young nun, whose super-
natural state of prayer, together with the visible persecution
she suffered from the devil, made the nuns anxious to
consult the holy Mother. Saint Teresa was perfectly
satisfied with her spirit and was divinely guided to choose

TO FATHER GRACIAN 279

her for the new foundation at Villanueva. While at
Malagon, the Saint had an attack of paralysis, which
confined her to her bed.

Malagon, after December 8, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

T^he nuns of Malagon move into another house. State
of the community. Responsibility of the Saint and
Father Gracian, The new prioress,

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity!

1MUST tell you that as I had already reached
Malagon when Paul's letter came, I did not stay
longer at Toledo as he bade me. It has been for
the best, because the nuns entered their new house
on the feast of the Conception. I had spent a week
here which was quite as tiring as my journey, for
there was much to do and I wore myself out with
my efforts to manage the move on so auspicious a
day. Yet after all, my health is better than usual.
I am very sorry for your trouble: I can do no more.
The change of houses was a very joyful cere-
mony, as we walked in procession with the Blessed
Sacrament which was transferred to the new con-
vent. The nuns were delighted: they seemed just
like little lizards coming out into the sun in summer
time. They certainly have suffered in their former
dwelling, and though nothing here is finished ex-
cept eleven cells, they could live in the house very

' Fuente 261. The original letter belongs to the Carmelite convent
at Alcala de Henares. The end is missing.

28o ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

comfortably for several years even if no more were
built.

0 my Father! how urgently my visit was needed,
not only on this account — though their move
would probably have been deferred otherwise —
but for the other matters. God could have remedied
them, but, for the moment, I can see no other way
in which the spell could have been broken. The
nuns realize now how they have been mistaken.
The more I learn of the government of the Vice
Prioress,* the better I understand the rashness of
entrusting any office to her.

The poor Licentiate/ seems a very religious man
and I think is less to blame than the person who
dragged them all with her into sedition and love
of change. He is very willing to follow my advice
about affairs here and shows a humility and sorrow
for having given any occasion for what happened
which edify me deeply. Paul and I are much at
fault: tell him to take it to confession as I have
done, for we gave too much licence in some ways
and ought not to have put such trust, in fa(ft any
trust at all, in persons so young, however saintly
they might be, for being inexperienced, thev do
great harm in spite of a good intention. We must
know better how to ad: in future, my Father.

1 trust in our Lord that all will remain settled
and in good order. The prioress* we brought here

' Ana de la Madre de Dios. See letter of May 8, 1578.

' Don Caspar de Villanueva.

* Jeronima del Espiritu Santo (Acevedo), born of a noble family of
Zamora, was sister to Guiomar del Sacramento and Beatriz de Jesus.
Hers was a strong character : clever, tactful, and kind. She was chosen
to introduce the Discalced nuns into Italy by Nicolas Doria who sent

TO FATHER GRACIAN 281

is full of the fear of God, prudent, and so skilful
in governing that the sisters all love her dearly.
She begs earnestly for your Paternity's pravers and
is your very loyal daughter. I think we could have
chosen no one else so suitable for that convent.
God grant it may always be so. The other prioress*
seems to have done her work extremely well.

The harm a prioress can do to a house is terrible,
for though the sisters witness things that scandalize
them (of which there have been many here) they
think it would be against obedience to consider
them wrong. I assure you, my Father, that the
Visitor ought to be very vigilant lest the devil
should evolve great evils from small ones.

May God have Fray German in heaven ! He
had good qualities, but lacked the light to under-
stand perfection in a higher sense. From the way
in which our Lord conducfts matters. He seems re-
solved that certain things should not remain hidden.
God grant I may not have been to blame for having
insisted on taking Fray Felipe to the nuns as their
confessor ! And God grant, too, that he was not to
blame in defending the sisters, for the Father Vicar,
who did as I wished, must have suffered severely in
consequence, as he told some one who visited him
when he was ill that it was I who had made him
take to his bed. But it seemed to me that nothing
would suffice except to bring the sisters another
confessor, and there was no one else but Fray Felipe :

her in i 590 to Genoa to make a foundation : from this convents were
founded throughout the country. Four years later she returned to
Spain, was made prioress at Madrid, and died at Arrenas in 1599.
{(Euvres iii. 467.)

^ Mother Brianda de San ]o%L

282 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

yet I felt misgivings about the whole affair. If I
have done wrong, write and tell me your opinion,
for I have no satisfactory adviser here.

A few days ago I gave Fray Gabriel a letter for
the Father Redor, at Alcala, so that you might
have news of me, as I did not dare to write to you
diredly, though I believe I might have done so
safely. That father came here and not . . .^

CCCI

Prefatory note.

On Nov. iij the Nuncio had transmitted the sentence
of the assessors that the Discalced should be separated
from the Caked and erected as a separate province with
his good will and approval to the Secretary of State of
His Holiness. On the fifteenth of the same month, a
Chapter of the province of Castile was held at Moralejar,
in which a share and voice were assigned to the Discalced
priors and their socii^ and provision was made for their
houses. When the Chapter was over, (on the twentieth
of the month,) Angelo de Salazar forwarded a minute
account of it to Juan Baptista Caffardo, the Vicar Gen-
eral. (yAEla Capit. General. Vol. i, p. 562). Fray Angelo
secretly opposed the separation of provinces. St. Teresa
never trusted him entirely, as although he was learned
and conscientious, he halted between the two parties and
never frankly took her part. At the Chapter, Fray Gabriel
de la Asuncion, Prior of la Roda, had been named de-
finitor. The despatches from the king, the Nuncio, and
the four assessors had already been sent to Rome.
''The end of the letter is missing.

Malagon, December 15, 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

Foundations at Villanueva and Arenas. 'The des-
patches sent to Rome. Velascds daughter as novice.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity.

FATHER Prior of la Roda came here; I cannot
tell why, though he wished to discuss the
foundation of a convent at Villanueva de la Jara,
I have thoroughly investigated the matter and find
that it would be the most foolish thing in the
world to think of such a projecfl. Fray Antonio de
Jesus has decided that it is to be done. I have
appealed strongly to his conscience and Fray Ga-
briel's* about it, but cannot say what they will
decide.

Fray Antonio wishes to settle about Dona Isabel
Osorio, whose sister he sent to Toledo,' but Father
Nicolas and I have already made arrangements
with her. Fray Gabriel showed in a better light
than ever, evincing a simplicity on certain points
that astonished me. He has been made definitor as
a great compliment to the Discalced, the Father
Vicar tells me : at least, he hinted at this motive.
I really cannot see how it can harm the Calced,

' Fuente 262. The autograph belongs to the Discalced Carmelite
convent, Saragossa. It begins here. The first part, which is missing is
supplied from the copy at the National library, Madrid.

' Fray Gabriel de la Asuncion.

' In6s de la Encarnacion.

283

2«4

ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

nor how Fray Gabriel can be blamed if he has been
eleded, that the thing should be kept so secret.
Don Luis Manrique informed Fray Gabriel that
the despatches have been forwarded to Rome. I
asked him whether they were to be held back for
the general Chapter, but he said that by the King's
request they were not to be delayed. The father
was only here for one day ; he thought I was at
Toledo, and, not finding me there, came here.

I am amused at Paul's pride: what a time for
it! He need not fear that it pains me or that it
hurts himself: he would be foolish, and that he is
not. Has he forgotten the well with aquedudts
that refilled it as it was emptied?'* I remember
our pleasant journey together from Toledo to Avila,^
which did not tire me in the least. Happiness is a
great thing and Paul's letter seems to bring me rest
amidst my work: will your Paternity thank him
for it.

I do not think I can stay here for the whole of
January, though the place suits me well enough as
I am not so beset with letters and business matters.
The Father Vicar is so anxious about making the
foundation at Arenas and meeting me there, that
I exped: he will tell me to settle things quickly
here. In fadt, the greater part of my work is done.
You could not believe how much I owe to him:
his kindness to me is extreme. I assure you that I
shall still feel very grateful to him, even after his
time of office has expired.

* This seems an allusion to the basin filled from aqueducts in the
Interior Castle, Mans. iv. ch. ii.

■'The return from Toledo to Avila in 1577 with Father Gracian
and Fray Antonio.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 285

Read this letter from the good Velasco.*^ If his
sister is not very much in earnest about becoming
a nun, yet wishes to enter the convent, be cautious
about concluding the arrangement, because I should
be exceedingly sorry to hurt Velasco's feelings as
I like him very much and am most happy at his
filling his present post. I believe that we owe all
our advantages to him, to the Father Master Fray
Pedro Hernandez, and to Don Luis.'' May God
bless your Paternity, my Father, and preserve you
for many years to come. Amen.

To-day is December 12. I wish you a happy
Christmas* and growth in sanctity.

Your Paternity's loyal daughter and subjed:,
Teresa de Jesus.

"Juan Lopez de Velasco, a native of Vinuesa, court chronicler of
Philip II and secretary to the treasury. By the king's order, he assisted
at the Chapter of the separation of provinces held at Alcala in 1581.

'' As already stated, Pedro Hernandez and Luis Manrique were two
of the assessors.

* Pascuas de Dios : feast of God Himself.

CCCII

Malagon, December i8, 1579^
TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

Affairs at Malagon. Improvement m the condition
of the Order.

JESUS!
May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Paternity.

1SENT your Paternity a long letter but a few days
ago via Toledo, so this will be but a short note.
Besides, I was only told late this evening that the
messenger, Antonio Ruiz' son-in-law, was to start
to-morrow before daybreak. 1 wish he had brought
me some lines from your Paternity though he
cheered me by news of your good health and of
the fondness of the people of Alcala for your ser-
mons. He spoke of the one about St. Eugenius.
Blessed be God from Whom all good comes! He
bestows a great favour on those whom He destines
to sanctify souls.

I forgot to mention that Ana de Jesus* is very
well and that the other nuns seem peaceful and
contented. I do not allow a certain person either
to speak to them or to hear their confessions.
Otherwise, 1 am very polite to him, as is proper,
and 1 often talk to him. He preached here to-day.
He certainly is a good man and would not wilfully

' Fuente 263. The autograph is venerated in the convent at San
Sebastian.

■ A nun at Malagon who was out of her mind (letter to Gaspar de
Villanueva, July 1577)

286

TO FATHER GRACIAN 287

injure any one, but I am convinced that it is best
for our Discalced nuns not to talk to those outside
the house though they may be saints. God will
instrud: the sisters and experience has taught me
that, with the exception of hearing sermons, fre-
quent intercourse, even with Paul, does them more
harm than good and to a certain extent diminishes
the respect due to such persons. O my Father, what
troubles I have gone through on this account!

Oh, how well I remember what I suffered on
Christmas Eve, a year ago, when I read your letter
to me!' Thank God, times have improved. Never,
however long I live, shall I forget the anguish I
endured!

My health is no worse than usual; indeed I have
felt better lately. The new house is very comfort-
able; it will be excellent when finished, and even
now affords us ample room.

The Prioress and nuns earnestly commend
themselves to your Paternity's prayers, and I beg
for the Father Redior's.* As it is very late at night,
I will only say that I should spend a happy
Christmas-tide if I could hear the sermons you
will preach. God grant your Paternity a happy
Christmas both this year and for many more.

To-day is the feast of Our Lady of the O,^ and
I am the daughter and subjed: of your Paternity,
Teresa de Jesus.

^ See Prefatory note to Letter to Roque de Huerta,end of Dec. i 578.
* Father Elias de San Martin, Rector of the college at Alcala,
^ The feast of the Expectation of our Lady, kept in Spain on
December 19 with great solemnity, so called because the antiphon of
the Ma^nijicat begins with the words: 0 Firgo virginum.

CCCIII

Fragment of a letter probably written at Malagon at
the end of 1579.^

ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN.

The Saint's delight at being unknown and unnoticed.

... I assure you that this place possesses advan-
tages for which I have longed for many a year.
Though I naturally feel lonely at being without
my usual comforter, my soul is at rest and there is
no more memory of Teresa of Jesus than if she did
not exist. This would prevent my wishing to leave
the spot unless I were told to, for I used to be
annoyed sometimes at hearing such foolish remarks
as that I was a saint — if so it must be a half and
half one ! * They laugh when I tell them they should
make another saint, as it costs no more than giving
any one the title. . . .

'Fuente 264. Fragmentof a letter published by Ribera,Bk. iv,ch. xv,
and Yepes Bk. iii. ch vii, in their lives of St, Teresa.

*'//tf de ser sin pies ni cahex.a' — *It must be one with neither feet
nor head.

288

CCCIV

Malagon, December 21, 1579*

TO FATHER DORIA, SEVILLE

Affairs of the convents of Malagon^ Seville, and Veas.
The foundation at Madrid. The Prior of Pastrana.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Reverence !

SERRANO* came to-day, the feast of Saint
Thomas. Your letter was very welcome as I
wanted to know about your journey. Thank God
for such goodness to us! May He prosper your
return, though you will not enjoy it so much, for
pleasure lightens toil. I thought you would have
received my two letters, or at least the one I wrote
almost dirccflly after you left, on St. Catharine's
day. Both were addressed to the care of Senor
Francisco Doria.'

God willed that we should enter the new house
on the feast of the Conception, though it cost me
very hard work for there was much to do to get
it ready, so that I was extremely tired during the
eight days I stayed there before the nuns arrived.
However, I hold my labour well spent, for though
much is wanting, they find it very comfortable.

' Fuente, 265. At one time this letter was considered of doubtful
authenticity, but the autograph in St. Teresa's handwriting belongs to
the Carmelite nuns at Ubeda.

* A benefactor of the Seville Carmelites.

^ A brother of FrayJDoria. As canon of Toledo, he testified for
St. Teresa's canonisation.

289
Vol. III. 20

290 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

God has arranged the rest better than I deserve.

I am astounded at the havoc the devil has wrought
through misgovernment, and at the fear, or rather
the spell, under which he held the nuns. They are
certainly all good souls, desirous of perfection, and
most of them, indeed, nearly all, were greatly dis-
tressed at what was wrong but did not know how
to remedy it. They are now thoroughly undeceived,
and I feel certain that no one wishes for any change,
even for Brianda's sister,* who is delighted at not
coming here.

I assure your Reverence, my Father, that we
must examine carefully as to whom we entrust such
charges, for the nuns are so submissive that their
chief trouble was a scruple at considering that their
superior's a6tion was wrong — as it was. They are
delighted with their new prioress,* in which they
are right. I believe that all the sisters are glad,
except two or three who regret the loss of their
former confessor. I told them at once that no one
had leave to confess to him, of which most of the
rest were glad. I managed to keep the matter
private, but spoke very plainly to him. I feel sure
that he is sincerely religious and has had no ill-will
in the matter. As he lives at a distance and has
other work, the change was made unnoticed. I
invite him to preach to us, and I see him from
time to time. All is now straightforward, glory be
to God!

My only trouble is that the community are
deeply in debt. All the money has been squandered

* Maria del Espiritu Santo.
^ Jeronima del Espiritu Santo.

TO FATHER DORIA 291

on account of the long period of mismanagement.
The sisters knew it must be the case, but the su-
perior told them very little : having been professed
so recently, she probably knew no better. Such
obstinacy in following one's own opinion does
much harm.

Will your Reverence advise the prioress* who is
about to be reinstated in her office to study care-
fully what are her obligations towards the Order,
to fulfil them, and to keep the Constitutions, and
then she cannot go wrong. Otherwise, God makes
the best of friends become our accusers. Superiors
must not suppose that they can make and unmake
rules in their houses like married people. Kindly
show her this letter. I felt annoyed at times with
her and the other nuns I took to Seville from here,
because they told me nothing. However, there was
little to relate at first compared with what occurred
later on.

If any nun at Seville should wish to confess to
some other priest than the usual confessor appointed
by your Reverence, let her be given the permission
if he is one of the fathers from los Remedios^ chosen
by yourself. The nuns here have had much to
suffer on this point, their souls having been bound
down in a way that was hard to bear. They tell me
here that the Seville sisters have written advising
them to insist on having Brianda as prioress: that
this course had been successful at Seville, and would
be here. Will your Reverence give the prioress a
good penance, for she ought to have known that

* Mary of St. Joseph, at Seville.
^ Priory of the Discalced at Seville.

292 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

I am not such a bad Christian as to have taken so
serious a decision without grave reason, nor should
I have paid so high a price for the house had I
considered it w^orthless. I forgive them for the
opinion they must hold of me: may God forgive
them too! If His Majesty had not willed that I
should see it would be bad for them, I should have
tried to bring; back the former Prioress to Mala-
gon, as I restored the Prioress at Seville. I assure
your Reverence that if Mother Brianda returned,
it would completely destroy the peace of the house,
not to speak of other drawbacks. In such a weighty
matter, those at a distance should not condemn one
who would forfeit her own peace for the comfort
and good of a single soul.

I heard some days ago that the fathers at Pastrana
were ill :' they ought to be well again by this time.
Your Reverence should not trouble about it, nor
allow it to prevent your doing what is requisite at
Seville. The matter that remains to be seen to after
Kingtide will require great discretion, and if God
should bring the reply from Rome, it would not
be fitting that you should be unable to get here in
good time.

Fray Gabriel, Prior of la Roda, came to see me
before the feast of the Conception. He gave me
to understand that he came to arrange about Doiia
Isabel Osorio's proje(5l. As Dona Luisa' told me
that the Archbishop'* would not license the foun-
dation at Madrid unless the house had an annuity,

"^ Father Doria was prior of Pastrana.
^ Dofia Luisa de la Cerda.
'"Of Toledo.

TO FATHER DORIA 293

I am delaying the entry of Doiia Isabel until I see
whether she could help us in the case. I do not
know how it could be managed, even though she
gave us all her fortune, for as she could not do so
until she entered, we should have to find some one
who would stand security for the sum meanwhile.
We will discuss the matter when you come here.

I was amused at Father Gabriel's confiding to
me as a secret that the despatch had been sent to
Rome. He stated that it had already gone, that
he had learnt of it from Don Luis" and that he
feels sure that as the petition comes from the king
himself, it will be answered promptly without
waiting for the General Chapter. God grant it may !
I pretended that it was news to me. He declared
that he was very glad, as well he might be ! I will
tell you the rest when we meet.

The Prioress of Veas sent me some letters for
Casademonte, asking him to what address she is to
forward the hundred ducats which she has in hand,
so we need trouble no more about that afi^air.

I am delighted at your tidings of the Archbishop,'*
but you have ad:ed very wrongly in omitting to
give him kind messages from me. Please do so at
once. You can assure him that I pray for him
specially every day when I receive Holy Commu-
nion. May His Majesty have your Reverence in
His keeping and bring you here in good health!
Never fear that I shall let you leave us soon.
Mother Prioress asks to be remembered to you,

" Don Luis Manrique, one of the four assessors.
'^ Don Cristobal de Rojas, Archbishop of Seville,

294 ST.; TERESA'S LETTERS

and the nuns are looking forward to your visit.
The unworthy servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.
Father Felipe makes an excellent confessor. Give
Fray Gregorio kind messages from me and his sister.
She is extremely good and cannot contain her hap-
piness. Consider whether it would not be well
for the prioress here to be novice-mistress: there
have been so many changes that it would be an
advantage for the sisters' affediions to be concen-
trated on the prioress. One of the nuns could help
her to teach them. As regards spiritual matters,
such as prayer and temptations, recommend her not
to exad: more than the nuns are inclined to say,
according to what you made them sign: this is
important. I am very glad that Father Prior of las
Cuevas is satisfied: truth is a great thing. Remem-
ber me kindly to him.

cccv

Malagon, towards the end of the year 1579^

TO FATHER GRACIAN,

Four fragments of letters relating to the convents.

... I assure your Paternity, (and for love of God
never forget it, unless you wish to see our convents
ruined) that as the price of everything is steadily
rising, a community requires an income of about
three hundred thousand marav^dis to keep it from
poverty. If, with the sum to be given it, people

' Fuente 266. These fragments seem part of the same letter, which
appears to have been written in 1579. They were printed in Vol. vi,
First edition.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 295

believe that the house has an income of its own,
no doubt the nuns will die of hunger. . .

... 1 wish to state that, by my will, houses
founded in poverty should not have an income, for
I know, and have learnt by experience, that in all
such cases, if the nuns are faithful to God, they
will always possess the greatest liberty oi spirit.
But if they are unfaithful, let them die out, for
there are enough relaxed convents already. . .

. . . God forgive those who have opposed the
making of new foundations, which was the remedy
for all the evils. Until our convents are solidly
established, there cannot fail to be many draw-
backs, but His Majesty will put all things right.
Meanwhile, your Paternity must be very cautious
about admitting postulants unless there is urgent
need of them and they would be of great help to
the community. The welfare of our houses consists
entirely in their not having too many religious to
support. Unless we are very prudent on this point,
we shall find ourselves in inextricable difficulties. . .
... It would be far better not to make foundations
than to receive people suffering from melancholia*
who ruin the house they enter. . . .

"' St. Teresa had a horror of melancholy and often used to exclaim:
^Dios me libre de Santos encapotados:' — ' God deliver me from sour-faced
saints!'

CCCVI

Malagon, towards the end of 1579^

TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON

Concernmg the Reform.

. . . Your Honour need not have paid so much
attention to my words, for I know little about
lawsuits and wish that all may be at peace. But I
believe that if this suit is permitted, it will provoke
further animosity, and it is enough that the Count
de Tendilla should be of the same opinion. . . .

CCCVII

Date uncertain 1579*
TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON

Enclosing some letters for other people.

JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit be with you and reward you
for the charity you have shown me to-day.

1 HOPED to have seen you— not to complain, for
there is no cause for complaint, but for my own
consolation. Be sure not to forget me in your
prayers, though the poverty of those I offer for you
in return lays me under still greater obligations
to you.

I beg you to deliver the enclosed letters with the

' Fuente 268. Published among the fragments of Vol. vi. First ed.

' Translated by the kind permission of P. Grcgoire from Vol. in.
o{ Lettres de Ste. Therese, p. 565. The autograph belongs to the Dis-
calced nuns of Chiaia, Naples,

296

TO FATHER GRACIAN 297

greatest caution to Father Larez:* some of them
concern a most important affair. May the Lord
be with you.

Will you ask our Father Provincial to send those
I forward to him for Medina by a most trustworthy
messenger; or there would be a risk of much
trouble for us and hindrance to the service of God,
as they concern the matter of which I spoke to
him the other day. Otherwise, let them be returned
to me, that I may send them. But if they are
despatched, let them be directed to Father Ordonez
so that they may be delivered immediately.
Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCCVIII

i579.?>
TO FATHER GRACIAN

Asking leave for the admission of a daughter of An-
tonio Gait an into the convent of Alba.

.... Antonio Gaitan has been here. He came
to ask me to receive his little daughter* into the
convent of Alba: she must be about the same age
as my Isabelita. The nuns tell me she is a dear
little creature. Her father will pay for her board
and lodging, and, later on, will leave her all his

- The name is not clearly written : it might be Bancz.

' Fuente 270. Published among the fragments of Vol. vi, first ed.

^ She entered the convent and was professed at Alba in 1585 under
the name of Mariana de Jesus. The year after St. Teresa's death, the
Discalced resolved no longer to admit girls who were not old enough
to be novices.

298 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

property excepting what is entailed. They say the
sum will amount to six or seven hundred ducats,
or even more. Nothing could repay him for what
he has done for that convent, or indeed, for his
services to the whole Order, so 1 beg your Pater-
nity to be kind enough to send the permission at
once. I assure you that these little angels edify and
amuse us, and I consider that it would be beneficial
rather than hurtful to have one, (not more), in
each convent. . . .

CCCIX

Malagon, before the middle of January, 1580*

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,

SEVILLE

Past trials at the convents of Seville and Malagon.
Father Soto and Father Doria. New foundations.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Reverence, my daughter!

IN my letter to my Father, Fray Nicolas, I spoke
at length on certain points which I will not men-
tion here, as you are to read it. Your own was so
kind and humble that it deserves a long answer.
As you wish me to write to the good Father
Rodrigo Alvarez,* 1 will do so, but my head is
not equal to much more. Serrano says he will deliver
these letters to a trustworthy messenger. God grant

' Fuentc 273. The original letter is in the V'alladolid collection,
^ Rector of the Jesuit college of Seville.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 299

he may ! Though I enjoyed seeing him, I was sorry
that he returned here. You need not have reminded
me of his services to us in our trouble: I am too
grateful to forget them. I will manage to persuade
him to go back to Seville, for it is a great thing to
have somebody one can trust there.

I am not so ill in Malagon as elsewhere. I was
much grieved at what Sister Gabriel told me about
your health. Had your heart been of stone, the
many trials through which you have passed would
have injured it. I hope I did not contribute to them.
Your Reverence must forgive me, because I am so
anxious that any one I love dearly should never do
amiss that I am unbearable. The same thing hap-
pened with Mother Brianda, to whom I wrote
terrible letters, with but little result.* I really think
that, in one way, the devil managed to do more
harm at Malagon than at Seville. It lasted longer
and gave graver scandal outside the house, and it
is doubtful whether matters will go on as well in
future as yours. I believe not, though things have
been rectified and peace restored within the convent.
God set the affair right: may He be praised for it,
though the nuns were little to blame! I am most
annoyed with Sister Beatriz de Jesus,* for she has
never spoken to me on the matter, even now
when she is aware that all the nuns tell me about
it and that I know all. She seems to possess little
virtue or discretion. She must think she is perform-
ing an ad: of friendship to the sisters, to whom she

■' Neither Mother Brianda nor Mary of St. Joseph preserved the
'terrible letters' addressed to them.

■* The nun who had been president at Malagon.

300 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

is deeply attached, but true friendship would not
hide faults that could be cured without great
difficulty. For the love of God, let your Reverence
be most careful never to do what would cause
scandal if it were known. Let us get rid of those
'good intentions' which cost us so dear. As for that
Father of the Society's having dined in your parlour,
tell it to nobody, even our Discalced fathers, for
the devil, being what he is, would stir up com-
motion among them.

You must not fancy that it cost me little to bring
the Re(5lor to better terms with us, as all the
fathers of the Society at Avila are now. I had
great difficulty about it and even wrote to Rome,
from whence, I believe, the matter was re(5tified.
I was very grateful to that saint. Father Alvarez
and to Father Soto.* Remember me kindly to the
latter and tell him that I think he proves his
friendship rather by actions than by words, for he
has never w^ritten to me or even sent me a message.

I cannot think how your Reverence can allege
that Father Nicolas has disparaged you to me, for
you have no warmer partizan in the world. He told
me the truth, so that I should understand what
harm was being done in the house and not be
misled. O my daughter! how needless it is to
make so many excuses as to what regards me! I
can truly say that it matters nothing to me whether
the nuns care for me or not as long as I know that
they fulfil their obligations. You mistook my
motive. It seems to me that, when I show so much

^ An excellent priest of Seville who succeeded Father Garci Alvarez
as confessor to the Seville nuns.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 301

solicitude and love for the sisters' affairs, they are
undutiful if they do not trust to me but let me
weary myself in vain. My feelings vv^ere so deeply
hurt that I should have liked to leave the matter
alone, for it seemed to me, as w^as the faft, that I
could do no good. But my affection is so strong
that when I found my words had any effedl, I
could not resist speaking again. However, let us
say no more about the matter.

Serrano tells me that you have received another
postulant. If, as he thinks, you are twenty in
community, your number is complete and no one
can authorize you to take more. The Father Vicar
himself has no power against the decree of the
Apostolic Commissioners.* For the love of God
be careful on this point, for you would be aston-
ished at the harm that comes from having a large
community in our houses, even though they have
an income and the means of living. I do not know
why you pay such heavy interest every year when
you could settle the debt. I was very glad to hear
of the sum sent you from the Indies: thank God
for it!

As regards the choice of the subprioress, as
your Reverence has not health to come to choir
regularly, you need some one who can take the
Divine Office. Though Sister Gabriela seems
young for the post, that matters little : she has been
professed for many years and has the virtues that
are required. If she is not verv suited for the
parlour, San Francisco could accompany her there.

* Fathers Pedro Hernandez and Francisco de Vargas, Dominicans,
nominated as Visitors in i 570 by St. Pius V.

302 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

At least Gabriela is obedient, and would do nothing
against vour wishes. Besides, she has good health,
which San Jeronimo has not, and it is important
that the subprioress should not miss choir. As a
matter of conscience, the office could best be laid
on Gabriela. As she led the choir in the time of
that miserable deputy-prioress,^ the sisters know
she is competent and will be the more ready to vote
for her. Ability is of more consequence than age
in a Subprioress.

I have written to the Prior of Pastrana about the
novice mistress: I quite agree with what you say.
I should not like the community to be large, for,
as I said, it is a drawback for every one and is al-
ways the sole reason why religious houses become
relaxed.

As you have the means with which to assist the
Order I should be very glad if you would pay your
debt to my brother with the money that comes
from Toledo. He is in real need, is always borrow-
ing in order to pay the yearly sum of five hundred
ducats for the property he bought, and has lately
sold something which would fetch a thousand ducats
in Seville. He has mentioned your debt several
times, and I think that he has the right to reclaim
his money. Perhaps, if you cannot repay all at once,
you might send him part of the sum. You will see
what can be done in the matter.

It is a great thing that the holy Prior of las
Cuevas should supply you with bread. With such

' Negra v'tcaria — wicked vice-prioress. This appears to have been
Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, who after having expelled Mary of St.
Joseph from her post by slandering her, was made prioress in her stead.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 303

an alms, the nuns of Malagon could overcome their
difficulties. I do not know what will become of
them: all the religious have been received without
a dowry.

The Archbishop' is very anxious to realize the
project about Portugal. I intend to put off going
there. If possible I will write to him now. Will
you see that the letter is forwarded by a trustworthv
bearer.

For the sake of her own soul, I should be glad
to know that Beatriz^ had repented and withdrawn
her statement to Garci- Alvarez, but I very much
fear that she does not understand her fault and that
God alone can convince her of it. May He make
your Reverence as holy as I ask of Him, for bad
as you are, I wish I had others like you, as if a
foundation were to be made, I could find no one
suitable for prioress, though there ought to be
some one. No one has had any experience and what
occurred here alarmed me very much. The devil
entraps us by good intentions into doing his work,
so we must always be cautious and hold fast to
God, trusting little to our own wits. Otherwise,
however clever we may be, God will leave us to
ourselves and we shall make mistakes when we
fancied we were most sagacious.

Now that you understand the matter, you can
learn experience from what has happened in this
house, for I assure you the devil was certainly
trying to play some trick, and I was astonished at
your taking the part of the nuns in your letter.

" Don Teutonic de Braganza, Archbishop of Evora.
* Beatriz de la Madrc de Dios, of Seville.

304 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

What were you thinking about? And San Fran-
cisco too! Good heavens! What foolish things
were said in that letter for the sake of getting your
own way! God give us light, for without that we
have neither strength nor mind for anything but
evil! I am glad your Reverence is completely un-
deceived, as it will help you in many ways.
Mistakes secure success by giving us experience.
God watch over you. I did not think I could have
written so long a letter.

The servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

The Prioress and nuns beg earnestly for your
prayers.

cccx

Malagon, January, 1580.^

TO THE PRIORESS AND NUNS AT SEVILLE

Congratulations to the newly professed and the re-
eleSled Prioress. Messages to Be atriz and Margarita.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Charities, my sisters and daughters !

Your notes gave me great pleasure: I should
have liked to write a long letter to each nun
in return, but time failed me for I am overwhelmed
with work,, so vou must excuse me and take the
will for the deed. I should very much like to make
the acquaintance of the newly entered and pro-

' Fuente 271. The original letter, which belonged to the Valladolid
collection, was given to the newly founded convent at Santiago in 1 748.

TO THE NUNS AT SEVILLE 305

fessed* and I am extremely glad they have made
their espousals. May His Majesty make them such
as I wish and ask of Him, that they may enjoy His
Presence in the eternity which has no end.

Tell Sister Jeronima, who signs herself "dung-
hill", that I trust God this humility does not consist
in words alone. Say to Sister Gabriela that I received
the " St. Paul" which is very good : being tiny like
herself, it is to my taste. May God make her great
in His sight! He really seems to love you better
than us, as He sends you such severe trials, unless
you lose the merit of them through your own fault.
May He be praised for all things. How well He
has diredied the election! It is a great comfort to
me.

Experience has taught us here that God seems
to give more help and love for the house and nuns
to the first prioress in a new foundation than to her
successors, so that she benefits the sisters' souls
more. In my opinion, unless there is any notable
defe(fl in the prioress who starts a house, she should
not be changed, as there are more obje<flions to it
than the nuns can understand. May God give you
light to do His will in all things! Amen.

I ask of Sister Beatriz de la Madre de Dios and
of Sister Margarita what I have already asked of
the rest: to speak no more of the past except to

^ The nuns professed at Seville in i 579 were Maria de Jesus (Ruiz),
Ines de San Eliseo (de Morales), and Maria de San Pablo. The first
and last named helped to make the foundations at Granada and San
Lucar. Sister Ines took part in that made at Lisbon. Her dislike for
being put in any important office was so great that when she heard
that she was to be elected as prioress, she asked our Lord to take her
from this world-beforehand. Her prayer was granted. {(Euvres, iv, 318,

32I-)

Vol.111. 21

3o6 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

Our Lord and their confessor. If they have been
mistaken and given their information with a w^ant
of the truth and charity that God requires of us,
let them be careful in future to be open and
truthful. Thev should make what satisfaction is
due, otherwise they will not be at peace and the
devil will never cease tempting them. If they
content our Lord, there is no need to think any
more of the matter, for the devil was so furious,
and strove so fiercely to prevent the good beginnings
at your convent from developing, that the only
wonder is he did not do more harm in every way.

God often allows the soul to fall to make it
humble. If with sincerity and self-knowledge it
returns to the right path, it makes greater progress
in our Lord's service, as we see in many of the
saints. So, my daughters, as you are all daughters
of the Virgin, and sisters, try to love one another
very much and take care that no one suffers. I
speak to all of you.

I have been careful to pray specially for those
who think I am displeased with them. My greatest
sorrow has been (as it would be in future if they
disobeyed) that they have not done what I now
ask of them for the love of God. My dear Sister
Juana de la Cruz* has been often in my thoughts;
I believe that she must have continually gained
fresh merits. As she chose the title of *the Cross'
it has been a blessed lot for her. Let her pray to
our Lord for me and not suppose that all the rest
are doing penance for her sins — or for mine which

' Juana de la Cruz, a lay sister, mother of Beatriz who gave so much
trouble.

TO FATHER DORIA 307

are much greater. I ask all your Charities to re-
member me in your prayers: you owe it to me far
more than these nuns do. May our Lord make
you as holy as I desire. Amen.

Written in the year 1580.
Your Charities' servant,

Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.

CCCXI

Makgon, January 13, 1580^
TO FATHER DORIA, SEVILLE

Affairs of the Seville convent. Project of a foundation
at Villanueva de la yara. Concerning the nomination
of the Provincial.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence.

THREE or four days ago, I received a letter
from your Reverence dated December 30.
Serrano had already brought me the others to
which I wrote a very long answer, as I did to the
Mother Prioress. I also wrote to Father Rodrigo
Alvarez. They were all put into Serrano's hands
with strict injundlions to be careful of them and I
have learnt since that they were undoubtedly de-
livered to the courier. Besides that, I have written
twice to you since I reached Malagon and sent the
letters to Senor Doria,* Toledo, to be forwarded to
your Reverence. I am disgusted at their all having

' Fuente 272. The autograph belongs to the Carmelite convent,
Consuegra.

* Brother of Father Nicolas and canon of Toledo.

3o8 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

been lost. Cod grant it may not be the fate of this
which I am sending by Velasco.'

You refer me for all news to the Mother Prioress
of Seville, who tells me nothing. As she is well, I
think you will be able to settle all the rest satis-
fa(5lorily, seconded as you are by such a superinten-
dent. What wonders are worked by the love of
God! It is that which makes him anxious to help
these poor nuns. I beg him to prav much for me.
Why do you not mention our friend Lucrecia?*
Remember me kindly to her.

Lest I should forget it, I will tell you now that
the Prioress of Veas wrote to Casademonte saying
that she has the hundred ducats and asking where
they should be sent. He answered, to Madrid. I
mentioned the matter to your Reverence before;
we need feel no more anxiety on the subje(5t.

This is such an out of the way place that you
must not reckon on my sending you news from here
more often than if I were at Seville, — though even
there I could communicate more easily with you.
Few messengers go even to Toledo and I find that
letters are lost in transit. I say this because you ask
me to tell you when to come, and what is happening.
I warned Velasco that he must not depend on me
while I am at Malagon.

If your Reverence stays long at Seville, you may
find I have left when you arrive, for I believe a
foundation will be made at Villanueva, near Roda,
and possibly I may accompany the sisters, for if

* Velasco, chronicler to Philip II and afterwards secretary of the royal
Exchequer, was high in his favour and a staunch friend of St. Teresa.

* Lucrecia had been Father Doria's servant when he was a secular
priest.

TO FATHER DORIA 309

ever my presence was needed at a foundation, it
will be there.

Fray Antonio de Jesus and the prior arc making
such a stir, and people are so importunate about
the matter, that 1 can do no less. Our Lord must
wish for it. The question is still uncertain, but if the
foundation takes place, I shall start before Lent.
I should be sorry to leave without talking to your
Reverence, for 1 thought I should have had that
relief at Malagon. My health is good and all is
well in this house, so that I cannot thank God
enough that I came here. The spiritual state is most
satisfadiory ; there is great peace and content, and
the temporal affairs which were ruined are im-
proving. God be praised for it all !

What you tell me about the Most Reverend
(Father-General) so pleased me that I wish it were
settled, as I wrote to Velasco and the * cave-dweller.*
Only I have been wondering whether there would
be any doubt regarding the validity of the substitute,
as opinions varied at the Nuncio's death as to
whether his commission to Father Gracian still
held good. We are tired of lawsuits, so that, in any
case, if God grants us the favour of a successful
issue, you ought to take the necessary steps at once,
during the life -time of our principal protecftor.^
As the reasons given by your Reverence all seem
very good, though beyond my understanding, there
is no cause for delay.

If your Reverence waited for us at Seville, you

' There was question of nominating Father Gracian as Visitor to
the future province. He was niclcnamed the 'cave-dweller' as he was
very fond of living in a grotto at Henares.

" Probably Philip II.

3IO ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

might miss us if we could not carry out our present
plans. I will state the matter to Velasco, and sub-
mit to his opinion, li it would not tire you, it
would be better that you should come to Malagon,
even though you should have to return to Seville,
as the journey here cannot be made quickly.
Though it is true that where Velasco is, your
presence does not seem indispensable, as I tell him,
yet much depends upon your consulting together.
Circumstances might arrive in which your absence
would do great harm and would annoy Velasco,
loyal friend as he is to us. Though Father Gracian
is at liberty, it would not be wise for him to inter-
fere in this afFair as if we gain what we are striving
for, people would say he had his private ends in
view. Though that would not matter very much,
it would be best to render it impossible.

I have been thinking that if the 'cave-dweller'
is not made Provincial and were given the other
office,' it would be well that Fray Antonio should
fill the post of Provincial which he has had before,
for if he had a superior, and especially if he had a
prudent companion, he would do his duty well as
he did when entrusted with the work by the Visitor
of Salamanca. That would deliver him from his
temptation and destroy party spirit (it it exists),
for that is a far greater evil than any tault he might
commit as Provincial. I say this now as I do not
know when I shall be able to write to your Rever-
ence again, considering the fate of these letters.
The present messenger is strongly recommended.

' Probably that of Vicar General or Visitor of the Reform.

TO FATHER DORIA 311

I should like to know the cause of this new
agitation. God grant the people of this district may
cease intriguing. May He proted: your Reverence.
I am tired as I have been writing for a long while.
My health is better than usual here, but my head
is always troublesome. Remember me very kindly
to the Prior of Almodovar' if he is at Seville, and
say I am doing a great deal for his friends and have
taken a dowerless nun for each of them. God grant
he may be grateful. One was brought me by Juan
Vazquez, the other by his friend from Cantalapiedra.
The latter is the postulant who left Veas and who,
they say, is a great friend of his Reverence.

The prioress asks your prayers. We all, especially
myself, pray to our Lord for you : I never forget it.

I cannot help suspedting that you would be glad
to have an excuse for remaining at Seville: if it is
groundless, God forgive me! May His Majesty
make you very holy and preserve you to us for
many years. Amen.

To-day is January 13.

The unworthy servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

* Fray Ambrosio de San Pedro.

CCCXII

Malagon, January 14, 1580'

TO FATHER GRACIAN

Penances performed by the nuns to free Father Gracian.
The future elediions and the Provincial. The ^Interior
Castle'' and ""The Life' Macario, Fray Gabriel^ and
the Duquesa.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity!

[RECEIVED a letter a short time ago from
Dona Juana. She is hoping every day that your
enforced silence will come to an end. God grant
the affairs at Toledo and Medina may be settled
when this letter reaches you. Fray Felipe* is just
what we want; for he has gone from one extreme
to the other, and never speaks to the nuns out of
confession: he is an excellent man. Oh, how the
Medina sisters rejoiced when they heard your silence
was over! You owe a special debt to them. A lay
sister at Malagon took a hundred disciplines on
your behalf: all this ought to help you in doing
great good to souls.

I received the enclosed letter yesterday from
Father Nicolas. I was very glad that they could
manage what he mentions, for I felt anxious
sometimes about Salamanca, though I could think

' Fuente 274. The original belonged to the Carboneras, Madrid, but
is no longer there.

'"* The confessor St. Teresa took to Malagon ; sec Letter of the
jniddle of December 1579.

312

TO FATHER GRACIAN 313

of no better plan. You now have your work clearly
set before you : evidently you should labour more
for your own Order than for those outside it. I
spoke to Father Nicolas at Toledo about some of
the drawbacks to the former course without men-
tioning them all, which did great good. I think
that the Most Reverend [Reverendissimo) will do all
he can in our favour. My only misgiving is lest,
when the Nuncio died, the authority he gave you
may have become invalid. It would be most dan-
gerous to leave so important a question to chance.
Tell me what you think about it, for I can perceive
no other difficulty. Indeed, it seems a favour from
heaven, as Father Nicolas says in his letter, that we
should be allowed to arrange our business among
ourselves. May God, Who has the power, bring it
right.

In case all should not go as we wish, I do not
know whether it would be well for Father Nicolas
to remain at Seville, for our affairs meet with little
support there. True, Velasco would do much: still,
he would lose nothing by being seconded. How-
ever, your Paternity must say nothing on the subjed:,
lest, should our projedl be realized, you should be
accused of having worked to obtain it. Caution is
most necessary to afford people no such opportuni-
ties especially while we are governed by Mathusa-
lem' who is putting great obstacles in the way of
Paul's being placed in any office. But he could do
no less.
Another difficulty occurs to me, which is whether,

■* The Nuncio Sega.

314 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

if this charge'^ were laid upon vou, you could also
be Provincial. But that seems of little moment,
for the first office includes all the rest. Besides,
there would be the great advantage, if Macario^
were Provincial, of his dying in peace, as that is
the cause of his melancholia, and it would put an
end to this party spirit. After all, it would be only
reasonable, as he has already borne the dignity,
and since he would have a superior over him, he
could do no harm. Be kind enough to let me know
your opinion. So far the question only relates to
the future, but were it for to-day, you need feel no
scruple about it.

The enclosed letter from Fray Gabriel will show
what he fancies about me, though I have always
written to him when I could find a messenger. You
see how angry he is. He declares that he saw by
my letters which vou showed him, that I did not
write to him when I could have done so, I should
be very glad if your Paternity's affair had been
settled by the time this letter reaches you,^ so that
you can reply at length.

I forgot to tell you about the Duke.^ On New
Year's Eve, the Duchess sent one of her servants
with the enclosed letter and a private one for myself,
in which she declared thatyour Paternity had stated
that I preferred the Duke to herself. I did not ac-

^ That of Visitor to the Order which St. Teresa was too prudent to
put into words.

'" Fray Antonio. Compare what is said in this letter with the preceding
one. He had been elected provincial at the Chapter of Almodovar in
1 578. His jealousy of Father Gracian grew as time went on.

•* That the Nuncio should allow him to leave his reclusion and permit
him to write letters to the Discalced.

' The Duke and Duchess of Alba.

TO FATHER GRACIAN 315

quiesce, but merely remarked that you told me so
much about his good qualities and of how spiritual
he was, that you must have fancied it. I added that
I loved God alone for His own sake, that I saw no
reason whv I should not love her, and that I owed
more affedlion to her than to the Duke: but I put
it in better words. I think the book she got Father
Medina to copy must have been my large one.*
Will your Paternity tell me all you know about it.
Do not forget, for I should be very glad that the
work should not be lost, and the only other copy
is in the hands of the angels. In my opinion, my
last book surpasses the other : at any rate, I have had
more experience since I composed the first. I have
written twice to the Duke and said much more
than your Paternity asked of me. God protect you,
for if anything would cheer me, it would be to see
Paul. If God wills that I should be deprived of
that relief, well and good: let Him send me cross
upon cross.

Beatriz begs you to pray much for her.

The unworthy and true daughter of your
Paternity,

Teresa de Jesus.

^ Father Medina had copied the Saint's Life of herself from the ori-
ginal then in the hands of the Inquisition. Father Gracian, acting as
confessor to the Duke in his prison at Ubeda, took the MS. with him
to read to the prisoner who was so cheered by the Life and what he
was told about St. Teresa that he forgot all his troubles. ' How I wish
I could go to see her' he exclaimed. He w-as only set at liberty to take
the command of Philip's army in Portugal, and did not meet her. The
Duke took with him to the war a picture of our Lord from St. Teresa
which he boasted afterwards had enabled him to practise mental
prayer while conquering Portugal. The second book mentioned in the
letter is The Interior Castle, the Saint's favourite among her writings.

CCCXIII

Malagon, January 15, 1580*

TO FATHER GRACIAN, ALCALA

Fathers Antonio and Francisco. ProjeBs for the
foundations at Villanueva^ Arenas^ and Madrid,

JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit be with your Paternity,

my Father!

AS 1 have such a reliable messenger as this
lay-brother, I do not like to omit writing these
few lines, though I sent you a long letter yesterday
by Juan Velasquez of Almodovar.

Fray Antonio de la Madre de Dios^'has been at
Malagon and preached us three sermons which I
liked very much. He seems to me an excellent man:
it is a great consolation to number such persons
among our friars. I was grieved at learning of the
death of the good Fray Francisco : ^ may God have
him in heaven.

O my Father! how anxious I feel about the
plan of making a foundation at Villanueva, for I can
find neither prioress nor nuns for it that satisfy me.
That saint of a Sister Isabel* here seems to possess
some of the qualities required, as I told your Pater-

' Fuente 275. The autograph belongs to the mercenarias of Tore.

" Fray Antonio de la Madre de Dios was formerly a Jeronymite.
He joined the Discalced under the influence of the Venerable Anne
of Jesus. He was drowned with three other friars in the Gulf of
Guinea on his way to the missions.

* Fray Francisco, a model of virtue and mortification, died a saintly
death at Baeza.

* Sister Isabel had renounced the Mitigation on Oct. 27, 1579.

316

TO FATHER GRACIAN 317

nity, but as she has always been trained among the
liberties pradiised in that house,^ I feel great mis-
givings about her, besides which, her health is
very bad. Let me know your opinion about her.
Beatriz^ does not appear to me to be all I wish,
though she has governed this convent peacefully.
Now that the cares of this house are over, the other
worries me.

I think that the Flemish nun would suit Arenas.^
She has been perfectly satisfied since her daughters'
affairs were settled, and possesses sterling qualities.
If it is the will of God that we should found a
convent at Madrid, I rely upon Ines de Jesus ^ as
prioress. Pray about these matters, for it is very
important to start well. For charity's sake let me
know your decision. May our Lord protedl you
and make you as great a saint as I desire that you
should be.

To-day is January 15.

Your Paternity's unworthv daughter and
subje(5l,

Teresa de Jesus.

" The convent of the Incarnation.

® Beatriz had been temporary prioress of the convent after Mother
Brianda left.

' Ana de San Pedro.

^ Daughter of Francisco de Cepeda and cousin of St. Teresa.

CCCXIV

Malagon, beginning of February 1580*

TO THE VENERABLE MARIA DE JESUS,'

VEAS

Affc5iionate messages. The foundation at Villanueva.

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your
Charity, my daughter. Had you my weak head
and business affairs, you would have an excuse for
not having written for so long. But as you have
not these pleas, I do not know how I can help
complaining of you and of my dear Sister Catalina
de Jesus, for you certainly owe it to me. If only
I were able, I should write to you so often that
you could not go to sleep.' But though you are so
forgetful of me it is a comfort to know that you
are well and happy and, from what they say, are

' Fuente 278. The autograph of this letter belonged to the Carmel-
ite nuns of Valladolid who kept it exposed for veneration on the altar
of the Saint in their church. It was given by the bishop of that city
to the Carmelite convent, Darlington.

" Nearly the whole of chapter xxi oiThe Foundations is taken up with
the history of Sister Catalina de Jesus and her sister Maria. They were
foundresses of the convent of Veas. Catalina had been miraculously
converted by reading the title on her crucifix and her vocation to
Carmel was supernaturally revealed. She had to wait several years
until her parents died before she became a nun; she was cured of
cancer and a complication of diseases by miracle before leaving the
world. For Maria de Jesus, see letters to her and the nuns of Toledo,
August 1577.

■* In an article in the Bulletin hispanique, 19 17, pp. 265-267, M.
Morel-Fatio states that the sentence should end here, instead of three
words later as in Fuente, so connecting en ohidarme tanto with consuelme
con saber, etc. As St. Teresa did not punctuate her writings, each letter
is formed of a single sentence and it remains with the editors to deter-
mine how the phrases should be divided.

3^8

TO VEN. MARIA DE JESUS 319

serving our Lord faithfully. God grant it is true,
as I pray heartily it may be! I should like to be
able to stay at vour convent and find comfort there
after the toils and trials of many kinds through
which I have passed during the last few years.
Self-indulgence prompts the wish, for on refledlion
I know well that I deserve cross upon cross and
that God shows me great grace in giving me no-
thing else.

The Mother Prioress will have already told you
that I have been ordered to make a foundation* in
a place where I have wished to have a convent for
many years.* I approve of it because people here
have persevered so long in asking for it, that my
superior thinks well of the proje(5l. I am going in
the full assurance that the foundation will render
service to our Lord. Will your Charity pray that
it may and that I may alwavs do His will.
Remember me very kindly to Sisters Catalina de
Jesus, Isabel de Jesus, and Leonora del Salvador.*
I wish that time and my head would permit me to
write longer. But your Charity must not answer
me with a short letter or be surprised if I do not

^ That of Villanueva de la Jara. See Found, xxviii, 7-34.

" M. Morel-Fatio says that instead of, as Fuente gives it adonde ha
muchos anos me defiendo de ella, the phrase should read: adonde a anos
queria ; defiendo de ella, . . .

^ Isabel de jesus (Vozmediana y Salida), a widow of Veas who was
clothed by St. Teresa six months after the foundation of the convent.
Leonor Bautista de Jesus (Perez de Castilejo y Bermudez), professed
at Veas in 1578, was prioress at Veas and Valentia. It was said that
all the nuns she trained became saints. At her death she said that she
heard the angels singing: 'Lastamini in Domino et exultate justi et
gloriamini omnes recti corde.' One of the letters written by St. John
of the Cross is addressed to her. (CEuvres iv, 300, 306.)

32d ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

reply at once. Be sure that I am glad to hear and
that I do not forget to pray to our Lord for you.
May His Majesty make you as holy as I wish you
to be!

Your Charity's unworthy servant,
Teresa de Jesus.

cccxv

Malagon, February i, 1580.

TO MOTHER MARY OF ST. JOSEPH,
PRIORESS OF SEVILLE

Regarding the health and welfare of the Prioress and
her election. The foundation at Villanueva. State of
the convent of Malagon. Money owing to Don Lorenzo.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence, my daughter!

TO-DAY, the eve of our Lady of the Trans-
fixion/ I received letters from your Reverence
and my sisters at Seville. I was greatly pleased,
though I cannot tell why, for in spite of all the
vexation you cause me I cannot help loving you
dearly. I soon forget all your faults, and now that
your community has improved through its recent
trials, I am fonder of it than ever. God be praised
for having brought all your difficulties to so happy
an end!

No doubt your health is better as your daughters
do not lament over it as usual. It is foolish of you

' Fuente 276. The antograph is in the Valladolid collection.
* That is, of the Purification.

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 321

to wear a woollen tunic in the summer. If you
wish to please me, you will take it off directly you
receive this letter, which may be a more severe
mortification for you. As all the nuns know how
necessary it is, they will not be scandalized. Our
Lord will be pleased with you as you do it by my
wish. You cannot ad: otherwise, for I know what
the heat is at Seville, It is better to do this and
follow the community duties than to have such a
number of invalids. This applies to all those whom
you see require it.

I thanked our Lord that the eledion was so
unanimous: ' they say that the Holy Ghost intervenes
in such cases. Rejoice in your trial, and do not let
the devil disturb you by making you dislike your
office. It is amusing of you to say that you would
be glad to know I prayed for you, when not only
have I done so for the last year, but I have made
all the other communities do the same. Perhaps
that is why matters have passed off so satisfadorily.
May His Majesty continue to prosper them!

I foresaw that, as Fray Nicolas was to undertake
the matter, it would be well done. But, shortly
before your Reverence asked for him at Seville and
he was told to go there, you risked spoiling all our
plans, for you only thought of your own house and
he was occupied in matters concerning the whole
Order, which depended on him. God made you as
you are! I should like him to be both at Seville
and Malagon at the same time until so important
a matter is concluded. I heartily wish he could

' All the votes at the election of the prioress had been in favour of
Mary of St. Joseph.

Vol, III. 22

322 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

have come here in time to meet me. Now it cannot
be done, for you must know that live days ago the
Father Vicar sent me a patent to go to Villanueva
de la Jara, near la Roda, to found a convent there.
For the last four years we have been importuned
to do so by the municipal Council of the place,
and other persons, especially the Inquisitor of
Cuenca, formerly fiscal at Seville. I saw many
obstacles in the way, but Fray Antonio de Jesus
and the prior of la Roda visited the spot and took
such adtive measures as to remove all difficulties.
The town is twenty-eight leagues from Malagon.

I should have considered it a great piece of good
fortune if I could have managed to pass through
Seville on my way so as to have met your Reverence
and scolded you to my heart's content — or rather,
talked with you, for doubtless your trials must have
made something of you by now.

God willing, I must return here before Easter,
as my leave of absence only extends to St. Joseph's
day. Tell Father Prior, in case he might be able
to come to see me. I sent him a letter from here
via Madrid. I should have written much more
often to both of you from Malagon, but did not
dare, as I exped:ed the letters would get lost. I was
very glad that those I sent you did not meet with
such a fate, as in one of them I gave you my
opinion about the choice of asubprioress, although
your Reverence knows best what would suit your
community. Yet 1 assure you that it is very un-
fortunate when both prioress and subprioress have
bad health, or when the latter cannot recite
and dired: the choir well: mdeed, it is against the

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 323

Constitutions. What could prevent your sending
which ever nun you chose to the parlour if there
were any business to settle? If you were very ill,
I feel sure that Sister Gabriela would not swerve
from your orders and if you give her authority and
credit, she is virtuous enough to set no bad example,
so that I am glad to see you are inclined to decide
upon her. May God ordain matters as is best.

It is amusing of you to warn me not to believe
everything that San Jeronimo says, after my having
cautioned you against it over and over again. Even
in a letter I sent to Father Garci Alvarez, which
your Reverence tore up, I gave him strong reasons
against trusting her. However, she is a good soul,
though she is not clear-headed, and is not to be
compared to Beatriz, for she errs through want of
understanding, not through malice. However, I
may be mistaken. There will be no risk if you let
her confess to no one but the friars of the Order,
except perhaps occasionally to Father Rodrigo
Alvarez, but tell him my opinion of her first.
Always remember me kindly to him.

I was very glad to learn from the sisters' letters
how fond they are of you, as I think is right.
They amused me, and I was delighted with your
Reverence's letter, which counteracted my disgust
at the one written by San Francisco — a disgust
springing from her apparent want of humility and
obedience. You should try to corred: her: there
is still something she brought from Paterna about
her."* Tell her not to spin out her letters and

* She had been sent to reform the community of Paterna.

324 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

exaggerate so much, for though she thinks her
rhodomontades are not falsehoods, such a style is
far from perfect; she should write frankly, other-
wise she might mislead a superior in a thousand
ways. Tell her this in answer to her letter, and that
when she amends her style I shall be satisfied with
her. But let us try to please this great God, for I
am of little account.

O my daughter! I wish time and the state of my
head would allow me to write at length about all
that happened in your house, for you would gain
by my experience and would even ask God's pardon
for not having informed me of it, for I knew you
were present when certain things took place such
as I dare wager have not been done in the most
relaxed convents in all Spain. A good intention
would excuse some but would not suffice for the
rest. Take warning by it, and keep to the Consti-
tutions, since you are so fond of them, unless you
wish to gain a little with men and to lose with
God. There is not one of the nuns who does not
realize and acknowledge what danger they were
in, except Beatriz de Jesus, who is so fond of the
others that though she understands the evil, she
never told me about it, nor does she speak of it now,
by which she has lost greatly in my estimation.

The former confessor has not heard confessions
here since I came, nor do I think he will. The
public interests require this, for the whole affair
was terrible, though he certainly would be good
under other influence. God forgive her who caused
his dismissal from this house, for both he and the
nuns would have made progress. He recognizes

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 325

that there was good reason for the measures taken,
and came to see me. I am very friendly with him,
as is right, and his frankness pleases me. Much
harm comes from youth and inexperience. O my
Mother ! how malicious the world is; for it puts
a good construction on nothing ! Unless we learn
from the past and are cautious, all will go from
bad to worse. For the love of God, look well to
everything as I shall, and be as shrewd as an old
woman, since you have had such a lesson.

I wonder that you sent me no verses [yillanicos)
for, as usual, a number must have been written to
celebrate the elecftion. I like your nuns to enjoy
themselves in moderation; when I found fault with
it before it was under peculiar circumstances. My
Gabriela is to blame for this omission. Remember
me aifedlionately to her; I should very much like
to write to her.

I am taking Sant Angel as subprioress* and shall
choose a prioress from Toledo: I have not decided
who it will be. You must all pray fervently that
this foundation may render great service to God. I
commend it to the prayers of Beatriz, who is deeply
to be pitied. Margarita's message pleases me, if she
is what she declares. Things will settle down in
time if the two nuns find that you love them.

I am overcome at the thought of all we owe to
the good Prior of las Cuevas: will vou give him a
very warm greeting from me. Tell all the nuns to
pray for me and do so yourself, for I am weary
and very old.

It is no great thing that the Prior should be

* See letter of June i8, 1576.

326 ST. TERESA'S LETTERS

fond of me, for he owes me a heavy debt of
affedtion in return for mine. God preserve him to
us, for we possess a great treasure in him and the
sisters are strid:ly bound to intercede for him. May
His Majesty be with you and have you in His
keeping for my sake. Amen.

I am not sending you the answer given by the
Mother Prioress and Beatriz, because I am tired.

You must know that my brother has written to
me twice since I have been here. He asked me to
acquaint you with his need, which I think surpasses
your own, and to say that you would render him
a signal favour by repaying even half of what you
owe him. His letters cannot be found just at this
moment: I had entrusted them to one of the nuns
to send to your Reverence, to prove that I should
not press you to pay, unless my brother were
pressing me to do so. He has sold a large part of
the yearly interest you give him, and any sum you
could remit would be a great help to him. I would
have let him have some money from Mai agon, but
there is none to spare.

The unworthy servant of your Reverence,
Teresa de Jesus.

The length of this letter will show how I enjoy
writing to you. It is equal to four of those I send
to the prioresses of Castile, and those are rarely
written by my own hand. I was very glad to hear
that the Prior had set your business affairs in such
good order, so that the sum owing to my brother
will not be lost, even though we may be in want
ourselves.

All the nuns here are extremely contented as

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 327

well they may be, having such a prioress. I assure
you that she is one of the best we have, and her
health is good, which is a great thing. The convent
is like paradise. As the funds have been lost, I have
been busy trying to get some work by which the
sisters may earn their living. God grant that may
suffice. At any rate nothing will be squandered,
for the prioress is a splendid manager.

Remember me kindly to Fray Gregorio. How
completely he seems to have forgotten me! My
kind regards to Father Soto^ also: his friendship
has done you a good turn ... so good a one in his
place . . . Your community ought to pray for him.''
He has excellent qualities: I wish he would return
to your neighbourhood for I believe he was good
and faithful . . .

* The new chaplain.

^ These disconnected sentences are taken from the copy in the Na-
tional Library, Madrid. They probably refer to Father Garci-Alvarez,

END OF THE THIRD VOLUME OF

THE LETTERS OF SAINT TERESA TRANSLATED

AND PRINTED BY THE BENEDICTINES OF

STANBROOK ABBEY, A.D. MCMXXII

APPENDIX

'The following is the Spanish of Letter ccxlix.

Fragmentos de la tira larga de Sla. Teresa.

. . . Tenido los descal90s .... los deve. Todas las de
esta casa se le encomiendan mucho. Yo no me espanto
de la santidad que dicen tiene V.P., sino de lo que no lo
esta, segun las ora9iones se an echo por el de gente buena,
que creo lo son estas sus yjas. Mas quales nos a traydo
nuestro Senor con mudan9as de perlados, y a mi con
temores! Yo le digo que . . . todo cansa, y lo otro fuera
descansar. Bendito sea Dios, que asi es servido se pase
la vida. La que \ . P. se da me (es) a mi de arta pena.
Dios se le perdone, que tales dias me a echo pasar con
sus calenturas y escupir sangra, y esta dicen que a mucho.
Yo no se como no me lo a dicho. Yo le digo, mi Padre,
que me tiene tan tentada, que no se como acierto a
decirle buena palabra, porque aun que no . . .

3i8

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