Letter 125. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Toledo, October 31, 1576

The Saint's anxiety about her letters to Father Gradan, Don Lorenzo, Illness of the Prioress of Malagon,

Jesus be with your Reverence, my daughter.

FOR the love of God, find out whether our Father has received any letters from me, for although I rarely fail to write to you together, yet in one I received from him to-day, dated Oélober 22, he says that it is a long while since he heard from me, though I write very frequently. Among the rest, I sent him a long letter by the muleteer which I should not like to be intercepted; its loss would not matter so much. Perhaps it was left in the house of the head-courier of Seville. Letters are always despatched from here in safe hands. Your Reverence would do well to enquire at the courier's from time to time whether there are any letters for you.

Before I forget, I must tell you that the large Agnus Dei and the rings have been found. Every one is well at Avila as you will see by the letters I enclose. My brother says he was delighted to get yours which made him laugh very much; he took them to St. Joseph's. He will write to you another day; his affedlion for yuu is very strong and I assure you that mine is not weak. He tells me that Father Nicolas will do much for you and will hear your confessions, which is a very good thing. Be nice to him and let me know about your health — no evasions, but the truth. As for the Prioress of Malagon, I can only say that she is very ill. They spoke of bringing her here, but the doctor says she would only die the sooner, for this world can neither cause nor cure the malady. I caution you again not to let any one drink sarsaparilla water: I have insisted upon this both to Father Garci Alvarez and to our Father. Give me details of all that is going on, and explain why you do not give our Father meat every now and then. Abide with God. As I wrote to you a short time ago, I have nothing more to say except to send affecflionate greetings to all the sisters.

To-day is All Hallows' Eve. Your Reverence's servant, Teresa de Jesus.