Letter XXV. To Sister Anna Maria Trievi, a nun in Santa Lucia, Florence

He tdls her how he was not aile to obtain the favour she asked of him.

My DEAREST Niece, — The favour promised you by the F. Procurator of the Company for erection in your church, was on condition that it would meet with the approval of the very reverend F. General But he finds he cannot grant this demand, not only on account of two churches of their order possessing it already in that city, which is enough (in Rome, which is larger than Florence, it exists only in one), but that by conceding it to your church, he would be obliged to do so for others, which have or are about to apply for it, creating thereby a great deal of inconvenience. The alleged reasons being just and reasonable nothing more could be said, or asked of him, who has every reason to refuse it. That is all I have been able to do about this matter, but I would willingly try in any other circumstance to help your monastery, feeling very sorry to have failed in the present instance. Remember me to all the mothers, and recommend me to their prayers, and may our Lord always increase His grace in you all. — Your uncle, Philip Neri.

Rome, May 5, 1595.