Letter 138. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Toledo, November 26, 1576

Isabel, Father Gradan s little sister takes the habita The Discalced nuns take charge of the convent of Paterna. Incompetent directors, The 'Jesuits of Seville, The Prioress of Ma I agon.

Jesus be with you, my daughter.

I RECEIVED two letters from you, together with our Father's, on the feast of the Presentation of our Lady. Never omit telling me any news on the ground that our Father will inform me of it; he does not do so. Indeed, I am surprised at his writing as much as he does, considering the work he has on hand. I did not receive the letters you say you sent via Madrid containing an account or memorandum of the recent disturbances. I do not think any of mine have been lost except the first packet in which I told you my little Isabelita has been clothed and how I enjoyed seeing her mother. The parcel included letters from the prioress and sisters with some petitions addressed to our Father. As he has not answered, I fear they have gone astray. Let me know the first time you write.

I told you in my letter that when I laughingly asked my Isabelita whether she was betrothed, she answered very gravely that she was. I said: 'To whom.f' She replied unhesitatingly: To our Lord Jesus Christ.'

I felt very envious of our sisters who went to Paterna — not because they travelled with our Father, for I forgot that when I saw that they were going there to suffer.' God grant this may be a beginning of His making use of us. The community there is so small that I think our nuns will have little to endure, unless perhaps from hunger as they tell me they have nothing to eat. Send them the enclosed letter with great precautions and forward any you receive from them to me, so that I may see how they are getting on. Write to them constantly, and encourage and advise them. It is a great trial for them to be so isolated.

I think that until their number increases they ought on no account to sing any part of the Divine Office, as it would not improve our reputation. I am very glad that Garci Alvarez' relations have good voices. They must be received with the small dowries they possess as so few religious arc left in your convent.

I am amazed at such foolishness as thinking that the confessor is to choose any one he likes to take his place. What a custom to introduce! Not having seen our Father's written directions, I can say nothing about them. I thought of writing to tell Garci Alvarez to set aside these 'masters of spirituality' when a nun requires advice upon any point and to allow the sisters to consult learned theologians, such as freed me from many difficulties. I am not astonished at the nuns' having suffered much, as I suffered severely myself from being told by incompetent advisers that I was misled by the devil.' I will write to Garci Alvarez and will send you the letter unsealed so that you may sec what I say, and may show it to Father Prior of las Cuevas.

■ Life, XXV and passim. The following is the written instruction mentioned in the Saint's letter; it is contained in a note addressed by Father Gracian to Mary of St. Joseph. Tell his Reverence (Garci Alvarez) from me that, by the advice of the most grave and learned theologians of Castile and of the Mother Teresa of Jesus, I have ordered that there shall be four or five priests named by us for each convent whom the nuns can consult, and that the prioress is to allow no one else to advise or confess the sisters ... It is no novelty to limit the number and consider the qualifications of confessors, as the Council of Trent declares that they are to be chosen to perform that duty three times a year . . . As, in our Order, the friars do not hear the nuns' confessions because they avoid intercourse with women, it is necessary that superiors should be very careful as to who act as the nuns' confessors.' (From the Letters of St. Teresa, vol. ii, p. 315, Castro and Palomino's edition.)

I think your best plan would be to discuss the matter with Father Acosta if possible. Read the enclosed letter and forward it to him. It would be no small thing if the Father Reólor of Seville took charge of you as he says he would like to do; he would be a great help in many ways. But these fathers wish people to obey them; this you would have to do, and although their diredlion does not always quite suit us, we must overlook that because it is very important to keep on good terms with them. Think of some questions about which you might consult them — it pleases them, which is quite right, for when they undertake a charge they do it thoroughly, as is their custom in whatever they do. This would be a great advantage for your small community, as when our Father comes to Castile you will be quite forlorn.

I should never even have thought of insisting on your receiving Señor Nicolas' candidate had it not been that you seemed so much in want of money. If the thousand ducats of Garci Alvarez' relations are in ready money, it is satisfadiory. However, it would be well for them to wait a little; but in my opinion, they need not be refused on a question of dowry.

I am amused at the plan of sending me to the Indies: God forgive these people! However, it is best for them to make so many accusations at once, as no one will believe them.

I have already told you not to send the money to my brother until he writes for it. Try to persuade our Father to follow Acosta's advice regarding the Jesuit father who is about to become Reilor. Father Salazar, who is now at Toledo, is going to live at Granada: he tells me that he may perhaps pass through Seville. 1 recommended him to speak to the Provincial of that distrid:. If he visits you, be very polite to him and ask him whatever you want to know, as you can do freely for he is much experienced in these matters.

Thank God, the Prioress of Malagon is better ! I feel far more hopeful about her as a doctor has told me she may live if the wound is not in her lungs. God grant she may, for He sees our need of her. Continue to pray for that intention. And now, remember me very kindly to all the sisters and abide with God, for I have many letters to write yet. Some other day I will write to the Prior of las Cuevas, for I am extremely glad his health is better. May God preserve him to us and you also, my daughter. You did not tell me whether you were well : I feel anxious about you. Give my kind regards to Delgado and the rest. To-day is November 26. Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

Always be sure to let me know about Fray Antonio. Remember me kindly to Fray Gregorio and Fray Bartolomé. I thank our Lord heartily for what our Father is doing: may God grant him health. I trust in Him that my daughters will pray fervently for the success of his work,