Letter 170. To Fray Ambrosio Mariano, Madrid, Toledo, February 16, 1577

Father Mariano's illness. Troubles of the Reform.

JESUS !

May the grace oí the Holy Spirit be with you, my Father.

1AM not surprised that you are ¡1! but that you are still alive, considering the troubles, both'interior and exterior, that you must have gone through. I was unspeakably sorry to learn that you were in bed, for I know your temperament. However, I was consoled at hearing that though your complaint is painful, it is not dangerous. I have been wondering whether you took a chill in the course of all your wanderings. For the love of God, let me know all the particulars — I shall be content if it is only by the pen of Father Miseria— and whether you need anything.

Do not be troubled about matters: when things seem most satisfactory I am generally less satisfied than I am now. As you kiH, God always wishes us to recognize that it is He who forwards our best interests. To show us this more clearly and to make us realize that it is His work, He usually permits a thousand mishaps. It is then that all succeeds best.

You say nothing of my Father Padilla, I regret to say, neither does he write to me. I wish he were well enough to take care of your Reverence. As Father Baltasar is leaving, God grant you may recover soon. I am writing to these fathers of mine at Madrid about what is happening: the messenger seems entirely taken up with my letters to them.

You must know my Father, that I have been thinking what a great loss the death of the good nuncio would be to us, for he is a servant of God and I should be deeply grieved at losing him. I believe that if he does not do all we wish, it is because he is held under greater constraint than we realize. I am alarmed about the negotiations in Rome; some one there is ceaselessly working and making difficulties from which the nuncio is suffering. I remember that when the good Señor Nicolas was here, he said the Discalced should have soine cardinal there as their patron. I talked the matter over lately with one of my relatives who is a very capable man ; he tells me there is a curial procurator in Rome who is very prudent and who would do all we require if we paid him. I have already stated that I wish there were some one there who could discuss certain matters with our Father General. Consider whether it would not be well for the ambassador to ask the procurator to speak for the Discalced.

You must know that Fray Pedro Hernandez has been at Toledo. According to him, unless Tostado has personal authority over the Visitors, their a¿ts will be valid. But if he possesses this power, we can say nothing, but must obey him and seek some other means. In Frav Pedro's opinion the commissaries can neither ereól us as a separate province nor name definitors unless they own more powers than they had in his time, therefore we must try some other plan. May God, in Whose hands the whole matter lies, strengthen us and in His mercy restore you to good health as we beg of Him.

This messenger is going to Madrid solely to learn what they want of me and to bring news of your Reverence. Will you have the charity to tell Father Juan Diaz how to forward the enclosed letters to Father Olea. They are of the utmost importance to me. If there is no other way, kindly ask him to deliver them personally in perfect secrecy.

To-day is February 16.

The unworthy servant of your Reverence, Teresa of Jesus.

CLXXV