Letter 123. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Toledo, about the middle of October, 1576

The general confession. Don Lorenzo and Tere sit a. The tunny from Malagon. Illness of the prioress of that convent. Marriage of Doña Tomar, Father Gradan his work and health, Financial affairs,

JESUS !

My daughter, may the Holy Ghost be with your Reverence.

1HAVE already answered your letters which came safely by the courier. Though they give me great pleasure I am distressed at hearing of your ailment. For charity's sake, let me know soon how you are, and tell me about our Father. I envy your having made a general confession to him, but I see that you have not so many sins to confess as I have or you would not have made it so easily. Praised be God Who loves us all !

My brother tells me in a letter received from him to-day that he has written to you dired:ing someone at Avila to withdraw the third part of the sum he lent you, in order to purchase his estate. The sisters of St. Joseph's have not come out of the affair badly. Teresa is writing to you; her Agnus Dei and rings have been found, thank God. I felt anxious about them at first. I am well. As it is nearly one o'clock, I will say no more.

I should like to have news of my good Prior of the Grottoes. Last week the nuns of Malagon sent us the tunny which was quite fresh and a very fine one; it was delicious.

I have not missed fasting for a single day since the feast of the Cross : see how well I am ! Our Prioress of Malagon wrote telling me that she was better but she does that, the saint ! so as not to grieve me, for her improvement means nothing. A letter came from her to-day saying that she is very ill and has a great loathing for food which is the worst thing possible in her state of extreme weakness. We pray fervently for her, but my sins stand in the way. I see that I need not ask you to intercede also; I beg prayers for her in all directions.

Doña Yomar was married to-day. She is very glad that you are well; Doña Luisa is pleased also and has never been so affeflionate to me ; she watches carefully over my health which is no small boon. Pray for them both; it is a debt you owe them. Remember me very kindly indeed to all the sisters.

I am very much preoccupied about the priories of which our Father has charge. I have already offered up the Discalced Carmehte nuns, and I gladly offer myself with them, for his success. I tell him that I am very sorry for him and he answers that you take care of him. God watch over you for me ! For charity's sake, warn our Father not to take any meals in these fathers' houses. I do not know why he goes there unless it is to terrify us all.

I have already told your Reverence to defray the cost of what you spend on him out of the money sent you from St. Joseph's. It would be folly to do otherwise, for I know what I am about. In that way you will gradually pay off your debt without noticing it, so keep to this plan.

Let the good subprioress keep an account of the cost; (I should not be surprised if she made a note of the water that was used). Ask her to note the expenses, and give most affeólionate messages from me to my Gabriela. God be with the community.

Lose no time in sending the sister's money and all you can get together to the man of whom you bought the house; this will prevent your having to pay such heavy interest, which is a very bad thing, as though they do not wish it. . .