Letter 291. To Dona Isabel Osorio, Madrid', Toledo, November 19, 1579

The Saint asks her to defer entering the Order until the foundation is made at Madrid.

JESUS ! May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

I DID not expe(fl to be able to write to you, and as the Mother Prioress has already done so, I will only say that Father Nicolas has set his mind upon your entering no other convent but the one which, God willing, we hope will soon be founded in Madrid. Should you have the patience, after waiting so long, to wait a little longer, it is most important that you should tell no one of your decision or of the projected foundation.

You must know that the nuns of Salamanca have already consented to receive you; I tell you this because you have the certainty of entering there should there be any doubt about the other; but Father Nicolas thinks that, for many reasons, it would render greater service to God if you helped this new foundation, and that is the one objed: on which we are all bent. Father Nicolas will soon return from Seville and by that time you will have decided as to which you prefer. May His Majesty so guide you that you may be contented, and may He use your soul for His greater glory and honour ! Amen.

I was delighted at witnessing the contentment of our sister, who is yours also. We shall be contented if you are as good, for she is an angel. She was very glad to be with me. To-day is November 19.

Your unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.

Letter from Father Gracian to the 'Duchess of Alba, at Uzeda.

Alcala, December i, 1579.

Jesus, Mary! Your Excellency,

As soon as I arrived at Alcala, I placed in the hands of assessors the documents which proved that I had not exceeded my powers. These gentle-men did not think it necessary to show the papers to the Nuncio or to restore complete liberty either to Father

Antonio' or to myself until the principal evidence had been sent to Rome. However, thank God, this documentary evidence is now already on its way and is in thoroughly trustworthy hands. That is all 1 know. In consequence ot the bad weather, Mother Teresa of Jesus was ill when she reached Toledo, as she had travelled through the mountain pass. She wrote, telling me that her indisposition was of little consequence, but 1 shall feel anxious until I hear of her recovery.

When I reached this priory, I found the Reverend Father Rector at death's door with a pain in his side. However, God willed that he should live and also wills that, besides the convalescents, we should have four religious ill m bed and should moreover suffer great poverty. May His Majesty be praised! Amen. I desired Pangue to ask you to be good enough to give us a little coal to warm the invalids in the wintry weather, and as I know that you are not annoyed when the poor beg for alms, 1 venture to remind you of it.

1 am very glad to hear that His Grace the Duke is better. We never forget here to entreat our Lord to grant you the grace and favour you both desire, which we all need and pray tor daily.

Alcala, December i, 1579.

The chaplain and servant of your Excellencies, Fray Jeronimo Gracian de la Madre de Dios.