Letter 328. To Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, Medina del Campo, August 6, 1580

Don Lorenzo's death-bed and legacy for a chapel at Avila. The Brief from Rome in the hands of the King. Money matters.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you. OU must ‘have already received my letter announcing .the death of my good brother

Lorenzo and telling you that Iam going to Avila to settle the affairs of Teresa and her brother, who have no one else to look after them. Iam staying he will set his accounts in order: I do not know what he means by it: he says that then he will be able to show letters or something of the kind, proving that he has paid part of the sum. He is such an important person that no one likes to press him on the subject. I shall know what is owing at Valladolid if Father Nicolas sends me the documents. Being executrix, I must try to recover the money, much as I dislike doing so; therefore will your Reverence kindly set matters in order. It would not be a bad plan to take a postulant if you could find a good one, soas to pay this sum and what you gave to the Order,

The enclosed letter is from the Bishop of the Canaries to his friend the President of the Chamber of Commerce at Seville, asking him to keep in surety any money that may come from the Indies. Mind that you give it yourself to a trustworthy messenger and acquit yourself well of all these commissions, my daughter, in gratitude for the good news I am about to give you.

I must tell you that five days ago, our Father,

Fray Jerome Gracian, (who is here now and who has been my travelling companion and has helped me greatly in all these business matters ) received a letter from Rome, written by Fray Juan de Jesus.

It announces that the Brief relating to the affairs of the Order has already been delivered tothe Royal Ambassador to be forwarded to His Majesty, and would be sent by the same courier as F tay Juan’s letter. Thus we know for certain that the Brief is already in the King’s hands. The Father states the substance of it, which covers a great deal of

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 59 ground. The sisters may well give thanks for it.

Father Jerome says that he will write to F ray Gregorio, but I doubt whether he will find time as he preaches to-day. If the courier can wait, he will send a letter; if not, will your Reverence give Fray Gregorio the news with my kind regards. I am glad he is well for I was sorry for his illness. Let me know at once whether he has recovered as I shall not write to him until I know, because I have to ask him to help you in the enquiries I want you to make. Let me know about your own health this summer as the heat we are having here makes me feel anxious about you, and give me news of Beatriz and all the nuns. Remember me affe€tionately to them all, especially to the Subprioress.

Father Nicolas is well, glory be to God! I am in tolerably good health and have many cares and trials for which I care little. May His Majesty be with your Reverence and have you in His keeping for me. I rely so implicitly on your managing the affairs relating to the Indies, as you are in Seville, that Iexpect everything will come right. However, in case any money should arrive, let me know whether you could recover it and keep it for us in your convent, if I sent you the authorization. Send me all particulars about your health. May God give you the strength I wish for you and of which I see the need. Amen.

To-day is the feast of the Transfiguration. Your unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus,