Letter 221. To Father Gracian, Avila, March 11, 1578

Troubles of the Reform and the nuns of the Incarnation. A postulant.

JESUS be with my Father and deUver him from those Egyptians, for I assure yuu that I am horrified at what they have done to those poor nuns. I have tried to persuade the sisters to obey, as great scandal is being given, and people here (especially the Dominicans) think that I am right. I suspect that the Mitigated are banding together to destroy the Retorm and I am weary of their outcries. In tad:, the nuns have suffered for a long time, and unless I had sent telling them that I thought it would not prejudice the justice of their claim, I do not think they would submit.

Their cause has made little progress since the Discalced fathers left them. It is true that I wrote to Roque and Padilla saying that if the Discalced confessors' affair was not cleared up, and the Calced remained as Visitors, there was no need for haste on the part of the Royal Council for it appeared useless for me to go there as prioress, even if the nuns gained their suit. Yet I should seem to be treating them very badly if I did not go there, but forsook them after all they have endured. On the whole, I think I shall not refuse especially as, though it seems useless, the Master must succour these souls in some way. I compassionate them deeply, for as you will see by the enclosed papers, they are being afflid:ed. Be kind enough to forward the Mss. to Fray German,' so that he may pray for the sisters. It is well that he has left his prison.

But I am much distressed about Fray John, lest they should bring some fresh charge against him. God treats His friends terribly: though, to tell the truth He does them no wrong, for He served His Son in the same way.

Will your Paternity read this letter, which was brought me by a gentleman from Ciudad-Rodrigo, who came here expressly to arrange about this postulant. He says much in her favour; if it is the fadt, she will be an acquisition. She would bring four hundred and fifty ducats and a good trousseau. The community at Alba are asking me for a novice. The girl wants to go to Salamanca, but she would enter at Alba, though the former needs her most on account of the state of the house. She could be received at whichever convent your Paternity chooses. I will undertake to persuade her to consent, and she seems suitable to either place.

Two girls at Burgos are negotiating about their entrance at Avila. They are said to be very good and would have a dowry of fifteen hundred ducats — a sum that is required to finish the house and build the enclosure wall. With the dower of another postulant, everything could be completed. Will your Paternity give the required permission.

What a disturbance that Father of the Society is making about the sister of the Prioress of Veas ! I sent to the Prioress of Medina asking her to make enquiries about her. We shall see what they say, for they must know more about it. Your Paternity should be cautious, for such natures do not change. Though Ana de Jesus has seen her several times, as they must have told him, I answered her as though I knew all, being in a hurry and finding that they had spoken neither to the brother nor sister on the matter. The brother is a member of the Society, and I believe that they are helping one another.

It is a severe trial to have been kept so long from making my confession to your Paternity, for much to my grief, there are not such advantages here as at Toledo.

This letter was written yesterday. I have just heard such tales of the unjust treatment of the nuns of the Incarnation, that it is grievous. I fancy some of the sisters here dread falling into the hands of the Calced which does not surprise me, for it is a thing to be feared. May God set matters right and proted: your Paternity. It is late at night and the messenger starts early tomorrow.

To-day is March ii.

Your Paternity's unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus