Letter 273. To Roque de Huerta, Madrid, Avila, May 2, 1579

Journey of Fray 'Juan de Jesus Roca to Rome. The Nuncio's four assessors.

JESUS! May the grace of the Holy Ghost be with your

Honour.

Ihave received your letters and Joseph Bullon's: our Lord be his guard! for it is trying to see him go so far away, but as the necessity is great, it must be endured. We all owe much to him: his virtues and talents deserve respecfl. May God prosper him. I entreat you to tell me when and how he starts. I cannot endure the suspense until he leaves this country, considering how he is travelling, lest any misfortune should happen to us : at such a jun(fture it would be terrible.

God reward you for your good tidings! I assure you that since those two senores and my friends the Dominican fathers have been appointed assessors,' all anxiety about our affair has left me as I know them personally. I feel certain that, with four such men, what they settle will be for the honour and glory of God, which is our sole objedl.

What troubles me now is the case of those fathers, for such vile accusations are very painful to nuns who wear the same habit. May God remedy the matter and prote(5l and repay you for your good-will and kindness to this Order, for which I give our Lord sincere thanks. Where charity exists, His Majesty finds work for it. May He watch over you and Dona Maria and make you both very holy, as I do not negled to ask of Him, wretch though I am.

To-day is May 2.

Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.