Letter 54. To Fray Domingo Bañez, Valladolid, Segovia, end of May, 1574

Cotjcerning a postulant he had sent to the Saint. Praise of Father Melchior Cam. Spiritual advice.

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence and in my soul!

JESUS!

WE need not wonder at anything being done for the love of God when my love for Father Domingo makes me think that whatever seems right to him must be right, and wish for whatever he wishes. I do not know where this bewitchment will lead me.

We are pleased with your Parda. Ever since her entrance she has been so beside herself with joy that we thank God for it. 1 do not think I shall have the heart to leave her as a lay-sister after the transformation your Reverence has wrought in her, so I am having her taught to read and we shall decide when we see the results.

My soul understood hers even before we spoke to one another, and ever since her entrance one of the nuns has not been able to interrupt the prayer that Parda taught her to praólise. Believe me, my Father, I am delighted whenever I accept any one who brings nothing with her and whom I receive simply for the love of God. When I meet girls who have had to give up their vocation for want of a dowry, I recognise that God is doing me a special favour by enabling me to help them. It would be a great joy to me if all the nuns had been in the same case. I never remember having refused any one because she was penniless if I was satisfied with her otherwise.

I am particularly glad that God honours you so highly by employing you in such work, and glad also that this young girl has entered. You have become the father of the helpless, and I so rejoice at the charity with which He has inspired you that I shall do my utmost to assist you in all good deeds of the kind. How the person wept who brought Parda! I thought her tears would never cease flowing. I cannot imagine why you sent her here. The Father Visitor has given leave for the postulant's reception. This is his first kindness and, God willing, he will show us more. Perhaps I could admit the weeper into some other house if you are satisfied with her, for the community at Segovia is too large already.

Parda has found a kind father in your Reverence. She says she can hardly believe she is here; her joy makes one praise God. I have thanked Him. I had a visit from your grand-nephew who came with Doña Beatriz. 1 was delighted to meet him. Why did you not tell me he was coming?

I like your postulant all the better for her having lived with my saintly friend. Her sister has written making me all manner of kind oifers; I assure you that it touched me deeply. I seem to love my friend now far better than when she was alive.

Of course you know that a vote was given for you as Prior of San Esteban ;" the rest of the votes were in favour of the present Prior. The unanimity of the fathers made a very good impression on me.

I met a member of your Order yesterday named Fray Melchior Cano. I told him that if there were many like him among the Dominicans you might build houses for contemplatives.

I have written to Avila, lest those who are anxious to make the foundation should lose heart if the funds were not forthcoming. I long to have the building begun. Why did you not tell me what you had done? May God make you as holy as I hope you may become! I wish to speak to yoa some day about your fears: your unwillingness to believe me shows little humility. Father Melchior aóts more humbly, for, though I only spoke to him once at Avila he says that I did him a great deal of good and he never forgets me for a single hour. Oh, what a mind he has and what a soul God owns in him ! He was a great consolation to me. But I seem to have nothing to talk to you about except other people's spirituality. Abide with God, and ask Him to give me such spirituality that I may never go against His will. It is Sunday evening. Your Reverence's daughter and servant,

Teresa de Jesus.