Letter 375. To Father Gracian, Valladolid, Soria, July 14, 1581

The Saint’s efforts to prevent Elena de Quiroga from entering the Order. Difficulties about the foundations at Burgos and Madrid. Deference to be shown to the Father General. Profession of Ana de San Pedro.

JESUS! May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your Reverence, my Father. ; | RECEIVED one letter from you dated St. John’s day, and another brought by Father Nicolas: the third very long one you mention has not arrived. But though you call these letters brief; they gave me no small pleasure with their news that your Reverence was well, for I was anxious about you. May our Lord give you good health as He has the power. Ihave written several letters to your Reverence: I.should not like the one to be lost in which T asked you not to give Dofia Elena leave to become anun. They tell me this messenger is very trustworthy, and as he is going toValladolid, where, from what you say you are likely to be found, I think I had better forward this packet of letters from Toledo, as San Alejo’s is so near the city.

They will show you how seriously annoyed the Archbishop is, and it would by no means be well to make him our enemy. Apart from this, I never hear his niece’s entrance discussed without strong

TO FATHER GRACIAN 201 disapproval. Not only is there question of a mother and daughter and numerous relations,’ but from what I know of the lady herself I fear there would be great trouble for others and little happiness for her. Indeed, before discussing the matter with the Archbishop, I had begged Father Baltasar Alvarez? to dissuade her from the project, as he promised he would, for he shared my opinion and knew her well. That shows whether I persuaded her to enter! I wrote telling the Cardinal I should consult you on the subject; that he might feel assured she would not be received, and that I should be greatly pained if the case were otherwise. You will understand that this letter must be kept a profound secret: in any case, tear it up and let no one suppose that we refuse Dofia Elena on the Cardinal’s account, but because it would be well neither for her nor her children, which is the fact. We have had plenty of experience of these widows.

Before I forget, it I must say that I am afraid the Constitutions will never be printed. Be kind enough not toneglect them, for they are of great importance. Along history could have been printed by this time.

And now to settle about the Burgos affair. I enclose the reply I received, and am astonished that people should think I ought to go there without more question. I answered the Bishop of Palencia that, as your Reverence wrote, I could not spend the winter at Burgos on account of my ailments. I did not state my misgivings about the Archbishop lest it might make ill-feeling between

? See letter of September 13 following. ® See letter of November 11, 1576.

them. In my reply to the Archbishop I wrote that lest he might suffer annoyance if, as I expected, the citizens would not consent to the foundation and looked on me with disfavour, I would postpone the matter until an agreement had been come to with the municipal authorities. The hour for that foundation cannot have come: I expect the one proposed by Fray Baltasar‘ will be made first. So goes the world! The Madrid house is the one that is wanted, and I believe that, when the Archbishop sees his wishes obeyed, he will soon give the licence, The Bishop of Toledo, who is going to Toledo in September,5 says he will get it for us.

God willing, I shall have finished my task here by the middle of August. As there will be nothing more for me to do after our Lady’s feast is over, if you like Ican go to Avila, where the nuns do not seem to have been getting on very smoothly with Father Nicolas. But unless it is really necessary I do not wish to be made prioress, as I am not fit for the office: it is beyond my strength and would make me scrupulous. If F ray Gregorio Nazianzen remains here, as I said to your Reverence, I think the present prioress would suffice as no one else is to be found. Though I say she would suffice, I think I am not telling the truth, for as regards the community they might as well have no one, When your Reverence is there you will see what is to be done. I care so much for that house that I make little account of any trouble it may cost me, and

“It is uncertain whether this refers to Fray Baltasar Medina or Fray Baltasar Niéto. For the provincial council of Toledo,

TO FATHER GRACIAN 203 my presence there until God summons me to Madrid would no doubt help matters. Naturally I cannot but shrink from going there now that my friends and brother are gone and (worst of all) the rest remain! °

As for the journey to Rome, I realize its great necessity, and nothing is risked by sending some one to profess our obedience to the General. The choice should fall on some religious who would not be greatly missed. Father Nicolas could hardly be spared by your Reverence though he would be the most capable of settling things pleasantly. When the General sees that we render him obedience, and occasionally make him little presents, there will be no trouble if we should want small concessions in future. It is highly necessary that the General should recognize that the Discalced Carmelites are his subjects and that they should acknowledge a superior.’ Do not let us go back to the former state of affairs or spend so much money, for it would be a heavy burden on the houses.

I forgot to say how pleased I was with the arrangement about the chapel; it is most satisfactory. Thank God for having benefited us so much by the delay.

I am afraid we shall have to sufter with the Fleming’s daughter all her life as we have with

® Lorenzo, Francisco de Salcedo, and other friends had gone, but her nephew Francisco, his mother in law, and Pedro de Ahumada were at Avila. ; ’ Their opponents had said that the Discalced had withdrawn their submission to the General at the separation of provinces and were now under no jurisdiction, her mother.’ God grant it may not be worse! Believe me, I dread a discontented nun more than a host of devils. God forgive the person who received her back into the Order. Do not give permission for her profession until, God willing, I can visit the convent. I am writing to Father Nicolas, asking him whether he can get a conveyance at Avila to take me back there as I do not see much chance of obtaining one here. May God direct the matter as will serve Him best!

May He have enabled your Reverence to give some help to Beatriz. The affair has caused me great pain for some time. I have written several letters to her and her mother which ought to have done some good, as I said terrible things to them, for though they may be blameless, I spoke of the danger there might be in the sight of God and of the world. In my opinion she is not free from fault norare her parents, forshe controls them. The case is hopeless and unless all pretext is removed, I believe the scandal will grow worse if possible. Things are bad enough already, for her gvod name is destroyed. I am resigned to that though I feel it deeply, but I wish no souls to be lost, and both the children and parents being poor, I see no help for them. May God succour them and give your Reverence grace to cut the knot. I can devise no way except to put Beatriz in a convent, but I do not know how, as the family have no means. It would be a great thing if she could come to Avila? I entreat your Rever-