23rd of November 1930, to her mother and siblings
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Praised be the Blessed Sacrament
Convent of Blessed Inés
Benigánim, of November 1930
My dearest mother and siblings
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am well, thank God.
The purpose of this letter is to share with you the celebration we held for the election of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, which was both beautiful and touching. After lunch, the Bishop entered the Convent and toured all the cells and areas of the Convent. Once the entire Community was gathered, the Bishop began the ceremony by singing Venite Adoremus with the organ accompaniment, making it very solemn. We had the Blessed Virgin Mary seated on a throne, looking exquisite, adorned with numerous jewels and flowers, as befitting a true Prioress. I presented her with the keys and seal of the Convent and began to recite the vows. It was a deeply moving moment, and the nuns were very emotional. Once the vows were completed, the Bishop delivered a beautiful reflection on the act we had just performed. Following this, we pledged obedience to the Blessed Virgin, proclaiming her our true Prioress. In thanksgiving, the Bishop and his two companions led us in singing the Te Deum Laudamus, which we sang very solemnly. At the conclusion, he gave another heartfelt farewell talk and blessed us before we kissed his ring and bid him farewell. He spent the entire afternoon with us.
The next day, Sunday, began the celebration I had longed for: we placed a table in the middle of the refectory, and upon it the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Prioress. After giving thanks and praying for all of you—both the living and the deceased—we concluded with a resounding Viva for the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Prioress. The entire Community cheered and gave many vivas for the Mother Prioress who had organized such a beautiful celebration. I scattered sugared almonds and candies throughout the refectory, and we all sat down to a joyful meal. The nuns have asked me to thank you for everything Bautista brought us. May God abundantly reward him; we pray for all of you every day. The nuns are hoping for an even greater celebration with your support, if God wills it—you will understand what I mean. Purificación, please write to me when you can and let me know how you, Bautista, your mother, and the rest of the family are doing, as I have heard troubling news about Algemesí. I am worried that something may have happened during the elections. Here, the good side won, but it was hard-fought, and they suffered greatly, as God knows. I will tell you more when you visit.
The entire Community sends their regards, especially this daughter and sister of yours who loves you dearly.
Sister María de la Purificación
(Postscript): Purificación, I hope you write to me soon so I can know you are well. We have received the bran and “morret.” May God reward you for everything.
21st of December 1930, to her mother and siblings
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J. M. J.
Convent of the Discalced Augustinians
My dear mother and siblings:
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am well, thank God.
This letter is to wish you a very Merry Christmas, hoping you have a joyful and peaceful holiday filled with health and happiness. May the Christ Child grant you all the graces you need to become saints. I will not forget you in my humble prayers and hope you will also pray for me, so that I may be good.
Mother, if Pedro does not pass through Benigánim on Monday the 22nd, on Tuesday the 23rd, we will send a sack with the truck. It will include pomegranates, acorns, fig loaves, chestnuts, and walnuts, along with other bags for you to send us bran. I am letting you know in advance so you can make arrangements to collect it. We do not need the bran until the end of January. When sending the bran, please also include a sack of morret. We still have some of the smaller ones, but if prices are low, please let us know.
Receive the Christmas greetings from my Reverend Mother Prioress and the rest of the Community, who do not forget you in their fervent prayers. Please pass on my greetings to Señora Vicenta, María Vicenta, and Angelina. This comes from your daughter and sister, who loves you dearly and always remembers you in her humble prayers.
Sister María de la Purificación
In the event that Pedro does not pass through Benigánim, the sack we send with the truck will have its delivery fee prepaid.
Benigánim, 21st of December 1930
24 of December 1930, to her little sisters
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J. M. J.
Convent of the Discalced Augustinians
My dearest sisters, Sister María Jesús, Sister María Verónica, and Sister Felicidad:
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am well, thank God.
This letter serves to wish you a Merry Christmas, hoping that the Divine Child, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph welcome you into their company in the blessed cave of Bethlehem to celebrate such great mysteries and to praise the Divine Child alongside the angels and shepherds, who joyfully ran to worship the Christ Child.
We will also unite in spirit to adore and praise the Divine Child with the fervour and devotion of the shepherds, asking Him for many graces, as He comes with hands full to save the entire world, ensuring that the souls He paid so dearly for will not be lost. And please do not forget me in your prayers on this great day, asking the Christ Child to make me wholly His, to help me imitate Him in all virtues, especially in humility and purity, and to enkindle my heart in the fire of His divine love, that I may love Him deeply. I never forget you in my humble prayers, and I desire nothing more in this life than for us to love the Lord dearly, to please Him in all things, so that we may have the immense joy of being reunited in heaven, loving and praising God for all eternity. May the Lord grant us such a blessing.
May you have a joyful Christmas filled with peace, health, and happiness, as well as a good end to this year and a fresh beginning to the next, serving and loving God even more than we have until now, with many graces and greater fervour for the remainder of our lives.
Receive the Christmas greetings of my Reverend Mother Prioress and the rest of the Community, especially those from your fellow townsfolk, as well as from Sister Consuelo and Sister Agustina, who are deeply grateful and ask you to remember the soul of their brother-in-law in your prayers, so that he may reach heaven soon. Please extend my greetings to the Reverend Mother Abbess and the rest of the Community, especially the fellow townsfolk.
From your sister, who loves you dearly and never forgets you in her humble prayers.
Sister María de la Purificación
Benigánim, 24th of December 1930
