and was at first inclined to recommend the abandonment of the project, but on further reflection he could see no harm in it, and encouraged it.  So a small house was bought, for the nuns must have some shelter over their heads.  The provincial changed his opinion again, and now favored the enterprise.  It was a small affair, but a great thing to Theresa.  Her friend the Dominican wrote letters to Rome, and the provincial offered no further objection.  Moreover, she had bright visions of celestial comforters.

But the superior of her convent, not wishing the enterprise to succeed, and desiring to get her out of the way, sent Theresa to Toledo, to visit and comfort a sick lady of rank, with whom she remained six months.  Here she met many eminent men, chiefly ecclesiastics of the Dominican and Jesuit orders; and here she inspired other ladies to follow her example, among others a noble nun of her own order, who sold all she had and walked to Rome barefooted, in order to obtain leave to establish a religious house like that proposed by Theresa.  At last there came letters and a brief from Rome for the establishment of the convent, and Theresa was elected prioress, in the year 1562.

But the opposition still continued, and the most learned and influential were resolved on disestablishing the house.  The matter at last reached the ears of the King and council, and an order came requiring a statement as to how the monastery was to be founded.  Everything was discouraging.  Theresa, as usual, took refuge in prayer, and went to the Lord and said, “This house is not mine; it is established for Thee; and since there is no one to conduct the case, do Thou undertake it.”  From that time she considered the matter settled.  Nevertheless the opposition continued, much to the astonishment of Theresa, who could not see how a prioress and twelve nuns could be injurious to the city.  Finally, opposition so far ceased that it was agreed that the house should be unmolested, provided it were endowed.  On this point, however, Theresa was firm, feeling that if she once began to admit revenue, the people would not afterwards allow her to refuse it.  So amid great opposition she at last took up her abode in the convent she had founded, and wanted for nothing, since alms, all unsolicited, poured in sufficient for all necessities; and the attention of the nuns was given to their duties without anxieties or obstruction, in all the dignity of voluntary poverty.

I look upon this reformation of the Carmelite order as very remarkable.  The nuns did not go around among rich people supplicating their aid as was generally customary, for no convent or monastery was ever rich enough, in its own opinion.  Still less did they say to rich people, “Ye are the lords and masters of mankind.  We recognize your greatness and your power.  Deign to give us from your abundance, not that we may live comfortably when serving the Lord, but live in luxury like you, and compete with you