Letter (number unidentified). To A Nun of Another Order Who Wished to Become A Discalded Carmelite, Written in 1581 after the Chapter of Alcala

How to become perfect in a large communtty.

Jesus be with your Honour!

S regards the principal request you make, I cannot help you in any way, because one of our Constitutions (for which I petitioned) forbids our taking a nun from any other Order into our convents. So many have asked, and are still asking to be received that, although there are a few we should have welcomed, there are drawbacks which oblige us to put a stop to their entrance. Therefore

I can say no more on the matter as the thing cannot be done, and my wish to oblige you is powerless except to cause me regret.

Before the foundation of these convents, I lived for twenty-five years in one which contained a hundred and eighty nuns. As I am pressed for time, I will only say that, to one who loves God as you do, such things will be a cross and will profit the soul without in any way harming it, under the condition that you resolve to live as though you were alone with God in the house, and unless your office requires it, do not concern yourself about anything else; that you notice the virtue you see in each sister for the sake of loving her and imitating it, and pay no attention to her faults. This was such a help to me that, large as the community was, I lived as undisturbed as though I were alone, and, in fag, I gained by it. In short, Sefiora, we can love the great God wherever we are. Praise be to Him, for nothing can prevent this.

Your servant, Teresa de Jesus

CCECGCXX!I 1581? FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON

St. Teresa’s conscience.

.... Why do you wish me to change my point of view of the question? When you can prove that it offends God, I will alter it; otherwise all the threats and trials in the world would not shake my resolution...

To obtain what you ask of me, you would have to declare that I ought to be scrupulous about refusing it...

CECEXXH: 1581?" ANOTHER FRAGMENT

Government of the nuns.

... You must know that I no longer govern as I did; all is done by love. I do not know whether it is that no reason is given me for acting otherwise, or if it is because I have heard it said that this is the best way...

TO DON RUIZ DE LA PENA 279

Medina del Campo, January 8, 1582° mOm~ria CHUN ITIATH DON RUIZ DE -LA PENA, CONFESSOR TO CARDINAL QUIROGA.

Good news of the Cardinal’s niece, Sister Elena de Fesus (Quiroga). The Saint speaks of making a foundation at Burgos.

our Sister Elena de Jesusand the restin good health. She is so happy that I thanked our Lord for it; she has grown stouter. In fad, they are all so extraordinarily contented that it is evident our Lord has given them a vocation to the life: may He be for ever praised! They kiss his Lordship’s hands repeatedly. The nuns join me in special prayers that they may all be preserved to us for many years.

The good news I received here of his most illustrious Lordship is a great comfort tome. God grant he may progress in sanctity !

Sister Elena de Jesus is as much at home, and as perfect in the practices of the religious life, as though she had lived here for years. May God uphold her and the other relatives of his Lordship, for such souls should be highly prized

I had no idea of leaving Avila unless it had been to make a foundation at Madrid. However, our Lord has been pleased that certain persons living at Burgos should so strongly desire a convent of our Order in the town, that they have obtained permission for it from the Archbishop and the city authorities. Consequently, I am bidden under obedience to take some nuns there to carry out the plan. Our Lord wills that it should cost me extra