Letter 181. To Mothiir Mary of St. Josriph, Priorkss of Skvillk, Toledo, May 28, 1577

Fiitht'f (¡rdcldn's iwrival at Toledo. Tostado goes to Madrid. Private affairs.

JESUS!

THE grace of the Holy Spirit ever he with you, mv daughter. May He have made your Pentecost as happy as I wished for you! Ours has been very joyful on account of the arrival of our Father, who is going to court by request of the nuncio. He is well and stouter than he was, thank God! You must know that there is urgent need that you should prav fervently for the affairs of the Order, and with great insistence, for which there is strong necessity.

Tostado is already at court. He passed through Toledo four or five days ago but had not time to stay more than three or four hours. May God dispose of everything as contributes to His greater praise and glory, since we seek for nothing else.

Pray for this head of mine from which I suffer continually.

We have had bad luck with the linen you sent us. It has been taken to half the houses and convents in Toledo, yet we could find no purchaser, for every one considers that four reales is too dear, yet it does not seem as if we could in conscience sell it for less. I do not know what we can do about it; will your Reverence think the matter over. May our Lord abide with you. To-day is the last day of Whitsuntide.

Our Father is not here to-day as he is preaching at his sister's school' so that he cannot write to you as the courier will have started before his return.

I should like to hear about yourself and the nuns : it is a long while since I had a letter from you. God keep you for me. Mother Brianda is exceedingly ill. She asks you, my Father Fray Gregorio, and your community to pray for her. This is a time when the prayers of all are required. Kindly forward this letter to Fray Gregorio at once. You must all supplicate God fervently, for by the divine grace we shall soon see whether the good or evil cause will triumph. Never was there such need for prayer. God keep you for me. Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.

' Tuesday in Pentecost week,