Letter 178. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Toledo, May 6, 1577

Thanks for presents. Burial of the nuns , Sister Bernardas inheritance. The Prioress of Malagon,

JESUS be with your Reverence, and may He repay you for the many and charming presents, which all arrived safe and sound. I will say more about them when sending by the muleteer, for now I must only mention what is important.

I envied that angel; God be praised that she deserved to enjoy His presence so soon, about which I have no doubt whatever! You may feel sure that the rest of what you relate was delirium: take no notice of it and let no one know what Beatriz said. Tell her that I appreciate her great charity and thank her for it; also remember me to her mother and all the nuns.

I am very sorrv to hear of your fever and the illness of the Mother Subprioress. Blessed be God Who is pleased so to try us this vear, and to send your Reverence so many troubles at once ! The worst of them all is want of health, for if that is good, all else can be borne. Write as soon as you can and give me details of your fever and the malady of the Subprioress. God grant your complaint may not last as long as usual, or, with your small community, I do not know what will become of vou. May God provide for you as He can do, for I feci very anxious.

What you say about burials is very sensible. We inter the nuns in the cloisters here and I shall ask our Father to make it the rule. Nuns without enclosure a¿l differently, so that Father Garci Alvarez was quite right. Remember me kindly to him. He may enter the enclosure in the former case but not in the latter. It would be best that he should always be the priest who condudis the funerals as the friars live so far off that I do not know how they could manage it. But even were the priory close by, I should prefer to keep to Father Garci Alvarez on account of his charadler and of his being your confessor. I will speak to our Father about the matter soon and send you the permission. If God so wills, I shall see him b&fore Pentecost, as the nuncio has summoned him and our affairs seem in a good way. You can guess how happy I feel. He has been to Caravaca and Veas: I enclose Prioress Alberta's' letter which will tell you how the nuns are there. We have not done with that convent yet. Pray for it and the community at Veas whose lawsuit grieves me greatly.

As soon as your letter arrived yesterday, I found means of forwarding it to our Father. I shall repay you now for the trouble you took with my letters when he was at Seville.

You can admit the lay sister; God grant she may suffice for your needs. I told our Father I was writing to bid you to receive her.

As regards the renunciation of the good Bernarda, you must know that as her parents are living they inherit her money instead of the convent : had they died first, her property would have belonged to the community. This is certain for I know from people acquainted with the law. Parents and grand parents have the first claim, and in default of them, the convent. The only obligation under which her relations lie is that of paying Bernarda's dowry. If they are unaware of this, they will thank God that you are willing to come to an agreement with them. If they only give what they agreed to pay, it will be a great boon for you.

You will see what can be managed for it would not be right that they should give no portion. Father Nicolas will know what is best to be done. Remember me kindly to him, to Fray Gregorio, and to any one else you choose. And now abide with God, for though my head has been much better during the last few days, it is never without loud noises which writing increases.

The Mother Prioress of Malagon is keeping me company. I am deeply grieved at witnessing how hopeless her illness is, though she is much better. She eats more and can get up. But the doftor says that is not of much account as the fever does not leave her. God can do all things and may perhaps grant us her recovery. Pray for it earnestly. As she is writing, I will say no more about her.

To-day is May 6.

Your Reverence's unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.

Remember me very affediionately to my Gabriela; I was very glad to receive her letter and know she was in good health. May God give such health to all the sisters, as He can do. Amen.