Letter 392. To Juan de Ovalle, the Saint’s Brother-In-Law, Avila, November 29, 1581

St. Teresa wishes to see her sister before leaving for Burgos. Plan for Beatriz.

JESUS! May the Holy Spirit be with you, Amen. | WROTE to you a short time ago and am very anxious to know how all the affairs are to be arranged.

I received a letter to-day telling me that the municipal corporation authorizes me to make a foundation in the city of Burgos, and a3 I already possess the Archbishop’s permission,” I expect to go there before visiting Madrid. I should be sorry to leave without seeing my sister first, as I may go from Burgos to Madrid.

I have been thinking that if Beatriz wishes to be a nun, it would be a good plan for me to take her with me to Burgos after having given her the habit at Avila: she could then accompany me to Madrid. She would enjoy seeing our different convents. In that way, she would be a foundress before she was professed, would attain without effort to a state in which she would be beside herself with joy, and could finally settle at Alba. Our Lord knows how I long for her happiness, and it would be a great

TO JUAN DE OVALLE wad source of happiness for you and my sister to witness her well-being. Think it over and pray about it, as Ido most earnestly. May His Majesty overrule it as most tends to His glory, Amen. And may He have you in His keeping. Let my sister consider this letter as addressed to her. Remember me affectionately to my niece and nephew. Teresa desires the same. I am making use of a special messenger who has to go to our Father Provincial at Salamanca to obtain permission for a certain renunciation: he will call at Alba on his way there and back. Have your answer ready and give it to the Mother Prioress, but say nothin g about Burgos to anybody. To-day is November 29. Your unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.

Please turn over the page. If we carry out our plan about Burgos, you need not leave Alba, as the long journey in prospect would be sufficient reason to account for my visit to my sister. I could say afterwards that I wished to take my niece with me and no one here could find fault with that. If you approve of the projeét, I will let you know when the date of my departure is fixed, but it would do no harmifyou came here earlier. Although I should like to know about it, I hear nothing about Dojia Major’s’ health, nor can I find means to send her the wimples, which are so heavy that no one will carry them. Will you remember me kindly to her and tell me how she is. I am fairly well.