Letter (number unidentified). To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Malagon, February 9, 1580

Accident to the Prior of the Carthusians. Illness of the Subprioress. Serrano. Cautions about buying a new house. Payment of the debt to Lorenzo.

• Private matters.

JESUS |

_ May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Reverence, my daughter ! ESTERDAY, February 8, I received your last . letter, dated January 21. I was exceedingly grieved at hearing the bad news about our saintly ~ Prior, and should have been still more grieved had this severe accident caused his death, for, if God had deprived us of him by old age or infirmity, I do not think that I should have felt it so keenly. I realize that this is foolish, for the more he suffers, the better for him: yet when I remember what I owe him and the kindness he has always shown us, I can only regret that the world should lose a saint while people who do nothing but offend God are still living. May His Majesty give the Prior what is best for his soul, for we who owe him so much should pray for that, and not remember what your convent would forfeit by his death. We shall all pray for him earnestly. Another of my troubles is that I do not know how you will be able to give me news of his health when I am at la Roda or Villanueva de la Jara, which is quite near it. It will be a miracle if God lets him live.

You think that our communities have shown a want of courtesy in not having written to congratulate you, but that is a kind of compliment from which we ought to be excused. Youxmust know that they were most fervent in their prayers and sympathy for you and were much relieved when I told them how God had remedied your case. So many prayers have been offered on your behalf that I believe your convent will make a fresh start in God’s service, for prayers always do good.

I am sorry that the new Subprioress is ill, as I thought her health was good as it used to be and therefore wished her put in that office so that she might relieve you of some of your work. A very clever doctor here strongly recommends four or five ounces of rose-water for her complaint. It did me great good, but orange-flower water harmed me. The latter should not be drunk, but its scent stimulates the heart. Remember me very kindly to the invalid. I hope that, by the grace of God, she

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TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 3 will fulfil her duties well. Uphold her authority and punish any one who, in your absence, does not obey her as she would yourself. This is necessary, in order to make her orders respected.

I have always had my doubts about that little Leonorica. You will do well to be prudent: I mean, to be on your guard with her, as she might have recourse to her relative. The old one seemed to me very sincere; it was she whom I pitied the most: give her my very kind regards. I entrusted Serrano with a long letter for your Reverence, as he told me he should soon be going to Seville because he cannot acclimatize himself here. Look after him. The Licentiate told me Serrano talked of emigrating to the Indies, which would be foolish and would grieve me. I shall never be able to thank him enough for his faithful attachment to you at Seville in your time of need. I also sent a letter by him to Father Nicolas but I do not think he has left Malagon yet: perhaps he may still be here with the letters. I gave you fuller details of the foundation than I am doing now. I believe that I said in one of my letters to Father Prior that you ought not to take a new house without seeing it first and carefully examining it, for which the superior would give you permission at once. Remember what happened at Seville before, and how little those fathers understand how to choose a house for us. Everything requires time and the saying is true enough: ‘Unless you look ahead.’ .. . 5

Never forget all the devil did to destroy your convent and what trouble it cost us. Let us undertake nothing in future without consultation and careful reflection. I should feel little confidence in the Prior of Seville in business matters. You must never for a moment suppose that any one would be so glad as I should if I saw you comfortably housed. And remember that good views are more requisite than a favourable site, and you should have a kitchen garden if possible,

The Discalced Franciscan nuns thought they had done well in moving to a house near the Chancilleria.® But they were, and are still, overwhelmed with debts and troubles, for they seem as though shut up in a dark cavern and dq not know what to do, as they cannot move without being overheard. Indeed, I care for you more than your Reverence thinks, for I love you tenderly and that is why I wish you success in all you do, especially in so serious a matter as this. The misfortune is that the more I love, the less can I put up with any ~ fault. I see it is foolish, for mistakes bring experience, yet if an error is serious, things never come right, so it is well to be cautious. rs

Tam very sorry that you have to pay rent: it is a burden and does not advance matters. However, as the Father Prior approves, it must be best. God grant it may soon be stopped, for it is a great cautious, I do not know what may happen in the future. For love of our Lord, let there be no fresh trouble. Father Gracian being no longer Visitor, we need not fear what might be given him,’ so there is not that reason for providing his meals.

I do not know why your Reverence says I guessed you were making the corporals for me, for you told me so in the letter that Serrano brought. Do not send them until I learn whether they are wanted here. God proteé you, for you look after everything, and may He make you very holy! Do not stop Father Prior® from coming or grieve at his absence, for it is unreasonable to think of our own interests until such an important affair is settled. Continue to pray for him and for me too, as I shall need it specially when I make this foundation. Take my kind messages to the subprioress and nuns for granted, as much writing tires me.

To-day is February 9, 1580. The servant of your Reverence, Teresa de Jesus.

If Father Nicolas has already started to come here, destroy the enclosed letter: your Reverence may read it if you like, but tear it up immediately afterwards.? :

"The autograph gives : para temer lo que le dieren; former editors have omitted the last four words. (P. Grégoire.)