The Book of the Foundations
of S. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of our Lady of Carmel
Discussion of Chapter 9
Chapter 9 Contents
She Leaves Medina Del Campo
For The Foundation
Of S. Joseph Of Malagon
1. Religious observance of Medina
2. Dona Luisa de la Cerda.
3. The Saint accepts the house
offered by Dona Luisa.
4. Observance of poverty.
5. Foundation, April 11, 1568.
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The Monastery at Malagon
was in the province of Cuidad Real
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Discussion of Chapter 9
█ Summary
Previously, in chapter 3,
St. Teresa described
the founding of the Monastery
at Medina Del Campo
in 15 August, 1567.
Similar, to the first foundation
of the Monastery of St. Joseph in Avila,
the nuns at Medina Del Campo
- observed "all religious observances,
sisterly love, and spirituality"
- were of those "whom our Lord seems
to have chosen Himself"
[ Foundations: Ch. 9: #1 ]
The next 5 intervening chapters contain her advice
to the Prioresses of the Monasteries
regarding various topics,
such as, prayer, visions, melancholy, etc.
Now, in chapter 9, she writes:
"How I have wandered from my purpose !
and yet some of the advice
I have given
may be more to the purpose
than the account of the foundations".
[ Foundations: Ch. 9: #1 ]
St. Teresa now returns to the
"account of the Foundations":
This chapter relates the story of the foundation
of the Monastery at Malagon
which was established on 11 April, 1568:
"I had been staying
by the commandment of my superiors"
at the home of Dona Luisa de la Cerda
- who, "on account of her husband's death,
was in such extreme affliction"
and
- who requested of St. Teresa's superiors
that Sr. Teresa of Jesus come to stay with her.
[ See Life, ch. XXXIV: #I ]
Dona Luisa de la Cerda asked St. Teresa
to found a monastery in Malagon.
After consulting with her Confessor,
Fray Dominic Banez, and others,
St. Teresa finally agreed.
She was initially concerned
" because I should be forced to accept
an endowment for our maintenance
and I had a very great dislike to do that".
[ Foundations: Ch. 9: #2 ]
Her Confessor and "learned men" told her
- that she ought not
"give up the foundation of a house
wherein our Lord might be so well served"
and
and
- that "the holy council (of Trent)
authorised the possession of revenues"
[ Foundations: Ch. 9: #3]
So, during the planning for this foundation,
St. Teresa "insisted
- that no nun should possess
anything of her own,
and
- on the perfect observance
of the constitutions
as in other houses founded in poverty"
[ Foundations: Ch. 9: #4 ]
This monastery was established
"On Palm Sunday, [11th April] 1568".
"...the parishioners came in procession
to receive us,...and
the Most Holy Sacrament
was carried into our monastery".
"One day in prayer, after Communion,
I heard our Lord say
that He would be greatly honoured
in that house".
I think I was there not quite two months,
for I was pressed in spirit
to found the house in Valladolid"
[ Foundations: Ch. 9: #5 ]
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Blog note:
In Chapter 9: FootNote #6,
the editor seems to be advising
that the location of this monastery
was "not conducive to recollection"
and so, was later changed:
"The foundation took place
in a large house adjoining the plaza mayor,
but its situation was not conducive to recollection.
"Consequently another site was chosen..."
"Consequently the convent was completed
in time for the inauguration to take place
on the feast of the Immaculate Conception,
8th December 1579.
S. Teresa remained there till
the middle of February 180.
This was her eighth and last visit to Malagon."
[ Chapter 9: FootNote #6 ]
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End of the Discussion
of Chapter 9
of the
Book of the Foundations
of S. Teresa of Jesus
of the Order of our Lady of Carmel
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