Letter 192. To Don Alvaro de Mendoza, Bishop of Avila, at Olmedo, Avila, August, 1577

The Saint thanks him for having allowed St. Joseph's, Avila, to pass to the jurisdiction of the Order. Father Gradan s visitation. A private matter. A favour is asked for the Maestro Daza.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with your Lordship. Amen.

I HAVE recovered from my illness though not from the trouble with my head, which torments me by continual noises. Still, I could bear far worse things now tluit I ain sure that your Lordship is well.

I kiss your Lordship's hands many times for your kindness in writing to me, which has been a great comfort to us. The mothers of the community coiisidered themselves highly honoured (as well they might ) by your letters to them and brought them to show to me.

Had your Lordship recognized the necessity of a canonical visitation here, made by some one capable of explaining the constitutions and acquainted with them from having practised them, I believe you would have been exceedingly pleased, realizing what a signal service you had rendered our Lord and how beneficial it was to this convent not to have been left in the hands of those who would never have suspedied how the devil could enter, and indeed had already begun to enter. Although, so far, no one has been at fault and all have meant well, yet I cannot thank God enough for what you have done.

Your Lordship need feel no anxiety lest we should suffer from lack of necessities or want of means now that the bishop does not watch over us. The mutual help afforded to each other by our houses, will help us better, for in all our lives we should never find one who would show us such charity as has your Lordship. What grieves us is that we shall not enjoy your presence in this town, otherwise, no change seems to have taken place in the convent. We are as submissive as ever to you, as will be all our superiors, especially Father VOL. II. 21

Gracian,to whom we appear to have communicated our aíTeóiion for you. I sent him your Lordship's letter to-day as he is away from Avila, having gone to Alcalá to despatch the friars who are going to Rome. The nuns like him very much, as he is a great servant of God, also because he will observe all your Lordship's former regulations.

As regards the lady, I will do what your Lordship wishes if I am able. The man who came to the convent to speak to me on the subjed: has not been here before, and from what he said, I did not suppose there is any question of marriage. However, after I had read your letter, I wondered whether it might be so, and if he was trying to remove some obstacle, though he does not seem attached to any one but only to be zealous for the glory of God and the common weal. May His Majesty dired: all to His greater glory ! As the matter stands, your Lordship is drawn into it against your own will. I am very glad to see you have the liberty of spirit to be indifferent. Will you consider whether it would not be well to acquaint the Abbess with the affair and let that person see that you are annoyed about it, which might mend matters. I assure you that he was very insistent on the subjed:.

I do not know what to say about Maestro Daza, except that I should be excessively glad if your Lordship could help him in any way as I know what good will you feel towards him, and I should be delighted, however small your favour was. He tells me that Lis liking for von is so strong that if he thought his petition would trouhle you, he would not cease to serve you just the same and would never ask anvthing from vou again. Being so devoted to vou, he is rather hurt at seeing what you have done for others while his own case seems somewhat negleóled.

He is writing to your Lordship about the canonry. If you assure him before you leave that he shall have the first vacant place, he will be contented and it will content me too, for I think it would be pleasing to God and the world and that you really owe it to him. God grant there may be some way in which you will be able to leave us all satisfied, for I believe that, if you could offer him some position lower than that of a canon, he would accept it.

After all, it is not every one who feels such disinterested affeélion for you as we Discalced nuns, who only wish that you should love us and that God should keep you with us for many years. My brother, who is now in the parlour, shares these feelings with us; he kisses your Lordship's hand with deep résped: and Teresita kisses your feet. You mortified us all by asking again for our prayers ; your Lordship ought to feel so sure of them by this time that we felt hurt.

As the messenger is in a hurry for this letter, I can say no more. I believe that Maestro Daza would be satisfied by your Lordship's telling him that if a vacancy occurred, you would bestow it on him.

Your Lordship's unworthy servant and subjed:, Teresa de Jesus.