Sixth Dwelling.
Chapter 8.

Sisters, I want you to see more clearly what I have told you: the further a soul advances, the more she is accompanied by this good Jesus. We should therefore speak about how, when His Majesty wishes, He makes it impossible for us to cease walking always with Him.

This is clearly seen in the different ways His Majesty communicates Himself to us and shows us His love through certain wonderful appearances and visions.

I want to explain some of them briefly, if the Lord allows me to do so correctly, so that, if He ever grants you a favor of this kind, you will not be frightened. Even if He does not grant them to us, we can praise Him greatly for wishing to communicate in this way with a creature, when His majesty and power are so great.

It happens that, when the soul does not expect to receive this favor and has never thought she deserved it, she feels Jesus Christ our Lord beside her, although she sees Him neither with the eyes of the body nor with those of the soul.

They call this an intellectual vision; I do not know why. I saw this person, to whom God granted this favor and others I shall mention later, deeply troubled at first, because she could not understand what it was, since she saw nothing. Yet she knew with such certainty that it was Jesus Christ our Lord showing Himself to her in this way that she could not doubt He was there.

What she did doubt was whether that vision came from God. Although it produced great effects in her which made her think it did, she was still afraid. She had never heard of an intellectual vision or imagined it could take this form.

But she understood very clearly that it was this Lord who often spoke to her in the manner I have already explained, because until she received this favor she never knew who was speaking, although she understood the words.

I know that this vision frightened her greatly. Unlike imaginative visions, which pass quickly, it can last for many days and sometimes even more than a year. So, in great distress, she went to speak to her confessor.

He asked her how, if she saw nothing, she knew it was our Lord, and asked her to tell him what His face looked like. She answered that she did not know, that she saw no face, and could say no more than she had already explained. All she knew was that it was He who spoke to her and that it was not her imagination.

Although they filled her with many fears, she often could not doubt, especially when He said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, for it is I.’

These words had such power that, at that moment, she could not doubt. She was strengthened and made joyful by such good company. She saw clearly that it helped her keep God always present and take great care to do nothing that would displease Him, because she felt that He was watching her.

When she wished to address His Majesty in prayer, or even outside it, He seemed so near that she could not fail to hear Him. But she did not understand His words whenever she wished; they came suddenly, when needed.

She felt He was at her right side. But she did not perceive this through the senses, as we feel that another person is beside us. It was in a much subtler way that she could not explain. Yet her certainty about it was even greater.

With the senses, one may imagine something that is not there. In this, however, that was not so. It came with great benefits and inward effects.

These effects could not occur if it were all a product of melancholy. Nor would the devil produce so much good. The soul would not have such peace, such constant desires to please God, or such disregard for everything that did not bring her nearer to Him.

In time she understood clearly that it was not the devil, because it became increasingly evident who it was. Even so, I know that she was sometimes very afraid. At other times she was deeply bewildered, not knowing how so great a good had come to her.

She and I were so much one that nothing happened in her soul without my knowing it. That is why I can be a reliable witness, and you can believe that everything I say about this is true.

It is a favor from the Lord that brings with it profound humility and a humbling sense of unworthiness. If it came from the devil, everything would be the opposite.

Since it is understood so clearly that this comes from God, and that no human effort could suffice to bring about such an experience, the person who receives this favor cannot think it belongs to her, but knows that it comes from God's hand.

Although, in my opinion, some of the favors I have already mentioned are greater, this one brings a particular knowledge of God. From such constant companionship comes a very tender love for His Majesty and still greater desires to give oneself entirely to His service.

It also produces great purity of conscience, because feeling His presence so near makes the soul attentive to everything she does. Although we know that God is present in all we do, our nature tends to forget it. Here, however, she cannot become careless, because the Lord whom she feels beside her keeps her awake.

Since the soul is almost continually loving the One whom she sees or understands to be beside her, the favors I have already mentioned are also much more frequent.

In short, the good it produces in the soul shows that this is a very great favor, worthy of deep appreciation. She should thank the Lord for granting it without her being able to deserve it, because she would not exchange it for any earthly treasure or pleasure.

For this reason, when the Lord chooses to take it away, she is left with a great sense of loneliness. However much she does to recover that companionship, it is of little use. The Lord gives it when He wishes, and it cannot be obtained by one's own effort.

Sometimes this presence can also be that of a saint, and this too is very beneficial.

You will ask: if the soul does not see, how does she know it is Christ, or when it is a saint or His most glorious Mother? The soul cannot explain it and does not understand how she comes to know. She simply knows with very great certainty.

When it is the Lord speaking, it seems easier to understand. But when it is a saint who does not speak, whom the Lord seems to place there to help and accompany the soul, it is even more wonderful.

So it is with other spiritual things that cannot be explained in words. This shows us how limited our capacity is to understand God's greatness, since we cannot fully understand even these things.

Anyone who receives these favors should therefore welcome them with wonder and praise for His Majesty, and give Him special thanks. Since it is not a favor granted to everyone, she should value it greatly and strive to serve God more, for He helps her to do so in so many ways.

This is why the soul does not think more highly of herself for receiving these favors. On the contrary, she thinks she serves God less than anyone else on earth, because she feels more obliged than anyone to serve Him. Every fault she commits therefore pains her deeply, and with good reason.

Any of you whom the Lord leads along this path can look for the effects I have already mentioned. In this way you can recognize that it is neither deception nor imagination.

As I have said, I do not believe something like this could last so long if it came from the devil, producing so much good in the soul and leaving her with such inward peace. It is not his nature, nor could he do so much good even if he wished. If it were his work, feelings of pride would soon appear and the person would begin to believe herself better than others.

But the soul's remaining so constantly united to God and keeping her thoughts occupied with Him would cause the devil such rage that, even if he tried, he would not return often. God is so faithful that He will not allow him such power over a soul seeking nothing but to please His Majesty and give her life for His honor and glory. If He sometimes allows the devil to deceive her, He will soon arrange matters so that she discovers the deception.

My conviction is, and will remain, that if the soul continues in the condition in which these favors from God leave her, His Majesty will ensure that she gains, even if He sometimes permits the devil to attempt something against her. It will be the devil who is defeated.

Therefore, daughters, if anyone follows this path as I have described it, she should not be frightened. It is good to have some fear and to be more attentive. But do not imagine that receiving so many favors allows you to become more careless. If you do not see the effects I have mentioned in yourselves, that would be a sign that it does not come from God.

At first, you should discuss this in confession with a very learned confessor, because such people can guide us. If possible, you should also consult someone with great spiritual experience. But if you had to choose between someone very spiritual and someone very learned, it is better to go to the one with greater knowledge. If possible, speak to both.

If they tell you it is all imagination, do not worry too much, because imagination alone can do little good or harm to the soul. Commend yourselves to the divine Majesty and ask Him not to allow you to be deceived.

If they tell you it comes from the devil, that will be harder to bear. Yet if the person advising you is truly learned and sees the effects I have mentioned, I do not think he will say that. Even if he does, I know that the same Lord who is with you will console you and give you assurance. He will also enlighten that person so that he can guide you.

If the person advising you is devoted to prayer but the Lord has not led him along this path, he may easily become frightened and condemn it at once. That is why I advise you to seek someone very learned and, if possible, someone who also has spiritual experience.

The prioress should give permission for this consultation. Although the soul feels assured when she sees its good effects in her life, the prioress has a responsibility to ensure that she consults someone, so that both may proceed safely.

After speaking about it with these people, the soul should be at peace and not keep telling others. Sometimes, even when there is nothing to fear, the devil stirs up such great fears that the soul feels a single consultation is not enough.

This may happen especially if the confessor has little experience and is fearful, because he may cause the soul to keep consulting other people about the matter. In this way, something that should remain secret can become public.

Then the soul may find herself persecuted and tormented, because, just when she believes the matter is still secret, she discovers that it is already known. This can create many difficulties for her and, given the circumstances of these times, for the Order as well.

Great care is therefore needed in this, and I commend it especially to the prioresses.

Nor should you think that a sister is better than the others because she receives such favors. The Lord leads each one along the path He sees she needs.

These favors can help her become a great servant of God if she knows how to use them well. But sometimes God leads precisely the weakest souls by this path.

There is therefore no reason to approve or condemn a person on account of these things. What we must look at is her virtue. The holiest will be the one who serves our Lord with the greatest self-denial, humility, and purity of conscience.

But here it is difficult to know this with certainty. Only the true Judge can give each person what she deserves.

Then we shall be amazed to see how different His judgment is from what we can understand here. May He be praised forever. Amen.

Para que más claro veáis, hermanas, que es así lo que os he dicho y que mientras más adelante va un alma más acompañada es de este buen Jesús, será bien que tratemos de cómo, cuando Su Majestad quiere, no podemos sino andar siempre con El, como se ve claro por las maneras y modos con que Su Majestad se nos comunica y nos muestra el amor que nos tiene, con algunos aparecimientos y visiones tan admirables; que por si alguna merced de éstas os hiciere, no andéis espantadas, quiero decir ­si el Señor fuere servido que acierte­ en suma, alguna cosa de éstas, para que le alabemos mucho, aunque no nos las haga a nosotras, de que se quiera así comunicar con una criatura, siendo de tanta majestad y poder.

Acaece, estando el alma descuidada de que se le ha de hacer esta merced ni haber jamás pensado merecerla, que siente cabe sí a Jesucristo nuestro Señor, aunque no le ve, ni con los ojos del cuerpo ni del alma.

Esta llaman visión intelectual, no sé yo por qué. Vi a esta persona que le hizo Dios esta merced, con otras que diré adelante, fatigada en los principios harto, porque no podía entender qué cosa era, pues no la veía; y entendía tan cierto ser Jesucristo nuestro Señor el que se le mostraba de aquella suerte, que no lo podía dudar, digo que estaba allí aquella visión; que si era de Dios o no, aunque traía consigo grandes efectos para entender que lo era, todavía andaba con miedo, y ella jamás había oído visión intelectual, ni pensó que la había de tal suerte; mas entendía muy claro que era este Señor el que le hablaba muchas veces de la manera que queda dicho, porque hasta que le hizo esta merced que digo, nunca sabía quién la hablaba, aunque entendía las palabras.

Sé que estando temerosa de esta visión porque no es como las imaginarias, que pasan de presto, sino que dura muchos días, y aun más que un año alguna vez, se fue a su confesor harto fatigada.

El le dijo que, si no veía nada, que cómo sabía que era nuestro Señor; que le dijese qué rostro tenía. Ella le dijo que no sabía, ni veía rostro, ni podía decir más de lo dicho; que lo que sabía era que era El el que la hablaba y que no era antojo.

Y aunque le ponían hartos temores, todavía muchas veces no podía dudar, en especial cuando la decía: No hayas miedo, que yo soy.

Tenían tanta fuerza estas palabras, que no lo podía dudar por entonces, y quedaba muy esforzada y alegre con tan buena compañía; que veía claro serle gran ayuda para andar con una ordinaria memoria de Dios y un miramiento grande de no hacer cosa que le desagradase, porque le parecía la estaba siempre mirando.

Y cada vez que quería tratar con Su Majestad en oración, y aun sin ella, le parecía estar tan cerca, que no la podía dejar de oír; aunque el entender las palabras no era cuando ella quería, sino a deshora, cuando era menester.

Sentía que andaba al lado derecho, mas no con estos sentidos que podemos sentir que está cabe nosotros una persona; porque es por otra vía más delicada, que no se debe de saber decir; mas es tan cierto y con tanta certidumbre y aun mucho más; porque acá ya se podría antojar, mas en esto no, que viene con grandes ganancias y efectos interiores, que ni los podría haber, si fuese melancolía, ni tampoco el demonio haría tanto bien, ni andaría el alma con tanta paz y con tan continuos deseos de contentar a Dios y con tanto desprecio de todo lo que no la llega a El.

Y después se entendió claro no ser demonio, porque se iba más y más dando a entender.

Con todo, sé yo que a ratos andaba harto temerosa; otros con grandísima confusión, que no sabía por dónde le había venido tanto bien.

Eramos tan una cosa ella y yo, que no pasaba cosa por su alma que yo estuviese ignorante de ella, y así puedo ser buen testigo y me podéis creer ser verdad todo lo que en esto dijere.

Es merced del Señor que trae grandísima confusión consigo y humildad. Cuando fuese del demonio, todo sería al contrario.

Y como es cosa que notablemente se entiende ser dada de Dios, que no bastaría industria humana para poderse así sentir, en ninguna manera puede pensar quien lo tiene que es bien suyo, sino dado de la mano de Dios.

Y aunque, a mi parecer, es mayor merced algunas de las que quedan dichas, ésta trae consigo un particular conocimiento de Dios, y de esta compañía tan continua nace un amor ternísimo con Su Majestad y unos deseos aun mayores que los que quedan dichos de entregarse toda a su servicio, y una limpieza de conciencia grande, porque hace advertir a todo la presencia que trae cabe sí; porque aunque ya sabemos que lo está Dios a todo lo que hacemos, es nuestro natural tal, que se descuida en pensarlo: lo que no se puede descuidar acá, que la despierta el Señor que está cabe ella.

Y aun para las mercedes que quedan dichas, como anda el alma casi continuo con un actual amor al que ve o entiende estar cabe sí, son muy más ordinarias.

En fin, en la ganancia del alma se ve ser grandísima merced y muy mucho de preciar, y agradecer al Señor que se la da tan sin poderlo merecer, y por ningún tesoro ni deleite de la tierra la trocaría.

Y así, cuando el Señor es servido que se la quite, queda con mucha soledad; mas todas las diligencias posibles que pusiese para tornar a tener aquella compañía, aprovechan poco; que lo da el Señor cuando quiere, y no se puede adquirir. Algunas veces también es de algún santo, y es también de gran provecho.

Diréis que si no se ve, que cómo se entiende que es Cristo, o cuándo es santo, o su Madre gloriosísima. ­ Eso no sabrá el alma decir, ni puede entender cómo lo entiende, sino que lo sabe con una grandísima certidumbre.

Aun ya el Señor, cuando habla, más fácil parece; mas el santo, que no habla, sino que parece le pone el Señor allí por ayuda de aquel alma y por compañía, es más de maravillar.

Así son otras cosas espirituales, que no se saben decir, mas entiéndese por ellas cuán bajo es nuestro natural para entender las grandes grandezas de Dios, pues aun éstas no somos capaces, sino que, con admiración y alabanzas a Su Majestad pase quien se las diere; y así le haga particulares gracias por ellas, que pues no es merced que se hace a todos, hase mucho de estimar y procurar hacer mayores servicios, pues por tantas maneras la ayuda Dios a ello.

De aquí viene no se tener por eso en más, y parecerle que es la que menos sirve a Dios de cuantos hay en la tierra, porque le parece está más obligada a ello que ninguno, y cualquier falta que hace le atraviesa las entrañas y con muy grande razón.

Estos efectos con que anda el alma, que quedan dichos, podrá advertir cualquiera de vosotras a quien el Señor llevare por este camino, para entender que no es engaño ni tampoco antojo porque ­como he dicho­ no tengo que es posible durar tanto siendo demonio, haciendo tan notable provecho al alma y trayéndola con tanta paz interior, que no es de su costumbre, ni puede, aunque quiere, cosa tan mala hacer tanto bien; que luego habría unos humos de propia estimación y pensar era mejor que los otros.

Mas este andar siempre el alma tan asida de Dios y ocupado su pensamiento en El, haríale tanta rabia, que aunque lo intentase, no tornase muchas veces; y es Dios tan fiel, que no permitirá darle tanta mano con alma que no pretende otra cosa sino agradar a Su Majestad y poner su vida por su honra y gloria, sino que luego ordenará cómo sea desengañada.

Mi tema es y será que como el alma ande de la manera que aquí se ha dicho la dejan estas mercedes de Dios, que Su Majestad la sacará con ganancia, si permite alguna vez se le atreva el demonio y que él quedará corrido.

Por eso, hijas, si alguna fuere por este camino ­como he dicho­ no andéis asombradas. Bien es que haya temor y andemos con más aviso, ni tampoco confiadas que, por ser tan favorecidas, os podéis más descuidar, que esto será señal no ser de Dios, si no os viereis con los efectos que queda dicho.

Es bien que a los principios lo comuniquéis debajo de confesión con un muy buen letrado, que son los que nos han de dar la luz, o, si hubiere, alguna persona muy espiritual; y si no lo es, mejor es muy letrado; si le hubiere, con el uno y con el otro.

Y si os dijeren que es antojo, no se os dé nada, que el antojo poco mal ni bien puede hacer a vuestra alma; encomendaos a la divina Majestad, que no consienta seáis engañada.

Si os dijeren es demonio, será más trabajo; aunque no dirá, si es buen letrado, y hay los efectos dichos, mas cuando lo diga, yo sé que el mismo Señor, que anda con vos, os consolará y asegurará, y a él le irá dando luz para que os la dé.

Si es persona que aunque tiene oración no la ha llevado el Señor por ese camino, luego se espantará y lo condenará. Por eso os aconsejo que sea muy letrado y, si se hallare, también espiritual, y la priora dé licencia para ello, porque, aunque vaya segura el alma por ver su buena vida, estará obligada la priora a que se comunique, para que anden con seguridad entrambas.

Y, tratado con estas personas, quiétese y no ande más dando parte de ello; que algunas veces, sin haber de qué temer, pone el demonio unos temores tan demasiados, que fuerzan al alma a no se contentar de una vez.

En especial si el confesor es de poca experiencia y le ve medroso, y él mismo la hace andar comunicando, viénese a publicar lo que había de razón estar muy secreto, y a ser esta alma perseguida y atormentada; porque cuando piensa que está secreto, lo ve público, y de aquí suceden muchas cosas trabajosas para ella, y podrían suceder para la Orden, según andan estos tiempos.

Así que es menester grande aviso en esto, y a las prioras lo encomiendo mucho; y que no piense que por tener una hermana cosas semejantes, es mejor que las otras; lleva el Señor a cada una como ve que es menester.

Aparejo es para venir a ser muy sierva de Dios, se se ayuda; mas, a las veces, lleva Dios por este camino a las más flacas.

Y así no hay en esto por qué aprobar ni condenar, sino mirar a las virtudes, y a quien con más mortificación y humildad y limpieza de conciencia sirviere a nuestro Señor, que ésa será la más santa, aunque la certidumbre poco se puede saber acá, hasta que el verdadero Juez dé a cada uno lo que merece.

Allá nos espantaremos de ver cuán diferente es su juicio de lo que acá podemos entender. Sea para siempre alabado, amén.