Letter 427. To Mother Tomasina Bautista, Prioress of Burgos, Palencia, August 3, 1582

Advice, about enclosure. Satisfaétory state of the convent at Palencia. Interview between Father Nicolas and the Father-General at Genoa.

Jesus be with your Reverence, my Mother, and make a saint of you.

| WAS as delighted to get your Reverence’s letter as though I had not seen you a few days ago.

May God give health and safety to you and Sister

SI I yt pe it ie a lai ty

TO MOTHER BAUTISTA 341

Beatriz de Jesus, whose illness grieved me. I am praying for her. Tell her so, and give her my best wishes.

As regards the parlour; when Catalina de Tolosa leaves, your Reverence must close the opening that was made during the inundation. But change nothing while she remains with you. You must not let any one except those ladies enter in that manner, As I said, if she wishes to return, you would only have to remove a partition and let her have a room if she liked, but the window must be so managed that it does not overlook the garden, for enough has been seen of us already.

My throat is better and I have not felt so well for some time, for I can eat almost without pain, and as the moon is full I consider this a great boon. The cell I am in is very cool and comfortable, and the whole house is better arranged than I expeted. All is so well managed that there is no fault to be found with it. Teresa sends you her best wishes; this place does not seem to suit her as well as Burgos. All the nuns and the Mother Prioress are in good health and desire to be remembered to your Reverence, as I do to all the sisters, to Sefiora Catalina de Tolosa, Beatriz, Lesmitos, Dofia Catalina,’

® Beatriz de Jesus (de Arzeo y Covarrubias), the widow who had been clothed at Burgos. St. Teresa said that the convent ought rather to furnish her dowry than to ask her for one, since she was the very person wanted for the new foundation. Later on, she made the foundation at Vitoria with Mother Tomasina.

’ Catalina Manrique de San Domingo had renounced the world while young, and, dressed in a serge robe, spent her life in helping the poor. She was a friend and mother to the Discalced nuns at Burgos, sold their work for them, and begged alms for the convent.

her mother, and all my friends. Sister St. Bartholomew asks the prayers of your Reverence, the nuns, and the young girls: You must always give messages from me to all my friends, even though I do not mention it; I grant you my permission.

I have noticed that the washing is done here by only two sisters: if Maria enters you might manage in the same way at Burgos, which would be cheaper. Think over the matter, for I only wish for what is best for you. Your water supply is excellent; Isabel might help Maria to wash.

A letter reached me from Fray Nicolas stating that the Father General reached Genoa in ten days as expected and was most friendly. He gave what was asked of him willingly, with a good grace, and showed his friendship by nominating Fray Nicolas as procurator of the whole province of Discalced friars and nuns, declaring that all appeals to the seneral must be made through him and by his advice.

The brothers of Fray Nicolas paid great attention to the General who went away well pleased. When Fray Nicolas went to stay with the Calced friars, they thought he wished to join them and said that if he would remain in that house, they would make him prior—he! who never could bear the thought of such a dignity! He may have arrived in Spain already, as he meant to leave Genoa at once if he could get a ship. You must all pray much for him and thank God for having placed us so high in the good graces of the General. Let there be a procession and sing something in thanksgiving, for we have nothing left to do now but to serve God

TO DONA CATALINA DE TOLOSA 343 and become very holy in return for these favours. May He be with your Reverence and bestow His grace on you. To-day is August 3.

If I write to my friends, they must excuse its not being in my own handwriting but in a secretary’s; but unless I write myself to my doctor,‘ no doubt he will suppose I am unfit for it. Remember me to him and tell him the news, which makes me extremely happy. You too must be glad that God is so good to us. May He watch over you, my friend, and make you a saint.

Yours, Teresa de Jesus.

CEGGCLII