Letter 403. To Leonor de la Misericordia, Novice at Soria?, Valladolid or Palencia, between Jan. 12 and 26, 1582

Advice about dryness in prayer. Generosity towards God. Arrangement of the refeétory at Sorta.

JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit be with you, my daughter. H, how I wish I had no other letters to answer except your last and theone brought me by the

Jesuit father! Believe me, my daughter, I feel a special pleasure whenever I see a letter from you, so do not let the devil tempt you to cease writing to me. 2

What tempts your Reverence to think you are making no progress will on the contrary be of the greatest benefit to you, as time will show. God is treating you as one who dwells in His palace and whom He knows will never leave it: He wishes to afford you opportunities to gain more and more merit. Perhaps until now you have enjoyed more tenderness of devotion, and it was necessary for Him to detach you from everything,

I remember a saint I knew in Avila —for certainly her life showed that she was a saint. She had given her all to God: the only thing left was

TO LEONOR DE LA MISERICORDIA 283 a coverlet and she gave that too. He at once inflicted on her the most severe trials and aridities. She complained bitterly, saying: ‘Thou art Master of all my belongings: now that Thou hast left me with nothing, Thou desertest me!’? You see, my daughter, God is one of those who repay great services with hardships, and there can be no better pay, for hardships earn the love of God.

I thank Him because you are growing in interior virtues. Let God do as He will with your soul, His bride. He will render good account of it, and will lead it by the way that suits it. The novelty of the life and its practices may seem to have destroyed your peace: later on, all blessings will come together. Do not trouble on that account. Glory in helping God to bear the cross and do not be eager for delights: mercenaries are paid day by day. Serve without pay, as nobles fight for an earthly king, and may the King of heaven be with you!

I am answering what Dojfia Beatriz+ wishes to know about my journey.

Your Dojfia Josefa is a good soul, certainly, and very suited to us, but she is so useful where she is that I do not know whether it would not be wrong to take her away, so that I have opposed it as far as possible. Besides, I am afraid it might arouse enmity against me. If God wishes it, the thing will come to pass.

Remember me to those of your brothers whom Iknow. May God proteé& you and make you what I desire.

The servant of your Reverence, Teresa de Jesus.

I forgot to mention how pleased our Father was with your Charity. He never ceases praising you and telling the Mother Prioress that the refectory should be downstairs, and would be suitable if fitted with shelves. It is very hard work for those who serve the food to be obliged to carry up the wood, and water, and the rest. I think this arrangement would be very convenient.

CCCCXXVI