Letter XXII. To Francis Borgia, Duke of Gandía

Rome, October 9, 1546.

Most illustrious Sir,

The divine goodness has consoled me with the determination which He has imparted to the soul of Your Lordship. May His holy angels and all the holy souls that enjoy Him in heaven give Him infinite thanks; for here on earth we are in no position to thank Him for so great a mercy as that with which He has gratified this least Society of Jesus, by drawing Your Lordship into it. By your entrance I do hope Divine Providence will draw abundant fruit and spiritual good for your own soul, and for countless others that will profit by your good example; and that those of us who are already in the Society will be encouraged to begin anew to serve the Divine Father of families who gives us such a brother, and has selected such a labourer for the cultivation of this His newly planted vine, of which in some measure He has

•86 given me the charge, although entirely unworthy. And so in the name of the Lord I accept and receive Your Lordship from this moment as our brother, and as such my soul will ever entertain towards you the love which is due to him who with so much liberality surrenders himself in the house of God there perfectly to serve Him.

As for the matter that Your Lordship desires to know from me, concerning the time and manner of your entrance, I answer that having prayed much to the Lord, both myself and others, it seems to me that, in order the better to fulfil all obligations, this change must be made slowly and with great consideration, with a view to the greater glory of God Our Lord. Hence it might be well to set about settling affairs where you are in such a manner that, without making known your intention to any secular person, you may soon find yourself free to carry out that which you so much desire in the Lord.

To explain my meaning more in detail I recommend that since the young ladies are already of an age to be settled in their own homes, Your Lordship should see to their being honourably married, according to their birth and station; and if there is a suitable opportunity, let the Marquis marry as well. As to the other sons, do not merely leave to them the aid and protection of their eldest brother, to whom the estate will go, but in addition to this let sufficient provision be set aside to enable them to pass fittingly to a principal University, that they may continue those studies of which they have laid such good foundations. For it is to be hoped that his Majesty the Emperor, should they turn out as they ought, and I trust they will, will extend to them the favour which your services have merited, and of which his constant affection for you gives promise.

The buildings begun must be actively proceeded with, for I desire that all your affairs may be completed by the time when it will be to the service of Our Lord that the change in your life may be made public.

Whilst these affairs are being concluded, since Your Lordship is sufficiently well grounded in the rudiments of letters to be able to build up on them sacred theology, it is my wish, and I hope this will be to the service of God, that you should pay very special attention to theology,* and if it were possible, I should like you to take the degree of Doctor of theology in the University of Gandia, but this very secretly at present (for the world has not ears to hear such a crash), until time and circumstances, with the help of God, give us entire liberty.

And as it will be possible to meet day by day any other matters that may occur, I will say no more in this letter than that I shall expect to hear frequently from Your Lordship. I, too, will write frequently, and will beseech the divine aid arid sovereign goodness to carry further by His help and grace the mercies begun in the soul of Your Lordship.

From Rome, etc.