Letter 236. To Fray Domingo Banez, Valladolid, Avila, July 28, 1578

The Saint advises him not to visit Avila. JJnjust imprisonment of the Licentiate Padilla.

JESUS !

May the Holy Spirit be with you, my Father. T RECEIVED a letter from you full of your 1 usual kindness and charity, of which you show me so much that all I can do is to beg God to repay you for it and the rest of your good deeds.

As regards your visit to Avila, I assure you that I should be so grieved at what you would suffer from your travelling companion and at the injury this place does to your health, that, unless you were coming to help me in my desperate need, I should beg you not to spend your holidays here at so dear a cost to yourself. Thank God, I am in no need of your aid, and my many occupations and trials would prevent my having the comfort in your society that I should like. I therefore beg you not to visit Avila but to find some more pleasant spot in which to take the holiday you must greatly need after working hard all the year. Besides, if the Father Visitor should happen to come while you were here, I should enjoy little of your company.

Believe me, my Father, I am well aware that the Master chooses for me in this life cross upon cross. The worst of it is that He gives a part in them to all who wish me well, by which I know He means to make me suffer. May He be for ever praised!

I am deeply grieved at Father Padilla's misfortune, for I believe he serves God sincerely. May God make the truth manifest, for many enemies mean many trials, and we are all liable to the same fate. But it is a small thing to forfeit life and honour for love of so good a Master.

Will your Reverence pray much for us, as I assure you that our affairs are in a state of chaos. My health is fairly good: though my arm hurts me so much that I cannot dress myself, still it is improving and I wish I were improving in love for God.

May His Majesty have your Reverence in His keeping and make you as holy as I ask of Him. Amen.

To-day is July 28.

The unworthy servant and true daughter of your Reverence,

Teresa de Jesus.

Your servants the nuns of Avila beg earnestly for your prayers. Do not allow the prioress to leave off eating meat, and make her take care of her health.

ccxxxv

Prefatory note.

On July 23, 1578, the Nuncio Sega revoked and an-nulled all patents, authority and powers formerly granted to Gracian by the Nuncio Ormaneto, ordering that by a certain date Gracian should deliver to him all books, documents, processes, seals, and other properties belonging to his office. (This command was obeyed.) Gracian was blamed because, after having been prohibited, he had continued his Visitation. All were forbidden to render obedience either to him or to any other superior appointed by Ormaneto. {Acta Cap, Gen.Ndi. i, page 560).