Letter 147. To Father Gracian, Near Seville, Toledo, December 7, 1576

The importance of keeping on good terms with the Royal Council, Tostado, Defence of Father Gradan, ProjeB of a foundation at Aguilar. Paterna. Father Gradan s health,

Jesus be with your Paternity, my Father.

WHENEVER, as frequently happens, I receive a letter from your Paternity, I want to kiss your hands in return, for I do not know how I could endure living in this place you have left me in, but for hearing from you. May God be blessed for all things ! I answered some of your letters last Friday, and since then have received those you wrote at Paterna and Trigueros; the latter full of anxiety, and with good cause.

Notwithstanding all your reasons for staying where you are, after having seen the pressing letter from the angel, ' I should like you to go to him as soon as you have settled matters with the Marquis, even though it costs you an effort. Although he may fail to succeed, yet such things should not be transad:ed by letter, and we owe him more than that. God has evidently given him to us for our helper, so that, even if he made a mistake, it would turn to our advantage. For the love of God, I entreat you not to offend him, my Father, as it would grieve me deeply, and you are far away from any one who could advise you prudently.

I have also been sorry to hear from the Prioress that this 'Santoya'' does not perform his duties satisfadorily, which is more to be regretted than his want of courage. For the love of God, let your Paternity tell him so plainly and let him know that he will be called to account for his doings as others are.

This is written so hurriedly that I cannot say all that I wish. I was obliged to interview a visitor just as I was about to begin, and it is now late at night and the letter must be given to the muleteer. As the news is certainly true and the bearer is a very safe one, I repeat what I have already written, namely, that the Royal Council has forbidden Tostado to visit the four provinces. I lear.nt this from the very person who had read the ordinance and who wrote about it; his letter was read to me. I do not consider the person who read it very truthful, but I believe he was in this case, and several reasons make me think it was no invention. I hope that in one way or another, God will bring all to a good end, since the work He does through Paul is wrought as though by magic. This alone, had I no other motive, would suffice to make me serve His Majesty. Indeed, it is wonderful how matters are coming right. I must tell you that, for some time, Esperanza' has not had a word of praise for Paul, but now writes to tell me of wonders and asks me to bless God for it. What would that person say if aware of how he has managed affairs at Paterna? I am amazed at seeing how the Master mingles pains with consolations, which is the safe way He has planned for us.

Teresa de Jesus. I must own, my Father, that in one way I am very pleas-ed when you recount your trials to me, though I am deeply grieved at the accusation brought against you — not on account of what relates to you, but as regards the others. As they can find no witness, they have fixed on one who they thought would remain silent. But she will know better than people living in the world how to defend herself and her son Eliseus.

I heard yesterday from a father of the Society of Jesus and a lady living at Aguilar del Campo, a little village thirteen leagues from Burgos. She is a childless widow, sixty years of age. Being afflióled with a serious illness, she wished to dedicate all her property to works of charity ; it consists of an annuity of six hundred ducats, and a fine house and garden. The father mentioned our convents to her; they pleased her so much that she made a will bequeathing all she possessed for a foundation. However, she has recovered her health, but retains a strong desire of carrying out her plan, and has written to me, begging for an answer. The place is a long way off, but perhaps God wishes the foundation to be made. So large a number of people at Burgos are anxious to enter that it seems a pity there is no convent to receive them. I shall not refuse the offer, but shall tell the lady that I want to know more particulars. I shall make enquiries about the place, and other details while waiting your decision. I must also know whether your Brief empowers you to found convents of nuns, for even if I did not go there, you might send other nuns to establish the Community. Do not forget to tell me how I am to aft in the matter. There are plenty of people in Burgos whom I can ask to make enquiries for me, and if this lady gives all the money (and she will give it) the sum ought to amount to nine thousand ducats and even more, reckoning the house. The distance from Valladolid to Aguilar is not very great. The place must be exceedingly cold, but the lady says there is plenty of proteilion against it.

O, my Father ! how I should like to share your cares with you! How wise of you to confide your troubles to one who sympathizes so deeply with them, and how delighted I am to see you devote yourself to the interests of the grasshoppers '! Great results ought to follow from the efforts made in that house and I trust that God will provide for them, poor as they are. I assure you that Sister San Francisco's letter to me was most prudent. God be with them! I am delighted at their affeólion for Paul, and pleased, yet not so delighted at Paul's affeftion for them. I loved the nuns of Seville already, but I love them more dearly every day for their care of him for whom I long to care constantly by my attentions and services. God be praised for giving him good health! But for God's sake, be careful what you eat in the houses of the Caked friars! I am well and happy at hearing from your Paternity so frequently. May His Majesty keep you in His care for me and make you as great a saint as I pray that you may become ! Amen.

To-day is the Vigil of the Conception of our Lady.

Your Paternity's unworthy daughter, Teresa de Jesus.

• The Calced nuns of Paterna. ' Isabel de San Francisco.