I. I BELIEVE that God gives great grace to any one who

is resolved to do right, therefore you must examine into
what is the intention of a person entering the convent.
She must not come here to find a home, as often happens
nowadays, although if she has good sense our Lord may
perfect even this intention. If she is wanting in sense, on
no account receive her, for she will not know why she
enters, nor will her Superiors ever be able to teach her
afterwards. As a rule, those who are defective in this
way think they know, better than the wisest, what is
good for them. I believe this ill is incurable, for it
is seldom without some malice. Among a number of
religious and in a large convent, it may be borne with,

1 Valladolid edition, ch. xv. ; Escorial, ch. xxi,

88 THE WAY OF PERFECTION. [CHAP. XIV.

but in our small community it would be intolerable.
Good sense, when it once begins to see what is right,
clings firmly to it, convinced that this is the safest course,
and although this may not lead to great spirituality, still
such a person is useful when practical advice is required,
and in many other ways, and is not a burden to any one,
but rather a help by her cheerfulness. However, I
cannot see of what service in a community a person
wanting in sense can be, though she may do much harm.®
This defect, and the others I spoke of,® are not known
at first, for many people speak well, and understand
ill, while others’ speech is short and unpolished, but
they are at home with God. There are simple, holy
souls who know little of this world’s work and manners,

2 Ribera says in his life of Saint Teresa : “ She was singularly
fond of intelligent people. Next to their having a vocation,
what she cared for most in those she received as novices, even
if only lay sisters, was a good understanding. People who knew
her holiness and love of prayer were careful to praise the fervour
and prayerfulness of the candidates they brought her, thinking
this would make her accept them. But she only seemed to
care to know whether they were sensible and apt. I myself
was among their number, and, being greatly surprised, I asked
her the reason. She answered : ‘ Father, our Lord will give
her devotion when she enters, and we will teach her prayer.
As for those who have practised prayer outside, we very often
have to teach them to forget all they have learnt — but as for
intelligence, we cannot give it to them. Besides, a devout, good
nun, if she has no brains, is only of use to herself.’ But I can
put a sensible nun at the head of the house and trust her with
any of the offices ” {Ribera, bk. iv. ch. xxiv.).

3 Ch. xiii. 3 ; ch. v. 24. Const. 13, 17, 41.

CHAP. XIV.]

PROFESSION.

89

but are apt for prayer.^ Therefore inquiries must be
made before receiving a novice, and a long probation
given her before her profession. If the world once
understands that you are free to send away new-comers
(as there is often good reason for doing in a convent
where austerities are practised), no one will feel offended
by your doing so.

2. I say this, because these times are so disastrous,
and our weakness is so great, that the rules of past
generations do not suffice to make us disregard all pre-
tences about dignity ; that is, that we must not, because
of a consideration for the feelings of the novice’s relations,
or for fear of giving some slight offence, allow the former
good customs of the convent to be forgotten. God
grant that those who receive unsuitable candidates
may not suffer for it in the next world — there is always
some slight pretext for thinking we may admit them,
though in a case of such importance no excuse is valid.

3. I believe that when the Prioress is uninfluenced
by affection or prejudice, and only seeks the welfare of
the house, God will not permit her to fall into error.

* When St. Teresa set out for Soria she chose Catherine of
Christ, of the convent of Medina del Campo, as Prioress of the
new foundation. “ But she reads only with difficulty, and does
not even know how to write,” remarked some one. ” She is a
saint,” said the foundress, “ and that is enough to make a good
Prioress of her.” On June 27, 1581, she had occasion to write
to Father Gratian ; ” The Prioress fills her office admirably.”

90 THE WAY OF PERFECTION. [CHAP. XV.

When, however, she is swayed by regard for other
people’s feelings or the demands of etiquette, she will
be sure to make some mistake. Each one of us must
consider the matter for herself and pray about it, and
must encourage the Prioress when she feels misgivings.
The affair is of the utmost consequence, therefore I
beg God to enlighten the nuns about it. You do well
in taking no dowries ; it sometimes happens that, for
the sake of not repaying money which they have not
in hand, religious keep in their house a thief who robs
them of their treasure, to their great misfortune. Never
receive dowries in this convent, for what seems a gain
will prove to be a great loss.®