Letter 57. To Antonio Gaytan, Salamanca, Segovia, beginning of June, 1574

Advice about prayer. The foundation at Segovia.

JESUS! May the Holy Spirit be with you, my son!

1AM not lucky enough to have time to write you a long letter as I am sure I wish that I could. I am delighted to hear from you and learn how God bestows greater blessings on you every day. He is rewarding you for what you did for us here.

Do not tire your brain by trying to work it during meditation. I have often told you what to do; perhaps you may remember. It is a higher grace from God that you should continually praise Him and wish that others should do so too, and a striking proof that your mind is fixed on Him. May He be pleased to teach us both how to repay part of what we owe Him and may He give us much to suffer for Him — if only from fleas, ghosts, and bad roads/

Antonio Sanchez was ready to let the house without further discussion, but what were you and Father Julian thinking about when you wanted to buy such a place? It was fortunate that the owner would not sell it. We are about to purchase one near St. Francis' church, in the Calle Real, the best of the suburbs and near the market.' It is a very good house. Will you kindly pray about it. I am better — I was about to say I am well, for to have nothing beyond my usual ailments is very good health for me. May God give you good health and have you in His keeping for us! Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

' This was no doubt a reminiscence of the journey on which Antonio Gayton and Julian de Avila had accompanied St. Teresa to Segovia.