Letter 349. To Father Gracian, Alcala, Palencia, February 17, 1581

A house for the nuns at Villanueva. Father Dorta as Father Gracian’s companion. The chapel at St. ‘Foseph’s, Avila.

It has occurred to me that, if you are made Provincial, it would be well for your Reverence to take Father Nicolas as your companion, for it is very important that you should make your first visits together. I have not mentioned this to the Apostolic Commissary, for as Father Bartolomé is now invalided he is obliged to eat meat, and certain people are watching him disapprovingly already. In any case, I assure you that this arrangement would bea very good one at first, and Father Doria would always advise you prudently. After what you have suffered from others, it would be a pleasant change to be with some one from whom you would have nothing to suffer.

Remember me most kindly to Father Bartolomé who must be very tired, for it is your nature never to be at rest: it is enough to kill both you and your socius. I have not forgotten how pale you were a year ago in Holy Week. For the love of God, do not be so zealous about preaching this Lent and do not eat that bad kind of fish, for though you than usual. Sisters St. Bartholomew and Inés de Jesus send you their best wishes. The latter says that, however much your Reverence may avoid the post of Provincial, the prayers of the Discalced nuns will prevail to put you into it. May the Master so ordain that you may render Him greater service: the rest is of little consequence, whatever we may have to suffer.

I meant to have written merely a note: see how I succeed when I trv to cut short my words with your Reverence! I said a great deal to Father Mariano about the temptation he told me he felt to vote for Macario. I do not understand that man, nor do I care to discuss the matter with any one but your Reverence. Keep what I have said to yourself: this is very important. Be sure to consult Father Nicolas and let the fathers see that you are not seeking the post of Provincial for yourself, I really do not know how they can conscientiously vote except for you or him.

I sent.your letter to all the convents. The nuns were highly pleased with it; I most of all. I will forward any answers I get. If some of the sisters wish for alterations, change what you think well and nothing else. May God have you in His keeping and make you as holy as | ask Him!

• To-day is February 17.

If any fresh regulations for the convents should occur to us, I will-let you know, for the affairs of the Chapter cannot be concluded so soon as not to leave us time for that.

Your Paternity’s unworthy servant and daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.

CCCEXV DOCUMENT SENT TO ALCALA

Palencia, about February 20, 1581+

Statement about the foundation of St. foseph’s convent, Avila, sent to the Chapter at Alcala de Heénares.

CCCLXVI DOCUMENT SENT TO ALCALA

Palencia, towards the end of F ebruary, 1581?

Letter of advice sent by the Saint to the Chapter at Alcala. A revelation made to St. Teresa on ‘Fune 6, 1579:

HILE I was in the hermitage of Nazareth, W at the convent of St. Joseph, Avila, on Whitsun Eve, thinking about a great favour Our Lord had shown me on that festival twenty years before,’ my soul was suddenly seized by a strong impetus and fervour which threw me into an ecstasy. During my profound recollection, I heard our Lord say that I must tell the Discalced fathers from Him to strive to observe the following four points. As long as they did so, our Order would flourish, but if the religious neglected these things, they must realize that they had declined from their initia] fervour.

The first of these points is that the superiors should agree together. The second, that though they may have many priories, there must only be