Letter 344. To Fray Juan de Jesus Roca, Pastrana’, Palencia, January 4, 1581

The Saint declines to write to Archbishop Quiroga. Constitutions for the nuns. Refusal of a postulant. The foundations at Palencia and Burgos. Sensation made by Teresa de fesus. JESUS! May the Holy Spirit be with your Reverence!

I should very much like to be of service to your Reverence by obtaining the letter you desire from the Archbishop, but I have never spoken to his sister, nor do I know her, and you are aware of the small account he made of my letter when your Reverence made me write to him. So I could do no good, and it will not be long before I must ask his permission to make the foundation at Madrid. I heartily wish that I could do more for one to whom so much is owing, but I do not see my way to it.

As for what you observe about the Constitutions, Father Gracian wrote telling me that the same thing had been remarked to him, He already has the nuns’ Constitutions in his hands. Thereisso little to remark about them that they will sodn be ready, but it will be hecessary to consult your Reverence first, for what seems to me suitable from one point of view appears objectionable in other ways, so that I cannot come toa decision. It is indispensable that everything should be ready so that there should be no delay on our part.

Sefior Casademonte writes telling me that Tostado has been forbidden by lawful authority to interfere in any way with the Discalced, which is a very good thing. It is astonishing how careful this friend of. yours is to send us any good news and accounts of all that happens: we certainly are deeply indebted to him.

The dowry your Reverence tells me the postulant will have seems small, as it consists of an estate which will perhaps sell at far below its value and convents for we have bought a house in the best part of the town adjoining a hermitage dedicated to our Lady, for which the townsfolk and those in the suburbs have the greatest devotion. Asa special favour the city corporation has given us leave to have grilles looking into this church. All this has been managed by the bishop; I cannot tell you how much our Order is indebted to him and what care he takes of our interests. He gives us all the bread we require,

At present we are in a house lent by a gentleman to Father Gracian when he was here, but God willing, we shall soon move into our own. I assure you and the fathers that you will be glad when you see how suitable it is. God be praised for all things! 2

The Archbishop’ has given me permission to ally by one, Canon Reynoso, who is a saint. Of your charity, pray for him and for the Archbishop. All the leading citizens favour us very strongly, in fact, everybody is wonderfully pleased: I do not know what will come of it. The servant of your Reverence, Teresa de Jesus.