Letter (number unidentified). To Sister Teresa de Jesus, Lorenzo’s Daughter, Medina del Campo, August 7, 1570

Advice about dryness and temptations. Don Francisco.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Charity, my daughter.

a was a great pleasure to receive your letter and to know that my letters please you, now that we cannot be together.

The dryness from which you suffer seems to ~ prove that our Lord considers you a strong soul, and that He is testing you to see whether you will love Him as well in aridity as in spiritual sweetness. I consider that God is showing you a great favour. Do not be unhappy about it: perfection does not consist in feelings but in virtue. Your devotion will return when you least expect it.

As for what that sister says, try to take no notice of it, but drive the thought away. Do not imagine that you have sinned directly a bad suggestion, however wrong, occurs to your mind, for it is of no consequence. I wish that nun were suffering from the same aridity, for she does not seem to understand herself; so we may wish it for her own sake. When any wrong thought arises, sign yourself with the cross, recite a Pater noster, or strike your breast, and try to think of something else. Then