Letter 304. To Father Doria, Seville, Makgon, January 13, 1580

Affairs of the Seville convent. Project of a foundation at Villanueva de la yara. Concerning the nomination of the Provincial.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your

Reverence.

THREE or four days ago, I received a letter from your Reverence dated December 30. Serrano had already brought me the others to which I wrote a very long answer, as I did to the Mother Prioress. I also wrote to Father Rodrigo Alvarez. They were all put into Serrano's hands with strict injundlions to be careful of them and I have learnt since that they were undoubtedly delivered to the courier. Besides that, I have written twice to you since I reached Malagon and sent the letters to Senor Doria, Toledo, to be forwarded to your Reverence. I am disgusted at their all having been lost. Cod grant it may not be the fate of this which I am sending by Velasco.'

You refer me for all news to the Mother Prioress of Seville, who tells me nothing. As she is well, I think you will be able to settle all the rest satisfa(5lorily, seconded as you are by such a superintendent. What wonders are worked by the love of God! It is that which makes him anxious to help these poor nuns. I beg him to prav much for me. Why do you not mention our friend Lucrecia? Remember me kindly to her.

Lest I should forget it, I will tell you now that the Prioress of Veas wrote to Casademonte saying that she has the hundred ducats and asking where they should be sent. He answered, to Madrid. I mentioned the matter to your Reverence before; we need feel no more anxiety on the subje(5t.

This is such an out of the way place that you must not reckon on my sending you news from here more often than if I were at Seville, — though even there I could communicate more easily with you. Few messengers go even to Toledo and I find that letters are lost in transit. I say this because you ask me to tell you when to come, and what is happening. I warned Velasco that he must not depend on me while I am at Malagon.

If your Reverence stays long at Seville, you may find I have left when you arrive, for I believe a foundation will be made at Villanueva, near Roda, and possibly I may accompany the sisters, for if ever my presence was needed at a foundation, it will be there.

Fray Antonio de Jesus and the prior arc making such a stir, and people are so importunate about the matter, that 1 can do no less. Our Lord must wish for it. The question is still uncertain, but if the foundation takes place, I shall start before Lent. I should be sorry to leave without talking to your Reverence, for 1 thought I should have had that relief at Malagon. My health is good and all is well in this house, so that I cannot thank God enough that I came here. The spiritual state is most satisfadiory ; there is great peace and content, and the temporal affairs which were ruined are improving. God be praised for it all !

What you tell me about the Most Reverend (Father-General) so pleased me that I wish it were settled, as I wrote to Velasco and the cave-dweller. Only I have been wondering whether there would be any doubt regarding the validity of the substitute, as opinions varied at the Nuncio's death as to whether his commission to Father Gracian still held good. We are tired of lawsuits, so that, in any case, if God grants us the favour of a successful issue, you ought to take the necessary steps at once, during the life -time of our principal protecftor. As the reasons given by your Reverence all seem very good, though beyond my understanding, there is no cause for delay.

If your Reverence waited for us at Seville, you might miss us if we could not carry out our present plans. I will state the matter to Velasco, and submit to his opinion, li it would not tire you, it would be better that you should come to Malagon, even though you should have to return to Seville, as the journey here cannot be made quickly. Though it is true that where Velasco is, your presence does not seem indispensable, as I tell him, yet much depends upon your consulting together. Circumstances might arrive in which your absence would do great harm and would annoy Velasco, loyal friend as he is to us. Though Father Gracian is at liberty, it would not be wise for him to interfere in this afFair as if we gain what we are striving for, people would say he had his private ends in view. Though that would not matter very much, it would be best to render it impossible.

I have been thinking that if the 'cave-dweller' is not made Provincial and were given the other office,' it would be well that Fray Antonio should fill the post of Provincial which he has had before, for if he had a superior, and especially if he had a prudent companion, he would do his duty well as he did when entrusted with the work by the Visitor of Salamanca. That would deliver him from his temptation and destroy party spirit (it it exists), for that is a far greater evil than any tault he might commit as Provincial. I say this now as I do not know when I shall be able to write to your Reverence again, considering the fate of these letters. The present messenger is strongly recommended.

' Probably that of Vicar General or Visitor of the Reform.

I should like to know the cause of this new agitation. God grant the people of this district may cease intriguing. May He proted: your Reverence. I am tired as I have been writing for a long while. My health is better than usual here, but my head is always troublesome. Remember me very kindly to the Prior of Almodovar' if he is at Seville, and say I am doing a great deal for his friends and have taken a dowerless nun for each of them. God grant he may be grateful. One was brought me by Juan Vazquez, the other by his friend from Cantalapiedra. The latter is the postulant who left Veas and who, they say, is a great friend of his Reverence.

The prioress asks your prayers. We all, especially myself, pray to our Lord for you : I never forget it.

I cannot help suspedting that you would be glad to have an excuse for remaining at Seville: if it is groundless, God forgive me! May His Majesty make you very holy and preserve you to us for many years. Amen.

To-day is January 13.

The unworthy servant of your Reverence, Teresa de Jesus.