Letter 347. To Dona Juana de Ahumada, Alba, Palencia, January 13, 1581

Foundation at Palencia. Consolation in trials. Marriage of Don Francisco. Discontent of Pedro de Ahumada.

JESUS! May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you, my sister.

HAVE been longing to know how you are and how you" have spent Christmas time. As you may suppose, it is many seasons since I have thought so much of you and your household: I have prayed for you, and have grieved over your trials. May our Lord be praised, for He came to earth for nothing but to suffer, and I believe that the more closely we imitate Him in this, keeping His commandments meanwhile, the more glory will be ours. This is a great comfort to me, though it would be

Indies and took the Dominican habit there. He returned to Spain, and became very intimate with St. Teresa. He went back to Peru and became Provincial of the Dominicans. In 1581 he was again in Spain. It was he who had bidden the Saint to write the history of the foundation of St. Joseph’s convent at Avila.

a greater comfort still if I could bear your trials and you could receive the reward, or if I lived where I could talk to you. However, as the Master ordains otherwise, may He be blessed for all He does!

I left Valladolid for Palencia with my companions on Holy Innocents’ day, in very bad weather. My health is none the worse for it although I have many severe attacks, but as long as I have no fever, I can bear with them. We reached here at night; two days after the bell was hung and the convent of the glorious St. Joseph was founded. I was astonished at the joy shown by the citizens, which probably was partly owing to the pleasure it gave their bishop who is greatly beloved and very kind to us. As far as one can judge at present, I trust in God that this will be one of our best houses.

I have heard nothing of Don Francisco since his mother-in-law wrote telling me that he had been bled twice. She is much pleased with him, as he is with her and his wife. Pedro de Ahumada seems the least pleased from what he writes, as Francisco prefers living with his mother-in-law. It would not do for Pedro de Ahumada to go there. It is unfortunate that he finds so little rest anywhere. He told me that he had recovered and was coming to Avila for Kingtide to see how he could get his money from Seville, as no one gives him anything. The more our friends at Madrid tell us about the Marriage, the better pleased we feel, especially with regard to the sense and chara@ter of Dofia Orfrisia of which they speak highly. May God Prosper the couple and give them grace to serve

TO DON JERONIMO REYNOSO © 119

Him, for all the joys of this world pass quickly. If you give your letter to the Mother Prioress of Alba to forward to Salamanca, it will come here safely, as a courier goes from Salamanca to Palencia. For charity’s sake, do not fail to write to me, for you owe it to me this Christmastide when I am thinking of all of you more than I wish. Let Sefior Juan de Ovalle look upon this letter as addressed to him; I should like to know how he is. Remember me to Dojfia Beatriz. May God watch over you all and make you as holy as I ask of Him. To-day is January 13.

Do not omit writing to Don Francisco; it is your duty. It was not his fault that he did not tell you of his marriage beforehand: it was arranged so quickly that he had not time. Mother Inés de Jesus is well and sends very kind messages.

The servant of your Honour, Teresa de Jesus.