Letter 105. To Father Gracian at Almodovar del Campo, Toledo, September 5, 1576

Opposition of the Caked friars. The Saint wishes some Discalced fathers to be sent to Rome to defend the Reform. Difficulty of forwarding letters safely. Precautions,

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Paternity !

I told you that Father Tostado left for Portugal on the day you reached Toledo; that Father Infante and another Andalusian preacher were awaiting him and that they had sent express to Madrid to announce the news. God be praised for having so ordained!

You must know that the members of the council refuse to give permission as there is need of stronger evidence on our side, but if they see an approbation written by the Nuncio himself, they will give theirs without further discussion. This was told by a friendly counsellor to Don Pedro Gonzalez. Will your Paternity let me know, by the fathers returning from the chapter, what course you intend to adopt. It would be well to consult some one at Court, such as the duke or others. I suspeft that the Nuncio was prevented by letters from Rome from giving us the licences which I believe he would willingly have granted Fray Antonio.' I have been thinking that if the Calced friars give a false account to the Pope and no one is there to refute them, they will obtain all the Briefs they desire against us. Therefore I consider it most important that some of our friars should be there, as the Romans, seeing what manner of life they lead, will realize that our enemies are aftuated by passion. Until this is done, I believe that we shall be helpless. Besides, our friars might bring back a licence to found more houses. Believe me, it is a great thing to be prepared for whatever may happen.

I am writing this letter in a hurry, so that I can only say that all the sisters recommend themselves to your prayers as I do to the prayers of all my fathers, especially to Father Prior of our Lady of Remedies — although I am annoyed with him. I should like to know whether Father Mariano has joined you yet. God proted: your Paternity and uphold you with His hand! Amen. I am very glad to see such fine weather for your journey. Do not forget to tell me the name of the bishop', your father's servant to whom I am to address my letters at Madrid. Be sure to remember that, how they are to be directed, and whether he is a person to whom one can send the cost of porterage. To-day is the fifth of September.

We are all in good health and I exped: it will be delightful to be able to write so easily to your Paternity from here.

Your Paternity's unworthy subjeét and daughter, Teresa de Jesus. Take care, my Father, not to lose the paper I gave you, which you said was to be kept in a case; but that is not being done. I should like you to carry a copy in your travelling bag for it would be most unfortunate if the manuscript were lost.