Letter (number unidentified). To Fray Juan de Jesus, Valladolid, Avila, March 25, 1579

yoy amidst trials. A vision foretelling the future success of the Order.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be with the soul of my Father, Fray Juan de Jesus.

I RECEIVED your Reverence's letter in this prison in which I live very happily, since I endure all my trials for my God and my Order. What grieves me, my Father, is the suffering I bring upon your Reverences: it is this which tortures me. Therefore, my son, neither you nor the other fathers must be sorry for me, because, like St. Paul in this (though not in sandlity), I can declare that for me prisons, and trials, and persecutions, and torments, and ignominy, and affronts, borne for my Christ and my Order are delights and favours.

Never have I felt more indifferent to crosses than now. God succours the prisoners and afflidled with His aid and favour. I render Him a thousand thanks, as it is right that you should all do, for the mercy He shows me in my captivity. Is there, my son and my Father, — is there any greater joy, or pleasure, or sweetness than to suffer for our good God.? When were the Saints happy and satisfied with their lot except when they suffered for Christ their God? This is the safe, the most certain way to Him; in the cross must we find our joy and happiness. So, my Father, let us seek the cross and desire it: let us embrace our trials — and alas for the Discalced, alas for ourselves, if ever they fail us!

You tell me in your letter that at the instance of the Father-General, the Nuncio has ordered that no more houses of Discalced friars are to be founded and that those already established are to be suppressed; that he is highly displeased with me and speaks of me as a restless, gad-about woman; that the world is in arms against me, and that my sons are in hiding in the caves, and mountains, and most secret places, lest they should be discovered and seized. This it is that touches me and that I grieve over: I sorrow because, on account of a wicked woman and a bad nun, my sons must suffer such persecution and trials, forsaken by all men though not by God, Who will never forsake nor abandon those whom He so dearly loves.

To comfort my son and his' brethren, I will tell you something very consoling, but it must be kept secret between us two and Father Mariano, who would be vexed at others knowing it, and not himself. You must know, my Father, that while a nun of this convent was at prayer on the vigil of the feast of my Father, St. Joseph, she saw him in a vision with the Virgin praying to her Son for the Reform. Our Lord told the religious that hell itself, besides many people in the world, were delighted at seeing our Order destroyed, (as they thought,) but at the verv moment when the Nuncio ordered its destruction, God confirmed its stability. Our Lord also bade the sister have recourse to the king, who would be a father to the Order. Our Lady and St. Joseph said the same and other things besides which cannot be stated in a letter. They also declared that, God willing, I should be freed from my imprisonment within twenty days. Then let us all rejoice, for from this day the Discalced Reform will flourish.

You, my Father, should stay in Dona Maria de Mendoza's house until I write again. Father Mariano is to take one of the enclosed letters to the king and the other to the Duchess de Pastrana. But be sure your Reverence does not leave the house lest you should be arrested. We shall soon see ourselves at liberty.

I am well and in good condition, thank God, but my companion has no appetite. Pray for us and say a Mass of thanksgiving in honour of my Father, Saint Joseph. Do not write to me until I ask you. May God make you a saint and a perfed: Discalced friar ! To-day is Wednesday, March 25, 1579.

I have already informed Father Mariano that you and Father Jeronimo de la Madre de Dios are to negociate our affair in secret with the Duke del Infantado.

Teresa de Jesus.

CCLXXVI

Prefatory note.