Letter 308. To the Venerable Maria de Jesus,', Malagon, beginning of February 1580

VEAS

Affc5iionate messages. The foundation at Villanueva.

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Charity, my daughter. Had you my weak head and business affairs, you would have an excuse for not having written for so long. But as you have not these pleas, I do not know how I can help complaining of you and of my dear Sister Catalina de Jesus, for you certainly owe it to me. If only I were able, I should write to you so often that you could not go to sleep.' But though you are so forgetful of me it is a comfort to know that you are well and happy and, from what they say, are serving our Lord faithfully. God grant it is true, as I pray heartily it may be! I should like to be able to stay at vour convent and find comfort there after the toils and trials of many kinds through which I have passed during the last few years. Self-indulgence prompts the wish, for on refledlion I know well that I deserve cross upon cross and that God shows me great grace in giving me nothing else.

The Mother Prioress will have already told you that I have been ordered to make a foundation in a place where I have wished to have a convent for many years. I approve of it because people here have persevered so long in asking for it, that my superior thinks well of the proje(5l. I am going in the full assurance that the foundation will render service to our Lord. Will your Charity pray that it may and that I may alwavs do His will. Remember me very kindly to Sisters Catalina de Jesus, Isabel de Jesus, and Leonora del Salvador. I wish that time and my head would permit me to write longer. But your Charity must not answer me with a short letter or be surprised if I do not reply at once. Be sure that I am glad to hear and that I do not forget to pray to our Lord for you. May His Majesty make you as holy as I wish you to be!

Your Charity's unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.