Letter (number unidentified). To Fray Mariano, Alcala, Avila, some time before March 25, 1579

ProspeB of brighter days for the Reform. Warning to Fray "Juan de fesus Roca to keep in hiding. The Saint writes to the Nuncio and the king.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

MY Father Mariano, the account given in your letter of the Nuncio's order that the Reform should be destroyed gives me unceasing pain. You tell me that, at the instance of the Caked fathers, he has made provision to that effed: and that at Valladolid they tried to seize Fray Juan de Jesus, vsho arrived at court in a state of great depression, shared by all your Reverences, at seeing me virtually imprisoned.

May God be for ever praised, since- it is His will! But now that I see the world and hell have risen against my sons, I feel such certainty that His Majesty and my Father St. Joseph will take our cause in hand that, from this day, my Father, you may hold yourself as the vidior, not the vanquished. Lucifer seeks nothing less than to destroy this little flock of the Virgin. But the result will not be what he exped:s: on the contrary, my son, those who now persecute us will favour us. So let your grief be changed into joy. I grieve because my sons suffer on account of a sinner like myself, and are being hunted and persecuted. This is why I grieve and sigh; for as to the rest, I am assured of vicftory since our cause is that of God.

Will you ask Fray Juan de Jesus to return to Dona Maria de Mendoza's house at Valladolid and to remain there until I send him word. Kindly give him the enclosed letters and dired: him to original is said by the first editors to have belonged to Raymond Bru, Barcelona. It seems to have been written by a secretary in her own wording. The date and address are missing. P. Gregoire thinks that the letter is authentic and that it dates from the end of 1578 to the early part of i 579. The same may be said of the following letter which he has seen and of which he declares that the signature is undoubtedly that of St. Teresa. As a rule, the Ven. Ana de San Augustin was her secretary at Avila.

travel via Baitrago, not Segovia, which will be safest. And will you, my Father, go at once to the king and deliver this letter from me to him. Explain the state of affairs to him as I am also doing : you will then see whether he has the service of God at heart. Be very humble in his presence, evincing no resentment against those who have given us the opportunity of gaining merit, for we ought always to show great patience. I warn you of this, lest the point should be touched upon, for in this way difficulties will be smoothed away.

Will you wait three days before handing the Nuncio the other letter, so that the king may have had time to speak to him first. You will see how things go on, but have faith, my Father, and do not be weak enough to say that we can suffer no more, for with Christ we can do all things. Let yours be a living faith, for it is that which obtains great graces from God. I say this so that henceforth we may know that we should trust in God.

Will you call on the Princess of Pastrana on my behalf; tell her that I carried out her wishes at once, that she is not to grieve because of my imprisonment for I deserve far worse a fate, and that we shall soon see one another. I will keep the rest of my advice until we meet.

My companion has no appetite; will you pray for her. She asks you to remind Fray Juan de la Miseria to paint the Saint Joseph he promised her. Will you see to it for I should like every one to be as devoted to my Father, Saint Joseph.

I am well and stout, but so low-spirited because my life is all enjoyment without any penance that every one who sees me pities me. Will your Reverence pray for me and ask God to make me good. May His Majesty be praised in all and for all and may He bestow His grace and Holy Spirit on your Reverence.

Teresa de Jesus.