Letter 18. To Dona Ana de Penalosa He Informs Her of His Recent Illness

JESUS

Be in your soul, my daughter. I have received here in Penuela the letter brought me by your servant, and 1 prize exceedingly the kindness thus shown to me. I am *oing to-morrow to Ubeda, for the cure of a feverish ittack, which, having hung about me for more than a week past, makes me think I require medical treatment. It is my desire, however, to return here immediately, as I find great good in this holy solitude. As to the advice you give me not to go with F. Antony, be assured that in this, as in all other matters of the kind, I will be careful. I rejoice greatly to hear that Don Luis is now a priest of God ; may he be so for many a year, and may His Majesty fulfil all the desires of his soul. Oh, what a blessed state for casting away all solicitude, and speedily enriching his soul ! Congratulate him from me. I dare not venture to ask him to remember me, some day, in the mass, though I, as in duty bound, shall always remember him ; for never shall I, how forgetful soever I be, fail to recollect him, closely bound as he is with the sister whom I ever bear in my memory. I salute my daughter Dona Inez very heartily in our Lord ; and I beg both brother and sister to pray God for me, that He will be pleased to prepare me and take me to Himself.

Now I remember nothing further that I have to write to you, and besides, the fever will not suffer me to add any more. But for this, gladly would I write at much greater length.

FR. JOHN OF THE CROSS.

From PENUELA: Sept. 21, 1591.