Letter (number unidentified). To Cristobal Rodriguez de Moya, Avila, June 28, 1568

An answer to his proposal offound'mg a convent at Segura de la Sierra, Murcia, which his daughters were to enter. Praise of the Jesuits.

OUR Lord has brought into our convents persons who fill me with admiration and who put me to the blush. Indeed, we are bound to choose those given to prayer and suited to our life, for no one else can be admitted. As a rule, God gives them such contentment and joy that the place seems a paradise to them. There are many people who, if you met them, could testify to this, particularly some of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus who have been staying here, who, knowing me, could give personal evidence. They are my fathers, and it is to them, after our Lord, that my soul owes all the good it possesses, if it possesses any good at all.

One reason that attracted me to your daughters was that I knew they had been trained by these fathers, which is an additional motive for obliging you. I do not care to admit all devout persons to our communities, but only those directed by these fathers. Nearly all the nuns indeed, for the moment I cannot remember an exception) have been their spiritual daughters, for such suit us best. As it was the priests of the Society who guided my soul, God has favoured me by implanting their spirit in our convents. If their Rules are known to you, you would recognise that we conform to many of them in our Constitutions which I drew up in virtue of a Bull from the Holy Father. Later on, when our Reverend Father General passed through Avila, he approved of them, and ordered that they should be observed in all the houses founded by me, that the fathers ot the Society should preach in our convents, and that no Superior should be able to prevent it. They were also to hear our confessions if they chose. However, one of their Constitutions forbids this except occasionally, although they talk to us, advise us, and do us great good. Like your daughters, I wished to put this community under their dire(ilion and have endeavoured to do so, but I have learnt for certain that they will take the charge of no convent, were it even that of the princess, or they would have had the charge of many in this kingdom, so that it has been impossible to carry out my plan. Thank God, no other Order is so free to address itself to them and we shall never forego this right, nor can it be taken from us.

Now, by the grace of God, houses of friars following the primitive Rule like ourselves are being founded in prayer and penance, and as our Very Reverend Father General has given leave for them, we shall be placed under their jurisdiólion.

Seculars and friars are very anxious to join them and there are more than enough houses. However, if I learn that one can be built in your neighbourhood I shall perhaps found a community there, as I have both the power and letters patent for the purpose. Convents founded by me must be subjeil solely to the General and to the persons whom he may appoint. The great thing is that by God's help, the communities should always maintain their perfection. Believe me, I feel so strongly about relaxed houses where prayer is not practised that I have neglected no means of safeguarding what has been begun.

For love of our Lord, I ask you and your daughters not to forget me in your prayers. You must take all possible precautions in this matter. If it will render glory to God, let it be done: if not, prevent it. That will be the rule we shall follow here. . .