Letter 112. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Seville, Toledo, September 20, 1576

Settling a bill. Convent affairs. Father Gradan.

JESUS!

The grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Reverence.

AS I have just finished a longletter to our Father, I have nothing left to say except that I am longing to hear news about you, and that the

Mother Prioress of Malagon is a little better. My brother wishes to know whether you received his letters, one of which contained four rea/es to pay an apothecary living near your convent for some ointment, which I believe Lorenzo bought from him for his leg. If the money did not reach you, pay the bill yourself and write to Lorenzo, who, I fancy, is surprised at not hearingfrom you, although I always deliver your messages to him.

I earnestly beg for the prayers of the whole community. The Prioress will write to your Reverence by the muleteer; I told her to wait thinking that the charge would be less, but more letters have been handed to me than I expefted, so the cost will be heavy.

I should like to hear about my Father, the Prior of the Grottoes and what has been done about the water. May God set things right as He has the power to do, and may He have you all in His keeping for my sake. Remember me very kindly to the sisters. For charity's sake, warn our Father to be cautious. Take care of his health; deduft whatever he costs you from the forty ducats and do not be silly, but do what I tell you. Pay the messengers for the letters and I will settle with you later on. I impress upon the nuns here that they must pray for you but I see that they need no telling.

To-day is the Vigil of St. Matthew. Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.