Letter 78. To Doña Juana de Ahumada, Alba de Tormes, Seville, August 12, 1575

Arrival of their two brothers at San Lucar. Death of ferome de Cepeda and of Don Lorenzo's wife. Father Gradan nominated Provincial.

JESUS!

MAY the grace of the Holy Ghost be with you, my triend, and may you enjoy the society of your brothers who (glory be to God!) are already at San Lucar. They wrote here to-day to Canon Cueva y Castilla, asking him to tell the news to Señor Juan de Ovalle at Alba and to me at Avila, where they believe J am. I think they will be very glad to lind me here.

However, the joys of this life are always accompanied by troubles lest we should go crazy with joy. You must know that the good Jerome de Cepeda died like a saint at Nombre de Dios. Pedro de Ahumada has arrived with Lorenzo, who they tell me has lost his wite. Yet we must not grieve for that. I know what kind of life she has led: she has pradlised prayer for a long time past and, from what I hear, her death was the wonder of all who witnessed it. One of the three boys Lorenzo was to have brought home with Teresita is also dead. Glory be to God, the rest have reached Spain safe and sound. I am writing to them to-day and sending them some little things.

TO DOÑA JUANA DE AHUMADA 2 1 5

People tell me they will be here in two or three days. I am glad to think how pleased thev will be at finding me so near. I wonder at the way God a¿ts and at how He has brought them to me when they seemed so far away. I am writing to-day to Father Gracian at Madrid and send this letter by the same bearer, who is very trustworthy, so that you may know the news at once. Do not mourn for him who is in heaven, but thank God for bringing us the others.

It seems best that Señor Juan de Ovalle should defer starting until I have seen my brother, as the weather is extremely warm and it is uncertain whether Lorenzo will be detained here on business for a time. If so, he might like you to come with your husband and to return with him. 1 will write again soon and will tell Lorenzo that it was I who prevented your coming. Meanwhile the weather will have become cooler. Remember me kindly to Señor Juan de Ovalle and ask him to consider this letter as addressed to him.

I must also tell you that Father Gracian has been appointed Superior over all the Discalced friars and nuns ot Andalusia: no better thing could have happened for us. All that Señor Gaytan has said to you about him is true. Give the latter many kind messages from me and ask him to look upon this note as written to him, for I can write no more. Remember me aífeótionately to the Mother Prioress and all the sisters, to whose prayers I earnestly commend myself. Call on the Señora Marquesa for me and tell her that I am well, also give Señora Doña Mayor the welcome news of the arrival of Pedro de Ahumada, who 1 fancy was very devoted to her. Give them all very kind messages, also send the news to the Mother Prioress of Salamanca, announcing that God has taken to Himself another of her sisters. May His Majesty have you in His keeping, my friend ! I promise to write telling you in detail what reason you have for being at peace and happy.

To-day is August 12. I dated the enclosed letter (which I beg you to forward) the tenth, yet I believe to-day, the feast of St. Clare, is the twelfth.

If Father Gracian should visit your neighbourhood, I should take any kindness or good-will you showed him as a personal favour. Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

LXXXII

Prefatory note In the beginning of November, Father Gracian consulted St. Teresa as to how he should exercise the powers given him by the Brief of August 3 of visiting the Mitigated friars of Andalusia. They agreed that instead of insisting on his rights, he should meet them rather as a brother than as a master. 'Take courage, Father,' she said: 'if you do this, all will be well.' Father Gracian felt bound to ask the advice of the senior friars, though convinced that they would follow her decision. He represented to them that the decrees of the Chapter of Piacenza had just been published in Spain and that the Visitation of Tostado, the General's delegate, was awaited by the houses of the Order. Should not he limit himself to visiting the Discalced and acquainting the Calced with the powers given him by King and Nuncio, giving them a copy of the brief if they wished for it ? Father Antonio opposed Father Gracian's opinion ; the friars were undecided, when Mariano arose and made a vehement speech, declaring that this was the time for war, not peace; the Mitigated must be forced to receive the King's Visitor and punished if they resisted ; and that if the General accused the Reformed of rebellion, they must suffer the calumny for justice' sake. The assembly, swayed by Mariano's eloquence, gave him all their votes, and Father Gracian submitted to their decision.