Letter (number unidentified). To Doña Inés Nieto, at Madrid, Valladolid, December 28, 1568

On the admission of a postulant into the recently founded convent at Valladolid.

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

ALTHOUGH I have not written before, you may be sure that I have not forgotten you in my poor prayers to our Lord and that I shared your happiness. May He permit you to enjoy it in His service for many years for I hope your happiness will not impede this service, whatever obstacles may arise. For the so-called goods of this miserable life are impediments, and your having spent your past years for God will have repaid you by teaching you to estimate things rightly and so to care nothing for what is fleeting.

As the prioress here has had several interviews with Señora Isabel de Cordoba, whom she considers very devout, I managed to see the señora myself. She says that she is nearly related to Señor Albornoz which is the reason I wished her to enter here. But as this convent is still unfinished and was founded by Doña Maria de Mendoza, a postulant whom we received must bring a dowry with her. Señora Isabel told me that Señor Albornoz had promised to help her if she became a nun, and I replied that I thought he would be all the more pleased to do so if she entered here. I could not, even if I wished, admit those without a portion on account of Doña Maria and the nuns. The community is small and very poor, and as many persons wish to join it, I should injure the convent by preventing the admission of postulants with money.

Señora Isabel told me that she owned some property but the lawyers declare that it cannot be sold. Were there any means of arranging its sale, I would do my best about her entry even though she brought less than others might, for I wish to oblige you and Señor Albornoz, as indeed I ought. I ask him to remember me in his prayers, as I, miserable wretch as I am, remember you in mine.

May our Lord repay you on my behalf for the statue! You awed it to me. Please keep it very carefully until I ask for it when I have a more settled home in some convent where I can enjoy it — and do not forget me in your prayers.

May our Lord grant you all the graces I ask for you! Amen. This is Holy Innocents' day. Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.