Letter (number unidentified). To Father Gracian, Alcala, Palencia, February 27, 1581

Petitions presented by the nuns to the Chapter of Alcala. Those from St. foseph's, Avila. Private property, prayers for deceased sisters,motu proprio’ on enclosure, and foundations.

Jesus be with your Reverence, my Father.

KNOW you have little time for reading letters at present: God grant I may manage to write a short one now! I enclose the last list of petitions. You did well in telling the nuns to send them to me first, for if what is asked for by the nuns of St. Joseph’s were conceded, they would in no way differ from the sisters of the Incarnation.t I am astounded at what the devil is doing, and nearly all the blame lies with their confessor, good as he is. He has always wished that they should eat meat, which is one of their requests. What a life they would lead! It grieves me to see the decadence of that house and it will be very hard work to bring it right again, though the nuns themselves are excellent. Not only do they make that petition, but they ask Fray Angel, the Father Provincial, to allow those in bad health to keep food in their cells, and express their wish in such a manner that I should not be surprised if he consented. You can guess who suggested making such a request to Fray Angel. Thus, little by little, everything is dragged down.

I therefore begged that an article might be inserted in the Acts forbidding the superiors to permit the sisters to possess any private property: this should be insisted upon. It applies even to the sick unless the infirmarian should leave them anythin they may need during the night, which should be done with great care and charity when their malady requires it.

writing to your Reverence, that it would be a great advantage if the Aéts of the Apostolic Visitors and the Constitutions could be collated, for, as they sometimes contradiét one another, those sisters who are not very learned are bewildered. For the love of God, busy as you are, take time to make all this perfectly simple and clear. This has been asked you from so many different places that I think you may become confused by reading all the letters and forget the chief points.

As your Reverence has not acknowledged the receipt of the packet, or of my letter, Iam tempted to wonder whether the devil has not contrived to prevent the principal petitions from reaching your hands, as well as the letters I wrote to our Father Commissary. If, by ill luck, this should be the case, will your Reverence despatcha special messenger at once to tell me, as it would be a serious matter. I will pay the cost. However, I believe the idea is but a temptation, as the courier here is a friend of ours and took great care of the despatches,

You must know that I have heard that some of the fathers who are to vote wish for the ele@tion of Father Macario. If, after so many prayers, God permits this, it must be for the best: His judgments are known to Him alone. I saw that one of the the fathers who informed me of this was much inclined to decide on Father N icolas, so that if their first choice fails he will be their second. May God direct the affair and have your Reverence in His keeping. After all, however badly things may turn

‘Fray Antonio de Jesus,

TO FATHER GRACIAN 135 out, the principal matter is accomplished. May He be for ever praised. Your Paternity’s daughter, Teresa de Jesus.

I wish your Reverence would note down ona scrap of paper the most important points I have mentioned and burn my letters, as, with all your business matters, they might fall intosome one else’s hands, which would be serious.’ All the nuns of this convent, especially my companions, earnestly commend themselves to your prayers.

To-morrow will be the last day of the month: I think that to-day is the twenty-seventh.

We are very well off here and feel better suited every day. We are negotiating about a house in an excellent position. I shall be glad when my work here is finished so that I shall not be so far away from you.

Be sure not to oppose the foundation of Sant Alejo’s®, for, though it is rather far from the town we could not findsucha convenient place elsewhere. I was much pleased with it when I passed near, and it has been bought with that woman’s tears. I should like this and the priory of Salamanca to

The autograph of the following portion of this letter as far as the word ‘Amen’ is at the Carmelite convent of Capo le Case, Rome.

come first as they are most desirable localities. Do not think of looking for more suitable houses before taking possession, as you have no money: God will do the rest later on. Houses are worth their weight in gold at Salamanca and I do not know how to find one for the nuns.” Have the kindness to take my word for it, as I have learnt by experience, and as I say, God will bring the matter right, It is a great thing to make a beginning in such places, even in a corner. May His Majesty guide it all as tends to His service. Amen? [ am very anxious that you should settle at St. Alejo at once, because setting aside the principal reason, you will be nearer here. However, you must not go there until you have obtained the abbot’s permission, for the bishop is now on better terms with him and his sister will get the leave from him. Will you say from me to the fathers who are managing the business that if they lose much time in looking for a better situation, they will be left with nothin g at all 4