Letter 348. To Mother Ana de la Encarnacion, Prioress of Salamanca, Palencia, the beginning of January, 1581

The Saint comforts her for two nuns having gone to Palencia, and thanks her for presents. News of the foundation at Palencia,

Jesus be with your Reverence.

AM very sorry to withdraw the two sisters from your convent,” but it cannot be helped, though, as the one who gave you trouble is going, you must be patient and pray that they may fulfil their duty well so as not to destroy the good reputation of your house. I hope this will be the case, for I am leaving some excellent nuns with them.

It seems to me that you have not completely recovered from your illness. It is a great mercy from God that you are able to move about again. For love of. Him, take care of yourself. God grant that you may leave your present house, for I assure you I feel very anxious about you. His Majesty must wish you to suffer in every way. May He be praised for all, and may He repay you for the lemons. I was feeling so ill the day before that I was glad to have them, and the veils as well, for I was wearing a threadbare one inside out and those you send me are very good. Be kind enough to give me nothing more until I ask for it, but spend the money in getting nourishing food for yourself instead.

We are so well off in this foundation that I do not know how it will succeed. Wil] you all ask our Lord to give us a good house, for we have changed our mind about taking the hermitage. There are many good and suitable places: a number of people are looking after the matter, and the Bishop never ceases showing us kindness, Be good enough to pray for him and those who are helping us,

Will you write a note to Fray Domingo (Bafiez), if I am unable, telling him about this foundation. I shall try to do so, but if I cannot, remember me very kindly to him.

I was delighted at your having provided for the every one who does s0, though it was quite right, especially as regards Mother Isabel de Jesus, to whom you owe it: she seems very happy. As she and the rest will tell you all the news, and I have other letters to write, I wil] say no more except that I beg our Lord to have you in His keeping and to grant you all the sanctity Task of Him. Amen,

The Missals you sent are so handsome that I do not know when we shall be able to repay you for them.

The servant of your Reverence, Teresa de Jesus,

Father Mondiago will give the enclosed letters to the Dominican fathers if your Reverence is kind enough to ask him to deliver them.

CCCLX

Prefatory note. Tue Brief granting the establishment of a separate province of the Discalced Carmelites reached the king at Badajoz on August 15,1580. It nominated Don Cristobal de Rojas, Archbishop of Seville, president of the first Chapter to be held, but as he died almost immediately, the Holy See substituted Fray Pedro Hernandez, of the Order of Preachers. The supplementary Brief having arrived on October g, Father Gracian, by order of the king set out for Salamanca to acquaint Hernandez with his nomination, only to find him on his death-bed. For the third time, a president had to be asked for and the choice fell on another Dominican, Fray Juan de las Cuevas, Prior of Cordova. The Brief containing the nomination came to the king’s hands on the very day this letter was written. To prevent any further complications, a second name was mentioned, that of Fray Alberto Aguayo, who belonged to the same priory as the preceding. Found. xxix, 24, and Miguel Mir, 11, 619. (B.Z.)