Letter 143. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Toledo, December 3, 1576

Father Gradan s visitation. The nuns at Paterna. Private affairs.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence, my daughter.

1SENT an answer a few days ago to your letters which are never as frequent as mine. You have not told me the order in which our Father is making his visitation: do so, for charity's sake. God grant he succeeded with the plan which, he informed me, was the one adopted by the archiepiscopal visitor as well as that of his Paternity for his nuns, for it would do great good. His zeal is so pure that God cannot but help him.

I am longing to hear about my daughters at Paterna. I think they will do well, and since the news has come, as our Father will tell you, that Tostado is not to be permitted to make visitations, the convent at Paterna will not be the only one reformed by Discalced nuns. God keep our Father! What is happening seems miraculous.

I was much pleased with the paper he wrote to be forwarded to Garci Alvarez; there is nothing more to be said.

I did not know who was to be made rcftur. Cod grant that whoever it is may be of the same mind as Father Acosta. I will say no more as I have learnt nothing since I wrote a few days ago, nor have I had news about the Prioress of Malagon. They said she was better. I can tell you nothing more about Alonso Ruiz, who had a relapse; had he died I think that I should have heard of it.

Remember me affectionately to all my daughters and abide with God, for I have no more to say. I enclose a letter giving you news of your Teresa' so that you may pray for her. May His Majesty watch over you for me.

Alberta " has written to Doña Luisa and sent her a cross, yet she has had no letter from you. Our Doña Yomar is extremely pleased when she receives any little thing from her nuns; she is married now. Do not be an ungrateful little creature, and abide with God.

To-day is December 3. Your servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

' T«resita.