Letter 114. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Toledo, September 26, 1576

The daughter of the Portuguese. Fathers Gradan and Mariano, Kindness received from Garci Alvarez. The nuns at Caravaca.

Jesus be with your Reverence.

THE messenger is in such a hurry that I have only time to tell you that I am well and that Father Mariano arrived very late yesterday evening. I was glad to hear from you; thank God, your health is good.

Do not take the daughter of the Portuguese — or whoever he may be — unless he first deposits in the hands of some friend the sum which she will have to bring; I have learnt that we should not have a farthing and this is not the time to take a nun without a dowry. Be sure that you follow my advice.

Give the enclosed letters to our Father Provincial yourself and tell him not to be anxious. Father Mariano and I are taking charge of the matter of which they speak and if there is any way of setting things right we shall negled: no means in our power. You must also inform him that these letters had been written and the good Alonso Ruiz had started for Madrid when Father Mariano called here. I was delighted to see him and to hear that God is so dirediing matters that the fathers left of their own accord before being dismissed.

For charity s sake, write soon and give me full particulars of what is happening. Do not trust to our Father doing so; he has no time. Give Señor Garci Alvarez my kindest regards. How I wish I could meet him ! But what an impossible wish this seems. God reward him for the services he rendered us in every way; may His Majesty proteft was deposed from her office and went to Cuerva, Blanca returned to Seville. She was ultimately recalled to Lisbon, became prioress, and died in 1638. {(Euvres, iv, 317.)

him and our good Prior for whom we have prayed fervently. I am glad the latter is a little better; tell me about his health and about our Father for whom I heartily wish Father Mariano had waited.

I beg my daughters to pray for me; as for you, my friend, abide with God. The sisters at Caravaca have been ill; they say they have written to you. They are better off now and are buying a house. I do not send you their letter because I have not answered it yet. I was pleased with the note from Veas and the rosary beads from Father Gregorio; I will write to him. The Mother Prioress of Malagon is extremely ill.

I believe to-day is September 26. Yours,

Teresa de Jesus. The year 1576.