Letter (number unidentified). To Father Mariano, Madrid, Avik, November, 1578

Advice as to his conduSi.

Jesus be with your Reverence.

OH ! How 1 wish this could be a long letter, for yours delighted me, but they bled me yesterday so that 1 could not write, and they have ordered that the operation should be repeated today. I did not know the messenger would start so soon and he asks me to be quick. The cupping has given fresh life to my head. I shall soon recover, please God!

What cheers me is that, as you must remain at Madrid, you are staying with the Calced friars: but be cautious, my Father, for they will weigh your every word. For the love of God, be very guarded and do not be outspoken. I quite believe what they say of Tostado: if he is wise he will not return without the consent of him who has the right to give it,' and he is trying to get the invitation from your Reverence. I never heard of anything so amusing.

I have received the letters you mentioned having sent: our Father's came yesterday. As regards Fray Baltasar/ I certainly wrote to him more than once. As your Reverence is living with the friars, you will be in great favour at Madrid. Continue to a(5t as you are doing, and please the Nuncio; for in fad: he is our superior and every one thinks well of obedience,

Tiiere is no time to say more. Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLV

Prefatory note.

While the persecutions raged St. Teresa had remained calm and courageous, and even laughed at the terrible charges made against her, saying that if she had not committed these crimes she was guilty of many others, and the people who accused her were holy men so that she must be in fault in some way. But on Christmas eve, when she expected better news, so sad a letter reached her from Father Gracian that she broke down. 'God give me patience!' she cried; then reflecting for a moment, she exclaimed: 'Now, Lord, Thou art granting my desires for suffering.' She shut herself in her cell and wept and prayed till nightfall, refusing any food. In the evening. Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew knocked gently at her door and persuaded her to come to the refectory. There the lay sister saw our Lord take some bread, bless it, and put it to the Saint's mouth, saying: 'Eat this tor love of Me.' During the long Office and Midnight Mass, the tears streamed from her eyes at the thought of the foul charges brought against those who Probably Baltasar de Jesus.

lived such lives of purity as the Discalced. (Depostion of Mary of St. Joseph.)