Letter 362. To Antonio Gaitan, Alba de Tormes, March 28, 1581

The Saint congratulates him on his second marriage. Scandal about the Saint’s niece Beatriz, daughter of ‘fuana de Ahumada. Antonio's little daughter.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with you. HAVE received a letter from you and should have written to you more than once had I done as I wished, but the trials and labours of the last few years have been so numerous that I have had little time for all my work. Glory be to God for bringing us through all our difficulties satisfactorily. The Mother Prioress will tell you how I thank Him for the happiness He has given you. God grant it may tend to His service, for there are saints in your state of life as well as in the others, and if you are not a saint, it will be your own fault. The only fault I can find with you is that you did not inform me of the other matter as soon as you heard of it, for perhaps we might have taken measures that would have prevented the harm the devil has done by persuading people to believe that any harm was done. Even if all that the lady imagined had been true, considering her position she ought to have behaved differently and not to have slandered my niece so recklessly. When God judges the world, things will be made evident about which we cannot give a judgment now without offending Him deeply. After an intimate friendship of such long standing, there could have been no motive but malice for so grave an accusation. My sister is naturally so gentle that she could not be harsh with any one even if she tried, for it would be against her nature, nor have I ever detected any behaviour in her daughter that required it, for she is very quiet. To tell the truth, I have not seen them together often, but I have grieved deeply over the offences that must have been committed against God by the person who slandered Beatriz. My sister has solemnly declared that the accusation is false, and I believe her for she is not untruthful, nor has any one in the place the right to treat her so badly. People make little account of her because girl has been admitted into our convents, nor would I consent to it. I have not the same power now, as matters are settled by the sisters’ votes since the Constitutions have been regulated. Your daughter could not take the habit until she was twelve years old, nor be professed until she was sixteen, so there is no reason why we should settle our arrangements at present. Will you kindly make provision for the payment of her board with the sisters, as now that you have other expenses you might be unable to pay when you wished. I hear that it isa very long time since you sent any money, so they might think it would be the same case with the dowry. Most certainly, if it were in my power, I should give very little trouble on the subje&. May our Lord give you the peaceful life that I wish you! Amen.

Written at St. Joseph’s, Palencia, on Easter Tuesday.

Your unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.