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Letters 22-33

[To Madre Leonor de San Gabriel, discalced Carmelite,

in Córdoba

Madrid, June or July, 1590(?)]47

Jesus be in your soul, my daughter in Christ.

In reading your letter I felt sorry for you in your affliction, and I grieve over it because of the harm it can do your spirit and even your health. But you ought to know that I don't think you should be as afflicted as you are. For I do not see in Our Father any kind of dissatisfaction with you or even any recollection of such a thing. And even if he may have had some, now with your repentance it would be lessened. And if he should still show some displeasure, I will take care to speak well of the matter. Do not be troubled or pay any atten tion to this, for you have no reason to. I certainly believe it is a temptation the devil brings to your mind so that what should be employed in God is taken up with this.

Be courageous, my daughter, and give yourself greatly to prayer, forgetting this thing and that, for after all we have no other good or security or comfort than this, for after having left all for God, it is right that we not long for support or comfort in anything but him, and it is still a great mercy...48

Address: To Madre Leonor de San Gabriel, subprioress of the discalced Carmelite nuns in Córdoba.

-=O=-

[To a person under his direction

Of uncertain date]49

You have seen, daughter, how good it is not to have money, which only troubles us and is stolen from us, and for the treasures of the soul to be hidden and at peace so we cannot even know of or see them oursel ves, for there is no worse thief than the one inside the house.

God deliver us from ourselves. May he give us what pleases him and never show it to us until he wishes to do so. And, after all, the one who stores up treasures out of love, stores them up for another. It is good that God guards and enjoys them, since they are all for him; and that we neither see them nor enjoy them so as not to deprive God of the joy he finds in the humility and the nakedness of our heart and in our contempt of worldly things for love of him.

It is a very manifest treasure and it gives great joy to see that the soul continues to please God openly, pay ing no attention to the foolish ones of the world who know not how to keep anything for the next life.

The Masses will be said, and I shall go willingly unless they notify me to the contrary. May God keep you.

Fray John of the Cross

-=O=-

[To Padre Luis de San Angelo,50 in Andalusia

Segovia, 1589-1590 ?]

...If at any time someone, whether superior or anyone else, should try to persuade you of a lax teaching, even though it be confirmed by miracles, do not believe or embrace it; rather, greater penance and greater detachment from all things. And do not seek Christ without the cross.

Fray John of the Cross

-=O=-

[To Madre Ana de Jesús,51 in Segovia

Madrid, July 6, 1591]52

Jesus be in your soul.

Thank you very much for your letter; this puts me under greater obligation than before. If things did not turn out as you desired, you ought rather to be consoled and thank God profusely. Since His Majesty has so arranged matters, it is what most suits everyone. All that remains for us is to accept it willingly so that, since we believe he has arranged this, we may show it by our actions. Things that do not please us seem to be evil and harmful, however good and fitting they may be. And it is obvious that this is not evil or harmful, neit her for me nor for anyone. It is in my favor since, being freed and relieved from the care of souls, I can, if I want and with God's help, enjoy peace, solitude, and the delightful fruit of forgetfulness of self and of all things. It is also good for others that I be separated from them, for thus they will be freed of the faults they would have committed on account of my misery.

What I ask of you, daughter, are your prayers to the Lord that whatever happens he may continue to grant me this favor. I still fear they will make me go to Segovia and not leave me so free from all things, although I will do what I can to free myself from this too. But if this cannot be, Madre Ana de Jesús will not be left without my direction, as she fears, and thus she will not die of this sorrow that the opportunity, in her opi nion, of being very holy has come to an end. But whether leaving or staying, wherever or however things may come to pass, I will neither forget nor neglect you, as you say, because truly I desire your good forever.

Now, until God gives us this good in heaven, pass the time in the virtues of mortification and patience, desi ring to resemble somewhat in suffering this great God of ours, humbled and crucified. This life is not good if it is not an imitation of his life. May His Majesty preserve you and augment his love in you as his holy belo ved. Amen.

From Madrid, July 6, 1591

Fray John of the Cross

Address: To Madre Ana de Jesús, discalced Carmelite in Segovia

-=O=-

[To Madre María de la Encarnación,53

discalced Carmelite in Segovia

July 6, 1591]54

...Do not let what is happening to me, daughter, cause you any grief, for it does not cause me any. What greatly grieves me is that the one who is not at fault is blamed. Men do not do these things, but God, who knows what is suitable for us and arranges things for our good. Think nothing else but that God ordains all, and where there is no love, put love, and you will draw out love...

-=O=-

[To Madre María de la Encarnación,

discalced Carmelite in Segovia

Segovia, July (?) 1591]55

Jesus be in your soul, my daughter in Christ.

I thank you for sending for me so openly and with such determination because as a result my perplexity will not give me cause for delay. So, I will certainly come tomorrow even though the weather may not be nice and I may not be feeling so well. Thus, I shall say no more than that I feel sorry for the sisters who are sick and that I am pleased with Your Reverence's good courage. May our Lord bring you to dwell in him so that the foolish things, which are ever arising, will make no impression on you.

Fray John of the Cross

Address: To the Mother Prioress

-=O=-

[To Doña Ana del Mercado y Peñalosa,56 in Granada

La Peñuela, August 19, 1591]

Jesus be in your soul.

Although I have sent a letter by way of Baeza concerning the outcome of my journey, I am happy that these two servants of Señor Don Francisco are passing because of the opportunity it affords of sending these lines, which I am more certain will reach you.

I mentioned in the other letter how I desire to remain in this desert of La Peñuela, where I arrived about nine days ago and which is about six leagues north of Baeza. I like it very much, glory to God, and I am well. The vastness of the desert is a great help to the soul and body, although the soul fares very poorly. The Lord must be desiring that it have its spiritual desert. Well and good if it be for his service; His Majesty already knows what we are of ourselves. I don't know how long this will last, for Father Fray Antonio de Jesús threatens from Baeza that he will not leave me here for long. Be that as it may, for in the meanwhi le I am well off without knowing anything, and the life of the desert is admirable.

This morning we have already returned from gathering our chickpeas, and so the mornings go by. On anot her day we shall thresh them. It is nice to handle these mute creatures, better than being badly handled by living ones. God grant that I may stay here. Pray for this, my daughter. But even though I am so happy he re, I would not fail to come should you desire.

Take care of your soul and do not confess scruples or first movements or imaginings in which the soul does not desire to be detained. Look after your health, and do not fail to pray when you can.

I already mentioned in the other letter, though this one will reach you first, that you can write to me by way of Baeza since they have mail service there. You can address the letters to the Discalced Fathers in Baeza; I have notified them to send the letters on to me.

Regards to Señor Don Luis and to my daughter, Doña Inés.

May God give you his Spirit as I desire. Amen.

From La Peñuela, August 19, 1591

Fray John of the Cross

-=O=-

[To a woman under his direction57

La Peñuela, August 22, 1591]

May God grant us the right intention in all these things and that we might not consent knowingly to sin; for in this way, even though the battery of temptation be great and of many kinds, one will walk safely and ever ything will be converted into a crown.

Give my greetings to your sister; and to Isabel de Soria my best regards in the Lord, and tell her that I mar veled that she is not in Jaén, since there is a monastery there.

The Lord be in your soul, my daughter in Christ.

From La Peñuela, August 22, 1591

Fray John of the Cross

-=O=-

[To Madre Ana de San Alberto, discalced Carmelite in Caravaca

La Peñuela, August-September 1591]

...You already know, daughter, the trials they are now suffering. God permits it to try his elect. In silence and in hope shall our strength be [Is. 30:15]. May God keep you and make you holy. Commend me to God.

-=O=-

[To Doña Ana del Mercado y Peñalosa

La Peñuela, September 21, 1591]58

Jesus be in your soul, my daughter in Christ.

I received here in La Peñuela the packet of letters the servant brought me. I greatly appreciate your con cern. Tomorrow I am going to Ubeda for the cure of a slight bout of fever. Since it has been returning each day now for more than a week and does not leave me, it seems I shall need the help of medicine. Yet I plan to return here immediately, for I am indeed very happy in this holy solitude. And thus in regard to what you said about being careful not to accompany Padre Fray Antonio, be sure that in this matter and in all else that may require it, I shall be as cautious as possible.

I am very happy to know that Señor Don Luis59 is now a priest of the Lord. May he be so for many ye ars and may His Majesty fulfill the desires of his soul. Oh, how blessed a state this is for leaving aside cares and speedily enriching the soul! Congratulate him for me. I dare not ask him that he might some day re member me at the sacrifice of the Mass, and I as a debtor will ever remember him. Even though I am for getful, I will not be able to forget him, since he is so close to his sister whom I always remember.

Greetings in the Lord to my daughter Doña Inés.60 And may both of you pray God to prepare me that he may bring me to himself. I cannot think of any more to write now and I am also closing on account of the fever, for I would like to write at greater length.

From La Peñuela, September 21, 1591

Fray John of the Cross

You say nothing about the lawsuit, whether it is being tried or still to come up.

Letter 32

[To Padre Juan de Santa Ana,61 discalced Carmelite in Málaga

Ubeda, October-November, 1591]62

...Son, do not let this grieve you, for they cannot take the habit from me save for being incorrigible or dis obedient. I am very ready to amend all I may have done wrong and obey in whatever penance they may give me.

-=O=-

[To a discalced Carmelite nun in Segovia63

Ubeda, October-November 1591]

...Have a great love for those who contradict and fail to love you, for in this way love is begotten in a heart that has no love. God so acts with us, for he loves us that we might love by means of the very love he be ars toward us.