The (Almost) Silenced Epistolary Pen of María de San José

Abstract

Teresa de Ávila had hoped that María de San José (1548–1603) would succeed her as foundress of convents and head of the Carmelite reform. However, María clashed with the Discalced hierarchy when the Provincial, Nicolás Doria, sought to modify the Constitutions of the order. She and Ana de Jesús appealed to the Pope in what came to be known as the “nuns’ revolt”, but, in the end, Doria won out. María was imprisoned and eventually exiled to a remote convent, where she soon died. María had received an excellent education as a child at the palace of Duchess Luisa de la Cerda, and she wrote many well-reasoned, legalistic letters defending her position.