Letter 124. To Father Gracian, Seville, Toledo, October 31, 1576

The Book of Foundations. Father Olccis postulant, The anniversary of the Saint's clothing.

JESUS! May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Paternity.

THE Book of Foundations is nearly finished/ I think you will like reading it for it is very savoury. Am I not obeying perfeótly? Whenever I receive a command I imagine that I possess this virtue, for if told in joke to do anything, I try to do it seriously and I prefer a set task to these letters, the worry of which is killing me. I do not know how I found time to write the book, yet I had some to spare for Joseph Who gives me strength for all.

I am fasting also, for the cold here is less severe and does not injure me so much as elsewhere. Of your charity give my very kind regards to Fray Antonio, but it would be better to conceal from him as far as possible how much more often I write to you than to him. Perhaps I shall be able to manage a note for him now.

If Santelmo' were to take the rejedtion of his postulant in the same way as Nicolas does, it would not cost me so dear. I assure you that I do not know what to say about it. We cannot succeed in becoming saints in this life. If you only knew the reasons there are for taking Nicolas' protegee, and how Santelmo treats the Prioress! Would to God, my Father, that we needed nothing from any one but Him. At any rate, Santelmo will get little from me, for if the world were to come to an end I would not a¿l against my conscience as I am convinced that I should be doing if I admitted the girl, who he owns is no more to him than any one he passes in the street. What a life he leads us, and what would it be if he were interested in her? I dread the day when I may be asked to receive a person connected with him. Father Mariano cannot recover from his astonishment, and as I believe he is going to write to you on the subjed:, I have explained the matter to you lest it should worry you. He has done more than he ought for Santelmo, who will come to understand the truth in time: if not, it is of little consequence.

My only consolation is in my trust that God will watch over you for me and will grant you good health.

To-day is All Hallows' eve. I took the habit on All Souls' Day. Will your Paternity ask God to make me a true nun of Carmel, for 'better late than never.'

Remember me kindly to the Fiscal, to Father Acosta, and to the Reélor.

The unworthy and loyal subjed: of your Paternity as, thank God, I always shall be, come what may!

Teresa de Jesus.