Letter (number unidentified). To Father Gracian, 1577 Date uncertain

Dowry of postulants.

. . . Men of the world care little for principle, when self-interest is at stake. This is the case with the Mother Prioress. Having become used to superfluities at Pastrana, she has preserved little poverty of spirit. It pains me, and will do so whenever I witness it for these houses were founded for the glory of God, confiding solely in Him, so that I fear that if we begin to trust in human aid, divine aid may sometimes be lacking. This does not apply to this affair, for I know the gentleman would not send his daughter there it it were the case. However, as we owe him so little, it must have happened by the will of God.

Your manner of visiting the Discalced seems to have been taught you by God; may He be praised for all things!

Your Paternity need give me no command on the subjed:; I take your opinion as such and shall conform to it. I really shall be glad to be freed from the burden, but I fear there is more love of money in some convents than I like. God grant they are not deceiving you more than me. I think that this has been the greatest grief of all to me, and as far as I know my own mind, I am resolved (whether you are near or even, I think, if you were far away,) to receive no postulant without consulting you, even if your Paternity is no longer Superior. It is impossible never to make mistakes: time alone will prove whether we were right, but if we are influenced by dowries, matters will be worse still.

I enclose the information sent by the prioress. When I make many inquiries, I do so for the good of the convents and their affairs. I do not know how she could suggest such a thing; may God forgive her and give her light to judge better in future — but how I am excusing myself! The worst of it is that I am strongly tempted regarding the person I mentioned.