Letter 59. To Don Teutonio de Braganza, Salamanca, Segovia, July 3, 1574

The Saint rejects a title of honour. The foundation at Segovia. Trials of prayer. Father Pedro Hernandez.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Lordship!

(DECLARE that if you address me again by such a title I will not answer your Lordship. I do not know why you wish to infliót on me the pain such titles always give me, although I never felt it so keenly as I have to-day. Inquire of the Father Redtor how to style me; what you wrote is entirely opposed to the spirit of our Order. I am glad to hear that he is in good health, as I was anxious about him. Will you kindly remember me to him.

This seems to me a very unsuitable season in which to begin your cure. God grant it may succeed, as I pray that it may ! May His Majesty also grant a safe journey to your attendants. But I wish you were not so concerned about the matter. How can that benefit your heahh? Oh! If we only realised such truths, how few things on earth would trouble us!

I sent your letters at once and wrote to the Father Rector,' telling him that it was important for the affair to be settled immediately. I owe much to him: he found us a house which we have already purchased, thank God! Will you tell the Father Reílor this. It is a fine, well situated building adjoining the one we are in. It belonged to a gentleman named Diego de Porras. Father Acosta will describe it to you: will you give him my kind regards and say that his novices are better pleased every day, as we are with them. They and all the sisters beg to be remembered in your Lordship's prayers. But how ill-mannered I am to give you such messages! However, your humility leads you to submit to whatever is done to you.

You should take no notice of the temptation to give up prayer and should thank God for your desire of praólising it. Be assured that your will wishes to pray and loves to be in God's presence. Nature complains at the idea of using self-constraint. When you feel oppressed, you should move occasionally to some place where you can

' Luis de Santander.

look at the sky and should walk about for a short time. This will not break off your prayer, and human frailty must be humoured lest nature succumb. We are seeking God by such means since we take them for His sake, and the soul must be led gently. However, in this as in all else, the Father Reótor will know better than I how to advise you.

We are writing to the Father Visitor who is travelling by slow stages, though the important matter is that you should interview him as he will visit your neighbourhood.

I am in good health; God grant that you are and that the cure may benefit you greatly. To-day is the third of July.

Your Lordship's unworthy servant and subjeól, Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.