Letter 346. To Mary of St. Joseph, Seville, Palencia, January 6, 1581

Devotion of the old ladies of Seville to Father Gracian and his sermons. Business matters of the Order. Father Garcia returns from the Indies.

JESUS, MARIA!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Reverence, my daughter |!

TO MOTHER MARY OF S. JOSEPH 115 that I am not surprised at its having influenced those souls. Your Reverence must tell me about it, for I should much enjoy the account. May God protect him for indeed we need him. You were right in warning him to limit his sermons, for so much preaching might be injurious.

I am glad your Reverence promised to send me the two hundred ducats as we shall be able to begin carrying out my brother’s wishes: may he be in glory! But do not send the sum to Casademonte or by means of Father Nicolas,” for he might take it to Pastrana and I should not get it; (this is between ourselves) but forward it to Medina del Campo. The nuns there will know some merchant to whom they can entrust it, in which way it will travel more safely and without expense. If not, let me know before you part with it and I will tell you how it is to come.

I am fairly well, but so occupied with visitors” that I could not have written this letter myself, had I wished. Enclosed is an account of this foundation which together with the charity, good will and devotion of the citizens, made me praise God. Thanks are due to Him: let the nuns thank Him for it and for the favour shown us. Remember me affectionately to them. The sisters here beg for your prayers, especially my secretary, who is glad your Reverence likes her as it will make you pray for her, of which she stands in great need.

I am telling our Father why I do not wish the

? Mary of St. Joseph disobeyed, and entrusted the sum to Father Nicolas Doria who paid a debt with it which was owing to his brother by the nuns,

® As far as this, the letter is written by a secretary,

See Cisne money to fall into any hands but my own. I have been so wearied by my relations since my brother died that I do not wish for any dispute with them. I assure you that I regret hearing from our Father how dear things are in your locality for I do not know how you manage to live, yet you have to pay that sum to me which I would rather you were receiving yourself. May God bring things right and give you good health, for everything can be borne with that. It grieves me deeply to see you ailing and in want. I am afraid Seville disagrees with you, but I see no chance of your leaving it. May the Master provide for you, for He certainly granted your petition for trials.

Tell Sister San Francisco that I never for a moment thought of being displeased with her: in fact, I am so tond of her that I am sorry she is so far away. Remember me kindly to all the nuns

-and the Mother Subprioress, and abide with God, for my head is too tired to do anything more except scold .you, for I was amused at the remark you made to Father Nicolas.

On the one hand, I see that you must take more nuns, yet on the other I have learnt here what a burden and inconvenience it is in many ways to have a large community. May God bring you a sister like the one that died, and then all will be set right, and may He have your Reverence in His keeping for me: |

To-day is the feast of the Kings.

I sent you the letters from the Indies by the last courier. They say that F ray Garcia de Toledo