Letter 106. To Father Gracian, at Almodovar del Campo, Toledo, September 6, 1576

Tostado and Olea, The eagles and the butterflies. Illness of the Prioress of Malagon and the dificulty of replacing her,

JESUS Be with your Paternity !

THE messenger has just come for this letter and leaves me very little time, so I shall not say much. Thank God, you have had a safe journey ! I have already written by two couriers, telling you that Peralto' left for Portugal on the Thursday you passed through Toledo. Santelmo ' sent me a and disgraced that no one would take his part and that when the Patriarch of Valencia wished him to testify for the canonization of St. Ignatius Loyola, people asked whether one so infamous could bear witness. When Father Gracian showed him the manuscript, the Patriarch at once accepted his testimony, thus fulfilling St. Teresa's prophecy. This copy of the vow, found among Father Gracian's papers after his death, belongs to the Carmelite nuns of Chichester.

letter to-d.iy, which will he enclosed with this, in which he assures me that we have nothing to fear, as there is no doubt that Matusalem has fully determined to carry out our wish of separating from the eagles, of which he clearly understands the need.

I had an account from Seville to-day of the commotion there about Peralta and the convent, and the publication of Peralta's patents. The rumour has spread throughout the town that the butterflies are to be reduced to submission. Assuredly, God has done what is well: may He be for ever praised !

Father Infante has been to see me. He asked for a letter from me to Paul. I answered that Paul would not be influenced by me and that since Father Infante thought that he had done nothing blameworthy, he had better speak to Paul himself. I do not think he would be so amenable if he had any hopes of Peraltas return.

I have already written to you concerning the Prioress of Malagon. Your Paternity should not leave meto settle so grave a matter. I cannot submit to it, nor can I bring my conscience to disobey your wishes, therefore I beg you to do whatever you think best. Consider who is most suitable for the convent; she must possess more capabilities than are required in a subprioress. I can think of no one except the Prioress of Salamanca. I do not know the sister you mentioned who only entered lately.

Even the nun I suggest would not fill the place of the present prioress at all satisfaftorily. I am very sorry about the affair. Will you pray about it and have vour decision carried out. This is a very unseasonable time for changing nuns from one house to another. May God enlighten us, for necessity has no law.

To-day is Thursday, September 6. There is no time to write to my Father, Fray Antonio, or to say more.

Your Reverence's subjeft and daughter, Teresa de Jesus.