Letter 371. To Father Gracian, Salamanca?, Soria, June 27, 1581

Plans about foundations altered. Charming situation of the priory at Tormés.

Jesus be with your Paternity, my Father, and give you an abundance of Their love.

EE I must go to Avila now and the other project is to be abandoned, in all likelihood it will be abandoned for ever. It seems to me that if Fray Gregorio is there, and I am made prioress, St. Joseph’s could do without my presence for a few months. I heartily wish your Reverence were living nearer when such questions have to be decided. God grant this letter may reach you soon. Your Reverence’s answer cannot come wa Avila. Father Nicolas tells me he will find a special messenger, or it could be forwarded via Palencia and Valladolid, though letters reach me slowly by that route.

Do not fail to send an answer by both means.

God grant your health is good for it is hard to be in such bad lodgings in the hot weather. I envy your nearness to the river. The site always seemed to me a good one, at least for a beginning. The heat here is excessive at times, especially while I am writing this, but the nights and mornings are cool. All the nuns are well. The prioress does her duty extremely well,’ as does the sefora.® May God prosper the convent, for the foundation seems a success: and may He preserve your Paternity to us. Amen.

To-day is June 27. Written at the convent of Soria.

Teresa de Jesus.