Letters from Sister María Jesús Masiá
10th of October 1920, to he mother and sisters
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Capuchin of Agullent
My dearest mother and sister:
This letter is to send you the most heartfelt congratulations on your saint’s day, that of the glorious Saint Teresa. I hope, and I ask this of her, that on this day she may shine upon you, pouring out blessings and graces without end, because, being in heaven, she can accomplish all that she wishes. I will do everything good that I can for you. I have many nuns here who have dedicated Saint Teresa’s day entirely to you, with communion and everything they do, so that the Lord may grant your wishes here on earth—to see us fervently serving the Lord and winning many souls, as Fr. Bernardo says. Oh, what three days we’ve had! I have greatly enjoyed seeing how easily we can please Jesus, and that is where holiness lies: in knowing what He desires, and we know it well, and it’s very easy to give—it’s love. Yes, let’s love Jesus deeply and allow Him to act freely within us.
Mother, please commend me to Jesus, as I want to be a saint, yet each day I see myself more filled with flaws and a bad temper. I think to myself, if I am like this as I grow older, what will I be like when I’m even older?
I envy Benina Consolata greatly. You already know her, Fr. Bernardo has spoken to us about her often. I would say much more, but it is 5 o’clock, and I’m going to the choir, to hear what Jesus tells me, or perhaps I’ll tell Him myself.
haven’t heard anything from Vicente. Tomorrow I’ll write to him for his saint’s day.
Mother, I thank you for everything you have sent us, and may the Lord multiply it in glory for you.
Give my regards to everyone, and you will receive those of the Reverend Mother Abbess, the Vicaress, and the community, and from your daughter, who loves you very much. Sister María Jesús
23rd of August 1931, to her mother and siblings
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Capuchins Agullent
23rd of August 1931
My dearest mother and siblings:
As we are writing to Serafín, I’m writing to you at the same time, so you’ll know what we’re telling him. Thanks be to God, perhaps we’ll make it in time to arrange the masses, as Serafín suggests—we’ll see. I don’t know if you were already aware of this, but if we learn anything, we’ll let you know.
I also want Felicidad to write and tell me what she wants me to pick up from the closet in the “terrat” (attic). There’s no point in me bringing things she doesn’t want, so why go through the trouble? I go there, and I like all the molds because I see how easily she makes them. I’m thinking of bringing the children’s molds and the ones she has already made in wax—just let me know. Better to gather everything up than have another upheaval like the one you had. Also, tell me if Mother is well and what she’s doing, and if you’re holding up or completely exhausted—remember, there are still 18 nuns to go. Give my regards to Consuelo and let me know if she’s well. Here we’re doing fairly well, but we have no water. They’re digging to bring up more, and God grant they don’t lose the little we had in the irrigation channel.
As you know, we used to make little animal figures, and now they’re even bigger, which is rather unsettling. May it all serve as penance, and may God arrange everything, for this is no way to live.
Tell me everything, and I’ll tell you more next time—I just don’t have any more paper. Take care of Mother. Goodbye.
19th of June 1932, to her brother
Poor Capuchins Agullent
19-6-1932
My dearest brother Juan Bautista, in the merciful love of Christ the King:
A thousand congratulations on your feast day! I wish you an abundance of grace and good health so that you may celebrate it with the entire family for many years to come.
We agree that Aunt and her daughter are welcome to come whenever they wish. If we knew ahead of time, we’d send even a little something.
My regards to the whole family, and please remember that your two sisters never forget you.
Sister María Jesús
28th of October 1934, to her siblings
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Capuchin of Agullent
28th October 1934
My dearest siblings Bautista and Purificación:
With much joy, and at the same time with deep sorrow, I write about Bautista’s situation and the bitter days you’ve gone through. My poor one, having to endure such a harsh operation. You can’t imagine how much it pains us. Words fail to express our sadness at seeing you like this, but whatever it takes, make sure it’s done well when the time comes. And what days we spent waiting for news about you! We didn’t know the address, so we wrote to Josefa Ramona and to Mother, and they both responded. But oh, what sorrow! I can’t even describe it; I didn’t know what was happening to me. I went to the chapel and, with all the fervour of my soul, asked the Holy Christ of Health that since He had allowed this misfortune, He might grant you healing, for love of the Blessed Virgin, His Mother, so that you may recover soon and fully. Mother Abbess has taken a great interest in you. She said to me, “Let’s take it as if it were our own,” and as a community, we’ve completed three novenas to the Blessed Virgin, along with many prayers, all with heartfelt fervour from the entire community. Now I see how much they care for Bautista, and he truly deserves it. How I long for him to be fully recovered!
My thoughts are always with you, and since I can’t help you physically, I ask the angels to comfort and assist you in every way.
And poor Mª Vicenta—I think of her often. God loves her very much, as she barely finished suffering through one pain before facing another. Take great care of Bautista, and both you and Purificación take care of yourselves because you must have suffered so much.
And watch the little one closely. The other day, we heard that some evildoers gouged out the eyes of more than 20 children, and I thought, what if our nanny were out on the street with our little one, and something happened to him. Mother Abbess assured me, “Even if Purificación and Mª Vicenta are with Bautista, Consuelo will take care of Juanito as her own,” and I believe it to be true. May she look after everyone, as we regard her as part of our family, and the Lord will reward her in this life and the next.
I must say goodbye now. Take courage and take care of yourselves. As we’re entering Lent, we won’t be able to write unless it’s urgent. But please keep us updated on Bautista’s condition; otherwise, we’ll worry greatly.
You’ll receive regards from Mother Abbess and the community, which you can share with Mother when you get home. She must have suffered tremendously and will be so overjoyed to see Bautista return. So goodbye, dear siblings. Receive an embrace from your sister who never forgets you and truly loves you.
Sister María Jesús
PS.
Kisses to my Juanito, Consuelo, and the nanny. Take care of the little one.
1935, to her siblings
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Capuchins Agullent,
1935
My dear siblings Bautista, Purificación, and the rest of the family,
We received Bautista’s letter in due time, and we have kept it as a keepsake. He has suffered greatly, and you, Purificación and Mª Vicenta, must have endured seeing him suffer. As for Mother at home, I don’t know how she managed without seeing him. May the Lord reward everything you’ve gone through with glory, since He holds you in His love.
As the Feast of the Purification approaches, I send these little words as a token of affection, praying that the Blessed Virgin will shower you with her graces. In return for the Calvary you’ve gone through with Bautista’s illness, may this be the beginning of an eminent sanctity for you, and may the Virgin bring Bautista to full health. May we all spend many joyful years in holiness, enjoying Juanito, for whom everything seems to be “teta” (Childlike way of saying “Aunt” in Spanish)
I have one request: I’m in need of a small veil. If you have an old coat or dress of María Vicenta’s there, I could make use of it. I feel sorry to ask for a new one. You know that if you have to give away anything, especially if it’s black, it’s always us first. I’ll tell you later why I need it.
Please take good care of Mother. Find out if she’s eating and if she’s cold. Make sure she’s taken care of, because at her age, she needs to be well clothed and not neglect her food. I’m really looking forward to seeing all of you. Hopefully, you can come this summer and tell me everything in person. I have much to share with you that can’t be written. I haven’t heard from Serafín since before Christmas. Please send the regards of Mother Abbess and the community, which you’ll share with Mother, María Vicenta, Consuelo, and all of you. You know how much your sister loves you.
Sister María Jesús Masiá
PS.
Many kisses to my Juanito. I can’t wait to see him.
Between March and June 1936, to her little sister Josefa
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Praised be Jesus Christ.
My dearest little sister Josefa:
I have so many things to tell you, but I’ll share as much as I can. I long to see you; many of the little nuns ask about you, they want to see you and talk to you. I need you to tell me how you make the ruffled albs without ironing them, because it’s very hard for us to iron them and curl them with our fingers, which is quite labourious. I also want to know about your convent. A few days ago, a family from Retal came, and they had seen your superior, but they didn’t say anything interesting.
I also want to tell you that this trip that Brother Pedro is making now… well, a brother-in-law of my Mother Abbess is a grain merchant who has his business in many towns, and he also works in Algemesí. He sends a truck and sometimes makes 23 trips. He has offered to bring us anything they give us. Since Brother Pedro is getting so old and in these times we don’t have money for expenses, this kind man will bring the brother and whatever they give us. Please, don’t let Sister Felicidad read this. Tell Mother and Purificación, as they will know who Concha’s husband is; they are doing well and want to do this charity of bringing us whatever they can.
Also, tell Mother that the rice is already “done.” Don’t buy too much—50 kilos, just in case. And Mother, do as you see fit, and many thanks from all of us. May the Lord increase the blessings in this life and then in Glory.
Josefa, you must be very thin and have a very poor colour because everyone who speaks of you says so. Tell me, are you suffering a lot? Is it because you’re away from the convent, or is it because of Sister Felicidad’s illness? I really want to know. Please write to me as soon as possible, because everyone who speaks of you says you’re so thin and have such a bad complexion. Tell me everything that’s happening to you, and now you can. Only Mother Abbess needs to know, and I trust her. You know that in religion, we all love each other, but some inspire more trust and love than others, and that’s not a sin. If Sister Felicidad were well, she would explain this to you, but since she isn’t, it’s not good for her to read this. It’s just for you, because if she knew that I am content, it would make her sadder. My sorrow is her illness. I have no joy; I always have her in my thoughts, and I don’t know to which saint I should turn to ask for her health. Read the letter from Mother and join in praying to God for her.
Let me know everything. Tell me how Mother is, take great care of her, because the heat might make her lose her appetite, so be mindful of what she eats. Keep an eye on her both day and night, because you know there is nothing more precious to us in the world.
Many greetings from Mother Abbess and the community. You will share them with the whole family, with Bautista, whom I very much hope can come. You know, Mother Abbess has already prepared a bed for you in the first room, so you can rest more easily. Everything is arranged.
I look forward to seeing all of you, and Juanito as well—many kisses. Purificación, when will I speak to you? Goodbye, dear sisters, I love you very much, Josefa, Purificación.
Sister María Jesús
11th of June 1936
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Capuchins Agullent
11th of June 1936
My dear mother and brothers:
Two little notes to tell you that we have received the flour and the bran or “morret.” May the Lord repay you with an increase in both spiritual and material blessings, as all are necessary for life.
Mother will write to Mrs. Teresa, and you will give it to her. We are very grateful. Please thank her on my behalf. I wrote to Serafín these past days. Everything here remains the same, although the danger is very close.
In Albaida, two days ago, I was told that they went out with clubs, as there are many communists, and they imprison the rich. As you can see, I don’t know how things will turn out for us.
The shawl and veil that Sister Verónica requested are in case we need to be out one day, to make a small veil, as I don’t have one, but I want Maria Vicenta’s mantilla. I’m not saying that this will happen, but as you know, wherever we have to go, we will be well prepared.
When they bring the two sacks, please unpack them so the blankets don’t get musty.
Greetings from the Reverend Mother Abbess and the community, who send their regards to the whole family: Bautista, Purificación, Josefa, Felicidad, and María Vicenta, and many kisses for my Juanín, whose feast day is soon.
Goodbye, dear mother. Please receive a strong hug from your daughter, who loves you with all her heart and never forgets you.
Sister María Jesús Masiá
