Letter 213. To Father Gonzalo Davila, Rector of the Jesuits at Avila, Avila, about February 12, 1578

St. Teresa discusses the letter from Father Suarez S.y. about Father Salazar.

JESUS! May the Holy Ghost be with your Paternity.

I HAVE read the Father Provincial's letter again more than twice, each time having found in it such a want of regard for me and so strong a convid:ion that I have done a thing which never crossed my mind, that his Paternity cannot be surprised at my feeling pained. This is of little consequence, for were I not so imperfed: I should be pleased if he mortified me, which as I am his subjed: he has the right to do.

Since Father Salazar too is his subje(5t, it seems to me that it would be better that Father Provincial should himself stop his projed: than that I should. Why should I write to religious who are not my subjeds, as you suggest, for that is their superior's duty and they would be right in paying little attention to my words ? In fad, I can see no other course to take, nor do I know what are the truths you wish me to tell Father Salazar; for short of declaring that it has been revealed to me from heaven that he is not to enter our Order, I know of nothing more that I can add.

But as I said to your Reverence, there is no reason why I should tell every one what I think, which would greatly injure one to whom I owe staunch friendship, especially as I am certain from what he said and what I know of him, that he will take no step without the knowledge of the Father Provincial, and if he does not speak or write to his Paternity, it means that he will not carry out his projed. If the Father Provincial can stop it by refusing his permission, I should be affronting a man of Father Salazar's position and religion by aspersing his charader in all our priories, (even supposing the friars paid any attention to my request) for it would be a gross aspersion to say that he wanted to do what would undoubtedly offend God.

I have spoken to you with perfed sincerity and I beheve 1 have done all that is required by selfrespe(fl and Christianity. God knows my words are true; were I to do more, I should be a(fting against both the one and the other.

As I have told your Reverence, when I have done what I believe to be my duty, God gives me courage to bear, with His help, whatever painful consequences may devolve on me. At least I cannot complain that I was not forewarned about them, nor have I omitted doing all I could. Perhaps your Reverence may be more to blame for your request than I am for not complying with it.

I am also certain that, should the result be contrary to your wishes, I shall be censured as though I had done nothing to hinder it and that our having discussed the matter will bring about the fulfilment of the warnings given me. If this means trials for me, let them come and welcome ! My offences against the divine Majesty deserve worse punishment than could be inflidied — yet I do not think I deserved that it should be infli6ted by the Society, even had I taken any part in this affair, which neither helps nor hinders your interests. Your foundations are laid too deep. God grant that my foundation may be that of never flinching from doing His will; and may He always give your Reverence light to adt in the same way. It would be a great comfort and joy to me if we saw things in the same light.

I should be much relieved, if the Father Provincial came here, for it is a long while since God granted me the pleasure of meeting him.

The unworthy servant and daughter of your Reverence,

Teresa de Jesus