Letter 119. To Fray Ambrosio Mariano, Madrid, Toledo, about the middle of October 1576

On titles. Doings of the C a Iced Carme lites and projects of the Discalced.

JESUS!

MAY the Holy Ghost be with your Reverence, and repay you for the excellent news about the health of our good Father, the Señor Licentiate Padilla. May God preserve his life for many a year.

Are you endowing me with the titles of Reverend' and 'Dame'? God forgive you! It would seem that you and I have turned Calced Carmelites. I am charmed at the friendship of his Reverence who went to ask you for your influence; he had spoken to me on the subjed: at Avila. May God grant him better success ! Well, there are twelve hours in the day; perhaps he has changed.

You must know that I have been told, and it is the faél, that Tostado has sent a courier to Toledo with letters for the Provincial' who wishes to send a friar to Madrid ; they seem very busy. I am sorry that Father Buenaventura is coming here and compromising all the good he has done in his enterprise/ If he triumphs over the disturbances they are making, every one will say that God has helped him. You do not mention how the late outbreaks were punished. Oh Jesus, what things dost Thou permit !

I should dearly like to see you take that little house ; the rest will come later on, if God so wills. Ah! I do not wish to see as much as the walls of the houses of those who bear so little love for us ! As I said, our affairs will be settled if you get a letter from the Nuncio. My Father, let us do all we can to hasten matters; forward the plan of getting a separate province if you are able for we do not know what may happen later on, and there is nothing to be lost by it but much to be gained. Of your charity let me know if you hear any news of our Father, for I am very anxious. Remember me kindly to the Sr. Licentiate Padilla and to Fray Baltasar The prioress sends the same message to them and to yourself. I am glad the good Father is at Madrid: God be ever with him and with your Reverence.

Your Reverence's unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.