Letter (number unidentified). To An Unknown Lady, Medina del Campo, August 5, 1580

Condolence on the death of a relative. JESUS!

Mi. the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you and give you strength of soul and body to bear the heavy blow dealt you by this trial. Had it not been inflicted by so merciful and just a hand, I should not have known how to console you, so deeply have I felt it. But as I realize how truly this great God loves us, and that you understand how miserable and fleeting is this wretched life, I hope that His Majesty will enlighten you more and more to see what a favour He renders to a soul which has learnt this truth, by withdrawing it from the world, especially when, as in this case, we can be certain, according to the teaching of our Faith, that the holy soul is where it will receive a fitting reward for the many trials it bore with such patience during life.

I have begged our Lord most earnestly that it may be so, and asked the nuns to do the same, also to grant you strength and courage to renew your struggle in this miserable world. Happy the souls that are now in safety! This does not seem the time for me to say much, except to our Lord, to beg Him to console you, for creatures avail little in such trouble, especially when they are wicked as lam. May His Majesty, Who is all-powerful, accomplish this and so bear you company in future that you may not miss the cherished com panion you have lost ! To-day is the eve of the Transfiguration. Your unworthy servant and subject, Teresa de Jesus.

CCCXXXV Prefatory note

Tue erection of the Discalced as a separate province had been conceded by the Holy Father on June 22, 1580, (Bull 1], 208) and was carried into effect gn March 3, 1581. (Ada cap. gen. vol. I, p. 562.)