7th of September 1936, to his mother
To Algemesí, Calle Montaña 68
Mrs. Teresa Ferragud
My dear mother:
I received your letter of the 1st of this month and did not respond because I thought it would overlap with mine from the 31st of last month.
I don’t know anything about that gentleman to whom Francisco Blasco wrote, but if you know anyone, you can send his name, though it is likely that they no longer live in this city.
I assume that everyone is doing well, including you and all my sisters, and that you will remember me every day and share any news that may occur, as I would like to stay informed about the health of the whole family. I am doing well, and life here continues as usual. I will write to you regularly every ten or twelve days, or sooner if there is an opportunity or necessity. Last time, I asked about Bautista and the little one, and I hope that in your next letter you will answer my question
I have nothing more to add except to remind you to stay calm and at peace and continue to place your trust where it should be, for with time, everything will pass. Do not lose heart and be more constant each day.
If Mr. Blasco has received a response, I hope you will inform me, as well as if you learn anything new.
Please send my regards to the entire family, and I hope you continue to stay well.
I suppose this letter will arrive after the great feast day in your town, but even if it is late, I trust you will remember to do something special for me on that day.
Your son, who does not forget you.
Vicente Masiá Murcia, 7th of September 1936
12th of September 1936, to his mother and sisters
Murcia, 12th of September 1936
My dear mother and sisters:
I received your letter of the 8th, and I assume you have mine from the 7th. I am doing well in health and hope that you are all the same. In response to your question, I must say that everything remains open. I believe that life will continue the same everywhere. If you read the newspaper, you will be able to learn about things here, just as you can about things there. What concerns me most is having strength, and that is why, as I mentioned in my previous letter, I ask you not to forget me any day. I do the same, and I trust in your prayers. Do not rely on anything, for we know nothing, but only in Divine Providence. If you wish, you can send a stamp, as you did last time, or a postcard, whatever you prefer. This will make communication easier. I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about the important matters of the day. You can understand them better than I do, and they are always more than what you might assume in the quiet of your home. Keep your spirits high and be prepared for anything; with strength of spirit, nothing will come as a surprise, no matter how serious it is. If something happens in the family, you can always tell me, no need for many words.
I am writing this on the 12th, a very special day, and I have strongly urged, just like my companions, that we should not be forgotten. Please do the same at home.
Although it’s not the main concern right now, I ask if there was a rice harvest, as it always presents many challenges. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were difficulties now as well. Apart from the letters, you can understand that I receive nothing. From here, I ask you this question, for I do not even know the whereabouts of my old friends, despite our deep friendship.
Again, I emphasise what I want, and you know what that is. I know it’s the only effective thing, and that is why I ask for it.
Do not stop reading a newspaper, and you will understand how things are going.
Please send my regards to Bautista and all my sisters, and convey my requests to them. You know that your son, who loves you dearly, does not forget you.
Vicente Masiá
If any of my letters lose a date, it is due to the requirements of the establishment.
16th of September 1936, to his mother
Mrs. Teresa Ferragud
My dear mother:
I received your letter of the 12th and I understand everything you mentioned. I have not yet received a visit from anyone, and believe me, that is quite difficult. I do not want anyone to be sent; it would be useless and would only bring additional expenses. Let us be patient and adjust to everything. I assume you are ready for that visit that Bautista received, which will be a warm one. This indicates the current state of their relationships. Since you did not receive my letter of the 12th when writing your own, you could not respond to what I said. The delay must be due to some movements at the establishment. In your next letter, please provide me with some details about those relatives who have some trouble, as I am also interested in them.
I believe that Mrs. Muñoz’s husband must be someone I saw in Agullent, but as I do not know his name and barely remember his character, I may not be able to recognise him. Also, communications with the outside are made at some distance and are very brief, which makes understanding more difficult.
I hope everyone’s health improves, especially the little one and my sister, and we must stay encouraged.
Writing in pencil is more convenient, since there are so many of us, and we do not have pens; we must use what we have, as the ones we carried were left behind, along with all the luggage. Thus, we use pens when we can get one.
I do not believe I have anything else to add, other than that we continue in our prayers so that we are always protected. The more prepared we are, the less we will feel any possible changes.
Please send my regards to the whole family. Try to maintain peace and trust. You know that your son does not forget you.
Vicente Masiá
Murcia 16th os September 1936
21st of september 1936, to his mother
Mrs. Teresa Ferragud
My dear mother:
I just received your letter dated the 19th, and I see that the whole family is doing well.
Yesterday, Saturday, the son of Mrs. María Muñoz came to visit me. He asked if I needed anything and if I was feeling well. He also showed me the letter from Mr. Blasco. I forgot to ask where he lived, in case I needed him when I leave here. According to him, his mother will write to him with news about me.
I am not sure if traveling is still the same as before, but if it is, let me know if it would be appropriate. There is nothing prompting me to ask, but as you know, hope is never lost.
If Mr. Blasco responds to the visit, please tell him that, should I leave, they provide me with some money since, as you can imagine, I have nothing, and I would appreciate it if he could accompany me here.
I understand that you may not fully understand everything you read in the newspaper, but it is the only way to know something. Since I don’t see any myself, I cannot guide you in any way.
I do not lose my trust in God, and I hope that, as He has helped me until now, He will continue to do so. In any case, I resign myself to whatever is best for me, as only He knows what that is. So, continue praying for me, as I also remember you in my prayers.
I am glad to hear that the little one and Josefa are doing better. I am the same as always, in good health and otherwise keeping up my spirits.
I have nothing else to add for now, as you already know everything I can say.
So, take care until your next letter, and know that your son does not forget you.
Vicente Masiá
Murcia, 21st of September 1936
I have received the stamps and the letter. I don’t need the envelopes.
24th of September 1936, to his mother
Mrs. Teresa Ferragud
My dear mother:
I suppose you will receive my letter from the 21st, and in it, as always, I remind you to have patience and to continue asking God for the necessary strength. Regarding what I mentioned in my previous letter, please do as you see fit, as we do not know what is best, and we must always be prepared for anything, even the greatest harm, since our lives are in God’s hands.
Let us all be steadfast in conforming to His will and persist in our requests so that everything may be meritorious.
You didn’t mention my other sisters in your last letter, and although I believe they are doing well, I would appreciate knowing. I assume they are continuing with their household duties and haven’t encountered any changes. The same goes for the little one and Bautista. Please tell him to take the clothes out of the wooden box, as they are wool and have been stored for two or three years, which could damage them. I forgot to mention this earlier, but now that I remember, I am telling you. I am the same as ever, focusing on securing the true life
I will be happy to hear that the uncles and family are doing well, as well as María Vicenta.
I am naturally glad to know from your letter that you all join with me in asking for the necessary strength and that you remember me day and night, as I do the same for you.
Regarding what I said about the young man in the previous letter, do not hold too much hope. In any case, make sure to consult well and proceed with great calm.
Today is the 24th, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. Courage, and God will provide.
May everyone be well, and you know that your son does not forget you.
Vicente
Murcia 24th of September 1936
I am writing in pencil because I am doing so in the courtyard. I do not need anything, only prayers.
