The author, an academic of the Tello Télez de Meneses Institute, has stated that the book, On the Way to the Court: Mariana of Saint Joseph and the Foundation of the Augustinian Recollect Nuns in Palencia, had its origin in the celebration four years ago of the fourth centenary of the foundation of the convent by Mother Mariana of Saint Joseph.
Although no grand events or celebrations are mentioned, there were a series of improvements of the convent, supported by the Deputation of Palencia. Cabeza Rodríguez speaks with high praise of the foundress, from Alba de Torres, Salamanca (1568-1638), who was a counselor to Philip III and Mariana of Austria, “for which she was highly respected at that time,” Cabeza comments, “and maintained a close relationship with Saint Teresa of Jesus.” The author of the spiritual life of Mother Mariana of Saint Joseph, foundress of the feminine branch of the Augustinian Recollects, is Fr. Enrique Eguiarte Bendímez, OAR.
Cabeza points out that this convent is the only one in the city of Palencia that has remained in its original location. “The foundation took place during a very difficult period and reveals the economic, social, and ecclesiastical situation at the beginning of the seventeenth century,” the author declared in his interview for the daily newspapaer El Norte de Castilla (Northern Castille).
The convent was founded in the former palace of Francisco de Reinoso, near the cathedral, in the same place where Saint Teresa of Jesus had wanted to establish a convent in Palencia. She later did so on San Bernardo Street. Francisco de Reinoso performed very important functions for Pope Pius V during the time that he lived in Rome, from 1562 to 1572.
“El Cristo Yacente” (The Dead Christ), One of the Most Outstanding Works
In addition to relating the history of the foundation, the book, which was presented in early March in the Deputation of Palencia, illustrates the rich artistic patrimony cared for by the religious, reproduced in photographs for the first time. One of the most important works is the “Cristo Yacente,” but worthy of special note too are the collection of gold and silver articles and portraits of such personages as Francisco de Reinoso, which Antonio Cabeza attributes to the Italian painter Scipione Pulzone, Saint Pius V, the mother foundress, and Venerable Petronila of Saint Lawrence. Among the sculptured works is an excellent colllection of figures of the Child Jesus vested. Unusual images include the painting of Our Lady of the Street and the underground stone water tank used to store water for the nuns and for the residence of the Reinosos.
The presentation of the book was organized by its editor, Antonio Cabeza Rodríguez; the Deputy for Culture, Carmen Fernández Caballero; and the new director of the Tello Téllez de Meneses Institute, Marcelino García Velasco.