Letter 410. To Sisters Maria de San Jose and Isabel de la Trinidad, Burgos, about March 10, 1582

Thanks for their fortunes which would allow of a convent being bought at Burgos. JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit be with your Charities, my daughters.

RECEIVED your letter and the document. It will always be a comfort to me to hear from you, as it would be to answer you, were I not so busy that I cannot write in return,

Tam glad that you are foundresses already. I can assure you that unless you had helped us in this case I do not know how we could possibly have bought a house. Much as she wished to, Sefiora Catalina de Tolosa could do no more for us, so that it is by divine providence that you are able to send us the money.” As the Archbishop would not give the licence until we had a house of our Own, and we had no funds whatever to start with, you can realize the state of the case. Now, if only a small part of your gift were paid to us at once, we could, God willing, buy a good house. Thank Him heartily, my daughters, for allowing you to provide the beginning of so great a work: it is not every one that

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TO SOME NOVICES 297 deserves such a favour as He has granted to mother and children. Do not be distressed about what we have suffered here; it shows how annoyed the devil is and will establish the convent more firmly. I trust God that. when the house is purchased, the Archbishop will give his permission. My daughters, you must never let the thought of our past trials weigh upon your minds since we gain so greatly by it.

I assure you that Elenita de Jesus? will be a splendid nun: she is with us and we are highly pleased with her. Teresa is better and very anxious for your prayers, as are Mother Tomasina and all the nuns. They are exceedingly obliged to you for what you have done for us and will pray for you. May His Majesty protect you for my sake and make you very holy. Amen.

ours, Teresa de Jesus.

(The address of the letter is: ‘T’o my beloved daughters, Sisters Maria de San José and Isabel de la Trinidad, Carmelites.’ )