Cecilia del Nacimiento

Madre Cecilia del Nacimiento (OCD) ( Cecilia Sobrino Morillas; 1570–1646) was a Spanish nun, mystic, writer, and poet influenced by the Carmelites, of which she became prioress. A Discalced Carmelite and abbess, her work is written in verse and prose and, mainly, it is a mystical production, based on her spiritual experiences. Her production included (romantic poetry), a type of poem characteristic of the Spanish, Iberian, and Latin American literary tradition, glosses, Christmas carols, , limericks, and theatrical work within the convent. Both Cecilia and her older sister, Madre (religious name, María de San Alberto), copyists and archivists of manuscripts in their convent.

Early life and education Cecilia Sobrino Morillas was born in Valladolid in 1570. Her parents were Antonio Sobrino, a descendent of the Sobrinos of Braganza family and secretary of the University of Valladolid, and Cecilia Morillas (1539-1581). Cecilia del Nacimiento was the youngest of nine siblings: seven boys and two girls.

The person in charge of Cecilia's education was her mother, a Christian woman with a strong humanistic background, Cecilia received instruction in biblical texts, painting, and music. After the death of her mother, Cecilia continued her musical studies at the Monastery of Santa María la Real de las Huelgas, Valladolid.

Cecilia wrote of her spiritual experiences. In this way, she imitates John of the Cross. However, there are those who maintain that the nun was not only influenced by this saint but that she experienced feminine creativity, driven by the ideas of her own mother. The writings, in verse and prose, were similar in style to that of John of the Cross; "Transformación del alma en Dios" is an example of one of the nun's theological-spiritual compositions. Despite these influences, the nun's poetic work followed several trends, all of them initiated by Saint Teresa: ("metaphorical recounting of her mystical experiences and occasional poems for various events, including the celebration of the Saint of Ávila").

Copies of two of her works, Cántico espiritual and La Noche Oscura, are held in the convent of Valladolid. Both writings date from the late 16th century. Her biography also still remains. Her production also includes works of a historical nature. These were not published in her journal, and only allusion to them is included in her letters. Most of the characteristics of the nun are revealed in her letters, particularly mysticism, although they are few compared to the letters that were provided by other nuns. While there are more than 400 of the latter, only nine are known to be written directly by Cecilia. Correspondence with her brother is revealed in them and this provides an understanding of the nun's poetic work as he was Cecilia's theologian and mystic.

Legacy Manuel de San Jerónimo's biography of Cecilia was based on the writings of María de San Alberto, Cecilia's sibling and convent partner.

Selected works

La transformación del alma de dios Definición del amor Al espíritu santo Philomena (atribuida erróneamente a San Buenaventura)

Romantic poetry Romance al nacimiento. Romance del santísimo sacramento. A santa Teresa.

Glosses Glosa (total, 5) El Infante que desciende, Niño, si cuando nacéis y Vivo sin vivir en mí.

Christmas carols Otro para brizar al niño Jesús. Segundo villancico a Santa Teresa

Redondillas and limericks Letras sobre los nombres de cristo. La gitana.

Convent theater Festecica para una profesión religiosa