,the ,dolorous ,passion of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ ,from the ,meditations of ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich ,copyright ,notice3 ,this ebook was prepared from the #bjth edition of this book1 which was published in #aijd by ,benziger ,brothers in ,new ,york4 ,the copyright for that edition is expired and the text is in the public domain4 ,this ebook is not copyrighted and is also in the public domain4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,french ,,translation4 ,,by ,,the ,,abbe ,,de ,,cazales4 ,the writer of this ,preface was travelling in ,germany1 when he chanced to meet with a book1 entitled1 ,the ,history of the ,passion of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 from the ,meditations of ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich1 which appeared to him both interesting and edifying4 ,its style was unpretending1 its ideas simple1 its tone unassuming1 its sentiments unexaggerated1 and its every sentence expressive of the most complete and entire submission to the ,church4 ,yet1 at the same time1 it would have been difficult anywhere to meet with a more touching and lifelike paraphrase of the ,gospel narrative4 ,he thought that a book possessing such qualities deserved to be known on this side the ,rhine1 and that there could be no reason why it should not be valued for its own sake1 independent of the somewhat singular source whence it emanated4 ,still1 the translator has by no means disguised to himself that this work is written1 in the first place1 for ,christians2 that is to say1 for men who have the right to be very diffident in giving credence to particulars concerning facts which are articles of faith2 and although he is aware that ,st4 ,bonaventure and many others1 in their paraphrases of the ,gospel history1 have mixed up traditional details with those given in the sacred text1 even these examples have not wholly reassured him4 ,st4 ,bonaventure professed only to give a paraphrase1 whereas these revelations appear to be something more4 ,it is certain that the holy maiden herself gave them no higher title than that of dreams1 and that the transcriber of her narratives treats as blasphemous the idea of regarding them in any degree as equivalent to a fifth ,gospel2 still it is evident that the confessors who exhorted ,sister ,emmerich to relate what she saw1 the celebrated poet who passed four years near her couch1 eagerly transcribing all he heard her say1 and the ,german ,bishops1 who encouraged the publication of his book1 considered it as something more than a paraphrase4 ,some explanations are needful on this head4 ,the writings of many ,saints introduce us into a new1 and1 if ,i may be allowed the expression1 a miraculous world4 ,in all ages there have been revelations about the past1 the present1 the future1 and even concerning things absolutely inaccessible to the human intellect4 ,in the present day men are inclined to regard these revelations as simple hallucinations1 or as caused by a sickly condition of body4 ,the ,church1 according to the testimony of her most approved writers1 recognises three descriptions of ecstasy2 of which the first is simply natural1 and entirely brought about by certain physical tendencies and a highly imaginative mind2 the second divine or angelic1 arising from intercourse held with the supernatural world2 and the third produced by infernal agency4 7,see1 on this head1 the work of ,cardinal ,bona1 ,de ,discretione ,spirituum47 ,lest we should here write a book instead of a preface1 we will not enter into any development of this doctrine1 which appears to us highly philosophical1 and without which no satisfactory explanation can be given on the subject of the soul of man and its various states4 ,the ,church directs certain means to be employed to ascertain by what spirit these ecstasies are produced1 according to the maxim of ,st4 ,john3 ',try the spirits1 if they be of ,god4' 7#a ,jn #d3a74 ,when circumstances or events claiming to be supernatural have been properly examined according to certain rules1 the ,church has in all ages made a selection from them4 ,many persons who have been habitually in a state of ecstasy have been canonised1 and their books approved4 ,but this approbation has seldom amounted to more than a declaration that these books contained nothing contrary to faith1 and that they were likely to promote a spirit of piety among the faithful4 ,for the ,church is only founded on the word of ,christ and on the revelations made to the ,apostles4 ,whatever may since have been revealed to certain saints possesses purely a relative value1 the reality of which may even be disputed--it being one of the admirable characteristics of the ,church1 that1 though inflexibly one in dogma1 she allows entire liberty to the human mind in all besides4 ,thus1 we may believe private revelations1 above all1 when those persons to whom they were made have been raised by the ,church to the rank of ,saints publicly honoured1 invoked1 and venerated2 but1 even in these cases1 we may1 without ceasing to be perfectly orthodox1 dispute their authenticity and divine origin4 ,it is the place of reason to dispute and to select as it sees best4 ,with regard to the rule for discerning between the good and the evil spirit1 it is no other1 according to all theologians1 than that of the ,gospel4 ,a fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos4 ,by their fruits you shall know them4 ,it must be examined in the first place whether the person who professes to have revelations mistrusts what passes within himself2 whether he would prefer a more common path2 whether far from boasting of the extraordinary graces which he receives1 he seeks to hide them1 and only makes them known through obedience2 and1 finally1 whether he is continually advancing in humility1 mortification1 and charity4 ,next1 the revelations themselves must be very closely examined into2 it must be seen whether there is anything in them contrary to faith2 whether they are conformable to ,scripture and ,apostolic tradition2 and whether they are related in a headstrong spirit1 or in a spirit of entire submission to the ,church4 ,whoever reads the life of ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich1 and her book1 will be satisfied that no fault can be found in any of these respects either with herself or with her revelations4 ,her book resembles in many points the writings of a great number of saints1 and her life also bears the most striking similitude to theirs4 ,to be convinced of this fact1 we need but study the writings or what is related of ,saints ,francis of ,assisi1 ,bernard1 ,bridget1 ,hildegard1 ,catherine of ,genoa1 ,catherine of ,sienna1 ,ignatius1 ,john of the ,cross1 ,teresa1 and an immense number of other holy persons who are less known4 ,so much being conceded1 it is clear that in considering ,sister ,emmerich to have been inspired by ,god's ,holy ,spirit1 we are not ascribing more merit to her book than is allowed by the ,church to all those of the same class4 ,they are all edifying1 and may serve to promote piety1 which is their sole object4 ,we must not exaggerate their importance by holding as an absolute fact that they proceed from divine inspiration1 a favour so great that its existence in any particular case should not be credited save with the utmost circumspection4 ,with regard1 however1 to our present publication1 it may be urged that1 considering the superior talents of the transcriber of ,sister ,emmerich's narrations1 the language and expressions which he has made use of may not always have been identical with those which she employed4 ,we have no hesitation whatever in allowing the force of this argument4 ,most fully do we believe in the entire sincerity of ,m4 ,clement ,brentano1 because we both know and love him1 and1 besides1 his exemplary piety and the retired life which he leads1 secluded from a world in which it would depend but on himself to hold the highest place1 are guarantees amply sufficient to satisfy any impartial mind of his sincerity4 ,a poem such as he might publish1 if he only pleased1 would cause him to be ranked at once among the most eminent of the ,german poets1 whereas the office which he has taken upon himself of secretary to a poor visionary has brought him nothing but contemptuous raillery4 ,nevertheless1 we have no intention to assert that in giving the conversations and discourses of ,sister ,emmerich that order and coherency in which they were greatly wanting1 and writing them down in his own way1 he may not unwittingly have arranged1 explained1 and embellished them4 ,but this would not have the effect of destroying the originality of the recital1 or impugning either the sincerity of the nun1 or that of the writer4 ,the translator professes to be unable to understand how any man can write for mere writing's sake1 and without considering the probable effects which his work will produce4 ,this book1 such as it is1 appears to him to be at once unusually edifying1 and highly poetical4 ,it is perfectly clear that it has1 properly speaking1 no literary pretensions whatever4 ,neither the uneducated maiden whose visions are here relate1 nor the excellent ,christian writer who had published them in so entire a spirit of literary disinterestedness1 ever had the remotest idea of such a thing4 ,and yet there are not1 in our opinion1 many highly worked-up compositions calculated to produce an effect in any degree comparable to that which will be brought about by the perusal of this unpretending little work4 ,it is our hope that it will make a strong impression even upon worldlings1 and that in many hearts it will prepare the way for better ideas1--perhaps even for a lasting change of life4 ,in the next place1 we are not sorry to call public attention in some degree to all that class of phenomena which preceded the foundation of the ,church1 which has since been perpetuated uninterruptedly1 and which too many ,christians are disposed to reject altogether1 either through ignorance and want of reflection1 or purely through human respect4 ,this is a field which has hitherto been but little explored historically1 psychologically1 and physiologically2 and it would be well if reflecting minds were to bestow upon it a careful and attentive investigation4 ,to our ,christian readers we must remark that this work has received the approval of ecclesiastical authorities4 ,it has been prepared for the press under the superintendence of the two late ,bishops of ,ratisbonne1 ,sailer and ,wittman4 ,these names are but little known in ,france2 but in ,germany they are identical with learning1 piety1 ardent charity1 and a life wholly devoted to the maintenance and propagation of the ,catholic faith4 ,many ,french priests have given their opinion that the translation of a book of this character could not but tend to nourish piety1 without1 however1 countenancing that weakness of spirit which is disposed to lend more importance in some respects to private than to general revelations1 and consequently to substitute matters which we are simply permitted to believe1 in the place of those which are of faith4 ,we feel convinced that no one will take offence at certain details given on the subject of the outrages which were suffered by our divine ,lord during the course of his passion4 ,our readers will remember the words of the psalmist3 ',i am a worm and no man2 the reproach of men1 and the outcast of the people2' 7,ps #bb3f7 and those of the ,apostle3 ',tempted in all things like as we are1 without sin4' 7,heb #d3ae74 ,did we stand in need of a precedent1 we should request our readers to remember how plainly and crudely ,bossuet describes the same scenes in the most eloquent of his four sermons on the ,passion of our ,lord4 ,on the other hand1 there have been so many grand platonic or rhetorical sentences in the books published of late years1 concerning that abstract entity2 on which the writers have been pleased to bestow the ,christian title of the ,word1 or ,logos1 that it may be eminently useful to show the ,man-,god1 the ,word made flesh1 in all the reality of his life on earth1 of his humiliation1 and of his sufferings4 ,it must be evident that the cause of truth1 and still more that of edification1 will not be the losers4 ,,introduction ,the following meditations will probably rank high among many similar works which the contemplative love of ,jesus has produced2 but it is our duty here plainly to affirm that they have no pretensions whatever to be regarded as history4#a ,they are but intended to take one of the lowest places among those numerous representations of the ,passion which have been given us by pious writers and artists1 and to be considered at the very utmost as the ,lenten meditations of a devout nun1 related in all simplicity1 and written down in the plainest and most literal language1 from her own dictation4 ,to these meditations1 she herself never attached more than a mere human value1 and never related them except through obedience1 and upon the repeated commands of the directors of her conscience4 ,the writer of the following pages was introduced to this holy religious by ,count ,leopold de ,stolberg4 7,the ,count de ,stolberg is one of the most eminent converts whom the ,catholic ,church has made from ,protestantism4 ,he died in #ahai47 ,dean ,bernard ,overberg1 her director extraordinary1 and ,bishop ,michael ,sailer1 who had often been her counsellor and consoler1 urged her to relate to us in detail all that she experienced2 and the latter1 who survived her1 took the deepest interest in the arrangement and publication of the notes taken down from her dictation4 7,the ,bishop of ,ratisbonne1 one of the most celebrated defenders of the faith in ,germany47 ,these illustrious and holy men1 now dead1 and whose memory is blessed1 were in continual communion of prayer with ,anne ,catherine1 whom they loved and respected1 on account of the singular graces with which ,god had favoured her4 ,the editor of this book received equal encouragement1 and met with no less sympathy in his labours1 from the late ,bishop of ,ratisbonne1 ,mgr4 ,wittman4 7,mgr4 ,wittman was the worthy successor of ,sailer1 and a man of eminent sanctity1 whose memory is held in veneration by all the ,catholics of the south of ,germany47 ,this holy ,bishop1 who was so deeply versed in the ways of ,divine grace1 and so well acquainted with its effects on certain souls1 both from his private investigations of the subject1 and his own experience1 took the most lively interest in all that concerned ,anne ,catherine1 and on hearing of the work in which the editor of this book was engaged1 he strongly exhorted him to publish it4 ',these things have not been communicated to you for nothing1' would he often say2 ',god had his views in all4 ,publish something at least of what you know1 for you will thereby benefit many souls4' ,he at the same time brought forward various instances from his own experience and that of others1 showing the benefit which had been derived from the study of works of a similar character4 ,he delighted in calling such privileged souls as ,anne ,catherine the marrow of the bones of the ,church1 according to the expression of ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom1 medulla enim hujus mundi sunt1 and he encouraged the publication of their lives and writings as far as lay in his power4 ,the editor of this book being taken by a kind friend to the dying bed of the holy ,bishop1 had no reason whatever to expect to be recognised1 as he had only once in his life conversed with him for a few minutes2 nevertheless the dying saint knew him again1 and after a few most kind words blessed and exhorted him to continue his work for the glory of ,god4 ,encouraged by the approbation of such men1 we therefore yield to the wishes of many virtuous friends in publishing the ,meditations on the ,passion1 of this humble religious1 to whom ,god granted the favour of being at times simple1 ingenuous1 and ignorant as a child1 while at others she was clear sighted1 sensible1 possessed of a deep insight into the most mysterious and hidden things1 and consumed with burning and heroic zeal1 but ever forgetful of self1 deriving her whole strength from ,jesus alone1 and steadfast in the most perfect humility and entire self-abnegation4 ,we give our readers a slight sketch of her life1 intending at some future day to publish her biography more in full4 ,the ,life ,of ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich1 ,religious ,of ,the ,order ,of ,st4 ,augustine1 ,at ,the ,convent ,of ,agnetenberg1 ,dulmen1 ,westphalia4 ,venerable ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich#b was born at ,flamske1 a village situated about a mile and a half from ,coesfeld1 in the bishopric of ,munster1 on the #hth of ,september #aggd1 and was baptised in the church of ,st4 ,james at ,coesfeld4 ,her parents1 ,bernard ,emmerich and ,anne ,hiller1 were poor peasants1 but distinguished for their piety and virtue4 ,the childhood of ,anne ,catherine bore a striking resemblance to that of the ,venerable ,anne ,garzias de ,st4 ,barthelemi1 of ,dominica del ,paradiso1 and of several other holy persons born in the same rank of life as herself4 ,her angel-guardian used to appear to her as a child2 and when she was taking care of sheep in the fields1 the ,good ,shepherd himself1 under the form of a young shepherd1 would frequently come to her assistance4 ,from childhood she was accustomed to have divine knowledge imparted to her in visions of all kinds1 and was often favoured by visits from the ,mother of ,god and ,queen of ,heaven1 who1 under the form of a sweet1 lovely1 and majestic lady1 would bring the ,divine ,child to be1 as it were1 her companion1 and would assure her that she loved and would ever protect her4 ,many of the saints would also appear to her1 and receive from her hands the garlands of flowers which she had prepared in honour of their festivals4 ,all these favours and visions surprised the child less than if an earthly princess and the lords and ladies of her court had come to visit her4 ,nor was she1 later in life1 more surprised at these celestial visits1 for her innocence caused her to feel far more at her ease with our ,divine ,lord1 his ,blessed ,mother and the ,saints1 than she could ever be with even the most kind and amiable of her earthly companions4 ,the names of ,father1 ,mother1 ,brother1 and ,spouse1 appeared to her expressive of the real connections subsisting between ,god and man1 since the ,eternal word had been pleased to be born of a woman1 and so to become our ,brother1 and these sacred titles were not mere words in her mouth4 ,while yet a child1 she used to speak with innocent candour and simplicity of all that she saw1 and her listeners would be filled with admiration at the histories she would relate from ,holy ,writ2 but their questions and remarks having sometimes disturbed her peace of mind1 she determined to keep silence on such subjects for the future4 ,in her innocence of heart1 she thought that it was not right to talk of things of this sort1 that other persons never did so1 and that her speech should be only ,yea1 yea1 and ,nay1 nay1 or ,praise be to ,jesus ,christ4 ,the visions with which she was favoured were so like realities1 and appeared to her so sweet and delightful1 that she supposed all ,christian children were favoured with the same2 and she concluded that those who never talked on such subjects were only more discreet and modest than herself1 so she resolved to keep silence also1 to be like them4 ,almost from her cradle she possessed the gift of distinguishing what was good or evil1 holy or profane1 blessed or accursed1 in material as well as in spiritual things1 thus resembling ,st4 ,sibyllina of ,pavia1 ,ida of ,louvain1 ,ursula ,benincasa1 and some other holy souls4 ,in her earliest childhood she used to bring out of the fields useful herbs1 which no one had ever before discovered to be good for anything1 and plant them near her father's cottage1 or in some spot where she was accustomed to work and play2 while on the other hand she would root up all poisonous plants1 and particularly those ever used for superstitious practices or in dealings with the devil4 ,were she by chance in a place where some great crime had been committed1 she would hastily run away1 or begin to pray and do penance4 ,she used also to perceive by intuition when she was in a consecrated spot1 return thanks to ,god1 and be filled with a sweet feeling of peace4 ,when a priest passed by with the ,blessed ,sacrament1 even at a great distance from her home or from the place where she was taking care of her flock1 she would feel a strong attraction in the direction whence he was coming1 run to meet him1 and be kneeling in the road1 adoring the ,blessed ,sacrament1 long before he could reach the spot4 ,she knew when any object was consecrated1 and experienced a feeling of disgust and repugnance when in the neighbourhood of old pagan cemeteries1 whereas she was attracted to the sacred remains of the saints as steel by the magnet4 ,when relics were shown to her1 she knew what saints they had belonged to1 and could give not only accounts of the minutest and hitherto unknown particulars of their lives1 but also histories of the relics themselves1 and of the places where they had been preserved4 ,during her whole life she had continual intercourse with the souls in purgatory2 and all her actions and prayers were offered for the relief of their sufferings4 ,she was frequently called upon to assist them1 and even reminded in some miraculous manner1 if she chanced to forget them4 ,often1 while yet very young1 she used to be awakened out of her sleep by bands of suffering souls1 and to follow them on cold winter's nights with bare feet1 the whole length of the ,way of the ,cross to ,coesfeld1 though the ground was covered with snow4 ,from her infancy to the day of her death she was indefatigable in relieving the sick1 and in dressing and curing wounds and ulcers1 and she was accustomed to give to the poor every farthing she possessed4 ,so tender was her conscience1 that the slightest sin she fell into caused her such pain as to make her ill1 and absolution then always restored her immediately to health4 ,the extraordinary nature of the favours bestowed on her by ,almighty ,god was no hindrance in the way of her devoting herself to hard labour1 like any other peasant-girl2 and we may also be allowed to observe that a certain degree of the spirit of prophecy is not unusually to be found among her country men and women4 ,she was taught in the school of suffering and mortification1 and there learned lessons of perfection4 ,she allowed herself no more sleep or food than was absolutely necessary2 passed whole hours in prayer every night2 and in winter often knelt out of doors on the snow4 ,she slept on the ground on planks arranged in the form of a cross4 ,her food and drink consisted of what was rejected by others2 she always kept the best parts even of that for the poor and sick1 and when she did not know of anyone to give them to1 she offered them to ,god in a spirit of child-like faith1 begging him to give them to some person who was more in need than herself4 ,when there was anything to be seen or heard which had no reference to ,god or religion1 she found some excuse for avoiding the spot to which others were hastening1 or1 if there1 closed her eyes and ears4 ,she was accustomed to say that useless actions were sinful1 and that when we denied our bodily senses any gratification of this kind1 we were amply repaid by the progress which we made in the interior life1 in the same manner as pruning renders vines and other fruittrees more productive4 ,from her early youth1 and wherever she went1 she had frequent symbolical visions1 which showed her in parables1 as it were1 the object of her existence1 the means of attaining it1 and her future sufferings1 together with the dangers and conflicts which she would have to go through4 ,she was in her sixteenth year1 when one day1 whilst at work in the fields with her parents and sisters1 she heard the bell ringing at the ,convent of the ,sisters of the ,annunciation1 at ,coesfeld4 ,this sound so inflamed her secret desire to become a nun1 and had so great an effect upon her1 that she fainted away1 and remained ill and weak for a long time after4 ,when in her eighteenth year she was apprenticed at ,coesfeld to a dressmaker1 with whom she passed two years1 and then returned to her parents4 ,she asked to be received at the ,convents of the ,augustinians at ,borken1 of the ,trappists at ,darfeld1 and of the ,poor ,clares at ,munster2 but her poverty1 and that of these convents1 always presented an insuperable obstacle to her being received4 ,at the age of twenty1 having saved twenty thalers 7about #cl4 ,english71 which she had earned by her sewing1 she went with this little sum--a perfect fortune for a poor peasant-girl--to a pious organist of ,coesfeld1 whose daughter she had known when she first lived in the town4 ,her hope was that1 by learning to play on the organ1 she might succeed in obtaining admittance into a convent4 ,but her irresistible desire to serve the poor and give them everything she possessed left her no time to learn music1 and before long she had so completely stripped herself of everything1 that her good mother was obliged to bring her bread1 milk1 and eggs1 for her own wants and those of the poor1 with whom she shared everything4 ,then her mother said3 ',your desire to leave your father and myself1 and enter a convent1 gives us much pain2 but you are still my beloved child1 and when ,i look at your vacant seat at home1 and reflect that you have given away all your savings1 so as to be now in want1 my heart is filled with sorrow1 and ,i have now brought you enough to keep you for some time4' ,anne ,catherine replied3 ',yes1 dear mother1 it is true that ,i have nothing at all left1 because it was the holy will of ,god that others should be assisted by me2 and since ,i have given all to him1 he will now take care of me1 and bestow his divine assistance upon us all4' ,she remained some years at ,coesfeld1 employed in labour1 good works1 and prayer1 being always guided by the same inward inspirations4 ,she was docile and submissive as a child in the hands of her guardian-angel4 ,although in this brief sketch of her life we are obliged to omit many interesting circumstances1 there is one which we must not pass over in silence4 ,when about twenty-four years of age1 she received a favour from our ,lord1 which has been granted to many persons devoted in an especial manner to meditation on his painful ,passion2 namely1 to experience the actual and visible sufferings of his sacred ,head1 when crowned with thorns4 ,the following is the account she herself has given of the circumstances under which so mysterious a favour was bestowed upon her3 ',about four years previous to my admittance into the convent1 consequently in #agih1 it happened that ,i was in the ,jesuits' ,church at ,coesfeld1 at about twelve o'clock in the day1 kneeling before a crucifix and absorbed in meditation1 when all on a sudden ,i felt a strong but pleasant heat in my head1 and ,i saw my ,divine ,spouse1 under the form of a young man clothed with light1 come towards me from the altar1 where the ,blessed ,sacrament was preserved in the tabernacle4 ,in his left hand he held a crown of flowers1 in his right hand a crown of thorns1 and he bade me choose which ,i would have4 ,i chose the crown of thorns2 he placed it on my head1 and ,i pressed it down with both hands4 ,then he disappeared1 and ,i returned to myself1 feeling1 however1 violent pain around my head4 ,i was obliged to leave the church1 which was going to be closed4 ,one of my companions was kneeling by my side1 and as ,i thought she might have seen what happened to me1 ,i asked her when we got home whether there was not a wound on my forehead1 and spoke to her in general terms of my vision1 and of the violent pain which had followed it4 ,she could see nothing outwardly1 but was not astonished at what ,i told her1 because she knew that ,i was sometimes in an extraordinary state1 without her being able to understand the cause4 ,the next day my forehead and temples were very much swelled1 and ,i suffered terribly4 ,this pain and swelling often returned1 and sometimes lasted whole days and nights4 ,i did not remark that there was blood on my head until my companions told me ,i had better put on a clean cap1 because mine was covered with red spots4 ,i let them think whatever they liked about it1 only taking care to arrange my head dress so as to hide the blood which flowed from my head1 and ,i continued to observe the same precaution even after ,i entered the convent1 where only one person perceived the blood1 and she never betrayed my secret4' ,several other contemplative persons1 especially devoted to the passion of our ,lord1 have been admitted to the privilege of suffering the torture inflicted by the crown of thorns1 after having seen a vision in which the two crowns were offered them to choose between1 for instance1 among others1 ,st4 ,catherine of ,sienna1 and ,pasithea of ,crogis1 a ,poor ,clare of the same town1 who died in #afag4 ,the writer of these pages may here be allowed to remark that he himself has1 in full daylight1 several times seen blood flow down the forehead and face1 and even beyond the linen wrapped round the neck of ,anne ,catherine4 ,her desire to embrace a religious life was at length gratified4 ,the parents of a young person whom the ,augustinian nuns of ,dulmen wished to receive into their order1 declared that they would not give their consent except on condition that ,anne ,catherine was taken at the same time4 ,the nuns yielded their assent1 though somewhat reluctantly1 on account of their extreme poverty2 and on the #acth ,november #ahjb1 one week before the feast of the ,presentation of the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,anne ,catherine entered on her novitiate4 ,at the present day vocations are not so severely tested as formerly2 but in her case1 ,providence imposed special trials1 for which1 rigorous as they were1 she felt she never could be too grateful4 ,sufferings or privations1 which a soul1 either alone or in union with others1 imposes upon herself1 for ,god's greater glory1 are easy to bear2 but there is one cross more nearly resembling the cross of ,christ than any other1 and that is1 lovingly and patiently to submit to unjust punishment1 rebuffs1 or accusations4 ,it was the will of ,god that during her year's novitiate she should1 independently of the will of any creature1 be tried as severely as the most strict mistress of novices could have done before any mitigations had been allowed in the rules4 ,she learned to regard her companions as instruments in the hands of ,god for her sanctification2 and at a later period of her life many other things appeared to her in the same light4 ,but as it was necessary that her fervent soul should be constantly tried in the school of the ,cross1 ,god was pleased that she should remain in it all her life4 ,in many ways her position in the convent was excessively painful4 ,not one of her companions1 nor even any priest or doctor1 could understand her case4 ,she had learned1 when living among poor peasants1 to hide the wonderful gifts which ,god had bestowed on her2 but the case was altered now that she was in familiar intercourse with a large number of nuns1 who1 though certainly good and pious1 were filled with ever-increasing feelings of curiosity1 and even of spiritual jealousy in her regard4 ,then1 the contracted ideas of the community1 and the complete ignorance of the nuns concerning all those exterior phenomena by which the interior life manifests itself1 gave her much to endure1 the more so1 as these phenomena displayed themselves in the most unusual and astonishing manner4 ,she heard everything that was said against her1 even when the speakers were at on end of the convent and she at the other1 and her heart was most deeply wounded as if by poisoned arrows4 ,yet she bore all patiently a lovingly without showing that she knew what was said of her4 ,more than once charity impelled her to cast herself at the feet of some nun who was particularly prejudiced against her1 and ask her pardon with tears4 ,then1 she was suspected of listening at the doors1 for the private feelings of dislike entertained against her became known1 no one knew how1 and the nuns felt uncomfortable and uneasy1 in spite of themselves1 when in her company4 ,whenever the rule 7the minutest point of which was sacred in her eyes7 was neglected in the slightest degree1 she beheld in spirit each infringement1 and at times was inspired to fly to the spot where the rule was being broken by some infringement of the vow of poverty1 or disregards of the hours of silence1 and she would then repeat suitable passages from the rule1 without having ever learned them4 ,she thus became an object of aversion to all those religious who broke the rule2 and her sudden appearance among them had almost the effect of apparitions4 ,god had bestowed upon her the gift of tears to so great an extent1 that she often passed whole hours in the church weeping over the sins and ingratitude of men1 the sufferings of the ,church1 the imperfections of the community1 and her own faults4 ,but these tears of sublime sorrow could be understood by none but ,god1 before whom she shed them1 and men attributed them to mere caprice1 a spirit of discontent1 or some other similar cause4 ,her confessor had enjoined that she should receive the holy communion more frequently than the other nuns1 because1 so ardently did she hunger after the bread of angels1 that she had been more than once near dying4 ,these heavenly sentiments awakened feelings of jealousy in her sisters1 who sometimes even accused her of hypocrisy4 ,the favour which had been shown her in her admittance into the convent1 in spite of her poverty1 was also made a subject of reproach4 ,the thought of being thus an occasion of sin to others was most painful to her1 and she continually besought ,god to permit her to bear herself the penalty of this want of charity in her regard4 ,about ,christmas1 of the year #ahjb1 she had a very severe illness1 which began by a violent pain about her heart4 ,this pain did not leave her even when she was cured1 and she bore it in silence until the year #ahab1 when the mark of a cross was imprinted exteriorly in the same place1 as we shall relate further on4 ,her weakness and delicate health caused her to be looked upon more as burdensome than useful to the community2 and this1 of course1 told against her in all ways1 yet she was never weary of working and serving the others1 nor was she ever so happy as at this period of her life--spent in privations and sufferings of every description4 ,on the #acth of ,november #ahjc1 at the age of twenty-nine1 she pronounced her solemn vows1 and became the spouse of ,jesus ,christ1 in the ,convent of ,agnetenberg1 at ,dulmen4 ',when ,i had pronounced my vows1' she says1 'my relations were again extremely kind to me4 ,my father and my eldest brother brought me two pieces of cloth4 ,my father1 a good1 but stern man1 and who had been much averse to my entering the convent1 had told me1 when we parted1 that he would willingly pay for my burial1 but that he would give nothing for the convent2 and he kept his word1 for this piece of cloth was the winding sheet used for my spiritual burial in the convent4' ',i was not thinking of myself1' she says again1 ',i was thinking of nothing but our ,lord and my holy vows4 ,my companions could not understand me2 nor could ,i explain my state to them4 ,god concealed from them many of the favours which he bestowed upon me1 otherwise they would have had very false ideas concerning me4 ,notwithstanding all my trials and sufferings1 ,i was never more rich interiorly1 and my soul was perfectly flooded with happiness4 ,my cell only contained one chair without a seat1 and another without a back2 yet in my eyes1 it was magnificently furnished1 and when there ,i often thought myself in ,heaven4 ,frequently during the night1 impelled by love and by the mercy of ,god1 ,i poured forth the feelings of my soul by conversing with him on loving and familiar language1 as ,i had always done from my childhood1 and then those who were watching me would accuse me of irreverence and disrespect towards ,god4 ,once1 ,i happened to say that it appeared to me that ,i should be guilty of greater disrespect did ,i receive the ,body of our ,lord without having conversed familiarly with him1 and ,i was severely reprimanded4 ,amid all these trials1 ,i yet lived in peace with ,god and with all his creatures4 ,when ,i was working in the garden1 the birds would come and rest on my head and shoulders1 and we would together sing the praises of ,god4 ,i always beheld my angel-guardian at my side1 and although the devil used frequently to assault and terrify me in various ways1 he was never permitted to do me much harm4 ,my desire for the ,blessed ,sacrament was so irresistible1 that often at night ,i left my cell and went to the church1 if it was open2 but if not1 ,i remained at the door or by the walls1 even in winter1 kneeling or prostrate1 with my arms extended in ecstasy4 ,the convent chaplain1 who was so charitable as to come early to give me the ,holy ,communion1 used to find me in this state1 but as soon as he was come and had opened the church1 ,i always recovered1 and hastened to the holy table1 there to receive my ,lord and my ,god4 ,when ,i was sacristan1 ,i used all on a sudden to feel myself ravished in spirit1 and ascend to the highest parts of the church1 on to cornices1 projecting parts of the building1 and mouldings1 where it seemed impossible for any being to get by human means4 ,then ,i cleaned and arranged everything1 and it appeared to me that ,i was surrounded by blessed spirits1 who transported me about and held me up in their hands4 ,their presence did not cause me the least uneasiness1 for ,i had been accustomed to it from my childhood1 and ,i used to have the most sweet and familiar intercourse with them4 ,it was only when ,i was in the company of certain men that ,i was really alone2 and so great was then my feeling of loneliness that ,i could not help crying like a child that has strayed from home4' ,we now proceed to her illnesses1 omitting any description of some other remarkable phenomena of her ecstatic life1 only recommending the reader to compare the accounts we have already given with what is related of ,st4 ,mary ,magdalen of ,pazzi4 ,anne ,catherine had always been weak and delicate1 and yet had been1 from her earliest childhood1 in the habit of practising many mortifications1 of fasting and of passing the night in watching and prayer in the open air4 ,she had been accustomed to continue hard labour in the fields1 at all seasons of the year1 and her strength was also necessarily much tried by the exhausting and supernatural states through which she so frequently passed4 ,at the convent she continued to work in the garden and in the house1 whilst her spiritual labours and sufferings were ever on the increase1 so that it is by no means surprising that she was frequently ill2 but her illnesses arose from yet another cause4 ,we have learned1 from careful observations made every day for the space of four years1 and also from what she herself was unwillingly forced to admit1 that during the whole course of her life1 and especially during that part of it which she spent at the convent1 when she enjoyed the highest spiritual favours1 a great portion of her illnesses and sufferings came from taking upon herself the sufferings of others4 ,sometimes she asked for the illness of a person who did not bear it patiently1 and relieved him of the whole or of a part of his sufferings1 by taking them upon herself2 sometimes1 wishing to expiate a sin or put an end to some suffering1 she gave herself up into the hands of ,god1 and he1 accepting her sacrifice1 permitted her thus1 in union with the merits of his passion1 to expiate the sin by suffering some illness corresponding to it4 ,she had consequently to bear1 not only her own maladies1 but those also of others--to suffer in expiation of the sins of her brethren1 and of the faults and negligences of certain portions of the ,christian community--and1 finally1 to endure many and various sufferings in satisfaction for the souls of purgatory4 ,all these sufferings appeared like real illnesses1 which took the most opposite and variable forms1 and she was placed entirely under the care of the doctor1 who endeavoured by earthly remedies to cure illnesses which in reality were the very sources of her life4 ,she said on this subject--',repose in suffering has always appeared to me the most desirable condition possible4 ,the angels themselves would envy us1 were envy not an imperfection4 ,but for sufferings to bear really meritorious we must patiently and gratefully accept unsuitable remedies and comforts1 and all other additional trials4 ,i did not myself fully understand my state1 nor know what it was to lead to4 ,in my soul ,i accepted my different sufferings1 but in my body it was my duty to strive against them4 ,i had given myself wholly and entirely to my ,heavenly ,spouse1 and his holy will was being accomplished in me2 but ,i was living on earth1 where ,i was not to rebel against earthly wisdom and earthly prescriptions4 ,even had ,i fully comprehended my state1 and had both time and power to explain it1 there was no one near who would have been able to understand me4 ,a doctor would simply have concluded that ,i was entirely mad1 and would have increased his expensive and painful remedies tenfold4 ,i have suffered much in this way during the whole of my life1 and particularly when ,i was at the convent1 from having unsuitable remedies administered to me4 ,often1 when my doctors and nurses had reduced me to the last agony1 and that ,i was near death1 ,god took pity on me1 and sent me some supernatural assistance1 which effected an entire cure4' ,four years before the suppression of her convent she went to ,flamske for two days to visit her parents4 ,whilst there she went once to kneel and pray for some hours before the miraculous ,cross of the ,church of ,st4 ,lambert1 at ,coesfeld4 ,she besought the ,almighty to bestow the gifts of peace and unity upon her convent1 offered him the ,passion of ,jesus ,christ for that intention1 and implored him to allow her to feel a portion of the sufferings which were endured by her ,divine ,spouse on the ,cross4 ,from the time that she made this prayer her hands and feet became burning and painful1 and she suffered constantly from fever1 which she believed was the cause of the pain in her hands and feet1 for she did not dare to think that her prayer had been granted4 ,often she was unable to walk1 and the pain in her hands prevented her from working as usual in the garden4 ,on the #crd ,december #ahaa1 the convent was suppressed1 and the church closed4 7,under the ,government of ,jerome ,bonaparte1 ,king of ,westphalia47 ,the nuns dispersed in all directions1 but ,anne ,catherine remained1 poor and ill4 ,a kindhearted servant belonging to the monastery attended upon her out of charity1 and an aged emigrant priest1 who said ,mass in the convent1 remained also with her4 ,these three individuals1 being the poorest of the ,community1 did not leave the convent until the spring of #ahab4 ,she was still very unwell1 and could not be moved without great difficulty4 ,the priest lodged with a poor widow who lived in the neighbourhood1 and ,anne ,catherine had in the same house a wretched little room on the ground-floor1 which looked on the street4 ,there she lived1 in poverty and sickness1 until the autumn of #ahac4 ,her ecstasies in prayer1 and her spiritual intercourse with the invisible world1 became more and more frequent4 ,she was about to be called to a state with which she was herself but imperfectly acquainted1 and in order to enter which she did nothing but submissively abandon herself to the will of ,god4 ,our ,lord was pleased about this time to imprint upon her virginal body the stigmas of his cross and of his crucifixion1 which were to the ,jews a stumbling-block1 and to the ,gentiles folly1 and to many persons who call themselves ,christians1 both the one and the other4 ,from her very earliest childhood she had besought our ,lord to impress the marks of his cross deeply upon her heart1 that so she might never forget his infinite love for men2 but she had never thought of receiving any outward marks4 ,rejected by the world1 she prayed more fervently than ever for this end4 ,on the #bhth of ,august1 the feast of ,st4 ,augustine1 the patron of her order1 as she was making this prayer in bed1 ravished in ecstasy and her arms stretched forth1 she beheld a young man approach her surrounded with light4 ,it was under this form that her ,divine ,spouse usually appeared to her1 and he now made upon her body with his right hand the mark of a common cross4 ,from this time there was a mark like a cross upon her bosom1 consisting of two bands crossed1 about three inches long and one wide4 ,later the skin often rose in blisters on this place1 as if from a burn1 and when these blisters burst a burning colourless liquid issued from them1 sometimes in such quantities as to soak through several sheets4 ,she was long without perceiving what the case really was1 and only thought that she was in a strong perspiration4 ,the particular meaning of this mark has never been known4 ,some weeks later1 when making the same prayer1 she fell into an ecstasy1 and beheld the same apparition1 which presented her with a little cross of the shape described in her accounts of the ,passion4 ,she eagerly received and fervently pressed it to her bosom1 and then returned it4 ,she said that this cross was as soft and white as wax1 but she was not at first aware that it had made an external mark upon her bosom4 ,a short time after1 having gone with her landlady's little girl to visit an old hermitage near ,dulmen1 she all on a sudden fell into an ecstasy1 fainted away1 and on her recovery was taken home by a poor peasant woman4 ,the sharp pain which she felt in her chest continued to increase1 and she saw that there was what looked like a cross1 about three inches in length1 pressed tightly upon her breast-bone1 and looking red through the skin4 ,as she had spoken about her vision to a nun with whom she was intimate1 her extraordinary state began to be a good deal talked of4 ,on ,all ,souls' day1 #ahab1 she went out for the last time1 and with much difficulty succeeded in reaching the church4 ,from that time till the end of the year she seemed to be dying1 and received the last ,sacraments4 ,at ,christmas a smaller cross appeared on the top of that upon her chest4 ,it was the same shape as the larger one1 so that the two together formed a double forked cross4 ,blood flowed from this cross every ,wednesday1 so as to leave the impression of its shape on paper laid over it4 ,after a time this happened on ,fridays instead4 ,in #ahad this flow of blood took place less frequently1 but the cross became as red as fire every ,friday4 ,at a later period of her life more blood flowed from this cross1 especially every ,good ,friday2 but no attention was paid to it4 ,on the #cjth ,march #ahba1 the writer of these pages saw this cross of a deep red colour1 and bleeding all over4 ,in its usual state it was colourless1 and its position only marked by slight cracks in the skin444 ,other ,ecstaticas have received similar marks of the ,cross2 among others1 ,catherine of ,raconis1 ,marina de l' ,escobar1 ,emilia ,bichieri1 ,s4 ,juliani ,falconieri1 etc4 ,she received the stigmas on the last days of the year #ahab4 ,on the #bith ,december1 about three o'clock in the afternoon1 she was lying on her bed in her little room1 extremely ill1 but in a state of ecstasy and with her arms extended1 meditating on the sufferings of her ,lord1 and beseeching him to allow her to suffer with him4 ,she said five ,our ,fathers in honour of the ,five ,wounds1 and felt her whole heart burning with love4 ,she then saw a light descending towards her1 and distinguished in the midst of it the resplendent form of her crucified ,saviour1 whose wounds shone like so many furnaces of light4 ,her heart was overflowing with joy and sorrow1 and1 at the sight of the sacred wounds1 her desire to suffer with her ,lord became intensely violent4 ,then triple rays1 pointed like arrows1 of the colour of blood1 darted forth from the hands1 feet1 and side of the sacred apparition1 and struck her hands1 feet1 and right side4 ,the triple rays from the side formed a point like the head of a lance4 ,the moment these rays touched her1 drops of blood flowed from the wounds which they made4 ,long did she remain in a state of insensibility1 and when she recovered her senses she did not know who had lowered her outstretched arms4 ,it was with astonishment that she beheld blood flowing from the palms of her hands1 and felt violent pain in her feet and side4 ,it happened that her landlady's little daughter came into her room1 saw her hands bleeding1 and ran to tell her mother1 who with great anxiety asked ,anne ,catherine what had happened1 but was begged by her not to speak about it4 ,she felt1 after having received the stigmas1 that an entire change had taken place in her body2 for the course of her blood seemed to have changed1 and to flow rapidly towards the stigmas4 ,she herself used to say3 ',no words can describe in what manner it flows4' ,we are indebted to a curious incident for our knowledge of the circumstances which we have here related4 ,on the #aeth ,december #ahai1 she had a detailed vision of all that had happened to herself1 but so that she thought it concerned some other nun who she imagined must be living not far off1 and who she supposed had experienced the same things as herself4 ,she related all these details with a very strong feeling of compassion1 humbling herself1 without knowing it1 before her own patience and sufferings4 ,it was most touching to hear her say3 ',i ought never to complain anymore1 now that ,i have seen the sufferings of that poor nun2 her heart is surrounded with a crown of thorns1 but she bears it placidly and with a smiling countenance4 ,it is shameful indeed for me to complain1 for she had a far heavier burden to bear than ,i have4' ,these visions1 which she afterwards recognised to be her own history1 were several times repeated1 and it is from them that the circumstances under which she received the stigmas became known4 ,otherwise she would not have related so many particulars about what her humility never permitted her to speak of1 and concerning which1 when asked by her spiritual superiors whence her wounds proceeded1 the utmost she said was3 ',i hope that they come from the hand of ,god4' ,the limits of this work preclude us from entering upon the subject of stigmas in general1 but we may observe that the ,catholic ,church has produced a certain number of persons1 ,st4 ,francis of ,assisi being the first1 who have attained to that degree of contemplative love of ,jesus which is the most sublime effect of union with his sufferings1 and is designated by theologians1 ,vulnus divinum1 ,plago amoris viva4 ,there are known to have been at least fifty4 ,veronica ,giuliani1 a ,capuchiness1 who died at ,citta di ,castello in #agbg1 is the last individual of the class who has been canonised 7on the #bfth ,may #ahca74 ,her biography1 published at ,cologne in #ahaj1 gives a description of the state of persons with stigmas1 which in many ways is applicable to ,anne ,catherine4 ,colomba ,schanolt1 who died at ,bamberg in #aghg1 ,magdalen ,lorger1 who died at ,hadamar in #ahjf1 both ,dominicanesses1 and ,rose ,serra1 a ,capuchiness at ,ozieri in ,sardinia1 who received the stigmas in #ahja1 are those of our own times of whom we know the most4 ,josephine ,kumi1 of the ,convent of ,wesen1 near ,lake ,wallenstadt in ,switzerland1 who was still living in #ahae1 also belonged to this class of persons1 but we are not entirely certain whether she had the stigmas4 #c ,anne ,catherine being1 as we have said1 no longer able to walk or rise from her bed1 soon became unable also to eat4 ,before long she could take nothing but a little wine and water1 and finally only pure water2 sometimes1 but very rarely1 she managed to swallow the juice of a cherry or a plum1 but she immediately vomited any solid food1 taken in ever so small a quantity4 ,this inability to take food1 or rather this faculty of living for a great length of time upon nothing but water1 we are assured by learned doctors is not quite unexampled in the history of the sick4 ,theologians will be perfectly aware that here are many instances of contemplative ascetics1 and particularly of persons frequently in a state of ecstasy and who have received the stigmas1 remaining long without taking any other food than the ,blessed ,sacrament2 for instance1 ,st4 ,nicholas of ,flue1 ,st4 ,liduvina of ,schiedam1 ,st4 ,catherine of ,sienna1 ,st4 ,angela of ,foligno1 and ,st4 ,louise de l',ascension4 ,all the phenomena exhibited in the person of ,anne ,catherine remained concealed even from those who had the most intercourse with her1 until the #beth ,february #ahab1 when they were discovered accidentally by one of her old convent companions4 ,by the end of ,march1 the whole town talked of them4 ,on the #bcrd of ,march1 the physician of the neighbourhood forced her to undergo an examination4 ,contrary to his expectation1 he was convinced of the truth1 drew up an official report of what he had seen1 became her doctor and her friend1 and remained such to her death4 ,on the #bhth of ,march1 commissioners were appointed to examine into her case by the spiritual authorities of ,munster4 ,the consequence of this was that ,anne ,catherine was henceforth looked upon kindly by her superiors1 and acquired the friendship of the late ,dean ,overberg1 who from that time paid her every year a visit of several days' duration1 and was her consoler and spiritual director4 ,the medical counsellor from ,druffel1 who was present at this examination in the capacity of doctor1 never ceased to venerate her4 ,in #ahad1 he published in the ,medical ,journal of ,salzbourg a detailed account of the phenomena which he had remarked in the person of ,anne ,catherine1 and to this we refer those of our readers who desire more particulars upon the subject4 ,on the #dth of ,april1 ,m4 ,garnier1 the ,commissary-,general of the ,french police1 came from ,munster to see her2 he inquired minutely into her case1 and having learned that she neither prophesied nor spoke on politics1 declared that there was no occasion for the police to occupy themselves about her4 ,in #ahbf1 he still spoke of her at ,paris with respect and emotion4 ,on the #bbnd of ,july #ahac1 ,overberg came to see her1 with ,count de ,stolberg and his family4 ,they remained two days with her1 and ,stolberg1 in a letter which has been several times printed1 bore witness to the reality of the phenomena observed in ,anne ,catherine1 and gave expression to his intense veneration for her4 ,he remained her friend as long as he lived1 and the members of his family never ceased recommending themselves to her prayers4 ,on the #bith of ,september #ahac1 ,overberg took the daughter of the ,princess ,galitzin 7who died in #ahjf7 to visit her1 and they saw with their own eyes blood flow copiously from her stigmas4 ,this distinguished lady repeated her visit1 and1 after becoming ,princess of ,salm1 never varied in her sentiments1 but1 together with her family1 remained in constant communion of prayer with ,anne ,catherine4 ,many other persons in all ranks of life were1 in like manner1 consoled and edified by visiting her bed of suffering4 ,on the #bcrd of ,october #ahac1 she was carried to another lodging1 the window of which looked out upon a garden4 ,the condition of the saintly nun became day by day more painful4 ,her stigmas were a source of indescribable suffering to her1 down to the moment of her death4 ,instead of allowing her thoughts to dwell upon those graces to the interior presence of which they bore such miraculous outward testimony1 she learned from them lessons of humility1 by considering them as a heavy cross laid upon her for her sins4 ,her suffering body itself was to preach ,jesus crucified4 ,it was difficult indeed to be an enigma to all persons1 an object of suspicion to the greatest number1 and of respect mingled with fear to some few1 without yielding to sentiments of impatience1 irritability1 or pride4 ,willingly would she have lived in entire seclusion from the world1 but obedience soon compelled her to allow herself to be examined and to have judgment passed upon her by a vast number of curious persons4 ,suffering1 as she was1 the most excruciating pains1 she was not even allowed to be her own mistress1 but was regarded as something which everyone fancied he had a right to look at and to pass judgment upon1--often with no good results to anyone1 but greatly to the prejudice of her soul and body1 because she was thus deprived of so much rest and recollection of spirit4 ,there seemed to be no bounds to what was expected of her1 and one fat man1 who had some difficulty in ascending her narrow winding staircase1 was heard to complain that a person like ,anne ,catherine1 who ought to be exposed on the public road1 where everyone could see her1 should remained in a lodging so difficult to reach4 ,in former ages1 persons in her state underwent in private the examination of the spiritual authorities1 and carried out their painful vocation beneath the protecting shadow of hallowed walls2 but our suffering heroine had been cast forth from the cloister into the world at a time when pride1 coldness of heart1 and incredulity were all the vogue2 marked with the stigmas of the ,passion of ,christ1 she was forced to wear her bloody robe in public1 under the eyes of men who scarce believed in the ,wounds of ,christ1 far less in those which were but their images4 ,thus this holy woman1 who in her youth had been in the habit of praying for long hours before pictures of all the stages of ,christ's painful ,passion1 or before wayside crosses1 was herself made like unto a cross on the public road1 insulted by one passer by1 bathed in warm tears of repentance by a second1 regarded as a mere physical curiosity by a third1 and venerated by a fourth1 whose innocent hands would bring flowers to lay at her feet4 ,in #ahag her aged mother came from the country to die by her side4 ,anne ,catherine showed her all the love she could by comforting and praying for her1 and closing her eyes with her own hands--those hands marked with the stigmas on the #acth of ,march of the same year4 ,the inheritance left to ,anne ,catherine by her mother was more than sufficient for one so imbued with the spirit of mortification and sufferings2 and in her turn she left it unimpaired to her friends4 ,it consisted of these three sayings3--',lord1 thy will1 not mine1 be done2 ' ',lord1 give me patience1 and then strike hard2' ',those things which are not good to put in the pot are at least good to put beneath it4' ,the meaning of this last proverb was3 ,if things are not fit to be eaten1 they may at least be burned1 in order that food may be cooked2 this suffering does not nourish my heart1 but by bearing it patiently1 ,i may at least increase the fire of divine love1 by which alone life can profit us anything4 ,she often repeated these proverbs1 and then thought of her mother with gratitude4 ,her father had died some little time before4 ,the writer of these pages became acquainted with her state first through reading a copy of that letter of ,stolberg1 to which we have already alluded1 and afterwards through conversation with a friend who had passed several weeks with her4 ,in ,september #ahah he was invited by ,bishop ,sailer to meet him at the ,count de ,stolberg's1 in ,westphalia2 and he went in the first place to ,sondermuhlen to see the count1 who introduced him to ,overberg1 from whom he received a letter addressed to ,anne ,catherine's doctor4 ,he paid her his first visit on the #agth of ,september #ahah2 and she allowed him to pass several hours by her side each day1 until the arrival of ,sailer4 ,from the very beginning1 she gave him her confidence to a remarkable extent1 and this in the most touching and ingenuous manner4 ,no doubt she was conscious that by relating without reserve the history of all the trials1 joys1 and sorrows of her whole life1 she was bestowing a most precious spiritual alms upon him4 ,she treated him with the most generous hospitality1 and had no hesitation in doing so1 because he did not oppress her and alarm her humility by excessive admiration4 ,she laid open her interior to him in the same charitable spirit as a pious solitary would in the morning offer the flowers and fruit which had grown in his garden during the night to some way-worn traveller1 who1 having lost his road in the desert of the world1 finds him sitting near his hermitage4 ,wholly devoted to her ,god1 she spoke in this open manner as a child would have done1 unsuspectingly1 with no feelings of mistrust1 and with no selfish end in view4 ,may ,god reward her6 ,her friend daily wrote down all the observations that he made concerning her1 and all that she told him about her life1 whether interior or exterior4 ,her words were characterised alternately by the most childlike simplicity and the most astonishing depth of thought1 and they foreshadowed1 as it were1 the vast and sublime spectacle which later was unfolded1 when it became evident that the past1 the present1 and the future1 together with all that pertained to the sanctification1 profanation1 and judgment of souls1 formed before and within her an allegorical and historical drama1 for which the different events of the ecclesiastical year furnished subjects1 and which it divided into scenes1 so closely linked together were all the prayers and sufferings which she offered in sacrifice for the ,church militant4 ,on the #bbnd of ,october #ahah ,sailer came to see her1 and having remarked that she was lodging at the back of a public house1 and that men were playing at nine-pins under her window1 said in the playful yet thoughtful manner which was peculiar to him3 ',see1 see2 all things are as they should be--the invalid nun1 the spouse of our ,lord1 is lodging in a publichouse above the ground where men are playing at nine-pins1 like the soul of man in his body4' ,his interview with ,anne ,catherine was most affecting2 it was indeed beautiful to behold these two souls1 who were both on fire with the love of ,jesus1 and conducted by grace through such different paths1 meet thus at the foot of the ,cross1 the visible stamp of which was borne by one of them4 ,on ,friday1 the #bcrd of ,october1 ,sailer remained alone with her during nearly the whole of the day2 he saw blood flow from her head1 her hands1 and her feet1 and he was able to bestow upon her great consolation in her interior trials4 ,he most earnestly recommended her to tell everything without reserve to the writer of these pages1 and he came to an understanding upon the subject with her ordinary director4 ,he heard her confession1 gave her the ,holy ,communion on ,saturday1 the #bdth1 and then continued his journey to the ,count de ,stolberg's4 ,on his return1 at the beginning of ,november1 he again passed a day with her4 ,he remained her friend until death1 prayed constantly for her1 and asked her prayers whenever he found himself in trying of difficult positions4 ,the writer of these pages remained until ,january4 ,he returned in ,may #ahai1 and continued to watch ,anne ,catherine almost uninterruptedly until her death4 ,the saintly maiden continually besought the ,almighty to remove the exterior stigmas1 on account of the trouble and fatigue which they occasioned1 and her prayer was granted at the end of seven years4 ,towards the conclusion of the year #ahai1 the blood first flowed less frequently from her wounds1 and then ceased altogether4 ,on the #beth of ,december1 scabs fell from her feet and hands1 and there only remained white scars1 which became red on certain days1 but the pain she suffered was undiminished in the slightest degree4 ,the mark of the cross1 and the wound on her right side1 were often to be seen as before1 but not at any stated times4 ,on certain days she always had the most painful sensations around her head1 as though a crown of thorns were being pressed upon it4 ,on these occasions she could not lean her head against anything1 nor even rest it on her hand1 but had to remain for long hours1 sometimes even for whole nights1 sitting up in her bed1 supported by cushions1 whilst her pallid face1 and the irrepressible groans of pain which escaped her1 made her like an awful living representation of suffering4 ,after she had been in this state1 blood invariably flowed more or less copiously from around her head4 ,sometimes her head-dress only was soaked with it1 but sometimes the blood would flow down her face and neck4 ,on ,good ,friday1 ,april #aith1 #ahai1 all her wounds re-opened and bled1 and closed again on the following days4 ,a most rigorous inquiry into her state was made by some doctors and naturalists4 ,for that end she was placed alone in a strange house1 where she remained from the #gth to the #bith of ,august2 but this examination appears to have produced no particular effects in any way4 ,she was brought back to her own dwelling on the #bith of ,august1 and from that time until she died she was left in peace1 save that she was occasionally annoyed by private disputes and public insults4 ,on this subject ,overberg wrote her the following words3 ',what have you had to suffer personally of which you can complain8 ,i am addressing a soul desirous of nothing so much as to become more and more like to her divine ,spouse4 ,have you not been treated far more gently than was your adorable ,spouse8 ,should it not be a subject of rejoicing to you1 according to the spirit1 to have been assisted to resemble him more closely1 and thus to be more pleasing in his eyes8 ,you had suffered much with ,jesus1 but hitherto insults had been for the most part spared you4 ,with the crown of thorns you had not worn the purple mantle and the robe of scorn1 much less had you yet heard1 ,away with him6 ,crucify him6 ,crucify him6 ,i cannot doubt but that these sentiments are yours4 ,praise be to ,jesus ,christ4' ,on ,good ,friday1 the #cjth of ,march #ahbj1 blood flowed from her head1 feet1 hands1 chest1 and side4 ,it happened that when she fainted1 one of the persons who were with her1 knowing that the application of relics relieved her1 placed near her feet a piece of linen in which some were wrapped1 and the blood which came from her wounds reached this piece of linen after a time4 ,in the evening1 when this same piece of linen with the relics was being placed on her chest and shoulders1 in which she was suffering much1 she suddenly exclaimed1 while in a state of ecstasy3 ',it is most wonderful1 but ,i see my ,heavenly spouse lying in the tomb in the earthly ,jerusalem2 and ,i also see him living in the heavenly ,jerusalem surrounded by adoring saints1 and in the midst of these saints ,i see a person who is not a saint--a nun4 ,blood flows from her head1 her side1 her hands1 and her feet1 and the saints are above the bleeding parts4' ,on the #ith ,february #ahba she fell into an ecstasy at the time of the funeral of a very holy priest4 ,blood flowed from her forehead1 and the cross on her breast bled also4 ,someone asked her1 ',what is the matter with you8' ,she smiled1 and spoke like one awakening from a dream3 ',we were by the side of the body4 ,i have been accustomed lately to hear sacred music1 and the ,de ,profundis made a great impression upon me4' ,she died upon the same day three years later4 ,in #ahba1 a few weeks before ,easter1 she told us that it had been said to her during her prayer3 ',take notice1 you will suffer on the real anniversary of the ,passion1 and not on the day marked this year in the ,ecclesiastical ,calendar4' ,on ,friday1 the #cjth of ,march1 at ten o'clock in the morning1 she sank down senseless4 ,her face and bosom were bathed in blood1 and her body appeared covered with bruises like what the blows of a whip would have inflicted4 ,at twelve o'clock in the day1 she stretched herself out in the form of a cross1 and her arms were so extended as to be perfectly dislocated4 ,a few minutes before two o'clock1 drops of blood flowed from her feet and hands4 ,on ,good ,friday1 the #bjth of ,april1 she was simply in a state of quiet contemplation4 ,this remarkable exception to the general rule seemed to be an effect of the providence of ,god1 for1 at the hour when her wounds usually bled1 a number of curious and ill-natured individuals came to see her with the intention of causing her fresh annoyances1 by publishing what they saw2 but they thus were made unintentionally to contribute to her peace1 by saying that her wounds had ceased to bleed4 ,on the #aith of ,february #ahbb she was again warned that she would suffer on the last ,friday of ,march1 and not on ,good ,friday4 ,on ,friday the #aeth1 and again on ,friday the #bith1 the cross on her bosom and the wound of her side bled4 ,before the #bith1 she more than once felt as though a stream of fire were flowing rapidly from her heart to her side1 and down her arms and legs to the stigmas1 which looked red and inflamed4 ,on the evening of ,thursday the #bhth1 she fell into a state of contemplation on the ,passion1 and remained in it until ,friday evening4 ,her chest1 head1 and side bled2 all the veins of her hands were swollen1 and there was a painful spot in the centre of them1 which felt damp1 although blood did not flow from it4 ,no blood flowed from the stigmas excepting upon the #crd of ,march1 the day of the finding of the holy ,cross4 ,she had also a vision of the discovery of the true cross by ,st4 ,helena1 and imagined herself to be lying in the excavation near the cross4 ,much blood came in the morning from her head and side1 and in the afternoon from her hands and feet1 and it seemed to her as though she were being made the test of whether the cross was really the ,cross of ,jesus ,christ1 and that her blood was testifying to its identity4 ,in the year #ahbc1 on ,holy ,thursday and ,good ,friday1 which came on the #bgth and #bhth of ,march1 she had visions of the ,passion1 during which blood flowed from all her wounds1 causing her intense pain4 ,amid these awful sufferings1 although ravished in spirit1 she was obliged to speak and give answers concerning all her little household affairs1 as if she had been perfectly strong and well1 and she never let fall a complaint1 although nearly dying4 ,this was the last time that her blood gave testimony to the reality of her union with the sufferings of him who has delivered himself up wholly and entirely for our salvation4 ,most of the phenomena of the ecstatic life which are shown us in the lives and writings of ,saints ,bridget1 ,gertrude1 ,mechtilde1 ,hildegarde1 ,catherine of ,sienna1 ,catherine of ,genoa1 ,catherine of ,bologna1 ,colomba da ,rieti1 ,lidwina of ,schiedam1 ,catherine ,vanini1 ,teresa of ,jesus1 ,anne of ,st4 ,bartholomew1 ,magdalen of ,pazzi1 ,mary ,villana1 ,mary ,buonomi1 ,marina d' ,escobar1 ,crescentia de ,kaufbeuern1 and many other nuns of contemplative orders1 are also to be found in the history of the interior life of ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich4 ,the same path was marked out for her by ,god4 ,did she1 like these holy women1 attain the end8 ,god alone knows4 ,our part is only to pray that such may have been the case1 and we are allowed to hope it4 ,those among our readers who are not acquainted with the ecstatic life from the writings of those who have lived it1 will find information on this subject in the ,introduction of ,goerres to the writings of ,henry ,suso1 published at ,ratisbonne in #ahbi4 ,since many pious ,christians1 in order to render their life one perpetual act of adoration1 endeavour to see in their daily employments a symbolical representation of some manner of honouring ,god1 and offer it to him in union with the merits of ,christ1 it cannot appear extraordinary that those holy souls who pass from an active life to one of suffering and contemplation1 should sometimes see their spiritual labours under the form of those earthly occupations which formerly filled their days4 ,then their acts were prayers2 now their prayers are acts2 but the form remains the same4 ,it was thus that ,anne ,catherine1 in her ecstatic life1 beheld the series of her prayers for the ,church under the forms of parables bearing reference to agriculture1 gardening1 weaving1 sowing1 or the care of sheep4 ,all these different occupations were arranged1 according to their signification1 in the different periods of the common as well as the ecclesiastical year1 and were pursued under the patronage and with the assistance of the saints of each day1 the special graces of the corresponding feasts of the ,church being also applied to them4 ,the signification of this circles of symbols had reference to all the active part of her interior life4 ,one example will help to explain our meaning4 ,when ,anne ,catherine1 while yet a child1 was employed in weeding1 she besought ,god to root up the cockle from the field of the ,church4 ,if her hands were stung by the nettles1 or if she was obliged to do afresh the work of idlers1 she offered to ,god her pain and her fatigue1 and besought him1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 that the pastor of souls might not become weary1 and that none of them might cease to labour zealously and diligently4 ,thus her manual labour became a prayer4 ,i will now give a corresponding example of her life of contemplation and ecstasy4 ,she had been ill several times1 and in a state of almost continual ecstasy1 during which she often moaned1 and moved her hands like a person employed in weeding4 ,she complained one morning that her hands and arms smarted and itched1 and on examination they were found to be covered with blisters1 like what would have been produced by the stinging of nettles4 ,she then begged several persons of her acquaintance to join their prayers to hers for a certain intention4 ,the next day her hands were inflamed and painful1 as they would have been after hard work2 and when asked the cause1 she replied3 ',ah6 ,i have so many nettles to root up in the vineyard1 because those whose duty it was to do it only pulled off the stems1 and ,i was obliged to draw the roots with much difficulty out of a stony soil4' ,the person who had asked her the question began to blame these careless workmen1 but he felt much confused when she replied3 ',you were one of them1--those who only pull off the stems of the nettles1 and leave the roots in the earth1 are persons who pray carelessly4' ,it was afterwards discovered that she had been praying for several dioceses which were shown to her under the figure of vineyards laid waste1 and in which labour was needed4 ,the real inflammation of her hands bore testimony to this symbolical rooting up of the nettles2 and we have1 perhaps1 reason to hope that the churches shown to her under the appearances of vineyards experienced the good effects of her prayer and spiritual labour2 for since the door is opened to those who knock1 it must certainly be opened above all to those who knock with such energy as to cause their fingers to be wounded4 ,similar reactions of the spirit upon the body are often found in the lives of persons subject to ecstasies1 and are by no means contrary to faith4 ,st4 ,paula1 if we may believe ,st4 ,jerome1 visited the holy places in spirit just as if she had visited them bodily2 and a like thing happened to ,st4 ,colomba of ,rieti and ,st4 ,lidwina of ,schiedam4 ,the body of the latter bore tracks of this spiritual journey1 as if she had really travelled2 she experienced all the fatigue that a painful journey would cause3 her feet were wounded and covered with marks which looked as if they had been made by stones or thorns1 and finally she had a sprain from which she long suffered4 ,she was led on this journey by her guardian angel1 who told her that these corporeal wounds signified that she had been ravished in body and spirit4 ,similar hurts were also to be seen upon the body of ,anne ,catherine immediately after some of her visions4 ,lidwina began her ecstatic journey by following her good angel to the chapel of the ,blessed ,virgin before ,schiedam2 ,anne ,catherine began hers by following her angel guardian either to the chapel which was near her dwelling1 or else to the ,way of the ,cross of ,coesfeld4 ,her journeys to the ,holy ,land were made1 according to the accounts she gave of them1 by the most opposite roads2 sometimes even she went all round the earth1 when the task spiritually imposed upon her required it4 ,in the course of these journeys from her home to the most distant countries1 she carried assistance to many persons1 exercising in their regard works of mercy1 both corporal and spiritual1 and this was done frequently in parables4 ,at the end of a year she would go over the same ground again1 see the same persons1 and give an account of their spiritual progress or of their relapse into sin4 ,every part of this labour always bore some reference to the ,church1 and to the kingdom of ,god upon earth4 ,the end of these daily pilgrimages which she made in spirit was invariably the ,promised ,land1 every part of which she examined in detail1 and which she saw sometimes in its present state1 and sometimes as it was at different periods of sacred history2 for her distinguishing characteristic and special privilege was an intuitive knowledge of the history of the ,old and ,new ,testaments1 and of that of the members of the ,holy ,family1 and of all the saints whom she was contemplating in spirit4 ,she saw the signification of all the festival days of the ecclesiastical year under both a devotional and a historical point of view4 ,she saw and described1 day by day1 with the minutest detail1 and by name1 places1 persons1 festivals1 customs1 and miracles1 all that happened during the public life of ,jesus until the ,ascension1 and the history of the ,apostles for several weeks after the ,descent of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,she regarded al her visions not as mere spiritual enjoyments1 but as being1 so to speak1 fertile fields1 plentifully strewn with the merits of ,christ1 and which had not as yet been cultivated2 she was often engaged in spirit in praying that the fruit of such and such sufferings of our ,lord might be given to the ,church1 and she would beseech ,god to apply to his ,church the merits of our ,saviour which were its inheritance1 and of which she would1 as it were1 take possession1 in its name1 with the most touching simplicity and ingenuousness4 ,she never considered her visions to have any reference to her exterior ,christian life1 nor did she regard them as being of any historical value4 ,exteriorly she knew and believed nothing but the catechism1 the common history of the ,bible1 the gospels for ,sundays and festivals1 and the ,christian almanac1 which to her far-sighted vision was an inexhaustible mine of hidden riches1 since it gave her in a few pages a guiding thread which led her through all time1 and by means of which she passed from mystery to mystery1 and solemnised each with all the saints1 in order to reap the fruits of eternity in time1 and to preserve and distribute them in her pilgrimage around the ecclesiastical year1 that so the will of ,god might be accomplished on earth as it is in ,heaven4 ,she had never read the ,old or the ,new ,testaments1 and when she was tired of relating her visions1 she would sometimes say3 ',read that in the ,bible1' and then be astonished to learn that it was not there2 'for1' she would add1 'people are constantly saying in these days that you need read nothing but the ,bible1 which contains everything1 etc41 etc4' ,the real task of her life was to suffer for the ,church and for some of its members1 whose distress was shown her in spirit1 or who asked her prayers without knowing that this poor sick nun had something more to do for them than to say the ,pater noster1 but that all their spiritual and corporal sufferings became her own1 and that she had to endure patiently the most terrible pains1 without being assisted1 like the contemplatives of former days1 by the sympathising prayers of an entire community4 ,in the age when she lived1 she had no other assistance than that of medicine4 ,while thus enduring sufferings which she had taken upon herself for others1 she often turned her thoughts to the corresponding sufferings of the ,church1 and when thus suffering for one single person1 she would likewise offer all she endured for the whole ,church4 ,the following is a remarkable instance of the sort3 ,during several weeks she had every symptom of consumption2 violent irritation of the lungs1 excessive perspiration1 which soaked her whole bed1 a racking cough1 continual expectoration1 and a strong continual fever4 ,so fearful were her sufferings that her death was hourly expected and even desired4 ,it was remarked that she had to struggle strangely against a strong temptation to irritability4 ,did she yield for an instant1 she burst into tears1 her sufferings increased tenfold1 and she seemed unable to exist unless she immediately gained pardon in the sacrament of penance4 ,she had also to combat a feeling of aversion to a certain person whom she had not seen for years4 ,she was in despair because this person1 with whom nevertheless she declared she had nothing in common1 was always before her eyes in the most evil dispositions1 and she wept bitterly1 and with much anxiety of conscience1 saying that she would not commit sin1 that her grief must be evident to all1 and other things which were quite unintelligible to the persons listening to her4 ,her illness continued to increase1 and she was thought to be on the point of death4 ,at this moment one of her friends saw her1 to his great surprise1 suddenly raise herself up on her bed1 and say3 ',repeat with me the prayers for those in their last agony4' ,he did as requested1 and she answered the ,litany in a firm voice4 ,after some little time1 the bell for the agonising was heard1 and a person came in to ask ,anne ,catherine's prayers for his sister1 who was just dead4 ,anne ,catherine asked for details concerning her illness and death1 as if deeply interested in the subject1 and the friend above-mentioned heard the account given by the new comer of a consumption resembling in the minutest particulars the illness of ,anne ,catherine herself4 ,the deceased woman had at first been in so much pain and so disturbed in mind that she had seemed quite unable to prepare herself for death2 but during the last fortnight she had been better1 had made her peace with ,god1 having in the first place been reconciled to a person with whom she was at enmity1 and had died in peace1 fortified by the last sacraments1 and attended by her former enemy4 ,anne ,catherine gave a small sum of money for the burial and funeral-service of this person4 ,her sweatings1 cough1 and fever now left her1 and she resembled a person exhausted with fatigue1 whose linen has been changed1 and who has been placed on a fresh bed4 ,her friend said to her1 ',when this fearful illness came upon you1 this woman grew better1 and her hatred for another was the only obstacle to her making peace with ,god4 ,you took upon yourself1 for the time1 her feelings of hatred1 she died in good dispositions1 and now you seem tolerably well again4 ,are you still suffering on her account8' ',no1 indeed6' she replied2 'that would be most unreasonable2 but how can any person avoid suffering when even the end of this little finger is in pain8 ,we are all one body in ,christ4' ',by the goodness of ,god1' said her friend1 'you are now once more somewhat at ease4' ',not for very long1 though1' she replied with a smile2 'there are other persons who want my assistance4' ,then she turned round on her bed1 and rested awhile4 ,a very few days later1 she began to feel intense pain in all her limbs1 and symptoms of water on the chest manifested themselves4 ,we discovered the sick person for whom ,anne ,catherine was suffering1 and we saw that his sufferings suddenly diminished or immensely increased in exact inverse proportion to those of ,anne ,catherine4 ,thus did charity compel her to take upon herself the illnesses and even the temptations of others1 that they might be able in peace to prepare themselves for death4 ,she was compelled to suffer in silence1 both to conceal the weaknesses of her neighbour1 and not to be regarded as mad herself2 she was obliged to receive all the aid that medicine could afford her for an illness thus taken voluntarily for the relief of others1 and to be reproached for temptations which were not her own2 finally1 it was necessary that she should appear perverted in the eyes of men2 that so those for whom she was suffering might be converted before ,god4 ,one day a friend in deep affliction was sitting by her bedside1 when she suddenly fell into a state of ecstasy1 and began to pray aloud3 ',o1 my sweet ,jesus1 permit me to carry that heavy stone6' ,her friend asked her what was the matter4 ',i am on my way to ,jerusalem1' she replied1 'and ,i see a poor man walking along with the greatest difficulty1 for there is a large stone upon his breast1 the weight of which nearly crushes him4' ,then again1 after a few moments1 she exclaimed3 ',give me that heavy stone1 you cannot carry it any farther2 give it to me4' ,all on a sudden she sank down fainting1 as if crushed beneath some heavy burden1 and at the same moment her friend felt himself relieved from the weight of sorrow which oppressed him1 and his heart overflowing with extraordinary happiness4 ,seeing her in such a state of suffering1 he asked her what the matter was1 and she looking at him with a smile1 replied3 ',i cannot remain here any longer4 ,poor man1 you must take back your burden4' ,instantly her friend felt all the weight of his affliction return to him1 whilst she1 becoming as well again as before1 continued her journey in spirit to ,jerusalem4 ,we will give one more example of her spiritual exertions4 ,one morning she gave her friend a little bag containing some rye-flour and eggs1 and pointed out to him a small house where a poor woman1 who was in a consumption1 was living with her husband and two little children4 ,he was to tell her to boil and take them1 as when boiled they would be good for her chest4 ,the friend1 on entering the cottage1 took the bag from under his cloak1 when the poor mother1 who1 flushed with fever1 was lying on a mattress between her half-naked children fixed her eyes bright upon him1 and holding out her thin hands1 exclaimed3 ',o1 sir1 it must be ,god or ,sister ,emmerich who sends you to me6 ,you are bringing me some ryeflour and eggs4' ,here the poor woman1 overcome by her feelings1 burst into tears1 and then began to cough so violently that she had to make a sign to her husband to speak for her4 ,he said that the previous night ,gertrude had been much disturbed1 and had talked a great deal in her sleep1 and that on awaking she had told him her dream in these words3 ',i thought that ,i was standing at the door with you1 when the holy nun came out of the door of the next house1 and ,i told you to look at her4 ,she stopped in front of us1 and said to me3 ,ah1 ,gertrude1 you look very ill2 ,i will send you some rye-flour and eggs1 which will relieve your chest4 ,then ,i awoke4' ,such was the simple tale of the poor man2 he and his wife both eagerly expressed their gratitude1 and the bearer of ,anne ,catherine's alms left the house much overcome4 ,he did not tell her anything of this when he saw her1 but a few days after1 she sent him again to the same place with a similar present1 and he then asked her how it was she knew that poor woman8 ',you know1' she replied1 'that ,i pray every evening for all those who suffer2 ,i should like to go and relieve them1 and ,i generally dream that ,i am going from one abode of suffering to another1 and that ,i assist them to the best of my power4 ,in this way ,i went in my dream to that poor woman's house2 she was standing at the door with her husband1 and ,i said to her3 ,ah1 ,gertrude1 you look very ill2 ,i will send you some rye-flour and eggs1 which will relieve your chest4 ,and this ,i did through you1 the next morning4' ,both persons had remained in their beds1 and dreamed the same thing1 and the dream came true4 ,st4 ,augustine1 in his ,city of ,god1 book #ah1 c4 #ah1 relates a similar thing of two philosophers1 who visited each other in a dream1 and explained some passages of ,plato1 both remaining asleep in their own houses4 ,these sufferings1 and this peculiar species of active labour1 were like a single ray of light1 which enlightened her whole life4 ,infinite was the number of spiritual labours and sympathetic sufferings which came from all parts and entered into her heart--that heart so burning with love of ,jesus ,christ4 ,like ,st4 ,catherine of ,sienna and some other ecstatics1 she often felt the most profound feeling of conviction that our ,saviour had taken her heart out of her bosom1 and placed his own there instead for a time4 ,the following fragment will give some idea of the mysterious symbolism by which she was interiorly directed4 ,during a portion of the year #ahbj she performed many labours in spirit1 for several different parishes2 her prayers being represented under the figure of most severe labour in a vineyard4 ,what we have above related concerning the nettles is of the same character4 ,on the #fth of ,september her heavenly guide said to her3 ' ,you weeded1 dug around1 tied1 and pruned the vine2 you ground down the weeds so that they could never spring up anymore2 and then you went away joyfully and rested from your prayers4 ,prepare now to labour hard from the feast of the ,nativity of the ,blessed ,virgin to that of ,st4 ,michael2 the grapes are ripening and must be well watched4 ,then he led me1' she continued1 'to the vineyard of ,st4 ,liboire1 and showed me the vines at which ,i had worked4 ,my labour had been successful1 for the grapes were getting their colour and growing large1 and in some parts the red juice was running down on the ground from them4 ,my guide said to me3 ,when the virtues of the good begin to shine forth in public1 they have to combat bravely1 to be oppressed1 to be tempted1 and to suffer persecution4 ,a hedge must be planted around the vineyard in order that the ripe grapes may not be destroyed by thieves and wild beasts1 i4e4 by temptation and persecution4 ,he then showed me how to build a wall by heaping up stones1 and to raise a thick hedge of thorns all around4 ,as my hands bled from such severe labour1 ,god1 in order to give me strength1 permitted me to see the mysterious signification of the vine1 and of several other fruit trees4 ,jesus ,christ is the true ,vine1 who is to take root and grow in us2 all useless wood must be cut away1 in order not to waste the sap1 which is to become the wine1 and in the ,most ,blessed ,sacrament the ,blood of ,christ4 ,the pruning of the vine has to be done according to certain rules which were made known to me4 ,this pruning is1 in a spiritual sense1 the cutting off whatever is useless1 penance and mortification1 that so the true ,vine may grow in us1 and bring forth fruit1 in the place of corrupt nature1 which only bears wood and leaves4 ,the pruning is done according to fixed rules1 for it is only required that certain useless shoots should be cut off in man1 and to lop off more would be to mutilate in a guilty manner4 ,no pruning should ever be done upon the stock which has been planted in humankind through the ,blessed ,virgin1 and is to remain in it for ever4 ,the true ,vine unites heaven to earth1 the ,divinity to humanity2 and it is the human part that is to be pruned1 that so the divine alone may grow4 ,i saw so many other things relating to the vine that a book as large as the ,bible could not contain them4 ,one day1 when ,i was suffering acute pain in my chest1 ,i besought our ,lord with groans not to give me a burthen above my strength to bear2 and then my ,heavenly ,spouse appeared1 and said to me1 444 ,i have laid thee on my nuptial couch1 which is a couch of suffering2 ,i have given thee suffering and expiation for thy bridal garments and jewels4 ,thou must suffer1 but ,i will not forsake thee2 thou art fastened to the ,vine1 and thou wilt not be lost4 ,then ,i was consoled for all my sufferings4 ,it was likewise explained to me why in my visions relating to the feasts of the family of ,jesus1 such1 for instance1 as those of ,st4 ,anne1 ,st4 ,joachim1 ,st4 ,joseph1 etc41 ,i always saw the ,church of the festival under the figure of a shoot of the vine4 ,the same was the case on the festivals of ,st4 ,francis of ,assisi1 ,st4 ,catherine of ,sienna1 and of all the saints who have had the stigmas4 ',the signification of my sufferings in all my limbs was explained to me in the following vision3 ,i saw a gigantic human body in a horrible state of mutilation1 and raised upwards towards the sky4 ,there were no fingers or toes on the hands and feet1 the body was covered with frightful wounds1 some of which were fresh and bleeding1 others covered with dead flesh or turned into excrescences4 ,the whole of one side was black1 gangrened1 and as it were half eaten away4 ,i suffered as though it had been my own body that was in this state1 and then my guide said to me ,this is the body of the ,church1 the body of all men and thine also4 ,then1 pointing to each wound1 he showed me at the same time some part of the world2 ,i saw an infinite number of men and nations separated from the ,church1 all in their own peculiar way1 and ,i felt pain as exquisite from this separation as if they had been torn from my body4 ,then my guide said to me3 ,let thy sufferings teach thee a lesson1 and offer them to ,god in union with those of ,jesus for all who are separated4 ,should not one member call upon another1 and suffer in order to cure and unite it once more to the body8 ,when those parts which are most closely united to the body detach themselves1 it is as though the flesh were torn from around the heart4 ,in my ignorance1 ,i thought that he was speaking of those brethren who are not in communion with us1 but my guide added3 ,who are our brethren8 ,it is not our blood relations who are the nearest to our hearts1 but those who are our brethren in the blood of ,christ--the children of the ,church who fall away4 ,he showed me that the black and gangrened side of the body would soon be cured2 that the putrefied flesh which had collected around the wounds represented heretics who divide one from the other in proportion as they increase2 that the dead flesh was the figure of all who are spiritually dead1 and who are void of any feeling2 and that the ossified parts represented obstinate and hardened heretics4 ,i saw and felt in this manner every wound and its signification4 ,the body reached up to heaven4 ,it was the body of the ,bride of ,christ1 and most painful to behold4 ,i wept bitterly1 but feeling at once deeply grieved and strengthened by sorrow and compassion1 ,i began again to labour with all my strength4' ,sinking beneath the weight of life and of the task imposed upon her she often besought ,god to deliver her1 and she then would appear to be on the very brink of the grave4 ,but each time she would say3 ',lord1 not my will but thine be done6 ,if my prayers and sufferings are useful let me live a thousand years1 but grant that ,i may die rather than ever offend thee4' ,then she would receive orders to live1 and arise1 taking up her cross1 once more to bear it in patience and suffering after her ,lord4 ,from time to time the road of life which she was pursuing used to be shown to her1 leading to the top of a mountain on which was a shining and resplendent city--the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,often she would think she had arrived at that blissful abode1 which seemed to be quite near her1 and her joy would be great4 ,but all on a sudden she would discover that she was still separated from it by a valley and then she would have to descend precipices and follow indirect paths1 labouring1 suffering1 and performing deeds of charity everywhere4 ,she had to direct wanderers into the right road1 raise up the fallen1 sometimes even carry the paralytic1 and drag the unwilling by force1 and all these deeds of charity were as so many fresh weights fastened to her cross4 ,then she walked with more difficulty1 bending beneath her burden and sometimes even falling to the ground4 ,in #ahbc she repeated more frequently than usual that she could not perform her task in her present situation1 that she had not strength for it1 and that it was in a peaceful convent that she needed to have lived and died4 ,she added that ,god would soon take her to himself1 and that she had besought him to permit her to obtain by her prayers in the next world what her weakness would not permit her to accomplish in this4 ,st4 ,catherine of ,sienna1 a short time before death1 made a similar prayer4 ,anne ,catherine had previously had a vision concerning what her prayers might obtain after death1 with regard to things that were not in existence during her life4 ,the year #ahbc1 the last of which she completed the whole circle1 brought her immense labours4 ,she appeared desirous to accomplish her entire task1 and thus kept the promise which she had previously made of relating the history of the whole ,passion4 ,it formed the subject of her ,lenten meditations during this year1 and of them the present volume is composed4 ,but she did not on this account take less part in the fundamental mystery of this penitential season1 or in the different mysteries of each of the festival days of the ,church1 if indeed the words to take part be sufficient to express the wonderful manner in which she rendered visible testimony to the mystery celebrated in each festival by a sudden change in her corporal and spiritual life4 ,see on this subject the chapter entitled ,interruption of the ,pictures of the ,passion4 ,everyone of the ceremonies and festivals of the ,church was to her far more than the consecration of a remembrance4 ,she beheld in the historical foundation of each solemnity an act of the ,almighty1 done in time for the reparation of fallen humanity4 ,although these divine acts appeared to her stamped with the character of eternity1 yet she was well aware that in order for man to profit by them in the bounded and narrow sphere of time1 he must1 as it were1 take possession of them in a series of successive moments1 and that for this purpose they had to be repeated and renewed in the ,church1 in the order established by ,jesus ,christ and the ,holy ,spirit4 ,all festivals and solemnities were in her eyes eternal graces which returned at fixed epochs in every ecclesiastical year1 in the same manner as the fruits and harvests of the earth come in their seasons in the natural year4 ,her zeal and gratitude in receiving and treasuring up these graces were untiring1 nor was she less eager and zealous in offering them to those who neglected their value4 ,in the same manner as her compassion for her crucified ,saviour had pleased ,god and obtained for her the privilege of being marked with the stigmas of the ,passion as with a seal of the most perfect love1 so all the sufferings of the ,church and of those who were in affliction were repeated in the different states of her body and soul4 ,and all these wonders took place within her1 unknown to those who were around her2 nor was she herself even more fully conscious of them than is the bee of the effects of its work1 while yet she was tending and cultivating1 with all the care of an industrious and faithful gardener1 the fertile garden of the ecclesiastical year4 ,she lived on its fruits1 and distributed them to others2 she strengthened herself and her friends with the flowers and herbs which she cultivated2 or1 rather1 she herself was in this garden like a sensitive plant1 a sunflower1 or some wonderful plant in which1 independent of her own will1 were reproduced all the seasons of the year1 all the hours of the day1 and all the changes of the atmosphere4 ,at the end of the ecclesiastical year of #ahbc1 she had for the last time a vision on the subject of making up the accounts of that year4 ,the negligences of the ,church militant and of her servants were shown to ,anne ,catherine1 under various symbols2 she saw how many graces had not been cooperated with1 or been rejected to a greater or less extent1 and how many had been entirely thrown away4 ,it was made known to her how our ,blessed ,redeemer had deposited for each year in the garden of the ,church a complete treasure of his merits1 sufficient for every requirement1 and for the expiation of every sin4 ,the strictest account was to be given of all graces which had been neglected1 wasted1 or wholly rejected1 and the ,church militant was punished for this negligence of infidelity of her servants by being oppressed by her enemies1 or by temporal humiliations4 ,revelations of this description raised to excess her love for the ,church1 her mother4 ,she passed days and nights in praying for her1 in offering to ,god the merits of ,christ1 with continual groans1 and in imploring mercy4 ,finally1 on these occasions1 she gathered together all her courage1 and offered to take upon herself both the fault and the punishment1 like a child presenting itself before the king's throne1 in order to suffer the punishment she had incurred4 ,it was then said to her1 ',see how wretched and miserable thou art thyself2 thou who art desirous to satisfy for the sins of others4' ,and to her great terror she beheld herself as one mournful mass of infinite imperfection4 ,but still her love remained undaunted1 and burst forth in these words1 ',yes1 ,i am full of misery and sin2 but ,i am thy spouse1 ,o my ,lord1 and my ,saviour6 ,my faith in thee and in the redemption which thou hast brought us covers all my sins as with thy royal mantle4 ,i will not leave thee until thou hast accepted my sacrifice1 for the superabundant treasure of thy merits is closed to none of thy faithful servants4' ,at length her prayer became wonderfully energetic1 and to human ears there was like a dispute and combat with ,god1 in which she was carried away and urged on by the violence of love4 ,if her sacrifice was accepted1 her energy seemed to abandon her1 and she was left to the repugnance of human nature for suffering4 ,when she had gone through this trial1 by keeping her eyes fixed on her ,redeemer in the ,garden of ,olives1 she next had to endure indescribable sufferings of every description1 bearing them all with wonderful patience and sweetness4 ,we used to see her remain several days together1 motionless and insensible1 looking like a dying lamb4 ,did we ask her how she was1 she would half open her eyes1 and reply with a sweet smile1 ',my sufferings are most salutary4' ,at the beginning of ,advent1 her sufferings were a little soothed by sweet visions of the preparations made by the ,blessed ,virgin to leave her home1 and then of her whole journey with ,st4 ,joseph to ,bethlehem4 ,she accompanied them each day to the humble inns where they rested for the night1 or went on before them to prepare their lodgings4 ,during this time she used to take old pieces of linen1 and at night1 while sleeping1 make them into baby clothes and caps for the children of poor women1 the times of whose confinements were near at hand4 ,the next day she would be surprised to see all these things neatly arranged in her drawers4 ,this happened to her every year about the same time1 but this year she had more fatigue and less consolation4 ,thus1 at the hour of our ,saviour's birth1 when she was usually perfectly overwhelmed with joy1 she could only crawl with the greatest difficulty to the crib where the ,child ,jesus was lying1 and bring him no present but myrrh1 no offering but her cross1 beneath the weight of which she sank down half dying at his feet4 ,it seemed as though she were for the last time making up her earthly accounts with ,god1 and for the last time also offering herself in the place of a countless number of men who were spiritually and corporally afflicted4 ,even the little that is known of the manner in which she took upon herself the sufferings of others is almost incomprehensible4 ,she very truly said3 ',this year the ,child ,jesus has only brought me a cross and instruments of suffering4' ,she became each day more and more absorbed in her sufferings1 and although she continued to see ,jesus travelling from city to city during his public life1 the utmost she ever said on the subject was1 briefly to name in which direction he was going4 ,once1 she asked suddenly in a scarcely audible voice1 ',what day is it8' ,when told that it was the #adth of ,january1 she added3 ',had ,i but a few days more1 ,i should have related the entire life of our ,saviour1 but now it is no longer possible for me to do so4' ,these words were the more incomprehensible as she did not appear to know even which year of the public life of ,jesus she was then contemplating in spirit4 ,in #ahbj she had related the history of our ,saviour down to the ,ascension1 beginning at the #bhth of ,july of the third year of the public life of ,jesus1 and had continued down to the #ajth of ,january of the third year of his public life4 ,on the #bgth of ,april #ahbc1 in consequence of a journey made by the writer1 an interruption of her narrative took place1 and lasted down to the #bast of ,october4 ,she then took up the tread of her narrative where she had left it1 and continued it to the last weeks of her life4 ,when she spoke of a few days being wanted her friend himself did not know how far her narrative went1 not having had leisure to arrange what he had written4 ,after her death he became convinced that if she had been able to speak during the last fourteen days of her life1 she would have brought it down to the #bhth of ,july of the third year of the public life of our ,lord1 consequently to where she had taken it up in #ahbj4d ,her condition daily became more frightful4 ,she1 who usually suffered in silence1 uttered stifled groans1 so awful was the anguish she endured4 ,on the #aeth of ,january she said3 ',the ,child ,jesus brought me great sufferings at ,christmas4 ,i was once more by his manger at ,bethlehem4 ,he was burning with fever1 and showed me his sufferings and those of his mother4 ,they were so poor that they had no food but a wretched piece of bread4 ,he bestowed still greatest sufferings upon me1 and said to me3 ,thou art mine2 thou art my spouse2 suffer as ,i suffered1 without asking the reason why4 ,i do not know what my sufferings are to be1 nor how long they will last4 ,i submit blindly to my martyrdom1 whether for life or for death3 ,i only desire that the hidden designs of ,god may be accomplished in me4 ,on the other hand1 ,i am calm1 and ,i have consolations in my sufferings4 ,even this morning ,i was very happy4 ,blessed be the ,name of ,god6' ,her sufferings continued1 if possible1 to increase4 ,sitting up1 and with her eyes closed1 she fell from one side to another1 while smothered groans escaped her lips4 ,if she laid down1 she was in danger of being stifled2 her breathing was hurried and oppressed1 and all her nerves and muscles were shaken and trembled with anguish4 ,after violent retching1 she suffered terrible pain in her bowels1 so much so that it was feared gangrene must be forming there4 ,her throat was parched and burning1 her mouth swollen1 her cheeks crimson with fever1 her hands white as ivory4 ,the scars of the stigmas shone like silver beneath her distended skin4 ,her pulse gave from #afj to #ahj pulsations per minute4 ,although unable to speak from her excessive suffering1 she bore every duty perfectly in mind4 ,on the evening of the #bfth1 she said to her friend1 ',today is the ninth day1 you must pay for the wax taper and novena at the chapel of ,st4 ,anne4' ,she was alluding to a novena which she had asked to have made for her intention1 and she was afraid lest her friends should forget it4 ,on the #bgth1 at two o'clock in the afternoon1 she received ,extreme ,unction1 greatly to the relief both of her soul and body4 ,in the evening her friend1 the excellent ,cure of ,h1 prayed at her bedside1 which was an immense comfort to her4 ,she said to him3 ',how good and beautiful all this is6' ,and again3 ',may ,god be a thousand times praised and thanked6' ,the approach of death did not wholly interrupt the wonderful union of her life with that of the ,church4 ,a friend having visited her on the #ast of ,february in the evening1 had placed himself behind her bed where she could not see him1 and was listening with the utmost compassion to her low moans and interrupted breathing1 when suddenly all became silent1 and he thought that she was dead4 ,at this moment the evening bell ringing for the matins of the ,purification was heard4 ,it was the opening of this festival which had caused her soul to be ravished in ecstasy4 ,although still in a very alarming state1 she let some sweet and loving words concerning the ,blessed ,virgin escape her lips during the night and day of the festival4 ,towards twelve o'clock in the day1 she said in a voice already changed by the near approach of death1 ',it was long since ,i had felt so well4 ,i have been ill quite a week1 have ,i not8 ,i feel as though ,i knew nothing about this world of darkness6 ,o1 what light the ,blessed ,mother of ,god showed me6 ,she took me with her1 and how willingly would ,i have remained with her6' ,here she recollected herself for a moment1 and then said1 placing her finger on her lip3 ',but ,i must not speak of these things4' ,from that time she said that the slightest word in her praise greatly increased her sufferings4 ,the following days she was worse4 ,on the #gth1 in the evening1 being rather more calm1 she said3 ',ah1 my sweet ,lord ,jesus1 thanks be to thee again and again for every part of my life4 ,lord1 thy will and not mine be done4' ,on the #hth of ,february1 in the evening1 a priest was praying near her bed1 when she gratefully kissed his hand1 begged him to assist at her death and said1 ',o ,jesus1 ,i live for thee1 ,i die for thee4 ,o ,lord1 praise be to thy holy name1 ,i no longer see or hear6' ,her friends wished to change her position1 and thus ease her pain a little2 but she said1 ',i am on the ,cross1 it will soon all be over1 leave me in peace4' ,she had received all the last ,sacraments1 but she wished to accuse herself once more in confession of a slight fault which she had already many times confessed2 it was probably of the same nature as a sin which she had committed in her childhood1 of which she often accused herself1 and which consisted in having gone through a hedge into a neighbour's garden1 and coveted some apples which had fallen on the ground4 ,she had only looked at them2 for1 thank ,god1 she said1 she did not touch them1 but she thought that was a sin against the tenth commandment4 ,the priest gave her a general absolution2 after which she stretched herself out1 and those around her thought that she was dying4 ,a person who had often given her pain now drew near her bed and asked her pardon4 ,she looked at him in surprise1 and said with the most expressive accent of truth1 ',i have nothing to forgive any living creature4' ,during the last days of her life1 when her death was momentarily expected1 several of her friends remained constantly in the room adjoining hers4 ,they were speaking in a low tone1 and so that she could not hear them1 of her patience1 faith1 and other virtues1 when all on a sudden they heard her dying voice saying3 ',ah1 for the love of ,god1 do not praise me--that keeps me here1 because ,i then have to suffer double4 ,o my ,god6 how many fresh flowers are falling upon me6' ,she always saw flowers as the forerunners and figures of sufferings4 ,then she rejected all praises1 with the most profound conviction of her own unworthiness1 saying3 ',god alone is good3 everything must be paid1 down to the last farthing4 ,i am poor and loaded with sin1 and ,i can only make up for having been praised by sufferings united to those of ,jesus ,christ4 ,do not praise me1 but let me die in ignominy with ,jesus on the cross4' ,boudon1 in his life of ,father ,surin1 relates a similar trait of a dying man1 who had been thought to have lost the sense of hearing1 but who energetically rejected a word of praise pronounced by those who were surrounding his bed4 ,a few hours before death1 for which she was longing1 saying1 ',o ,lord assist me2 come1 ,o ,lord ,jesus6' a word of praise appeared to detain her1 and she most energetically rejected it by making the following act of humility3 ',i cannot die if so many good persons think well of me through a mistake2 ,i beg of you to tell them all that ,i am a wretched sinner6 ,would that ,i could proclaim so as to be heard by all men1 how great a sinner ,i am6 ,i am far beneath the good thief who was crucified by the side of ,jesus1 for he and all his contemporaries had not so terrible an account as we shall have to render of all the graces which have been bestowed upon the ,church4' ,after this declaration1 she appeared to grow calm1 and she said to the priest who was comforting her3 ',i feel now as peaceful and as much filled with hope and confidence as if ,i had never committed a sin4' ,her eyes turned lovingly towards the cross which was placed at the foot of her bed1 her breathing became accelerated1 she often drank some liquid2 and when the little crucifix was held to her1 she from humility only kissed the feet4 ,a friend who was kneeling by her bedside in tears1 had the comfort of often holding her the water with which to moisten her lips4 ,as he had laid her hand1 on which the white scar of the wound was most distinctly visible1 on the counterpane1 he took hold of that hand1 which was already cold1 and as he inwardly wished for some mark of farewell from her1 she slightly pressed his4 ,her face was calm and serene1 bearing an expression of heavenly gravity1 and which can only be compared to that of a valiant wrestler1 who after making unheard of efforts to gain the victory1 sinks back and dies in the very act of seizing the prize4 ,the priest again read through the prayers for persons in their last agony1 and she then felt an inward inspiration to pray for a pious young friend whose feast day it was4 ,eight o'clock struck2 she breathed more freely for the space of a few minutes1 and then cried three times with a deep groan3 ',o ,lord1 assist me3 ,lord1 ,lord1 come6' ,the priest rang his bell1 and said1 ',she is dying4' ,several relations and friends who were in the next room came in and knelt down to pray4 ,she was then holding in her hand a lighted taper1 which the priest was supporting4 ,she breathed forth several slight sighs1 and then her pure soul escaped her chaste lips1 and hastened1 clothed in the nuptial garment1 to appear in heavenly hope before the ,divine ,bridegroom1 and be united for ever to that blessed company of virgins who follow the ,lamb whithersoever he goeth4 ,her lifeless body sank gently back on the pillows at halfpast eight o'clock p4m41 on the #ith ,february #ahbd4 ,a person who had taken great interest in her during life wrote as follows3 ',after her death1 ,i drew near to her bed4 ,she was supported by pillows1 and lying on her left side4 ,some crutches1 which had been prepared for her by her friends on one occasion when she had been able to take a few turns in the room1 were hanging over her head1 crossed1 in a corner4 ,near them hung a little oil painting representing the death of the ,blessed ,virgin1 which had been given her by the ,princess of ,salm4 ,the expression of her countenance was perfectly sublime1 and bore the traces of the spirit of self-sacrifice1 the patience and resignation of her whole life2 she looked as though she had died for the love of ,jesus1 in the very act of performing some work of charity for others4 ,her right hand was resting on the counterpane--that hand on which ,god had bestowed the unparalleled favour of being able at once to recognise by the touch anything that was holy1 or that had been consecrated by the ,church--a favour which perhaps no one had ever before enjoyed to so great an extent--a favour by which the interests of religion might be inconceivably promoted1 provided it was made use of with discretion1 and which surely had not been bestowed upon a poor ignorant peasant girl merely for her own personal gratification4 ,for the last time ,i took in mine the hand marked with a sign so worthy of our utmost veneration1 the hand which was as a spiritual instrument in the instant recognition of whatever was holy1 that it might be honoured even in a grain of sand--the charitable industrious hand1 which had so often fed the hungry and clothed the naked--this hand was now cold and lifeless4 ,a great favour had been withdrawn from earth1 ,god had taken from us the hand of his spouse1 who had rendered testimony to1 prayed1 and suffered for the truth4 ,it appeared as though it had not been without meaning1 that she had resignedly laid down upon her bed the hand which was the outward expression of a particular privilege granted by ,divine grace4 ,fearful of having the strong impression made upon me by the sight of her countenance diminished by the necessary but disturbing preparations which were being made around her bed1 ,i thoughtfully left her room4 ,if1 ,i said to myself--if1 like so many holy solitaries1 she had died alone in a grave prepared by her own hands1 her friends--the birds--would have covered her with flowers and leaves2 if1 like other religious1 she had died among virgins consecrated to ,god1 and that their tender care and respectful veneration had followed her to the grave1 as was the case1 for example1 with ,st4 ,colomba of ,rieti1 it would have been edifying and pleasing to those who loved her2 but doubtless such honours rendered to her lifeless remains would not have been conformable to her love for ,jesus1 whom she so much desired to resemble in death as in life4' ,the same friend later wrote as follows3 ',unfortunately there was no official post-mortem examination of her body1 and none of those inquiries by which she had been so tormented during life were instituted after her death4 ,the friends who surrounded her neglected to examine her body1 probably for fear of coming upon some striking phenomenon1 the discovery of which might have caused much annoyance in various ways4 ,on ,wednesday the #aath of ,february her body was prepared for burial4 ,a pious female1 who would not give up to anyone the task of rendering her this last mark of affection1 described to me as follows the condition in which she found her3 ,her feet were crossed like the feet of a crucifix4 ,the places of the stigmas were more red than usual4 ,when we raised her head blood flowed from her nose and mouth4 ,all her limbs remained flexible and with none of the stiffness of death even till the coffin was closed4 ,on ,friday the #acth of ,february she was taken to the grave1 followed by the entire population of the place4 ,she reposes in the cemetery1 to the left of the cross1 on the side nearest the hedge4 ,in the grave in front of hers there rests a good old peasant of ,welde1 and in the grave behind a poor but virtuous female from ,dernekamp4 ,on the evening of the day when she was buried1 a rich man went1 not to ,pilate1 but to the cure of the place4 ,he asked for the body of ,anne ,catherine1 not to place it in a new sepulchre1 but to buy it at a high price for a ,dutch doctor4 ,the proposal was rejected as it deserved1 but it appears that the report was spread in the little town that the body had been taken away1 and it is said that the people went in great numbers to the cemetery to ascertain whether the grave had been robbed4' ,to these details we will add the following extract from an account printed in ,december #ahbd1 in the ,journal of ,catholic literature of ,kerz4 ,this account was written by a person with whom we are unacquainted1 but who appears to have been well informed3 ',about six or seven weeks after the death of ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich1 a report having got about that her body had been stolen away1 the grave and coffin were opened in secret1 by order of the authorities1 in the presence of seven witnesses4 ,they found with surprise not unmixed with joy that corruption had not yet begun its work on the body of the pious maiden4 ,her features and countenance were smiling like those of a person who is dreaming sweetly4 ,she looked as though she had but just been placed in the coffin1 nor did her body exhale any corpse-like smell4 ,it is good to keep the secret of the king1 says ,jesus the son of ,sirach2 but it is also good to reveal to the world the greatness of the mercy of ,god4' ,we have been told that a stone has been placed over her grave4 ,we lay upon it these pages2 may they contribute to immortalise the memory of a person who has relieved so many pains of soul and body1 and that of the spot where her mortal remains lie awaiting the ,day of ,resurrection4 ,,to ,,the ,,reader ,whoever compares the following meditations with the short history of the ,last ,supper given in the ,gospel will discover some slight differences between them4 ,an explanation should be given of this1 although it can never be sufficiently impressed upon the reader that these writings have no pretensions whatever to add an iota to ,sacred ,scripture as interpreted by the ,church4 ,sister ,emmerich saw the events of the ,last ,supper take place in the following order3--,the ,paschal ,lamb was immolated and prepared in the supper-room2 our ,lord held a discourse on that occasion--the guests were dressed as travellers1 and ate1 standing1 the lamb and other food prescribed by the law--the cup of wine was twice presented to our ,lord1 but he did not drink of it the second time2 distributing it to his ,apostles with these words3 ,i shall drink no more of the fruit of the vine1 etc4 ,then they sat down2 ,jesus spoke of the traitor2 ,peter feared lest it should be himself2 ,judas received from our ,lord the piece of bread dipped1 which was the sign that it was he2 preparations were made for the washing of the feet2 ,peter strove against his feet being washed2 then came the institution of the ,holy ,eucharist3 ,judas communicated1 and afterwards left the apartment2 the oils were consecrated1 and instructions given concerning them2 ,peter and the other ,apostles received ordination2 our ,lord made his final discourse2 ,peter protested that he would never abandon him2 and then the ,supper concluded4 ,by adopting this order1 it appears1 at first1 as though it were in contradiction to the passages of ,st4 ,matthew 7#ca3bi71 and of ,st4 ,mark 7#ad3bf71 in which the words3 ,i will drink no more of the fruit of the vine1 etc41 come after the consecration1 but in ,st4 ,luke1 they come before4 ,on the contrary1 all that concerns the traitor ,judas comes here1 as in ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark1 before the consecration2 whereas in ,st4 ,luke1 it does not come till afterwards4 ,st4 ,john1 who does not relate the history of the institution of the ,holy ,eucharist1 gives us to understand that ,judas went out immediately after ,jesus had given him the bread2 but it appears most probable1 from the accounts of the other ,evangelists1 that ,judas received the ,holy ,communion under both forms1 and several of the fathers--,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,gregory the ,great1 and ,st4 ,leo the ,great--as well as the tradition of the ,catholic ,church1 tell us expressly that such was the case4 ,besides1 were the order in which ,st4 ,john presents events taken literally1 he would contradict1 not only ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark1 but himself1 for it must follow1 from verse #aj1 chap4 #ac1 that ,judas also had his feet washed4 ,now1 the washing of the feet took place after the eating of the ,paschal lamb1 and it was necessarily whilst it was being eaten that ,jesus presented the bread to the traitor4 ,it is plain that the ,evangelists here1 as in several other parts of their writings1 gave their attention to the sacred narrative as a whole1 and did not consider themselves bound to relate every detail in precisely the same order1 which fully explains the apparent contradictions of each other1 which are to be found in their ,gospels4 ,the following pages will appear to the attentive reader rather a simple and natural concordance of the ,gospels than a history differing in any point of the slightest importance from that of ,scripture4 ,,meditation ,i4 ,preparations for the ,pasch ,holy ,thursday1 the #acth ,nisan 7#bith of ,march74 ,yesterday evening it was that the last great public repast of our ,lord and his friends took place in the house of ,simon the ,leper1 at ,bethania1 and ,mary ,magdalen for the last time anointed the feet of ,jesus with precious ointment4 ,judas was scandalised upon this occasion1 and hastened forthwith to ,jerusalem again to conspire with the high-priests for the betrayal of ,jesus into their hands4 ,after the repast1 ,jesus returned to the house of ,lazarus1 and some of the ,apostles went to the inn situated beyond ,bethania4 ,during the night ,nicodemus again came to ,lazarus' house1 had a long conversation with our ,lord1 and returned before daylight to ,jerusalem1 being accompanied part of the way by ,lazarus4 ,the disciples had already asked ,jesus where he would eat the ,pasch4 ,to-day1 before dawn1 our ,lord sent for ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 spoke to them at some length concerning all they had to prepare and order at ,jerusalem1 and told them that when ascending ,mount ,sion1 they would meet the man carrying a pitcher of water4 ,they were already well acquainted with this man1 for at the last ,pasch1 at ,bethania1 it had been he who prepared the meal for ,jesus1 and this is why ,st4 ,matthew says3 a certain man4 ,they were to follow him home1 and say to him3 the ,master saith1 ,my time is near at hand1 with thee ,i make the ,pasch with my disciples 7,matt4 #bf3ah74 ,they were than to be shown the supper-room1 and make all necessary preparations4 ,i saw the ,apostles ascending towards ,jerusalem1 along a ravine1 to the south of the ,temple1 and in the direction of the north side of ,sion4 ,on the southern side of the mountain on which the ,temple stood1 there were some rows of houses2 and they walked opposite these houses1 following the stream of an intervening torrent4 ,when they had reached the summit of ,mount ,sion1 which is higher than the mountain of the ,temple1 they turned their steps towards the south1 and1 just at the beginning of a small ascent1 met the man who had been named to them2 they followed and spoke to him as ,jesus had commanded4 ,he was much gratified by their words1 and answered1 that a supper had already been ordered to be prepared at his house 7probably by ,nicodemus71 but that he had not been aware for whom1 and was delighted to learn that it was for ,jesus4 ,this man's name was ,heli1 and he was the brother-in-law of ,zachary of ,hebron1 in whose house ,jesus had in the preceding year announced the death of ,john the ,baptist4 ,he had only one son1 who was a ,levite1 and a friend of ,st4 ,luke1 before the latter was called by our ,lord1 and five daughters1 all of whom were unmarried4 ,he went up every year with his servants for the festival of the ,pasch1 hired a room and prepared the ,pasch for persons who had no friend in the town to lodge with4 ,this year he had hired a supper-room which belonged to ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea4 ,he showed the two ,apostles its position and interior arrangement4 ,,meditation ,,ii4 ,the ,supper-,room4 ,on the southern side of ,mount ,sion1 not far from the ruined ,castle of ,david1 and the market held on the ascent leading to that ,castle1 there stood1 towards the east1 an ancient and solid building1 between rows of thick trees1 in the midst of a spacious court surrounded by strong walls4 ,to the right and left of the entrance1 other buildings were to be seen adjoining the wall1 particularly to the right1 where stood the dwelling of the major-domo1 and close to it the house in which the ,blessed ,virgin and the holy women spent most of their time after the death of ,jesus4 ,the supper-room1 which was originally larger1 had formerly been inhabited by ,david's brave captains1 who had there learned the use of arms4 ,previous to the building of the ,temple1 the ,ark of the ,covenant had been deposited there for a considerable length of time1 and traces of its presence were still to be found in an underground room4 ,i have also seen the ,prophet ,malachy hidden beneath this same roof3 he there wrote his prophecies concerning the ,blessed ,sacrament and the ,sacrifice of the ,new ,law4 ,solomon held this house in honour1 and performed within its walls some figurative and symbolical action1 which ,i have forgotten4 ,when a great part of ,jerusalem was destroyed by the ,babylonians1 this house was spared4 ,i have seen many other things concerning this same house1 but ,i only remember what ,i have now told4 ,this building was in a very dilapidated state when it became the property of ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 who arranged the principal building in a very suitable manner1 and let it as a supper-room to strangers coming to ,jerusalem for the purpose of celebrating the festival of the ,pasch4 ,thus it was that our ,lord had made use of it the previous year4 ,moreover1 the house and surrounding buildings served as warehouses for monuments and other stones1 and as workshops for the labourers2 for ,joseph of ,arimathea possessed valuable quarries in his own country1 from which he had large blocks of stone brought1 that his workmen might fashion them1 under his own eye1 into tombs1 architectural ornaments1 and columns1 for sale4 ,nicodemus had a share in this business1 and used to spend many leisure hours himself in sculpturing4 ,he worked in the room1 or in a subterraneous apartment which saw beneath it1 excepting at the times of the festivals2 and this occupation having brought him into connection with ,joseph of ,arimathea1 they had become friends1 and often joined together in various transactions4 ,this morning1 whilst ,peter and ,john were conversing with the man who had hired the supper-room1 ,i saw ,nicodemus in the buildings to the left of the court1 where a great many stones which filled up the passages leading to the supper-room had been placed4 ,a week before1 ,i had seen several persons engaged in putting the stones on one side1 cleaning the court1 and preparing the supper-room for the celebration of the ,pasch2 it even appears to me that there were among them some disciples of our ,lord1 perhaps ,aram and ,themein1 the cousins of ,joseph of ,arimathea4 ,the supper-room1 properly so called1 was nearly in the centre of the court2 its length was greater than its width2 it was surrounded by a row of low pillars1 and if the spaces between the pillars had been cleared1 would have formed a part of the large inner room1 for the whole edifice was1 as it were1 transparent2 only it was usual1 except on special occasions1 for the passages to be closed up4 ,the room was lighted by apertures at the top of the walls4 ,in front1 there was first a vestibule1 into which three doors gave entrance2 next1 the large inner room1 where several lamps hung from the platform2 the walls were ornamented for the festival1 half way up1 with beautiful matting or tapestry1 and an aperture had been made in the roof1 and covered over with transparent blue gauze4 ,the back part of this room was separated from the rest by a curtain1 also of blue transparent gauze4 ,this division of the supper-room into three parts gave a resemblance to the ,temple--thus forming the outer ,court1 the ,holy1 and the ,holy of ,holies4 ,in the last of these divisions1 on both sides1 the dresses and other things necessary for the celebration of the feast were placed4 ,in the centre there was a species of altar4 ,a stone bench raised on three steps1 and of a rectangular triangular shape1 came out of the wall2 it must have constituted the upper part of the oven used for roasting the ,paschal ,lamb1 for to-day the steps were quite heated during the repast4 ,i cannot describe in detail all that there was in this part of the room1 but all kinds of arrangements were being made there for preparing the ,paschal ,supper4 ,above this hearth of altar1 there was a species of niche in the wall1 in front of which ,i saw an image of the ,paschal ,lamb1 with a knife in its throat1 and the blood appearing to flow drop by drop upon the altar2 but ,i do not remember distinctly how that was done4 ,in a niche in the wall there were three cupboards of various colours1 which turned like our tabernacles1 for opening or closing4 ,a number of vessels used in the celebration of the ,pasch were kept in them2 later1 the ,blessed ,sacrament was placed there4 ,in the rooms at the sides of the supper-room1 there were some couches1 on which thick coverlids rolled up were placed1 and which could be used as beds4 ,there were spacious cellars beneath the whole of this building4 ,the ,ark of the ,covenant was formerly deposited under the very spot where the hearth was afterwards built4 ,five gutters1 under the house1 served to convey the refuse to the slope of the hill1 on the upper part of which the house was built4 ,i had preciously seen ,jesus preach and perform miraculous cures there1 and the disciples frequently passed the night in the side rooms4 ,,meditation ,,iii4 ,arrangements for eating the ,paschal ,lamb4 ,when the disciples had spoken to ,heli of ,hebron1 the latter went back into the house by the court1 but they turned to the right1 and hastened down the north side of the hill1 through ,sion4 ,they passed over a bridge1 and walking along a road covered with brambles1 reached the other side of the ravine1 which was in front of the ,temple1 and of the row of houses which were to the south of that building4 ,there stood the house of the aged ,simeon1 who died in the ,temple after the presentation of our ,lord2 and his sons1 some of whom were disciples of ,jesus in secret1 were actually living there4 ,the ,apostles spoke to one of them1 a tall dark-complexioned man1 who held some office in the ,temple4 ,they went with him to the eastern side of the ,temple1 through that part of ,ophel by which ,jesus made his entry into ,jerusalem on ,palm-,sunday1 and thence to the cattle-market1 which stood in the town1 to the north of the ,temple4 ,in the southern part of this market ,i saw little enclosures in which some beautiful lambs were gambolling about4 ,here it was that lambs for the ,pasch were bought4 ,i saw the son of ,simeon enter one of these enclosures2 and the lambs gambolled round him as if they knew him4 ,he chose out four1 which were carried to the supper-room1 engaged in preparing the ,paschal ,lamb4 ,i saw ,peter and ,john go to several different parts of the town1 and order various things4 ,i saw them also standing opposite the door of a house situated to the north of ,mount ,calvary1 where the disciples of ,jesus lodged the greatest part of the time1 and which belonged to ,seraphia 7afterwards called ,veronica74 ,peter and ,john sent some disciples from thence to the supper-room1 giving them several commissions1 which ,i have forgotten4 ,they also went into ,seraphia's house1 where they had several arrangements to make4 ,her husband1 who was a member of the council1 was usually absent and engaged in business2 but even when he was at home she saw little of him4 ,she was a woman of about the age of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and had long been connected with the ,holy ,family2 for when the ,child ,jesus remained the three days in ,jerusalem after the feast1 she it was who supplied him with food4 ,the two ,apostles took from thence1 among other things1 the chalice of which our ,lord made use in the institution of the ,holy ,eucharist4 ,,meditation ,,iv4 ,the ,chalice used at the ,last ,supper ,the chalice which the ,apostles brought from ,veronica's house was wonderful and mysterious in its appearance4 ,it had been kept a long time in the ,temple among other precious objects of great antiquity1 the use and origin of which had been forgotten4 ,the same has been in some degree the case in the ,christian ,church1 where many consecrated jewels have been forgotten and fallen into disuse with time4 ,ancient vases and jewels1 buried beneath the ,temple1 had often been dug up1 sold1 or reset4 ,thus it was that1 by ,god's permission1 this holy vessel1 which none had ever been able to melt down on account of its being made of some unknown material1 and which had been found by the priests in the treasury of the ,temple among other objects no longer made use of1 had been sold to some antiquaries4 ,it was bought by ,seraphia1 was several times made use of by ,jesus in the celebration of festivals1 and1 from the day of the ,last ,supper1 became the exclusive property of the holy ,christian community4 ,this vessel was not always the same as when used by our ,lord at his ,last ,supper1 and perhaps it was upon that occasion that the various pieces which composed it were first put together4 ,the great chalice stood upon a plate1 out of which a species of tablet could also be drawn1 and around it there were six little glasses4 ,the great chalice contained another smaller vase2 above it there was a small plate1 and then came a round cover4 ,a spoon was inserted in the foot of the chalice1 and could be easily drawn out for use4 ,all these different vessels were covered with fine linen1 and1 if ,i am not mistaken1 were wrapped up in a case made of leather4 ,the great chalice was composed of the cup and of the foot1 which last must have been joined on to it at a later period1 for it was of a different material4 ,the cup was pear-shaped1 massive1 dark-coloured1 and highly polished1 with gold ornaments1 and two small handles by which it could be lifted4 ,the foot was of virgin gold1 elaborately worked1 ornamented with a serpent and a small bunch of grapes1 and enriched with precious stones4 ,the chalice was left in the ,church of ,jerusalem1 in the hand of ,st4 ,james the ,less2 and ,i see that it is still preserved in that town--it will reappear some day1 in the same manner as before4 ,other ,churches took the little cups which surrounded it2 one was taken to ,antioch1 and another to ,ephesus4 ,they belonged to the patriarchs1 who drank some mysterious beverage out of them when they received or gave a ,benediction1 as ,i have seen many times4 ,the great chalice had formerly been in the possession of ,abraham2 ,melchisedech brought it with him from the land of ,semiramis to the land of ,canaan1 when he was beginning to found some settlements on the spot where ,jerusalem was afterwards built2 he made use of it then for offering sacrifice1 when he offered bread and wine in the presence of ,abraham1 and he left it in the possession of that holy patriarch4 ,this same chalice had also been preserved in ,noah's ,ark4 ,,meditation ,v4 ,jesus goes up to ,jerusalem4 ,in the morning1 while the ,apostles were engaged at ,jerusalem in preparing for the ,pasch1 ,jesus1 who had remained at ,bethania1 took an affecting leave of the holy women1 of ,lazarus1 and of his ,blessed ,mother1 and gave them some final instructions4 ,i saw our ,lord conversing apart with his ,mother1 and he told her1 among other things1 that he had sent ,peter1 the apostle of faith1 and ,john1 the apostle of love1 to prepare for the ,pasch at ,jerusalem4 ,he said1 in speaking of ,magdalen1 whose grief was excessive1 that her love was great1 but still somewhat human1 and that on this account her sorrow made her beside herself4 ,he spoke also of the schemes of the traitor ,judas1 and the ,blessed ,virgin prayed for him4 ,judas had again left ,bethania to go to ,jerusalem1 under pretence of paying some debts that were due4 ,he spent his whole day in hurrying backwards and forwards from one ,pharisee to another1 and making his final agreements with them4 ,he was shown the soldiers who had been engaged to seize the person of our ,divine ,saviour1 and he so arranged his journeys to and fro as to be able to account for his absence4 ,i beheld all his wicked schemes and all his thoughts4 ,he was naturally active and obliging1 but these good qualities were choked by avarice1 ambition1 and envy1 which passions he made no effort to control4 ,in our ,lord's absence he had even performed miracles and healed the sick4 ,when our ,lord announced to his ,blessed ,mother what was going to take place1 she besought him1 in the most touching terms1 to let her die with him4 ,but he exhorted her to show more calmness in her sorrow than the other women1 told her that he should rise again1 and named the very spot where he should appear to her4 ,she did not weep much1 but her grief was indescribable1 and there was something almost awful in her look of deep recollection4 ,our ,divine ,lord returned thanks1 as a loving ,son1 for all the love she had borne him1 and pressed her to his heart4 ,he also told her that he would make the ,last ,supper with her1 spiritually1 and named the hour at which she would receive his precious ,body and ,blood4 ,then once more he1 in touching language1 bade farewell to all1 and gave them different instructions4 ,about twelve o'clock in the day1 ,jesus and the nine ,apostles went from ,bethania up to ,jerusalem1 followed by seven disciples1 who1 with the exception of ,nathaniel and ,silas1 came from ,jerusalem and the neighbourhood4 ,among these were ,john1 ,mark1 and the son of the poor widow who1 the ,thursday previous1 had offered her mite in the ,temple1 whilst ,jesus was preaching there4 ,jesus had taken him into his company a few days before4 ,the holy women set off later4 ,jesus and his companions walked around ,mount ,olivet1 about the valley of ,josaphat1 and even as far as ,mount ,calvary4 ,during the whole of this walk1 he continued giving them instructions4 ,he told the ,apostles1 among other things1 that until then he had given them his bread and his wine1 but that this day he was going to give them his ,body and ,blood1 his whole self--all that he had and all that he was4 ,the countenance of our ,lord bore so touching an expression whilst he was speaking1 that his whole soul seemed to breathe forth from his lips1 and he appeared to be languishing with love and desire for the moment when he should give himself to man4 ,his disciples did not understand him1 but thought that he was speaking of the ,paschal ,lamb4 ,no words can give an adequate idea of the love and resignation which were expressed in these last discourses of our ,lord at ,bethania1 and on his way to ,jerusalem4 ,the seven disciples who had followed our ,lord to ,jerusalem did not go there in his company1 but carried the ceremonial habits for the ,pasch to the supper-room1 and then returned to the house of ,mary1 the mother of ,mark4 ,when ,peter and ,john came to the supper-room with the chalice1 all the ceremonial habits were already in the vestibule1 whither they had been brought by his disciples and some companions4 ,they had also hung the walls with drapery1 cleared the higher openings in the sides1 and put up three lamps4 ,peter and ,john then went to the ,valley of ,josaphat1 and summoned our ,lord and the twelve ,apostles4 ,the disciples and friends who were also to make their ,pasch in the supperroom1 came later4 ,,meditation ,,vi4 ,the ,last ,pasch4 ,jesus and his disciples ate the ,paschal ,lamb in the supper-room4 ,they divided into three groups4 ,jesus ate the ,paschal ,lamb with the twelve ,apostles in the supper-room1 properly so called2 ,nathaniel with twelve other disciples in one of the lateral rooms1 and ,eliacim 7the son of ,cleophas and ,mary1 the daughter of ,heli71 who had been a disciple of ,john the ,baptist1 with twelve more1 in another side-room4 ,three lambs were immolated for them in the ,temple1 but there was a fourth lamb which was immolated in the supper-room1 and was the one eaten by ,jesus with his ,apostles4 ,judas was not aware of this circumstance1 because being engaged in plotting his betrayal of our ,lord1 he only returned a few moments before the repast1 and after the immolation of the lamb had taken place4 ,most touching was the scene of the immolation of the lamb to be eaten by ,jesus and his ,apostles2 it took place in the vestibule of the supper-room4 ,the ,apostles and disciples were present1 singing the #aahth ,psalm4 ,jesus spoke of a new period then beginning1 and said that the sacrifice of ,moses and the figure of the ,paschal ,lamb were about to receive their accomplishment1 but that on this very account1 the lamb was to be immolated in the same manner as formerly in ,egypt1 and that they were really about to go forth from the house of bondage4 ,the vessels and necessary instruments were prepared1 and then the attendants brought a beautiful little lamb1 decorated with a crown1 which was sent to the ,blessed ,virgin in the room where she had remained with the other holy women4 ,the lamb was fastened with its back against a board by a cord around its body1 and reminded me of ,jesus tied to the pillar and scourged4 ,the son of ,simeon held the lamb's head2 ,jesus made a slight incision in its neck with the point of a knife1 which he then gave to the son of ,simeon1 that he might complete killing it4 ,jesus appeared to inflict the wound with a feeling of repugnance1 and he was quick in his movements1 although his countenance was grave1 and his manner such as to inspire respect4 ,the blood flowed into a basin1 and the attendants brought a branch of hyssop1 which ,jesus dipped in it4 ,then he went to the door of the room1 stained the sideposts and the lock with blood1 and placed the branch which had been dipped in blood above the door4 ,he then spoke to the disciples1 and told them1 among other things1 that the exterminating angel would pass by1 that they would adore in that room without fear or anxiety1 when he1 the true ,paschal ,lamb1 should have been immolated--that a new epoch and a new sacrifice were about to begin1 which would last to the end of the world4 ,they then went to the other side of the room1 near the hearth where the ,ark of the ,covenant had formerly stood4 ,fire had already been lighted there1 and ,jesus poured some blood upon the hearth1 consecrating it as an altar2 and the remainder of the blood and the fat were thrown on the fire beneath the altar1 after which ,jesus1 followed by his ,apostles1 walked round the supper-room1 singing some psalms1 and consecrating it as a new ,temple4 ,the doors were all closed during this time4 ,meanwhile the son of ,simeon had completed the preparation of the lamb4 ,he passed a stake through its body1 fastening the front legs on a cross piece of wood2 and stretching the hind ones along the stake4 ,it bore a strong resemblance to ,jesus on the cross1 and was placed in the oven1 to be there roasted with the three other lambs brought from the ,temple4 ,the ,paschal ,lambs of the ,jews were all immolated in the vestibule of the ,temple1 but in different parts1 according as the persons who were to eat them were rich1 or poor1 or strangers4#e ,the ,paschal ,lamb belonging to ,jesus was not immolated in the ,temple1 but everything else was done strictly according to the law4 ,jesus again addressed his disciples1 saying that the lamb was but a figure1 that he himself would next day be the true ,paschal ,lamb1 together with other things which ,i have forgotten4 ,when ,jesus had finished his instructions concerning the ,paschal ,lamb and its signification1 the time being come1 and ,judas also returned1 the tables were set out4 ,the disciples put on travelling dresses which were in the vestibule1 different shoes1 a white robe resembling a shirt1 and a cloak1 which was short in front and longer behind1 their sleeves were large and turned back1 and they girded up their clothes around the waist4 ,each party went to their own table2 and two sets of disciples in the side rooms1 and our ,lord and his ,apostles in the supper-room4 ,they held staves in their hands1 and went two and two to the table1 where they remained standing1 each in his own place1 with the stave resting on his arms1 and his hands upraised4 ,the table was narrow1 and about half a foot higher than the knees of a man2 in shape it resembled a horseshoe1 and opposite ,jesus1 in the inner part of the half-circle1 there was a space left vacant1 that the attendants might be able to set down the dishes4 ,as far as ,i can remember1 ,john1 ,james the ,greater1 and ,james the ,less sat on the right-hand of ,jesus2 after them ,bartholomew1 and then1 round the corner1 ,thomas and ,judas ,iscariot4 ,peter1 ,andrew1 and ,thaddeus sat on the left of ,jesus2 next came ,simon1 and then 7round the corner7 ,matthew and ,philip4 ,the ,paschal ,lamb was placed on a dish in the centre of the table4 ,its head rested on its front legs1 which were fastened to a cross-stick1 its hind legs being stretched out1 and the dish was garnished with garlic4 ,by the side there was a dish with the ,paschal roast meat1 then came a plate with green vegetables balanced against each other1 and another plate with small bundles of bitter herbs1 which had the appearance of aromatic herbs4 ,opposite ,jesus there was also one dish with different herbs1 and a second containing a brown-coloured sauce of beverage4 ,the guest had before them some round loaves instead of plates1 and they used ivory knives4 ,after the prayer1 the major-domo laid the knife for cutting the lamb on the table before ,jesus1 who placed a cup of wine before him1 and filled six other cups1 each one of which stood between two ,apostles4 ,jesus blessed the wine and drank1 and the ,apostles drank two together out of one cup4 ,then our ,lord proceeded to cut up the lamb2 his ,apostles presented their pieces of bread in turn1 and each received his share4 ,they ate it in haste1 separating the flesh from the bone1 by means of their ivory knives1 and the bones were afterwards burnt4 ,they also ate the garlic and green herbs in haste1 dipping them in the sauce4 ,all this time they remained standing1 only leaning slightly on the backs of their seats4 ,jesus brake one of the loaves of unleavened bread1 covered up a part of it1 and divided the remainder among his ,apostles4 ,another cup of wine was brought1 but ,jesus drank not of it3 ',take this1' he said1 'and divide it among you1 for ,i will not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine1 until that day when ,i shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my ,father' 7,matt4 #bf3bi74 ,when they had drunk the wine1 they sang a hymn2 then ,jesus prayed or taught1 and they again washed their hands4 ,after this they sat down4 ,our ,lord cut up another lamb which was carried to the holy women in one of the buildings of the court1 where they were seated at table4 ,the ,apostles ate some more vegetables and lettuce4 ,the countenance of our ,divine ,saviour bore an indescribable expression of serenity and recollection1 greater than ,i had ever before seen4 ,he bade the ,apostles forget all their cares4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin also1 as she sat at table with the other women1 looked most placid and calm4 ,when the other women came up1 and took hold of her veil to make her turn round and speak to them1 her every movement expressed the sweetest self-control and placidity of spirit4 ,at first ,jesus conversed lovingly and calmly with his disciples1 but after a while he became grave and sad3 ',amen1 amen1 ,i say to you1 that one of you is about to betray me3' he said1 he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish' 7,matt4 #bf3ba4bc74 ,jesus was then distributing the lettuce1 of which there was only one dish1 to those ,apostles who were by his side1 and he had given ,judas1 who was nearly opposite to him1 the office of distributing it to the others4 ,when ,jesus spoke of a traitor1 an expression which filled all the ,apostles with fear1 he said3 'he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish1' which means3 'one of the twelve who are eating and drinking with me--one of those with whom ,i am eating bread4' ,he did not plainly point out ,judas to the others by these words2 for to dip the hand in the same dish was an expression used to signify the most friendly and intimate intercourse4 ,he was desirous1 however1 to give a warning to ,judas1 who was then really dipping his hand in the dish with our ,saviour1 to distribute the lettuce4 ,jesus continued to speak3 ',the ,son of ,man indeed goeth1' he said1 'as it is written of him3 but woe to that man by whom the ,son of ,man shall be betrayed3 ,it were better for him if that man had not been born4' ,the ,apostles were very much troubled1 and each one of them exclaimed3 ',lord1 is it ,i8' for they were all perfectly aware that they did not entirely understand his words4 ,peter leaned towards ,john1 behind ,jesus1 and made him a sign to ask our ,lord who the traitor was to be1 for1 having so often been reproved by our ,lord1 he trembled lest it should be himself who was referred to4 ,john was seated at the right hand of ,jesus1 and as all were leaning on their left arms1 using the right to eat1 his head was close to the bosom of ,jesus4 ,he leaned then on his breast and said3 ',lord1 who is it8' ,i did not see ,jesus say to him with his lips3 ',he it is to whom ,i shall reach bread dipped4' ,i do not know whether he whispered it to him1 but ,john knew it1 when ,jesus having dipped the bread1 which was covered with lettuce1 gave it tenderly to ,judas1 who also asked3 ',is it ,i1 ,lord8' ,jesus looked at him with love1 and answered him in general terms4 ,among the ,jews1 to give bread dipped was a mark of friendship and confidence2 ,jesus on this occasion gave ,judas the morsel1 in order thus to warn him1 without making known his guilt to the others4 ,but the heart of ,judas burned with anger1 and during the whole time of the repast1 ,i saw a frightful little figure seated at his feet1 and sometimes ascending to his heart4 ,i did not see ,john repeat to ,peter what he had learned from ,jesus1 but he set his fears at rest by a look4 ,,meditation ,,vii4 ,the ,washing of the ,feet4 ,they arose from table1 and whilst they were arranging their clothes1 as they usually did before making their solemn prayer1 the major-domo came in with two servants to take away the table4 ,jesus1 standing in the midst of his ,apostles1 spoke to them long1 in a most solemn manner4 ,i could not repeat exactly his whole discourse1 but ,i remember he spoke of his kingdom1 of his going to his ,father1 of what he would leave them now that he was about to be taken away1 etc4 ,he also gave them some instructions concerning penance1 the confession of sin1 repentance1 and justification4 ,i felt that these instructions referred to the washing of the feet1 and ,i saw that all the ,apostles acknowledged their sins and repented of them1 with the exception of ,judas4 ,this discourse was long and solemn4 ,when it was concluded1 ,jesus sent ,john and ,james the ,less to fetch water from the vestibule1 and he told the ,apostles to arrange the seats in a half circle4 ,he went himself into the vestibule1 where he girded himself with a towel4 ,during this time1 the ,apostles spoke among themselves1 and began speculating as to which of them would be the greatest1 for our ,lord having expressly announced that he was about to leave them and that his kingdom was near at hand1 they felt strengthened anew in their idea that he had secret plans1 and that he was referring to some earthly triumph which would be theirs at the last moment4 ,meanwhile ,jesus1 in the vestibule1 told ,john to take a basin1 and ,james a pitcher filled with water1 with which they followed him into the room1 where the major-domo had placed another empty basin4 ,jesus1 on returning to his disciples in so humble a manner1 addressed them a few words of reproach on the subject of the dispute which had arisen between them1 and said among other things1 that he himself was their servant1 and that they were to sit down1 for him to wash their feet4 ,they sat down1 therefore1 in the same order as they had sat at table4 ,jesus went from one to the other1 poured water from the basin which ,john carried on the feet of each1 and then1 taking the end of the towel wherewith he was girded1 wiped them4 ,most loving and tender was the manner of our ,lord while thus humbling himself at the feet of his ,apostles4 ,peter1 when his turn came1 endeavoured through humility to prevent ,jesus from washing his feet3 ',lord1' he exclaimed1 'dost thou wash my feet8' ,jesus answered3 ',what ,i do1 thou knowest not now1 but thou shalt know hereafter4' ,it appeared to me that he said to him privately3 ',simon1 thou hast merited for my ,father to reveal to thee who ,i am1 whence ,i come1 and whither ,i am going1 thou alone hast expressly confessed it1 therefore upon thee will ,i build my ,church1 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it4 ,my power will remain with thy successors to the end of the world4' ,jesus showed him to the other ,apostles1 and said1 that when he should be no more present among them1 ,peter was to fill his place in their regard4 ,peter said3 ',thou shalt never wash my feet6' ,our ,lord replied3 ',if ,i wash thee not1 thou shalt have no part with me4' ,then ,peter exclaimed3 ',lord1 not only my feet1 but also my hands and my head4' ,jesus replied3 ',he that is washed1 needeth not but to wash his feet1 but is clean wholly4 ,and you are clean1 but not all4' ,by these last words he referred to ,judas4 ,he had spoken of the washing of the feet as signifying purification from daily faults1 because the feet1 which are continually in contact with the earth1 are also continually liable to be soiled1 unless great care is taken4 ,this washing of the feet was spiritual1 and served as a species of absolution4 ,peter1 in his zeal1 saw nothing in it but too great an act of abasement on the part of his ,master2 he knew not that to save him ,jesus would the very next day humble himself even to the ignominious death of the cross4 ,when ,jesus washed the feet of ,judas1 it was in the most loving and affecting manner2 he bent his sacred face even on to the feet of the traitor2 and in a low voice bade him now at least enter into himself1 for that he had been a faithless traitor for the last year4 ,judas appeared to be anxious to pay no heed whatever to his words1 and spoke to ,john1 upon which ,peter became angry1 and exclaimed3 ',judas1 the ,master speaks to thee6' ,then ,judas made our ,lord some vague1 evasive reply1 such as1 ',heaven forbid1 ,lord6' ,the others had not remarked that ,jesus was speaking to ,judas1 for this words were uttered in a low voice1 in order not to be heard by them1 and besides1 they were engaged in putting on their shoes4 ,nothing in the whole course of the ,passion grieved ,jesus so deeply as the treason of ,judas4 ,jesus finally washed the feet of ,john and ,james4 ,he then spoke again on the subject of humility1 telling them that he that was the greatest among them was to be as their servant1 and that henceforth they were to wash one another's feet4 ,then he put on his garments1 and the ,apostles let down their clothes1 which they had girded up before eating the ,paschal ,lamb4 ,,meditation ,,viii4 ,institution of the ,holy ,eucharist4 ,by command of our ,lord1 the major-domo had again laid out the table1 which he had raised a little2 then1 having placed it once more in the middle of the room1 he stood one urn filled with wine1 and another with water underneath it4 ,peter and ,john went into the part of the room near the hearth1 to get the chalice which they had brought from ,seraphia's house1 and which was still wrapped up in its covering4 ,they carried it between them as if they had been carrying a tabernacle1 and placed it on the table before ,jesus4 ,an oval plate stood there1 with three fine white azymous loaves1 placed on a piece of linen1 by the side of the half loaf which ,jesus had set aside during the ,paschal meal1 also a jar containing wine and water1 and three boxes1 one filled with thick oil1 a second with liquid oil1 and the third empty4 ,in earlier times1 it had been the practice for all at table to eat of the same loaf and drink of the same cup at the end of the meal1 thereby to express their friendship and brotherly love1 and to welcome and bid farewell to each other4 ,i think ,scripture must contain something upon this subject4 ,on the day of the ,last ,supper1 ,jesus raised this custom 7which had hitherto been no more than a symbolical and figurative rite7 to the dignity of the holiest of sacraments4 ,one of the charges brought before ,caiphas1 on occasion of the treason of ,judas1 was1 that ,jesus had introduced a novelty into the ,paschal ceremonies1 but ,nicodemus proved from ,scripture that it was an ancient practice4 ,jesus was seated between ,peter and ,john1 the doors were closed1 and everything was done in the most mysterious and imposing manner4 ,when the chalice was taken out of its covering1 ,jesus prayed1 and spoke to his ,apostles with the utmost solemnity4 ,i saw him giving them an explanation of the ,supper1 and of the entire ceremony1 and ,i was forcibly reminded of a priest teaching others to say ,mass4 ,he then drew a species of shelf with grooves from the boars on which the jars stood1 and taking a piece of white linen with which the chalice was covered1 spread it over the board and shelf4 ,i then saw him lift a round plate1 which he placed on this same shelf1 off the top of the chalice4 ,he next took the azymous loaves from beneath the linen with which they were covered and placed them before him on the board2 then he took out of the chalice a smaller vase1 and ranged the six little glasses on each side of it4 ,then he blessed the bread and also the oil1 to the best of my belief after which he lifted up the paten with the loaves upon it1 in his two hands1 raised his eyes1 prayed1 offered1 and replaced the paten on the table1 covering it up again4 ,he then took the chalice1 had some wine poured into it by ,peter1 and some water1 which he first blessed1 by ,john1 adding to it a little more water1 which he poured into a small spoon1 and after this he blessed the chalice1 raised it up with a prayer1 made the oblation1 and replaced it on the table4 ,john and ,peter poured some water on his hands1 which he held over the plate on which the azymous loaves had been placed2 then he took a little of the water which had been poured on his hands1 in the spoon that he had taken out of the lower part of the chalice1 and poured it on theirs4 ,after this1 the vase was passed round the table1 and all the ,apostles washed their hands in it4 ,i do not remember whether this was the precise order in which these ceremonies were performed2 all ,i know is1 that they reminded me in a striking manner of the holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,meanwhile1 our ,divine ,lord became more and more tender and loving in his demeanour2 he told his ,apostles that he was about to give them all that he had1 namely1 his entire self1 and he looked as though perfectly transformed by love4 ,i saw him becoming transparent1 until he resembled a luminous shadow4 ,he broke the bread into several pieces1 which he laid together on the paten1 and then took a corner of the first piece and dripped it into the chalice4 ,at the moment when he was doing this1 ,i seemed to see the ,blessed ,virgin receiving the ,holy ,sacrament in a spiritual manner1 although she was not present in the supper-room4 ,i do not know how it was done1 but ,i thought ,i saw her enter without touching the ground1 and come before our ,lord to receive the ,holy ,eucharist2 after which ,i saw her no more4 ,jesus had told her in the morning1 at ,bethania1 that he would keep the ,pasch with her spiritually1 and he had named the hour at which she was to betake herself to prayer1 in order to receive it in spirit4 ,again he prayed and taught2 his words came forth from his lips like fire and light1 and entered into each of the ,apostles1 with the exception of ,judas4 ,he took the paten with the pieces of bread 7,i do not know whether he had placed it on the chalice7 and said3 ',take and eat2 this is my ,body which is given for you4' ,he stretched forth his right hand as if to bless1 and1 whilst he did so1 a brilliant light came from him1 his words were luminous1 the bread entered the mouths of the ,apostles as a brilliant substance1 and light seemed to penetrate and surround them all1 ,judas alone remaining dark4 ,jesus presented the bread first to ,peter1 next to ,john and then he made a sign to ,judas to approach4#f ,judas was thus the third who received the ,adorable ,sacrament1 but the words of our ,lord appeared to turn aside from the mouth of the traitor1 and come back to their ,divine ,author4 ,so perturbed was ,i in spirit at this sight1 that my feelings cannot be described4 ,jesus said to him3 ',that which thou dost1 do quickly4' ,he then administered the ,blessed ,sacrament to the other ,apostles1 who approached two and two4 ,jesus raised the chalice by its two handles to a level with his face1 and pronounced the words of consecration4 ,whilst doing so1 he appeared wholly transfigured1 as it were transparent1 and as though entirely passing into what he was going to give his ,apostles4 ,he made ,peter and ,john drink from the chalice which he held in his hand1 and then placed it again on the table4 ,john poured the ,divine ,blood from the chalice into the smaller glasses1 and ,peter presented them to the ,apostles1 two of whom drank together out of the same cup4 ,i think1 but am not quite certain1 that ,judas also partook of the chalice2 he did not return to his place1 but immediately left the supper-room1 and the other ,apostles thought that ,jesus had given him some commission to do4 ,he left without praying or making any thanksgiving1 and hence you may perceive how sinful it is to neglect returning thanks either after receiving our daily food1 or after partaking of the ,life-,giving ,bread of ,angels4 ,during the entire meal1 ,i had seen a frightful little figure1 with one foot like a dried bone1 remaining close to ,judas1 but when he had reached the door1 ,i beheld three devils pressing round him2 one entered into his mouth1 the second urged him on1 and the third preceded him4 ,it was night1 and they seemed to be lighting him1 whilst he hurried onward like a madman4 ,our ,lord poured a few drops of the ,precious ,blood remaining in the chalice into the little vase of which ,i have already spoken1 and then placed his fingers over the chalice1 while ,peter and ,john poured water and wine upon them4 ,this done1 he caused them to drink again from the chalice1 and what remained of its contents was poured into the smaller glasses1 and distributed to the other ,apostles4 ,then ,jesus wiped the chalice1 put into it the little vase containing the remainder of the ,divine ,blood1 and placed over it the paten with the fragments of the consecrated bread1 after which he again put on the cover1 wrapped up the chalice1 and stood it in the midst of the six small cups4 ,i saw the ,apostles receive in communion these remains of the ,adorable ,sacrament1 after the ,resurrection4 ,i do not remember seeing our ,lord himself eat and drink of the consecrated elements1 neither did ,i see ,melchisedech1 when offering the bread and wine1 taste of them himself4 ,it was made known to me why priests partake of them1 although ,jesus did not4 ,here ,sister ,emmerich looked suddenly up1 and appeared to be listening4 ,some explanation was given her on this subject1 but the following words were all that she could repeat to us3 ',if the office of distributing it had been given to angels1 they would not have partaken1 but if priests did not partake1 the ,blessed ,eucharist would be lost--it is through their participation that it is preserved4' ,there was an indescribable solemnity and order in all the actions of ,jesus during the institution of the ,holy ,eucharist1 and his every movement was most majestic4 ,i saw the ,apostles noting things down in the little rolls of parchment which they carried on their persons4 ,several times during the ceremonies ,i remarked that they bowed to each other1 in the same way that our priests do4 ,,meditation ,,ix4 ,private ,instruction and ,consecrations4 ,jesus gave his ,apostles some private instructions2 he told them how they were to preserve the ,blessed ,sacrament in memory of him1 even to the end of the world2 he taught them the necessary forms for making use of and communicating it1 and in what manner they were1 by degrees1 to teach and publish this mystery2 finally he told them when they were to receive what remained of the consecrated ,elements1 when to give some to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and how to consecrate1 themselves1 after he should have sent them the ,divine ,comforter4 ,he then spoke concerning the priesthood1 the sacred unction1 and the preparation of the ,chrism and ,holy ,oils4#g ,he had there three boxes1 two of which contained a mixture of oil and balm4 ,he taught them how to make this mixture1 what parts of the body were to be anointed with them1 and upon what occasions4 ,i remember1 among other things1 that he mentioned a case in which the ,holy ,eucharist could not be administered2 perhaps what he said had reference to ,extreme ,unction1 for my recollections on this point are not very clear4 ,he spoke of different kinds of anointing1 and in particular of that of kings1 and he said that even wicked kings who were anointed1 derived from it especial powers4 ,he put ointment and oil in the empty box1 and mixed them together1 but ,i cannot say for certain whether it was at this moment1 or at the time of the consecration of the bread1 that he blessed the oil4 ,i then saw ,jesus anoint ,peter and ,john1 on whose hands he had already poured the water which had flowed on his own1 and two whom he had given to drink out of the chalice4 ,then he laid his hands on their shoulders and heads1 while they1 on their part1 joined their hands and crossed their thumbs1 bowing down profoundly before him--,i am not sure whether they did not even kneel4 ,he anointed the thumb and fore-finger of each of their hands1 and marked a cross on their heads with ,chrism4 ,he said also that this would remain with them unto the end of the world4 ,james the ,less1 ,andrew1 ,james the ,greater1 and ,bartholomew1 were also consecrated4 ,i saw likewise that on ,peter's bosom he crossed a sort of stole worn round the neck1 whilst on the others he simply placed it crosswise1 from the right shoulder to the left side4 ,i do not know whether this was done at the time of the institution of the ,blessed ,sacrament1 or only for the anointing4 ,i understood that ,jesus communicated to them by this unction something essential and supernatural1 beyond my power to describe4 ,he told them that when they should have received the ,holy ,spirit they were to consecrate the bread and wine1 and anoint the other ,apostles4 ,it was made known to me then that1 on the day of ,pentecost1 ,peter and ,john imposed their hands upon the other ,apostles1 and a week later upon several of the disciples4 ,after the ,resurrection1 ,john gave the ,adorable ,sacrament for the first time to the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,it is a festival no longer kept in the ,church on earth1 but ,i see it celebrated in the ,church triumphant4 ,for the first few days after ,pentecost ,i saw only ,peter and ,john consecrate the ,blessed ,eucharist1 but after that the others also consecrated4 ,our ,lord next proceeded to bless fire in a brass vessel1 and care was taken that it should not go out1 but it was kept near the spot where the ,blessed ,sacrament had been deposited1 in one division of the ancient ,paschal hearth1 and fire was always taken from it when needed for spiritual purposes4 ,all that ,jesus did upon this occasion was done in private1 and taught equally in private4 ,the ,church has retained all that was essential of these secret instructions1 and1 under the inspiration of the ,holy ,ghost1 developed and adapted them to all her requirements4 ,whether ,peter and ,john were both consecrated bishops1 or ,peter alone as bishop and ,john as priest1 or to what dignity the other four ,apostles were raised1 ,i cannot pretend to say4 ,but the different ways in which our ,lord arranged the ,apostles' stoles appear to indicate different degrees of consecration4 ,when these holy ceremonies were concluded1 the chalice 7near which the blessed ,chrism also stood7 was re-covered1 and the ,adorable ,sacrament carried by ,peter and ,john into the back part of the room1 which was divided off by a curtain1 and from thenceforth became the ,sanctuary4 ,the spot where the ,blessed ,sacrament was deposited was not very far above the ,paschal stove4 ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus took care of the ,sanctuary and of the supper-room during the absence of the ,apostles4 ,jesus again instructed his ,apostles for a considerable length of time1 and also prayed several times4 ,he frequently appeared to be conversing with his ,heavenly ,father1 and to be overflowing with enthusiasm and love4 ,the ,apostles also were full of joy and zeal1 and asked him various questions which he forthwith answered4 ,the scriptures must contain much of this last discourse and conversation4 ,he told ,peter and ,john different things to be made known later to the other ,apostles1 who in their turn were to communicate them to the disciples and holy women1 according to the capacity of each for such knowledge4 ,he had a private conversation with ,john1 whom he told that his life would be longer than the lives of the others4 ,he spoke to him also concerning seven ,churches1 some crowns and angels1 and instructed him in the meaning of certain mysterious figures1 which signified1 to the best of my belief1 different epochs4 ,the other ,apostles were slightly jealous of this confidential communication being made to ,john4 ,jesus spoke also of the traitor4 ',now he is doing this or that1' he said1 and ,i1 in fact1 saw ,judas doing exactly as he said of him4 ,as ,peter was vehemently protesting that he would always remain faithful1 our ,lord said to him3 ',simon1 ,simon1 behold ,satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat4 ,but ,i have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not3 and thou being once converted1 confirm thy brethren4' ,again1 our ,lord1 said1 that whither he was going they could not follow him1 when ,peter exclaimed3 ',lord1 ,i am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death4' ,and ,jesus replied3 ',amen1 amen1 ,i say to thee1 before the cock crow twice1 thou shalt deny me thrice4' ,jesus1 while making known to his ,apostles that trying times were at hand for them1 said3 ',when ,i sent you without purse1 or scrip1 or shoes1 did you want anything8' ,they answered3 ',nothing4' ',but now1' he continued1 'he that hath a purse let him take it1 and likewise a scrip1 and he that hath not1 let him sell his coat and buy a sword4 ,for ,i say to you1 that this that is written must yet be fulfilled in me3 ,,and ,,with ,,the ,,wicked ,,was ,,he ,,reckoned4 ,for the things concerning me have an end4' ,the ,apostles only understood his words in a carnal sense1 and ,peter showed him two swords1 which were short and thick1 like cleavers4 ,jesus said3 ',it is enough3 let us go hence4' ,then they sang the thanksgiving hymn1 put the table on one side1 and went into the vestibule4 ,there1 ,jesus found his ,mother1 ,mary of ,cleophas1 and ,magdalen1 who earnestly besought him not to go to ,mount ,olivet1 for a report has spread that his enemies were seeking to lay hands on him4 ,but ,jesus comforted them in few words1 and hastened onward--it being then about nine o'clock4 ,they went down the road by which ,peter and ,john had come to the supper-room1 and directed their steps towards ,mount ,olivet4 ,i have always seen the ,pasch and the institution of the ,blessed ,sacrament take place in the order related above4 ,but my feelings were each time so strongly excited and my emotion so great1 that ,i could not give much attention to all the details1 but now ,i have seen them more distinctly4 ,no words can describe how painful and exhausting is such a sight as that of beholding the hidden recesses of hearts1 the love and constancy of our ,saviour1 and to know at the same time all that is going to befall him4 ,how would it be possible to observe all that is merely external6 ,the heart is overflowing with admiration1 gratitude1 and love--the blindness of men seems perfectly incomprehensible--and the soul is overwhelmed with sorrow at the thought of the ingratitude of the whole world1 and of her own sins6 ,the eating of the ,paschal ,lamb was performed by ,jesus rapidly1 and in entire conformity with all the legal ordinances4 ,the ,pharisees were in the habit of adding some minute and superstitious ceremonies4 ,,the ,,passion4 ,if thou knowest not how to meditate on high and heavenly things1 rest on the ,passion of ,christ1 and willingly dwell in his sacred wounds4 ,for1 if thou fly devoutly to the wounds and precious stigmas of ,jesus1 thou shalt feel great comfort in tribulation4--,imitation of ,christ1 book #b1 chapter #a4 ,,introduction4 ,on the evening of the #ahth of ,february1 #ahbc1 a friend of ,sister ,emmerich went up to the bed1 where she was lying apparently asleep2 and being much struck by the beautiful and mournful expression of her countenance1 felt himself inwardly inspired to raise his heart fervently to ,god1 and offer the ,passion of ,christ to the ,eternal ,father1 in union with the sufferings of all those who have carried their cross after him4 ,while making this short prayer1 he chanced to fix his eyes for a moment upon the stigmatised hands of ,sister ,emmerich4 ,she immediately hid them under the counterpane1 starting as if someone had given her a blow4 ,he felt surprised at this1 and asked her1 ',what has happened to you8' ',many things1' she answered in an expressive tone4 ,whilst he was considering what her meaning could be1 she appeared to be asleep4 ,at the end of about a quarter of an hour1 she suddenly started up with all the eagerness of a person having a violent struggle with another1 stretched out both her arms1 clenching her hand1 as if to repel an enemy standing on the left side of her bed1 and exclaimed in an indignant voice3 ',what do you mean by this contract of ,magdalum8' ,then she continued to speak with the warmth of a person who is being questioned during a quarrel--',yes1 it is that accursed spirit--the liar from the beginning--,satan1 who is reproaching him about the ,magdalum contract1 and other things of the same nature1 and says that he spent all that money upon himself4' ,when asked1 ',who has spent money8 ,who is being spoken to in that way8' she replied1 ',jesus1 my adorable ,spouse1 on ,mount ,olivet4' ,then she again turned to the left1 with menacing gestures1 and exclaimed1 ',what meanest thou1 ,o father of lies1 with thy ,magdalum contract8 ,did he not deliver twenty-seven poor prisoners at ,thirza1 with the money derived from the sale of ,magdalum8 ,i saw him1 and thou darest to say that he has brought confusion into the whole estate1 driven out its inhabitants1 and squandered the money for which it was sold8 ,but thy time is come1 accursed spirit6 ,thou wilt be chained1 and his heel will crush thy head4' ,here she was interrupted by the entrance of another person2 her friends thought that she was in delirium1 and pitied her4 ,the following morning she owned that the previous night she had imagined herself to be following our ,saviour to the ,garden of ,olives1 after the institution of the ,blessed ,eucharist1 but that just at that moment someone having looked at the stigmas on her hands with a degree of veneration1 she felt so horrified at this being done in the presence of our ,lord1 that she hastily hid them1 with a feeling of pain4 ,she then related her vision of what took place in the ,garden of ,olives1 and as she continued her narrations the following days1 the friend who was listening to her was enabled to connect the different scenes of the ,passion together4 ,but as1 during ,lent1 she was also celebrating the combats of our ,lord with ,satan in the desert1 she had to endure in her own person many sufferings and temptations4 ,hence there were a few pauses in the history of the ,passion1 which were1 however1 easily filled up by means of some later communications4 ,she usually spoke in common ,german1 but when in a state of ecstasy1 her language became much purer1 and her narrations partook at once of child-like simplicity and dignified inspiration4 ,her friend wrote down all that she had said1 directly he returned to his own apartments2 for it was seldom that he could so much as even take notes in her presence4 ,the ,giver of all good gifts bestowed upon him memory1 zeal1 and strength to bear much trouble and fatigue1 so that he has been enabled to bring this work to a conclusion4 ,his conscience tells him that he has done his best1 and he humbly begs the reader1 if satisfied with the result of his labours1 to bestow upon him the alms of an occasional prayer4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,jesus in the ,garden of ,olives4 ,when ,jesus left the supper-room with the eleven ,apostles1 after the institution of the ,adorable ,sacrament of the ,altar1 his soul was deeply oppressed and his sorrow on the increase4 ,he led the eleven1 by an unfrequented path1 to the ,valley of ,josaphat4 ,as they left the house1 ,i saw the moon1 which was not yet quite at the full1 rising in front of the mountain4 ,our ,divine ,lord2 as he wandered with his ,apostles about the valley1 told them that here he should one day return to judge the world1 but not in a state of poverty and humiliation1 as he then was1 and that men would tremble with fear1 and cry3 ',mountains1 fall upon us6' ,his disciples did not understand him1 and thought1 by no means for the first time that night1 that weakness and exhaustion had affected his brain4 ,he said to them again3 ',all you shall be scandalised in me this night4 ,for it is written3 ,i ,,will ,,strike ,,the ,,shepherd1 ,,and ,,the ,,sheep ,,of ,,the ,,flock ,,shall ,,be ,,dispersed4 ,but after ,i shall be risen again1 ,i will go before you into ,galilee4' ,the ,apostles were still in some degree animated by the spirit of enthusiasm and devotion with which their reception of the ,blessed ,sacrament and the solemn and affecting words of ,jesus had inspired them4 ,they eagerly crowded round him1 and expressed their love in a thousand different ways1 earnestly protesting that they would never abandon him4 ,but as ,jesus continued to talk in the same strain1 ,peter exclaimed3 ',although all shall be scandalised in thee1 ,i will never be scandalised6' and our ,lord answered him3 ',amen1 ,i say to thee1 that in this night1 before the cock crow1 thou wilt deny me thrice4' ,but ,peter still insisted1 saying3 ',yea1 though ,i should die with thee1 ,i will not deny thee4' ,and the others all said the same4 ,they walked onward and stopped1 by turns1 for the sadness of our ,divine ,lord continued to increase4 ,the ,apostles tried to comfort him by human arguments1 assuring him that what he foresaw would not come to pass4 ,they tired themselves in these vain efforts1 began to doubt1 and were assailed by temptation4 ,they crossed the brook ,cedron1 not by the bridge where1 a few hours later1 ,jesus was taken prisoner1 but by another1 for they had left the direct road4 ,gethsemani1 whither they were going1 was about a mile and a half distant from the supper-hall1 for it was three quarters of a mile from the supper-hall to the ,valley of ,josaphat1 and about as far from thence to ,gethsemani4 ,the place called ,gethsemani 7where latterly ,jesus had several times passed the night with his disciples7 was a large garden1 surrounded by a hedge1 and containing only some fruit trees and flowers1 while outside there stood a few deserted unclosed buildings4 ,the ,apostles and several others persons had keys of this garden1 which was used sometimes as a pleasure ground1 and sometimes as a place of retirement for prayer4 ,some arbours made of leaves and branches had been raised there1 and eight of the ,apostles remained in them1 and were later joined by others of the disciples4 ,the ,garden of ,olives was separated by a road from that of ,gethsemani1 and was open1 surrounded only by an earthern wall1 and smaller than the ,garden of ,gethsemani4 ,there were caverns1 terraces1 and many olive-trees to be seen in this garden1 and it was easy to find there a suitable spot for prayer and meditation4 ,it was to the wildest part that ,jesus went to pray4 ,it was about nine o'clock when ,jesus reached ,gethsemani with his disciples4 ,the moon had risen1 and already gave light in the sky1 although the earth was still dark4 ,jesus was most sorrowful1 and told his ,apostles that danger was at hand4 ,the disciples felt uneasy1 and he told eight of those who were following him1 to remain in the ,garden of ,gethsemani whilst he went on to pray4 ,he took with him ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 and going on a little further1 entered into the ,garden of ,olives4 ,no words can describe the sorrow which then oppressed his soul1 for the time of trial was near4 ,john asked him how it was that he1 who had hitherto always consoled them1 would now be so dejected8 ',my soul is sorrowful even unto death1' was his reply4 ,and he beheld sufferings and temptations surrounding him on all sides1 and drawing nearer and nearer1 under the forms of frightful figures borne on clouds4 ,then it was that he said to the three ,apostles3 ',stay you here and watch with me4 ,pray1 lest ye enter into temptation4' ,jesus went a few steps to the left1 down a hill1 and concealed himself beneath a rock1 in a grotto about six feet deep1 while the ,apostles remained in a species of hollow above4 ,the earth sank gradually the further you entered this grotto1 and the plants which were hanging from the rock screened its interior like a curtain from persons outside4 ,when ,jesus left his disciples1 ,i saw a number of frightful figures surrounding him in an ever-narrowing circle4 ,his sorrow and anguish of soul continued to increase1 and he was trembling all over when he entered the grotto to pray1 like a wayworn traveller hurriedly seeking shelter from a sudden storm1 but the awful visions pursued him even there1 and became more and more clear and distinct4 ,alas6 this small cavern appeared to contain the awful picture of all the sins which had been or were to be committed from the fall of ,adam to the end of the world1 and of the punishment which they deserved4 ,it was here1 on ,mount ,olivet1 that ,adam and ,eve took refuge when drive out of ,paradise to wander homeless on earth1 and they had wept and bewailed themselves in this very grotto4 ,i felt that ,jesus1 in delivering himself up to ,divine ,justice in satisfaction for the sins of the world1 caused his divinity to return1 in some sort1 into the bosom of the ,holy ,trinity1 concentrated himself1 so to speak1 in his pure1 loving and innocent humanity1 and strong only in his ineffable love1 gave it up to anguish and suffering4 ,he fell on his face1 overwhelmed with unspeakable sorrow1 and all the sins of the world displayed themselves before him1 under countless forms and in all their real deformity4 ,he took them all upon himself1 and in his prayer offered his own adorable ,person to the justice of his ,heavenly ,father1 in payment for so awful a debt4 ,but ,satan1 who was enthroned amid all these horrors1 and even filled with diabolical joy at the sight of them1 let loose his fury against ,jesus1 and displayed before the eyes of his soul increasingly awful visions1 at the same time addressing his adorable humanity in words such as these3 ',takest thou even this sin upon thyself8 ,art thou willing to bear its penalty8 ,art thou prepared to satisfy for all these sins8' ,and now a long ray of light1 like a luminous path in the air descended from ,heaven2 it was a procession of angels who came up to ,jesus and strengthened and re-invigorated him4 ,the remainder of the grotto was filled with frightful visions of our crimes2 ,jesus took them all upon himself1 but that adorable ,heart1 which was so filled with the most perfect love for ,god and man1 was flooded with anguish1 and overwhelmed beneath the weight of so many abominable crimes4 ,when this huge mass of iniquities1 like the waves of a fathomless ocean1 has passed over his soul1 ,satan brought forward innumerable temptations1 as he had formerly done in the desert1 even daring to adduce various accusations against him4 ',and takest thou all these things upon thyself1' he exclaimed1 'thou who art not unspotted thyself8' then he laid to the charge of our ,lord1 with infernal impudence1 a host of imaginary crimes4 ,he reproached him with the faults of his disciples1 the scandals which they had caused1 and the disturbances which he had occasioned in the world by giving up ancient customs4 ,no ,pharisee1 however wily and severe1 could have surpassed ,satan on this occasion2 he reproached ,jesus with having been the cause of the massacre of the ,innocents1 as well as of the sufferings of his parents in ,egypt1 with not having saved ,john the ,baptist from death1 with having brought disunion into families1 protected men of despicable character1 refused to cure various sick persons1 injured the inhabitants of ,gergesa by permitting men possessed by the devil to overturn their vats1#h and demons to make swine cast themselves into the sea2 with having deserted his family1 and squandered the property of others2 in one word ,satan1 in the hopes of causing ,jesus to waver1 suggested to him every thought by which he would have tempted at the hour of death an ordinary mortal who might have performed all these actions without a superhuman intention2 for it was hidden from him that ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and he tempted him only as the most just of men4 ,our ,divine ,saviour permitted his humanity thus to preponderate over his divinity1 for he was pleased to endure even those temptations with which holy souls are assailed at the hour of death concerning the merit of their good works4 ,that he might drink the chalice of suffering even to the dregs1 he permitted the evil spirit to tempt his sacred humanity1 as he would have tempted a man who should wish to attribute to his good works some special value in themselves1 over and above what they might have by their union with the merits of our ,saviour4 ,there was not an action out of which he did not contrive to frame some accusation1 and he reproached ,jesus1 among other things1 with having spent the price of the property of ,mary ,magdalen at ,magdalum1 which he had received from ,lazarus4 ,among the sins of the world which ,jesus took upon himself1 ,i saw also my own2 and a stream1 in which ,i distinctly beheld each of my faults1 appeared to flow towards me from out of the temptations with which he was encircled4 ,during this time my eyes were fixed upon my ,heavenly ,spouse2 with him ,i wept and prayed1 and with him ,i turned towards the consoling angels4 ,ah1 truly did our dear ,lord writhe like a worm beneath the weight of his anguish and sufferings6 ,whilst ,satan was pouring forth his accusations against ,jesus1 it was with difficulty that ,i could restrain my indignation1 but when he spoke of the sale of ,magdalen's property1 ,i could no longer keep silence1 and exclaimed3 ',how canst thou reproach him with the sale of this property as with a crime8 ,did ,i not myself see our ,lord spend the sum which was given him by ,lazarus in works of mercy1 and deliver twenty-eight debtors imprisoned at ,thirza8' ,at first ,jesus looked calm1 as he kneeled down and prayed1 but after a time his soul became terrified at the sight of the innumerable crimes of men1 and of their ingratitude towards ,god1 and his anguish was so great that the trembled and shuddered as he exclaimed3 ',father1 if it is possible1 let this chalice pass from me6 ,father1 all things are possible to thee1 remove this chalice from me6' ,but the next moment he added3 ',nevertheless1 not my will but thine be done4' ,his will and that of his ,father were one1 but now that his love had ordained that he should be left to all the weakness of his human nature1 he trembled at the prospect of death4 ,i saw the cavern in which he was kneeling filled with frightful figures2 ,i saw all the sins1 wickedness1 vices1 and ingratitude of mankind torturing and crushing him to the earth2 the horror of death and terror which he felt as man at the sight of the expiatory sufferings about to come upon him1 surrounded and assailed his ,divine ,person under the forms of hideous spectres4 ,he fell from side to side1 clasping his hands2 his body was covered with a cold sweat1 and he trembled and shuddered4 ,he then arose1 but his knees were shaking and apparently scarcely able to support him2 his countenance was pale1 and quite altered in appearance1 his lips white1 and his hair standing on end4 ,it was about half-past ten o'clock when he arose from his knees1 and1 bathed in a cold sweat1 directed his trembling1 weak footsteps towards his three ,apostles4 ,with difficulty did he ascend the left side of the cavern1 and reach a spot where the ground was level1 and where they were sleeping1 exhausted with fatigue1 sorrow and anxiety4 ,he came to them1 like a man overwhelmed with bitter sorrow1 whom terror urges to seek his friends1 but like also to a good shepherd1 who1 when warned of the approach of danger1 hastens to visit his flock1 the safety of which is threatened2 for he well knew that they also were being tried by suffering and temptation4 ,the terrible visions never left him1 even while he was thus seeking his disciples4 ,when he found that they were asleep1 he clasped his hands and fell down on his knees beside them1 overcome with sorrow and anxiety1 and said3 ',simon1 sleepest thou8' ,they awoke1 and raised him up1 and he1 in his desolation of spirit1 said to them3 ',what8 ,could you not watch one hour with me8' ,when they looked at him1 and saw him pale and exhausted1 scarcely able to support himself1 bathed in sweat1 trembling and shuddering1--when they heard how changed and almost inaudible his voice had become1 they did not know what to think1 and had he not been still surrounded by a well-known halo of light1 they would never have recognised him as ,jesus4 ,john said to him3 ',master1 what has befallen thee8 ,must ,i call the other disciples8 ,ought we to take to flight8' ,jesus answered him3 ',were ,i to live1 teach1 and perform miracles for thirty-three years longer1 that would not suffice for the accomplishment of what must be fulfilled before this time tomorrow4 ,call not the eight2 ,i did not bring them hither1 because they could not see me thus agonising without being scandalised2 they would yield to temptation1 forget much of the past1 and lose their confidence in me4 ,but you1 who have seen the ,son of ,man transfigured1 may also see him under a cloud1 and in dereliction of spirit2 nevertheless1 watch and pray1 lest ye fall into temptation1 for the spirit indeed is willing1 but the flesh is weak4' ,by these words he sought at once to encourage them to persevere1 and to make known to them the combat which his human nature was sustaining against death1 together with the cause of his weakness4 ,in his overwhelming sorrow1 he remained with them nearly a quarter of an hour1 and spoke to them again4 ,he then returned to the grotto1 his mental sufferings being still on the increase1 while his disciples1 on their part1 stretched forth their hands towards him1 wept1 and embraced each other1 asking1 ',what can it be8 ,what is happening to him8 ,he appears to be in a state of complete desolation4' ,after this1 they covered their heads1 and began to pray1 sorrowfully and anxiously4 ,about an hour and a half had passed since ,jesus entered the ,garden of ,olives4 ,it is true that ,scripture tells us he said1 ',could you not watch one hour with me8' but his words should not be taken literally1 nor according to our way of counting time4 ,the three ,apostles who were with ,jesus had prayed at first1 but then they had fallen asleep1 for temptation had come upon them by reason of their want of trust in ,god4 ,the other eight1 who had remained outside the garden1 did not sleep1 for our ,lord's last words1 so expressive of suffering and sadness1 had filled their hearts with sinister forebodings1 and they wandered about ,mount ,olivet1 trying to find some place of refuge in case of danger4 ,the town of ,jerusalem was very quiet2 the ,jews were in their houses1 engaged in preparing for the feast1 but ,i saw1 here and there1 some of the friends and disciples of ,jesus walking to and fro1 with anxious countenances1 conversing earnestly together1 and evidently expecting some great event4 ,the ,mother of our ,lord1 ,magdalen1 ,martha1 ,mary of ,cleophas1 ,mary ,salome1 and ,salome had gone from the supper-hall to the house of ,mary1 the mother of ,mark4 ,mary was alarmed at the reports which were spreading1 and wished to return to the town with her friends1 in order to hear something of ,jesus4 ,lazarus1 ,nicodemus1 ,joseph of ,arimathea1 and some relations from ,hebron1 came to see and endeavour to tranquillise her1 for as they were aware1 either from their own knowledge or from what the disciples had told them1 of the mournful predictions which ,jesus had made in the supper-room1 they had made inquiries of some ,pharisees of their acquaintance1 and had not been able to hear that any conspiracy was on foot for the time against our ,lord4 ,being utterly ignorant of the treason of ,judas1 they assured ,mary that the danger could not yet be very great1 and that the enemies of ,jesus would not make any attempt upon his person1 at least until the festival was over4 ,mary told them how restless and disturbed in mind ,judas had latterly appeared1 and how abruptly he had left the supper-room4 ,she felt no doubt of his having gone to betray our ,lord1 for she had often warned him that he was a son of perdition4 ,the holy women then returned to the house of ,mary1 the mother of ,mark4 ,when ,jesus1 unrelieved of all the weight of his sufferings1 returned to the grotto1 he fell prostrate1 with his face on the ground and his arms extended1 and prayed to his ,eternal ,father2 but his soul had to sustain a second interior combat1 which lasted three-quarters of an hour4 ,angels came and showed him1 in a series of visions1 all the sufferings that he was to endure in order to expiate sin2 how great was the beauty of man1 the image of ,god1 before the fall1 and how that beauty was changed and obliterated when sin entered the world4 ,he beheld how all sins originated in that of ,adam1 the signification and essence of concupiscence1 its terrible effect on the powers of the soul1 and likewise the signification and essence of all the sufferings entailed by concupiscence4 ,they showed him the satisfaction which he would have to offer to ,divine ,justice1 and how it would consist of a degree of suffering in his soul and body which would comprehend all the sufferings due to the concupiscence of all mankind1 since the debt of the whole human race had to be paid by that humanity which alone was sinless--the humanity of the ,son of ,god4 ,the angels showed him all these things under different forms1 and ,i felt what they were saying1 although ,i heard no voice4 ,no tongue can describe what anguish and what horror overwhelmed the soul of ,jesus at the sight of so terrible an expiation--his sufferings were so great1 indeed1 that a bloody sweat issued forth from all the pores of this sacred body4 ,whilst the adorable humanity of ,christ was thus crushed to the earth beneath this awful weight of suffering1 the angels appeared filled with compassion2 there was a pause1 and ,i perceived that they were earnestly desiring to console him1 and praying to that effect before the throne of ,god4 ,for one instant there appeared to be1 as it were1 a struggle between the mercy and justice of ,god and that love which was sacrificing itself4 ,i was permitted to see an image of ,god1 not1 as before1 seated on a throne1 but under a luminous form4 ,i beheld the divine nature of the ,son in the ,person of the ,father1 and1 as it were1 withdrawn in his bosom2 the ,person of the ,holy ,ghost proceeded from the ,father and the ,son1 it was1 so to speak1 between them1 and yet the whole formed only one ,god--but these things are indescribable4 ,all this was more an inward perception than a vision under distinct forms1 and it appeared to me that the ,divine ,will of our ,lord withdrew in some sort into the ,eternal ,father1 in order to permit all those sufferings which his human will besought his ,father to spare him1 to weigh upon his humanity alone4 ,i saw this at the time when the angels1 filled with compassion1 were desiring to console ,jesus1 who1 in fact1 was slightly relieved at that moment4 ,then all disappeared1 and the angels retired from our ,lord1 whose soul was about to sustain fresh assaults4 ,when our ,redeemer1 on ,mount ,olivet1 was pleased to experience and overcome that violent repugnance of human nature to suffering and death which constitutes a portion of all sufferings1 the tempter was permitted to do to him what he does to all men who desire to sacrifice themselves in a holy cause4 ,in the first portion of the agony1 ,satan displayed before the eyes of our ,lord the enormity of that debt of sin which he was going to pay1 and was even bold and malicious enough to seek faults in the very works of our ,saviour himself4 ,in the second agony1 ,jesus beheld1 to its fullest extent and in all its bitterness1 the expiatory suffering which would be required to satisfy ,divine ,justice4 ,this was displayed to him by angels2 for it belongs not to ,satan to show that expiation is possible1 and the father of lies and despair never exhibits the works of ,divine ,mercy before men4 ,jesus having victoriously resisted all these assaults by his entire and absolute submission to the will of his ,heavenly ,father1 a succession of new and terrifying visions were presented before his eyes1 and that feeling of doubt and anxiety which a man on the point of making some great sacrifice always experiences1 arose in the soul of our ,lord1 as he asked himself the tremendous question3 ',and what good will result from this sacrifice8' ,then a most awful picture of the future was displayed before his eyes and overwhelmed his tender heart with anguish4 ,when ,god had created the first ,adam1 he cast a deep sleep upon him1 opened his side1 and took one of his ribs1 of which he made ,eve1 his wife and the mother of all the living4 ,then he brought her to ,adam1 who exclaimed3 ',this now is bone of my bones1 and flesh of my flesh444 ,wherefore a man shall leave father and mother1 and shall cleave to his wife1 and they shall be two in one flesh4' ,that was the marriage of which it is written3 ',this is a great ,sacrament4 ,i speak in ,christ and in the ,church4' ,jesus ,christ1 the second ,adam1 was pleased also to let sleep come upon him--the sleep of death on the cross1 and he was also pleased to let his side be opened1 in order that the second ,eve1 his virgin ,spouse1 the ,church1 the mother of all the living1 might be formed from it4 ,it was his will to give her the blood of redemption1 the water of purification1 and his spirit--the three which render testimony on earth--and to bestow upon her also the holy ,sacraments1 in order that she might be pure1 holy1 and undefiled2 he was to be her head1 and we were to be her members1 under submission to the head1 the bone of his bones1 and the flesh of his flesh4 ,in taking human nature1 that he might suffer death for us1 he had also left his ,eternal ,father1 to cleave to his ,spouse1 the ,church1 and he became one flesh with her1 by feeding her with the ,adorable ,sacrament of the ,altar1 in which he unites himself unceasingly with us4 ,he had been pleased to remain on earth with his ,church1 until we shall all be united together by him within her fold1 and he has said3 ',the gates of hell shall never prevail against her4' ,to satisfy his unspeakable love for sinners1 our ,lord had become man and a brother of these same sinners1 that so he might take upon himself the punishment due to all their crimes4 ,he had contemplated with deep sorrow the greatness of this debt and the unspeakable sufferings by which it was to be acquitted4 ,yet he had most joyfully given himself up to the will of his ,heavenly ,father as a victim of expiation4 ,now1 however1 he beheld all the future sufferings1 combats1 and wounds of his heavenly ,spouse2 in one word1 he beheld the ingratitude of men4 ,the soul of ,jesus beheld all the future sufferings of his ,apostles1 disciples1 and friends2 after which he saw the primitive ,church1 numbering but few souls in her fold at first1 and then in proportion as her numbers increased1 disturbed by heresies and schisms breaking out among her children1 who repeated the sin of ,adam by pride and disobedience4 ,he saw the tepidity1 malice and corruption of an infinite number of ,christians1 the lies and deceptions of proud teachers1 all the sacrileges of wicked priests1 the fatal consequences of each sin1 and the abomination of desolation in the kingdom of ,god1 in the sanctuary of those ungrateful human beings whom he was about to redeem with his blood at the cost of unspeakable sufferings4 ,the scandals of all ages1 down to the present day and even to the end of the world--every species of error1 deception1 mad fanaticism1 obstinacy and malice--were displayed before his eyes1 and he beheld1 as it were floating before him1 all the apostates1 heresiarchs1 and pretended reformers1 who deceive men by an appearance of sanctity4 ,the corrupters and the corrupted of all ages outraged and tormented him for not having been crucified after their fashion1 or for not having suffered precisely as they settled or imagined he should have done4 ,they vied with each other in tearing the seamless robe of his ,church2 many illtreated1 insulted1 and denied him1 and many turned contemptuously away1 shaking their heads at him1 avoiding his compassionate embrace1 and hurrying on to the abyss where they were finally swallowed up4 ,he saw countless numbers of other men who did not dare openly to deny him1 but who passed on in disgust at the sight of the wounds of his ,church1 as the ,levite passed by the poor man who had fallen among robbers4 ,like unto cowardly and faithless children1 who desert their mother in the middle of the night1 at the sight of the thieves and robbers to whom their negligence or their malice has opened the door1 they fled from his wounded ,spouse4 ,he beheld all these men1 sometimes separated from the ,true ,vine1 and taking their rest amid the wild fruit trees1 sometimes like lost sheep1 left to the mercy of the wolves1 led by base hirelings into bad pasturages1 and refusing to enter the fold of the ,good ,shepherd who gave his life for his sheep4 ,they were wandering homeless in the desert in the midst of the sand blown about by the wind1 and were obstinately determined not to see his ,city placed upon a hill1 which could not be hidden1 the ,house of his ,spouse1 his ,church built upon a rock1 and with which he had promised to remain to the end of ages4 ,they built upon the sand wretched tenements1 which they were continually pulling down and rebuilding1 but in which there was neither altar nor sacrifice2 they had weathercocks on their roofs1 and their doctrines changed with the wind1 consequently they were for ever in opposition one with the other4 ,they never could come to a mutual understanding1 and were forever unsettled1 often destroying their own dwellings and hurling the fragments against the ,corner-,stone of the ,church1 which always remained unshaken4 ,as there was nothing but darkness in the dwelling of these men1 many among them1 instead of directing their steps towards the ,candle placed on the ,candlestick in the ,house of the ,spouse of ,christ1 wandered with closed eyes around the gardens of the ,church1 sustaining life only by inhaling the sweet odours which were diffused from them far and near1 stretching forth their hands towards shadowy idols1 and following wandering stars which led them to wells where there was no water4 ,even when on the very brink of the precipice1 they refused to listen to the voice of the ,spouse calling them1 and1 though dying with hunger1 derided1 insulted1 and mocked at those servants and messengers who were sent to invite them to the ,nuptial ,feast4 ,they obstinately refused to enter the garden1 because they feared the thorns of the hedge1 although they had neither wheat with which to satisfy their hunger nor wine to quench their thirst1 but were simply intoxicated with pride and self-esteem1 and being blinded by their own false lights1 persisted in asserting that the ,church of the ,word made flesh was invisible4 ,jesus beheld them all1 he wept over them1 and was pleased to suffer for all those who do not see him and who will not carry their crosses after him in his ,city built upon a hill--his ,church founded upon a rock1 to which he has given himself in the ,holy ,eucharist1 and against which the gates of ,hell will never prevail4 ,bearing a prominent place in these mournful visions which were beheld by the soul of ,jesus1 ,i saw ,satan1 who dragged away and strangled a multitude of men redeemed by the blood of ,christ and sanctified by the unction of his ,sacrament4 ,our ,divine ,saviour beheld with bitterest anguish the ingratitude and corruption of the ,christians of the first and of all succeeding ages1 even to the end of the world1 and during the whole of this time the voice of the tempter was incessantly repeating3 ',canst thou resolve to suffer for such ungrateful reprobates8' while the various apparitions succeeded each other with intense rapidity1 and so violently weighed down and crushed the soul of ,jesus1 that his sacred humanity was overwhelmed with unspeakable anguish4 ,jesus--the ,anointed of the ,lord--the ,son of ,man struggled and writhed as he fell on his knees1 with clasped hands1 as it were annihilated beneath the weight of his suffering4 ,so violent was the struggle which then took place between his human will and his repugnance to suffer so much for such an ungrateful race1 that from every pore of his sacred body there burst forth large drops of blood1 which fell trickling on to the ground4 ,in his bitter agony1 he looked around1 as though seeking help1 and appeared to take ,heaven1 earth1 and the stars of the firmament to witness of his sufferings4 ,jesus1 in his anguish of spirit1 raised his voice1 and gave utterance to several cries of pain4 ,the three ,apostles awoke1 listened1 and were desirous of approaching him1 but ,peter detained ,james and ,john1 saying3 ',stay you here2 ,i will join him4' ,then ,i saw ,peter hastily run forward and enter the grotto4 ',master1' he exclaimed1 'what has befallen thee8' ,but at the sight of ,jesus1 thus bathed in his own blood1 and sinking to the ground beneath the weight of mortal fear and anguish1 he drew back1 and paused for a moment1 overcome with terror4 ,jesus made him no answer1 and appeared unconscious of his presence4 ,peter returned to the other two1 and told them that the ,lord had not answered him except by groans and sighs4 ,they became more and more sorrowful after this1 covered their heads1 and sat down to weep and pray4 ,i then returned to my ,heavenly ,spouse in his most bitter agony4 ,the frightful visions of the future ingratitude of the men whose debt to ,divine ,justice he was taking upon himself1 continued to become more and more vivid and tremendous4 ,several times ,i heard him exclaim3 ',o my ,father1 can ,i possibly suffer for so ungrateful a race8 ,o my ,father1 if this chalice may not pass from me1 but ,i must drink it1 thy will be done6' ,amid all these apparitions1 ,satan held a conspicuous place1 under various forms1 which represented different species of sins4 ,sometimes he appeared under the form of a gigantic black figure1 sometimes under those of a tiger1 a fox1 a wolf1 a dragon1 or a serpent4 ,not1 however1 that he really took any of these shapes1 but merely some one of their characteristics1 joined with other hideous forms4 ,none of these frightful apparitions entirely resembled any creature1 but were symbols of abomination1 discord1 contradiction1 and sin--in one word1 were demoniacal to the fullest extent4 ,these diabolical figures urged on1 dragged1 and tore to pieces1 before the very eyes of ,jesus1 countless numbers of those men for whose redemption he was entering upon the painful way of the ,cross4 ,at first ,i but seldom saw the serpent3 soon1 however1 it made its appearance1 with a crown upon its head4 ,this odious reptile was of gigantic size1 apparently possessed of unbounded strength1 and led forward countless legions of the enemies of ,jesus in every age and of every nation4 ,being armed with all kinds of destructive weapons1 they sometimes tore one another in pieces1 and then renewed their attacks upon our ,saviour with redoubled rage4 ,it was indeed an awful sight2 for they heaped upon him the most fearful outrages1 cursing1 striking1 wounding1 and tearing him in pieces4 ,their weapons1 swords1 and spears flew about in the air1 crossing and recrossing continually in all directions1 like the flails of threshers in an immense barn2 and the rage of each of these fiends seemed exclusively directed against ,jesus--that grain of heavenly wheat descended to the earth to die there1 in order to feed men eternally with the ,bread of ,life4 ,thus exposed to the fury of these hellish bands1 some of which appeared to me wholly composed of blind men1 ,jesus was as much wounded and bruised as if their blows had been real4 ,i saw him stagger from side to side1 sometimes raising himself up1 and sometimes falling again1 while the serpent1 in the midst of the crowds whom it was unceasingly leading forward against ,jesus1 struck the ground with its tail1 and tore to pieces or swallowed all whom it thus knocked to the ground4 ,it was made known to me that these apparitions were all those persons who in divers ways insult and outrage ,jesus1 really and truly present in the ,holy ,sacrament4 ,i recognised among them all those who in any way profane the ,blessed ,eucharist4 ,i beheld with horror all the outrages thus offered to our ,lord1 whether by neglect1 irreverence1 and omission of what was due to him2 by open contempt1 abuse1 and the most awful sacrileges2 by the worship of worldly idols2 by spiritual darkness and false knowledge2 or1 finally1 by error1 incredulity1 fanaticism1 hatred1 and open persecution4 ,among these men ,i saw many who were blind1 paralysed1 deaf1 and dumb1 and even children2--blind men who would not see the truth2 paralytic men who would not advance1 according to its directions1 on the road leading to eternal live2 deaf men who refused to listen to its warnings and threats2 dumb men who would never use their voices in its defence2 and1 finally1 children who were led astray by following parents and teachers filled with the love of the world and forgetfulness of ,god1 who were fed on earthly luxuries1 drunk with false wisdom1 and loathing all that pertained to religion4 ,among the latter1 the sight of whom grieved me especially1 because ,jesus so loved children1 ,i saw many irreverent1 ill-behaved acolytes1 who did not honour our ,lord in the holy ceremonies in which they took a part4 ,i beheld with terror that many priests1 some of whom even fancied themselves full of faith and piety1 also outraged ,jesus in the ,adorable ,sacrament4 ,i saw many who believed and taught the doctrine of the ,real ,presence1 but did not sufficiently take it to heart1 for they forgot and neglected the palace1 throne1 and seat of the ,living ,god1 that is to say1 the church1 the altar1 the tabernacle1 the chalice1 the monstrance1 the vases and ornaments2 in one word1 all that is used in his worship1 or to adorn his house4 ,entire neglect reigned everywhere1 all things were left to moulder away in dust and filth1 and the worship of ,god was1 if not inwardly profaned1 at least outwardly dishonoured4 ,nor did this arise from real poverty1 but from indifference1 sloth1 preoccupation of mind about vain earthly concerns1 and often also from egotism and spiritual death2 for ,i saw neglect of this kind in churches the pastors and congregations of which were rich1 or at east tolerably well off4 ,i saw many others in which worldly1 tasteless1 unsuitable ornaments had replaced the magnificent adornments of a more pious age4 ,i saw that often the poorest of men were better lodged in their cottages than the ,master of heaven and earth in his churches4 ,ah1 how deeply did the inhospitality of men grieve ,jesus1 who had given himself to them to be their ,food6 ,truly1 there is no need to be rich in order to receive him who rewards a hundredfold the glass of cold water given to the thirsty2 but how shameful is not our conduct when in giving drink to the ,divine ,lord1 who thirst for our souls1 we give him corrupted water in a filthy glass6 ,in consequence of all this neglect1 ,i saw the weak scandalised1 the ,adorable ,sacrament profaned1 the churches deserted1 and the priests despised4 ,this state of impurity and negligence extended even to the souls of the faithful1 who left the tabernacle of their hearts unprepared and uncleansed when ,jesus was about to enter them1 exactly the same as they left his tabernacle on the altar4 ,were ,i to speak for an entire year1 ,i would never detail all the insults offered to ,jesus in the ,adorable ,sacrament which were made known to me in this way4 ,i saw their authors assault ,jesus in bands1 and strike him with different arms1 corresponding to their various offences4 ,i saw irreverent ,christians of all ages1 careless or sacrilegious priests1 crowds of tepid and unworthy communicants1 wicked soldiers profaning the sacred vessels1 and servants of the devil making use of the ,holy ,eucharist in the frightful mysteries of hellish worship4 ,among these bands ,i saw a great number of theologians1 who had been drawn into heresy by their sins1 attacking ,jesus in the ,holy ,sacrament of his ,church1 and snatching out of his ,heart1 by their seductive words and promises1 a number of souls for whom he had shed his blood4 ,ah6 it was indeed an awful sight1 for ,i saw the ,church as the body of ,christ2 and all these bands of men1 who were separating themselves from the ,church1 mangled and tore off whole pieces of his living flesh4 ,alas6 he looked at them in the most touching manner1 and lamented that they should thus cause their own eternal loss4 ,he had given his own divine ,self to us for our ,food in the ,holy ,sacrament1 in order to unite in one body--that of the ,church1 his ,spouse--men who were to an infinite extent divided and separated from each other2 and now he beheld himself torn and rent in twain in that very body2 for his principal work of love1 the ,holy ,communion1 in which men should have been made wholly one1 was become1 by the malice of false teachers1 the subject of separation4 ,i beheld whole nations thus snatched out of his bosom1 and deprived of any participation in the treasure of graces left to the ,church4 ,finally1 ,i saw all who were separated from the ,church plunged into the depths of infidelity1 superstition1 heresy1 and false worldly philosophy2 and they gave vent to their fierce rage by joining together in large bodies to attack the ,church1 being urged on by the serpent which was disporting itself in the midst of them4 ,alas6 it was as though ,jesus himself had been torn in a thousand pieces6 ,so great was my horror and terror1 that my ,heavenly ,spouse appeared to me1 and mercifully placed his hand upon my heart1 saying3 ',no one has yet seen all these things1 and thy heart would burst with sorrow if ,i did not give thee strength4' ,i saw the blood flowing in large drops down the pale face of our ,saviour1 his hair matted together1 and his beard bloody and entangled4 ,after the vision which ,i have last described1 he fled1 so to speak1 out of the cave1 and returned to his disciples4 ,but he tottered as he walked2 his appearance was that of a man covered with wounds and bending beneath a heavy burden1 and he stumbled at every step4 ,when he came up to the three ,apostles1 they were not lying down asleep as they had been the first time1 but their heads were covered1 and they had sunk down on their knees1 in an attitude often assumed by the people of that country when in sorrow or desiring to pray4 ,they had fallen asleep1 overpowered by grief and fatigue4 ,jesus1 trembling and groaning1 drew nigh to them1 and they awoke4 ,but when1 by the light of the moon1 they saw him standing before them1 his face pale and bloody1 and his hair in disorder1 their weary eyes did not at the first moment recognise him1 for he was indescribably changed4 ,he clasped his hands together1 upon which they arose and lovingly supported him in their arms1 and he told them in sorrowful accents that the next day he should be put to death1--that in one hour's time he should be seized1 led before a tribunal1 maltreated1 outraged1 scourged1 and finally put to a most cruel death4 ,he besought them to console his ,mother1 and also ,magdalen4 ,they made no reply1 for they knew not what to say1 so greatly had his appearance and language alarmed them1 and they even thought his mind must be wandering4 ,when he desired to return to the grotto1 he had not strength to walk4 ,i saw ,john and ,james lead him back1 and return when he had entered the grotto4 ,it was then about a quarter-past eleven4 ,during this agony of ,jesus1 ,i saw the ,blessed ,virgin also overwhelmed with sorrow and anguish of soul1 in the house of ,mary1 the mother of ,mark4 ,she was with ,magdalen and ,mary in the garden belonging to the house1 and almost prostrate from grief1 with her whole body bowed down as she knelt4 ,she fainted several times1 for she beheld in spirit different portions of the agony of ,jesus4 ,she had sent some messengers to make inquiries concerning him1 but her deep anxiety would not suffer her to await their return1 and she went with ,magdalen and ,salome as far as the ,valley of ,josaphat4 ,she walked along with her head veiled1 and her arms frequently stretched forth towards ,mount ,olivet2 for she beheld in spirit ,jesus bathed in a bloody sweat1 and her gestures were as though she wished with her extended hands to wipe the face of her ,son4 ,i saw these interior movements of her soul towards ,jesus1 who thought of her1 and turned his eyes in her direction1 as if to seek her assistance4 ,i beheld the spiritual communication which they had with each other1 under the form of rays passing to and fro between them4 ,our ,divine ,lord thought also of ,magdalen1 was touched by her distress1 and therefore recommended his ,apostles to console her2 for he knew that her love for his adorable ,person was greater than that felt for him by any one save his ,blessed ,mother1 and he foresaw that she would suffer much for his sake1 and never offend him more4 ,about this time1 the eight ,apostles returned to the arbour of ,gethsemani1 and after talking together for some time1 ended by going to sleep4 ,they were wavering1 discouraged1 and sorely tempted4 ,they had each been seeking for a place of refuge in case of danger1 and they anxiously asked one another1 ',what shall we do when they have put him to death8 ,we have left all to follow him2 we are poor and the offscouring of the world1 we gave ourselves up entirely to his service1 and now he is so sorrowful and so defected himself1 that he can afford us no consolation4' ,the other disciples had at first wandered about in various directions1 but then1 having heard something concerning the awful prophecies which ,jesus had made1 they had nearly all retired to ,bethphage4 ,i saw ,jesus still praying in the grotto1 struggling against the repugnance to suffering which belonged to human nature1 and abandoning himself wholly to the will of this ,eternal ,father4 ,here the abyss opened before him1 and he had a vision of the first part of ,limbo4 ,he saw ,adam and ,eve1 the patriarchs1 prophets1 and just men1 the parents of his ,mother1 and ,john the ,baptist1 awaiting his arrival in the lower world with such intense longing1 that the sight strengthened and gave fresh courage to his loving heart4 ,his death was to open ,heaven to these captives1--his death was to deliver them out of that prison in which they were languishing in eager hope6 ,when ,jesus had1 with deep emotion1 looked upon these saints of antiquity1 angels presented to him all the bands of saints of future ages1 who1 joining their labours to the merits of his ,passion1 were1 through him1 to be united to his ,heavenly ,father4 ,most beautiful and consoling was this vision1 in which he beheld the salvation and sanctification flowing forth in ceaseless streams from the fountain of redemption opened by his death4 ,the ,apostles1 disciples1 virgins1 and holy women1 the martyrs1 confessors1 hermits1 popes1 and bishops1 and large bands of religious of both sexes--in one word1 the entire army of the blessed--appeared before him4 ,all bore on their heads triumphal crowns1 and the flowers of their crowns differed in form1 in colour1 in odour1 and in perfection1 according to the difference of the sufferings1 labours and victories which had procured them eternal glory4 ,their whole life1 and all their actions1 merits1 and power1 as well as all the glory of their triumph1 came solely from their union with the merits of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the reciprocal influence exercised by these saints upon each other1 and the manner in which they all drank from one sole ,fountain--the ,adorable ,sacrament and the ,passion of our ,lord--formed a most touching and wonderful spectacle4 ,nothing about them was devoid of deep meaning1--their works1 martyrdom1 victories1 appearance1 and dress1--all1 though indescribably varied1 was confused together in infinite harmony and unity2 and this unity in diversity was produced by the rays of one single ,sun1 by the ,passion of the ,lord1 of the ,word made flesh1 in whom was life1 the light of men1 which shined in darkness1 and the darkness did not comprehend it4 ,the army of the future saints passed before the soul of our ,lord1 which was thus placed between the desiring patriarchs1 and the triumphant band of the future blessed1 and these two armies joining together1 and completing one another1 so to speak1 surrounded the loving ,heart of our ,saviour as with a crown of victory4 ,this most affecting and consoling spectacle bestowed a degree of strength and comfort upon the soul of ,jesus4 ,ah6 ,he so loved his brethren and creatures that1 to accomplish the redemption of one single soul1 he would have accepted with joy all the sufferings to which he was now devoting himself4 ,as these visions referred to the future1 they were diffused to a certain height in the air4 ,but these consoling visions faded away1 and the angels displayed before him the scenes of his ,passion quite close to the earth1 because it was near at hand4 ,i beheld every scene distinctly portrayed1 from the kiss of ,judas to the last words of ,jesus on the cross1 and ,i saw in this single vision all that ,i see in my meditations on the ,passion4 ,the treason of ,judas1 the flight of the disciples1 the insults which were offered our ,lord before ,annas and ,caiphas1 ,peter's denial1 the tribunal of ,pilate1 ,herod's mockery1 the scourging and crowning with thorns1 the condemnation to death1 the carrying of the cross1 the linen cloth presented by ,veronica1 the crucifixion1 the insults of the ,pharisees1 the sorrows of ,mary1 of ,magdalen1 and of ,john1 the wound of the lance in his side1 after death2--in one word1 every part of the ,passion was shown to him in the minutest detail4 ,he accepted all voluntarily1 submitting to everything for the love of man4 ,he saw also and felt the sufferings endured at that moment by his ,mother1 whose interior union with his agony was so entire that she had fainted in the arms of her two friends4 ,when the visions of the ,passion were concluded1 ,jesus fell on his face like one at the point of death2 the angels disappeared1 and the bloody sweat became more copious1 so that ,i saw it had soaked his garment4 ,entire darkness reigned in the cavern1 when ,i beheld an angel descent to ,jesus4 ,this angel was of higher stature than any whom ,i had before beheld1 and his form was also more distinct and more resembling that of a man4 ,he was clothed like a priest in a long floating garment1 and bore before him1 in his hands1 a small vase1 in shape resembling the chalice used at the ,last ,supper4 ,at the top of this chalice1 there was a small oval body1 about the size of a bean1 and which diffused a reddish light4 ,the angel1 without touching the earth with his feet1 stretched forth his right hand to ,jesus1 who arose1 when he placed the mysterious food in his mouth1 and gave him to drink from the luminous chalice4 ,then he disappeared4 ,jesus having freely accepted the chalice of his sufferings1 and received new strength1 remained some minutes longer in the grotto1 absorbed in calm meditation1 and returning thanks to his ,heavenly ,father4 ,he was still in deep affliction of spirit1 but supernaturally comforted to such a degree as to be able to go to his disciples without tottering as he walked1 or bending beneath the weight of his sufferings4 ,his countenance was still pale and altered1 but his step was firm and determined4 ,he had wiped his face with a linen cloth1 and rearranged his hair1 which hung about his shoulders1 matted together and damp with blood4 ,when ,jesus came to his disciples1 they were lying1 as before1 against the wall of the terrace1 asleep1 and with their heads covered4 ,our ,lord told them that then was not the time for sleep1 but that they should arise and pray3 ',behold the hour is at hand1 and the ,son of ,man shall be betrayed into the hand of sinners1' he said3 ',arise1 let us go1 behold he is at hand that will betray me4 ,it were better for him1 if that man had not been born4' ,the ,apostles arose in much alarm1 and looked round with anxiety4 ,when they had somewhat recovered themselves1 ,peter said warmly3 ',lord1 ,i will call the others1 that so we may defend thee4' ,but ,jesus pointed out to them at some distance in the valley1 on the other side of the ,brook of ,cedron1 a band of armed men1 who were advancing with torches1 and he said that one of their number had betrayed him4 ,he spoke calmly1 exhorted them to console his ,mother1 and said3 ',let us go to meet them--,i shall deliver myself up without resistance into the hands of my enemies4' ,he then left the ,garden of ,olives with the three ,apostles1 and went to meet the archers on the road which led from that garden to ,gethsemani4 ,when the ,blessed ,virgin1 under the care of ,magdalen and ,salome1 recovered her senses1 some disciples1 who had seen the soldiers approaching1 conducted her back to the house of ,mary1 the mother of ,mark4 ,the archers took a shorter road than that which ,jesus followed when he left the supper-room4 ,the grotto in which ,jesus had this day prayed was not the one where he usually prayed on ,mount ,olivet4 ,he commonly went to a cabin at a greater distance off1 where1 one day1 after having cursed the barren fig-tree1 he had prayed in great affliction of spirit1 with his arms stretched out1 and leaning against a rock4 ,the traces of his body and hands remained impressed on the stone1 and were honoured later4 ,but it was not known on what occasion the miracle had taken place4 ,i have several times seen similar impressions left upon the stone1 either by the ,prophets of the ,old ,testament1 or by ,jesus1 ,mary1 or some of the ,apostles1 and ,i have also seen those made by the body of ,st4 ,catherine on ,mount ,sinai4 ,these impressions do not seem deep1 but resemble what would be made upon a thick piece of dough1 if a person leaned his hand upon it4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,judas and his band4 ,judas had not expected that his treason would have produced such fatal results4 ,he had been anxious to obtain the promised reward1 and to please the ,pharisees by delivering up ,jesus into their hands1 but he had never calculated on things going so far1 or thought that the enemies of his ,master would actually bring him to judgment and crucify him2 his mind was engrossed with the love of gain alone1 and some astute ,pharisees and ,sadducees1 with whom he had established an intercourse1 had constantly urged him on to treason by flattering him4 ,he was sick of the fatiguing1 wandering1 and persecuted life which the ,apostles led4 ,for several months past he had continually stolen from the alms which were consigned to his care1 and his avarice1 grudging the expenses incurred by ,magdalen when she poured the precious ointment on the feet of our ,lord1 incited him to the commission of the greatest of crimes4 ,he had always hoped that ,jesus would establish a temporal kingdom1 and bestow upon him some brilliant and lucrative post in it1 but finding himself disappointed1 he turned his thoughts to amassing a fortune4 ,he saw that sufferings and persecutions were on the increase for our ,lord and his followers1 and he sought to make friends with the powerful enemies of our ,saviour before the time of danger1 for the saw that ,jesus did not become a king1 whereas the actual dignity and power of the ,high ,priest1 and of all who were attached to his service1 made a very strong impression upon his mind4 ,he began to enter by degrees into a close connection with their agents1 who were constantly flattering him1 and assuring him in strong terms that1 in any case1 an end would speedily be put to the career of our ,divine ,lord4 ,he listened more and more eagerly to the criminal suggestions of his corrupt heart1 and he had done nothing during the last few days but go backwards and forwards in order to induce the chief priests to come to some agreement4 ,but they were unwilling to act at once1 and treated him with contempt4 ,they said that sufficient time would not intervene before the festival day1 and that there would be a tumult among the people4 ,the ,sanhedrin alone listened to his proposals with some degree of attention4 ,after ,judas had sacrilegiously received the ,blessed ,sacrament1 ,satan took entire possession of him1 and he went off at once to complete his crime4 ,he in the first place sought those persons who had hitherto flattered and entered into agreements with him1 and who still received him with pretended friendship4 ,some others joined the party1 and among the number ,annas and ,caiphas1 but the latter treated him with considerable pride and scorn4 ,all these enemies of ,christ were extremely undecided and far from feeling any confidence of success1 because they mistrusted ,judas4 ,i saw the empire of ,hell divided against itself2 ,satan desired the crime of the ,jews1 and earnestly longed for the death of ,jesus1 the ,converter of souls1 the holy ,teacher1 the ,just ,man1 who was so abhorrent to him2 but at the same time he felt an extraordinary interior fear of the death of the innocent ,victim1 who would not conceal himself from his persecutors4 ,i saw him then1 on the one hand1 stimulate the hatred and fury of the enemies of ,jesus1 and on the other1 insinuate to some of their number that ,judas was a wicked2 despicable character1 and that the sentence could not be pronounced before the festival1 or a sufficient number of witnesses against ,jesus be gathered together4 ,everyone proposed something different1 and some questioned ,judas1 saying3 ',shall we be able to take him8 ,has he not armed men with him8' ,and the traitor replied3 ',no1 he is alone with eleven disciples2 he is greatly depressed1 and the eleven are timid men4' ,he told them that now or never was the time to get possession of the person of ,jesus1 that later he might no longer have it in his power to give our ,lord up into their hands1 and that perhaps he should never return to him again1 because for several days past it had been very clear that the other disciples and ,jesus himself suspected and would certainly kill him if he returned to them4 ,he told them likewise that if they did not at once seize the person of ,jesus1 he would make his escape1 and return with an army of his partisans1 to have himself proclaimed ,king4 ,these threats of ,judas produced some effect1 his proposals were acceded to1 and he received the price of this treason--thirty pieces of silver4 ,these pieces were oblong1 with holes in their sides1 strung together by means of rings in a kind of chain1 and bearing certain impressions4 ,judas could not help being conscious that they regarded him with contempt and distrust1 for their language and gestures betrayed their feelings1 and pride suggested to him to give back the money as an offering for the ,temple1 in order to make them suppose his intentions to have been just and disinterested4 ,but they rejected his proposal1 because the price of blood could not be offered in the ,temple4 ,judas saw how much they despised him1 and his rage was excessive4 ,he had not expected to reap the bitter fruits of his treason even before it was accomplished1 but he had gone so far with these men that he was in their power1 and escape was no longer possible4 ,they watched him carefully1 and would not let him leave their presence1 until he had shown them exactly what steps were to be taken in order to secure the person of ,jesus4 ,three ,pharisees accompanied him when he went down into a room where the soldiers of the ,temple 7some only of whom were ,jews1 and the rest of various nations7 were assembled4 ,when everything was settled1 and the necessary number of soldiers gathered together1 ,judas hastened first to the supper-room1 accompanied by a servant of the ,pharisees1 for the purpose of ascertaining whether ,jesus had left1 as they would have seized his person there without difficulty1 if once they had secured the doors4 ,he agreed to send them a messenger with the required information4 ,a short time before when ,judas had received the price of this treason1 a ,pharisee had gone out1 and sent seven slaves to fetch wood with which to prepare the ,cross for our ,saviour1 in case he should be judged1 because the next day there would not be sufficient time on account of the commencement of the ,paschal festivity4 ,they procured this wood from a spot about three-quarters of a mile distant1 near a high wall1 where there was a great quantity of other wood belonging to the ,temple1 and dragged it to a square situated behind the tribunal of ,caiphas4 ,the principal piece of the ,cross came from a tree formerly growing in the ,valley of ,josaphat1 near the torrent of ,cedron1 and which1 having fallen across the stream1 had been used as a sort of bridge4 ,when ,nehemias hid the sacred fire and the holy vessels in the pool of ,bethsaida1 it had been thrown over the spot1 together with other pieces of wood1--then later taken away1 and left on one side4 ,the ,cross was prepared in a very peculiar manner1 either with the object of deriding the royalty of ,jesus1 or from what men might term chance4 ,it was composed of five pieces of wood1 exclusive of the inscription4 ,i saw many other things concerning the ,cross1 and the meaning of different circumstances was also made known to me1 but ,i have forgotten all that4 ,judas returned1 and said that ,jesus was no longer in the supper-room1 but that he must certainly be on ,mount ,olivet1 in the spot where he was accustomed to pray4 ,he requested that only a small number of men might be sent with him1 lest the disciples who were on the watch should perceive anything and raise a sedition4 ,three hundred men were to be stationed at the gates and in the streets of ,ophel1 a part of the town situated to the south of the ,temple1 and along the valley of ,millo as far as the house of ,annas1 on the top of ,mount ,sion1 in order to be ready to send reinforcements if necessary1 for1 he said1 all the people of the lower class of ,ophel were partisans of ,jesus4 ,the traitor likewise bade them be careful1 lest he should escape them--since he1 by mysterious means1 had so often hidden himself in the mountain1 and made himself suddenly invisible to those around4 ,he recommended them1 besides1 to fasten him with a chain1 and make use of certain magical forms to prevent his breaking it4 ,the ,jews listened to all these pieces of advice with scornful indifference1 and replied1 ',if we once have him in our hands1 we will take care not to let him go4' ,judas next began to make his arrangements with those who were to accompany him4 ,he wished to enter the garden before them1 and embrace and salute ,jesus as if he were returning to him as his friend and disciple1 and then for the soldiers to run forward and seize the person of ,jesus4 ,he was anxious that it should be thought they had come there by chance1 that so1 when they had made their appearance1 he might run away like the other disciples and be no more heard of4 ,he likewise thought that1 perhaps1 a tumult would ensue1 that the ,apostles might defend themselves1 and ,jesus pass through the midst of his enemies1 as he had so often done before4 ,he dwelt upon these thoughts especially1 when his pride was hurt by the disdainful manner of the ,jews in his regard2 but he did not repent1 for he had wholly given himself up to ,satan4 ,it was his desire also that the soldiers following him should not carry chains and cords1 and his accomplices pretended to accede to all his wishes1 although in reality they acted with him as with a traitor who was not to be trusted1 but to be cast off as soon as he had done what was wanted4 ,the soldiers received orders to keep close to ,judas1 watch him carefully1 and not let him escape until ,jesus was seized1 for he had received his reward1 and it was feared that he might run off with the money1 and ,jesus not be taken after all1 or another be taken in his place4 ,the band of men chosen to accompany ,judas was composed of twenty soldiers1 selected from the ,temple guard and from others of the military who were under the orders of ,annas and ,caiphas4 ,they were dressed very much like the ,roman soldiers1 had morions 7crested metal helmets7 like them1 and wore hanging straps round their thighs1 but their beards were long1 whereas the ,roman soldiers at ,jerusalem had whiskers only1 and shaved their chins and upper lips4 ,they all had swords1 some of them being also armed with spears1 and they carried sticks with lanterns and torches2 but when they set off they only lighted one4 ,it had at first been intended that ,judas should be accompanied by a more numerous escort1 but he drew their attention to the fact that so large a number of men would be too easily seen1 because ,mount ,olivet commanded a view of the whole valley4 ,most of the soldiers remained1 therefore1 at ,ophel1 and sentinels were stationed on all sides to put down any attempt which might be made to release ,jesus4 ,judas set off with the twenty soldiers1 but he was followed at some distance by four archers1 who were only common bailiffs1 carrying cords and chains1 and after them came the six agents with whom ,judas had been in communication for some time4 ,one of these was a priest and a confidant of ,annas1 a second was devoted to ,caiphas1 the third and fourth were ,pharisees1 and the other two ,sadducees and ,herodians4 ,these six men were courtiers of ,annas and ,caiphas1 acting in the capacity of spies1 and most bitter enemies of ,jesus4 ,the soldiers remained on friendly terms with ,judas until they reached the spot where the road divides the ,garden of ,olives from the ,garden of ,gethsemani1 but there they refused to allow him to advance alone1 and entirely changed their manner1 treating him with much insolence and harshness4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,jesus is arrested4 ,jesus was standing with his three ,apostles on the road between ,gethsemani1 and the ,garden of ,olives1 when ,judas and the band who accompanied him made their appearance4 ,a warm dispute arose between ,judas and the soldiers1 because he wished to approach first and speak to ,jesus quietly as if nothing was the matter1 and then for them to come up and seize our ,saviour1 thus letting him suppose that he had no connection with the affair4 ,but the men answered rudely1 ',not so1 friend1 thou shalt not escape from our hands until we have the ,galilean safely bound1' and seeing the eight ,apostles who hastened to rejoin ,jesus when they heard the dispute which was going on1 they 7notwithstanding the opposition of ,judas7 called up four archers1 whom they had left at a little distance1 to assist4 ,when by the light of the moon ,jesus and the three ,apostles first saw the band of armed men1 ,peter wished to repel them by force of arms1 and said3 ',lord1 the other eight are close at hand1 let us attack the archers1' but ,jesus bade him hold his peace1 and then turned and walked back a few steps4 ,at this moment four disciples came out of the garden1 and asked what was taking place4 ,judas was about to reply1 but the soldiers interrupted1 and would not let him speak4 ,these four disciples were ,james the ,less1 ,philip1 ,thomas1 and ,nathaniel2 the last named1 who was a son of the aged ,simeon1 had with a few others joined the eight ,apostles at ,gethsemani1 being perhaps sent by the friends of ,jesus to know what was going on1 or possibly simply incited by curiosity and anxiety4 ,the other disciples were wandering to and fro1 on the look out1 and ready to fly at a moment's notice4 ,jesus walked up to the soldiers and said in a firm and clear voice1 ',whom seek ye8' ,the soldiers answered1 ',jesus of ,nazareth4' ,jesus said to them1 ',i am he4' ,scarcely had he pronounced these words than they all fell to the ground1 as if struck with apoplexy4 ,judas1 who stood by them1 was much alarmed1 and as he appeared desirous of approaching1 ,jesus held out his hand and said3 ',friend1 whereto art thou come8' ,judas stammered forth something about business which had brought him4 ,jesus answered in few words1 the sense of which was3 ',it were better for thee that thou hadst never been born2' however1 ,i cannot remember the words exactly4 ,in the mean time1 the soldiers had risen1 and again approached ,jesus1 but they waited for the sign of the kiss1 with which ,judas had promised to salute his ,master that they might recognise him4 ,peter and the other disciples surrounded ,judas1 and reviled him in unmeasured terms1 calling him thief and traitor2 he tried to mollify their wrath by all kinds of lies1 but his efforts were vain1 for the soldiers came up and offered to defend him1 which proceeding manifested the truth at once4 ,jesus again asked1 ',whom seek ye8' ,they replied3 ',jesus of ,nazareth4' ,jesus made answer1 ',i have told you that ,i am he1' 'if therefore you seek me1 let these go their way4' ,at these words the soldiers fell for the second time to the ground1 in convulsions similar to those of epilepsy1 and the ,apostles again surrounded ,judas and expressed their indignation at his shameful treachery4 ,jesus said to the soldiers1 ',arise1' and they arose1 but at first quite speechless from terror4 ,they then told ,judas to give them the signal agreed upon instantly1 as their orders were to seize upon no one but him whom ,judas kissed4 ,judas therefore approached ,jesus1 and gave him a kiss1 saying1 ',hail ,rabbi4' ,jesus replied1 ',what1 ,judas1 dost thou betray the ,son of ,man with a kiss8' ,the soldiers immediately surrounded ,jesus1 and the archers laid hands upon him4 ,judas wished to fly1 but the ,apostles would not allow it1 they rushed at the soldiers and cried out1 ',master1 shall we strike with the sword8' ,peter1 who was more impetuous than the rest1 seized the sword1 and struck ,malchus1 the servant of the high priest1 who wished to drive away the ,apostles1 and cut off his right ear2 ,malchus fell to the ground1 and a great tumult ensued4 ,the archers had seized upon ,jesus1 and wished to bind him2 while ,malchus and the rest of the soldiers stood around4 ,when ,peter struck the former1 the rest were occupied in repulsing those among the disciples who approached too near1 and in pursuing those who ran away4 ,four disciples made their appearance in the distance1 and looked fearfully at the scene before them2 but the soldiers were still too much alarmed at their late fall to trouble themselves much about them1 and besides they did not wish to leave our ,saviour without a certain number of men to guard him4 ,judas fled as soon as he had given the traitorous kiss1 but was met by some of the disciples1 who overwhelmed him with reproaches4 ,six ,pharisees1 however1 came to his rescue1 and he escaped whilst the archers were busily occupied in pinioning ,jesus4 ,when ,peter struck ,malchus1 ,jesus said to him1 ',put up again thy sword into its place2 for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword4 ,thinkest thou that ,i cannot ask my ,father1 and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels8 ,how then shall the ,scriptures be fulfilled1 that so it must be done8' ,then he said1 ',let me cure this man2' and approaching ,malchus1 he touched his ear1 prayed1 and it wad healed4 ,the soldiers who were standing near1 as well as the archers and the six ,pharisees1 far from being moved by this miracle1 continued to insult our ,lord1 and said to the bystanders1 ',it is a trick of the devil1 the powers of witchcraft made the ear appear to be cut off1 and now the same power gives it the appearance of being healed4' ,then ,jesus again addressed them1 ',you are come out as it were to a robber1 with swords and clubs1 to apprehend me4 ,i sat daily with you teaching in the ,temple1 and you laid not hands upon me1 but this is your hour and the power of darkness4' ,the ,pharisees ordered him to be bound still more strongly1 and made answer in a contemptuous tone1 ',ah6 ,thou couldst not overthrow us by thy witchcraft4' ,jesus replied1 but ,i do not remember his words1 and all the disciples fled4 ,the four archers and the six ,pharisees did not fall to the ground at the words of ,jesus1 because1 as was afterwards revealed to me1 they as well as ,judas1 who likewise did not fall1 were entirely in the power of ,satan1 whereas all those who fell and rose again were afterwards converted1 and became ,christians2 they had only surrounded ,jesus1 and not laid hands upon him4 ,malchus was instantly converted by the cure wrought upon him1 and during the time of the ,passion his employment was to carry messages backwards and forwards to ,mary and the other friends of our ,lord4 ,the archers1 who now proceeded to pinion ,jesus with the greatest brutality1 were pagans of the lowest extraction1 short1 stout1 and active1 with sandy complexions1 resembling those of ,egyptian slaves1 and bare legs1 arms1 and neck4 ,they tied his hands as tightly as possible with hard new cords1 fastening the right-hand wrist under the left elbow1 and the left-hand wrist under the right elbow4 ,they encircled his waist with a species of belt studded with iron points1 and to this collar were appended two leathern straps1 which were crossed over his chest like a stole and fastened to the belt4 ,they then fastened four ropes to different parts of the belt1 and by means of these ropes dragged our ,blessed ,lord from side to side in the most cruel manner4 ,the ropes were new2 ,i think they were purchased when the ,pharisees first determined to arrest ,jesus4 ,the ,pharisees lighted fresh torches1 and the procession started4 ,ten soldiers walked in front1 the archers who held the ropes and dragged ,jesus along1 followed1 and the ,pharisees and ten other soldiers brought up the rear4 ,the disciples wandered about at a distance1 and wept and moaned as if beside themselves from grief4 ,john alone followed1 and walked at no great distance from the soldiers1 until the ,pharisees1 seeing him1 ordered the guards to arrest him4 ,they endeavoured to obey1 but he ran away1 leaving in their hands a cloth with which he was covered1 and of which they had taken hold when they endeavoured to seize him4 ,he had slipped off his coat1 that he might escape more easily from the hands of his enemies1 and kept nothing on but a short under garment without sleeves1 and the long band which the ,jews usually wore1 and which was wrapped round his neck1 head1 and arms4 ,the archers behaved in the most cruel manner to ,jesus as they led him along2 this they did to curry favour with the six ,pharisees1 who they well knew perfectly hated and detested our ,lord4 ,they led him along the roughest road they could select1 over the sharpest stones1 and through the thickest mire2 they pulled the cords as tightly as possible2 they struck him with knotted cords1 as a butcher would strike the beast he is about to slaughter2 and they accompanied this cruel treatment with such ignoble and indecent insults that ,i cannot recount them4 ,the feet of ,jesus were bare2 he wore1 besides the ordinary dress1 a seamless woollen garment1 and a cloak which was thrown over all4 ,i have forgotten to state that when ,jesus was arrested1 it was done without any order being presented or legal ceremony taking place2 he was treated as a person without the pale of the law4 ,the procession proceeded at a good pace2 when they left the road which runs between the ,garden of ,olives and that of ,gethsemani1 they turned to the right1 and soon reached a bridge which was thrown over the ,torrent of ,cedron4 ,when ,jesus went to the ,garden of ,olives with the ,apostles1 he did not cross this bridge1 but went by a private path which ran through the ,valley of ,josaphat1 and led to another bridge more to the south4 ,the bridge over which the soldiers led ,jesus was long1 being thrown over not only the torrent1 which was very large in this part1 but likewise over the valley1 which extends a considerable distance to the right and to the left1 and is much lower than the bed of the river4 ,i saw our ,lord fall twice before he reached the bridge1 and these falls were caused entirely by the barbarous manner in which the soldiers dragged him2 but when they were half over the bridge they gave full vent to their brutal inclination1 and struck ,jesus with such violence that they threw him off the bridge into the water1 and scornfully recommended him to quench his thirst there4 ,if ,god had not preserved him1 he must have been killed by this fall2 he fell first on his knee1 and then on his face1 but saved himself a little by stretching out his hands1 which1 although so tightly bound before1 were loosened1 ,i know not whether by miracle1 or whether the soldiers had cut the cords before they threw him into the water4 ,the marks of his feet1 his elbows1 and his fingers were miraculously impressed on the rock on which he fell1 and these impressions were afterwards shown for the veneration of ,christians4 ,these stones were less hard than the unbelieving hearts of the wicked men who surrounded ,jesus1 and bore witness at this terrible moment to the ,divine ,power which had touched them4 ,i had not seen ,jesus take anything to quench the thirst which had consumed him ever since his agony in the garden1 but he drank when he fell into the ,cedron1 and ,i heard him repeat these words from the prophetic ,psalm1 ',in his thirst he will drink water from the torrent' 7,psalm #ajh74 ,the archers still held the ends of the ropes with which ,jesus was bound1 but it would have been difficult to drag him out of the water on that side1 on account of a wall which was built on the shore2 they turned back and dragged him quite through the ,cedron to the shore1 and then made him cross the bridge a second time1 accompanying their every action with insults1 blasphemies1 and blows4 ,his long woollen garment1 which was quite soaked through1 adhered to his legs1 impeded every movement1 and rendered it almost impossible for him to walk1 and when he reached the end of the bridge he fell quite down4 ,they pulled him up again in the most cruel manner1 struck him with cords1 and fastened the ends of his wet garment to the belt1 abusing him at the same time in the most cowardly manner4 ,it was not quite midnight when ,i saw the four archers inhumanly dragging ,jesus over a narrow path1 which was choked up with stones1 garments of rock1 thistles1 and thorns1 on the opposite shore of the ,cedron4 ,the six brutal ,pharisees walked as close to our ,lord as they could1 struck him constantly with thick pointed sticks1 and seeing that his bare and bleeding feet were torn by the stones and briars1 exclaimed scornfully3 ',his precursor1 ,john the ,baptist1 has certainly not prepared a good path for him here2' or1 ',the words of ,malachy1 ,behold1 ,i send my angel before thy face1 to prepare the way before thee1 do not exactly apply now4' ,every jest uttered by these men incited the archers to greater cruelty4 ,the enemies of ,jesus remarked that several persons made their appearance in the distance2 they were only disciples who had assembled when they heard that their ,master was arrested1 and who were anxious to discover what the end would be2 but the sight of them rendered the ,pharisees uneasy1 lest any attempt should be made to rescue ,jesus1 and they therefore sent for a reinforcement of soldiers4 ,at a very short distance from an entrance opposite to the south side of the ,temple1 which leads through a little village called ,ophel to ,mount ,sion1 where the residences of ,annas and ,caiphas were situated1 ,i saw a band of about fifty soldiers1 who carried torches1 and appeared ready for anything2 the demeanour of these men was outrageous1 and they gave loud shouts1 both to announce their arrival1 and to congratulate their comrades upon the success of the expedition4 ,this caused a slight confusion among the soldiers who were leading ,jesus1 and ,malchus and a few others took advantage of it to depart1 and fly towards ,mount ,olivet4 ,when the fresh band of soldiers left ,ophel1 ,i saw those disciples who had gathered together disperse2 some went one way1 and some another4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and about nine of the holy women1 being filled with anxiety1 directed their steps towards the ,valley of ,josaphat1 accompanied by ,lazarus1 ,john the son of ,mark1 the son of ,veronica1 and the son of ,simon4 ,the last-named was at ,gethsemani with ,nathaniel and the eight ,apostles1 and had fled when the soldiers appeared4 ,he was giving the ,blessed ,virgin the account of all that had been done1 when the fresh band of soldiers joined those who were leading ,jesus1 and she then heard their tumultuous vociferations1 and saw the light of the torches they carried4 ,this sight quite overcame her2 she became insensible1 and ,john took her into the house of ,mary1 the mother of ,mark4 ,the fifty soldiers who were sent to join those who had taken ,jesus1 were a detachment from a company of three hundred men posted to guard the gates and environs of ,ophel2 for the traitor ,judas had reminded the ,high ,priests that the inhabitants of ,ophel 7who were principally of the labouring class1 and whose chief employment was to bring water and wood to the ,temple7 were the most attached partisans of ,jesus1 and might perhaps make some attempts to rescue him4 ,the traitor was aware that ,jesus had both consoled1 instructed1 assisted1 and cured the diseases of many of these poor workmen1 and that ,ophel was the place where he halted during his journey from ,bethania to ,hebron1 when ,john the ,baptist had just been executed4 ,judas also knew that ,jesus had cured many of the masons who were injured by the fall of the ,tower of ,siloe4 ,the greatest part of the inhabitants of ,ophel were converted after the death of our ,lord1 and joined the first ,christian community that was formed after ,pentecost1 and when the ,christians separated from the ,jews and erected new dwellings1 they placed their huts and tents in the valley which is situated between ,mount ,olivet and ,ophel1 and there ,st4 ,stephen lived4 ,ophel was on a hill to the south of the ,temple1 surrounded by walls1 and its inhabitants were very poor4 ,i think it was smaller than ,dulmen4#i ,the slumbers of the good inhabitants of ,ophel were disturbed by the noise of the soldiers2 they came out of their houses and ran to the entrance of the village to ask the cause of the uproar2 but the soldiers received them roughly1 ordered them to return home1 and in reply to their numerous questions1 said1 ',we have just arrested ,jesus1 your false prophet--he who has deceived you so grossly2 the ,high ,priests are about to judge him1 and he will be crucified4' ,cries and lamentations arose on all sides2 the poor women and children ran backwards and forwards1 weeping and wringing their hands2 and calling to mind all the benefits they had received from our ,lord1 they cast themselves on their knees to implore the protection of ,heaven4 ,but the soldiers pushed them on one side1 struck them1 obliged them to return to their houses1 and exclaimed1 ',what farther proof is required8 ,does not the conduct of these persons show plainly that the ,galilean incites rebellion8' ,they were1 however1 a little cautious in their expressions and demeanour for fear of causing an insurrection in ,ophel1 and therefore only endeavoured to drive the inhabitants away from those parts of the village which ,jesus was obliged to cross4 ,when the cruel soldiers who led our ,lord were near the gates of ,ophel he again fell1 and appeared unable to proceed a step farther1 upon which one among them1 being moved to compassion1 said to another1 ',you see the poor man is perfectly exhausted1 he cannot support himself with the weight of his chains2 if we wish to get him to the ,high ,priest alive we must loosen the cords with which his hands are bound1 that he may be able to save himself a little when he falls4' ,the band stopped for a moment1 the fetters were loosened1 and another kind-hearted soldier brought some water to ,jesus from a neighbouring fountain4 ,jesus thanked him1 and spoke of the 'fountains of living water1' of which those who believed in him should drink2 but his words enraged the ,pharisees still more1 and they overwhelmed him with insults and contumelious language4 ,i saw the heart of the soldier who had caused ,jesus to be unbound1 as also that of the one who brought him water1 suddenly illuminated by grace2 they were both converted before the death of ,jesus1 and immediately joined his disciples4 ,the procession started again1 and reached the gate of ,ophel4 ,here ,jesus was again saluted by the cries of grief and sympathy of those who owed him so much gratitude1 and the soldiers had considerable difficulty in keeping back the men and women who crowded round from all parts4 ,they clasped their hands1 fell on their knees1 lamented1 and exclaimed1 ',release this man unto us1 release him6 ,who will assist1 who will console us1 who will cure our diseases8 ,release him unto us6' ,it was indeed heart-rending to look upon ,jesus2 his face was white1 disfigured1 and wounded1 his hair dishevelled1 his dress wet and soiled1 and his savage and drunken guards were dragging him about and striking him with sticks like a poor dumb animal led to the slaughter4 ,thus was he conducted through the midst of the afflicted inhabitants of ,ophel1 and the paralytic whom he had cured1 the dumb to whom he had restored speech1 and the blind whose eyes he had opened1 united1 but in vain1 in offering supplications for his release4 ,many persons from among the lowest and most degraded classes had been sent by ,annas1 ,caiphas1 and the other enemies of ,jesus1 to join the procession1 and assist the soldiers both in ill-treating ,jesus1 and in driving away the inhabitants of ,ophel4 ,the village of ,ophel was seated upon a hill1 and ,i saw a great deal of timber placed there ready for building4 ,the procession had to proceed down a hill1 and then pass through a door made in the wall4 ,on one side of this door stood a large building erected originally by ,solomon1 and on the other the pool of ,bethsaida4 ,after passing this1 they followed a westerly direction down a steep street called ,millo1 at the end of which a turn to the south brought them to the house of ,annas4 ,the guards never ceased their cruel treatment of our ,divine ,saviour1 and excused such conduct by saying that the crowds who gathered together in front of the procession compelled them to severity4 ,jesus fell seven times between ,mount ,olivet and the house of ,annas4 ,the inhabitants of ,ophel were still in a state of consternation and grief1 when the sight of the ,blessed ,virgin who passed through the village accompanied by the holy women and some other friends on her way from the ,valley of ,cedron to the house of ,mary the mother of ,mark1 excited them still more1 and they made the place re-echo with sobs and lamentations1 while they surrounded and almost carried her in their arms4 ,mary was speechless from grief1 and did not open her lips after she reached the house of ,mary the mother of ,mark1 until the arrival of ,john1 who related all he had seen since ,jesus left the supper-room2 and a little later she was taken to the house of ,martha1 which was near that of ,lazarus4 ,peter and ,john1 who had followed ,jesus at a distance1 went in haste to some servants of the ,high ,priest with whom the latter was acquainted1 in order to endeavour by their means to obtain admittance into the tribunal where their ,master was to be tried4 ,these servants acted as messengers1 and had just been ordered to go to the houses of the ancients1 and other members of the ,council1 to summon them to attend the meeting which was convoked4 ,as they were anxious to oblige the ,apostles1 but foresaw much difficulty in obtaining their admittance into the tribunal1 they gave them cloaks similar to those they themselves wore1 and made them assist in carrying messages to the members in order that afterwards they might enter the tribunal of ,caiphas1 and mingle1 without being recognised1 among the soldiers and false witnesses1 as all other persons were to be expelled4 ,as ,nicodemus1 ,joseph of ,arimathea1 and other well-intentioned persons were members of this ,council1 the ,apostles undertook to let them know what was going to be done in the ,council1 thus securing the presence of those friends of ,jesus whom the ,pharisees had purposely omitted to invite4 ,in the mean time ,judas wandered up and down the steep and wild precipices at the south of ,jerusalem1 despair marked on his every feature1 and the devil pursuing him to and fro1 filling his imagination with still darker visions1 and not allowing him a moment's respite4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,means employed by the enemies of ,jesus for carrying out their designs against him4 ,no sooner was ,jesus arrested than ,annas and ,caiphas were informed1 and instantly began to arrange their plans with regard to the course to be pursued4 ,confusion speedily reigned everywhere--the rooms were lighted up in haste1 guards placed at the entrances1 and messengers dispatched to different parts of the town to convoke the members of the ,council1 the scribes1 and all who were to take a part in the trial4 ,many among them had1 however1 assembled at the house of ,caiphas as soon as the treacherous compact with ,judas was completed1 and had remained there to await the course of events4 ,the different classes of ancients were likewise assembled1 and as the ,pharisees1 ,sadducees1 and ,herodians were congregated in ,jerusalem from all parts of the country for the celebration of the festival1 and had long been concerting measures with the ,council for the arrest of our ,lord1 the ,high ,priests now sent for those whom they knew to be the most bitterly opposed to ,jesus1 and desired them to assemble the witnesses1 gather together every possible proof1 and bring all before the ,council4 ,the proud ,sadducees of ,nazareth1 of ,capharnaum1 of ,thirza1 of ,gabara1 of ,jotapata1 and of ,silo1 whom ,jesus had so often reproved before the people1 were actually dying for revenge4 ,they hastened to all the inns to seek out those persons whom they knew to be enemies of our ,lord1 and offered them bribes in order to secure their appearance4 ,but1 with the exception of a few ridiculous calumnies1 which were certain to be disproved a soon as investigated1 nothing tangible could be brought forward against ,jesus1 excepting1 indeed1 those foolish accusations which he had so often refuted in the synagogue4 ,the enemies of ,jesus hastened1 however1 to the tribunal of ,caiphas1 escorted by the scribes and ,pharisees of ,jerusalem1 and accompanied by many of those merchants whom our ,lord drove out of the ,temple when they were holding market there2 as also by the proud doctors whom he had silenced before all the people1 and even by some who could not forgive the humiliation of being convicted of error when he disputed with them in the ,temple at the age of twelve4 ,there was likewise a large body of impenitent sinners whom he had refused to cure1 relapsed sinners whose diseases had returned1 worldly young men whom he would not receive as disciples1 avaricious persons whom he had enraged by causing the money which they had been in hopes of possessing to be distributed in alms4 ,others there were whose friends he had cured1 and who had thus been disappointed in their expectations of inheriting property2 debauchees whose victims he had converted2 and many despicable characters who made their fortunes by flattering and fostering the vices of the great4 ,all these emissaries of ,satan were overflowing with rage against everything holy1 and consequently with an indescribable hatred of the ,holy of ,holies4 ,they were farther incited by the enemies of our ,lord1 and therefore assembled in crowds round the palace of ,caiphas1 to bring forward all their false accusations and to endeavour to cover with infamy that spotless ,lamb1 who took upon himself the sins of the world1 and accepted the burden in order to reconcile man with ,god4 ,whilst all these wicked beings were busily consulting as to what was best to be done1 anguish and anxiety filled the hearts of the friends of ,jesus1 for they were ignorant of the mystery which was about to be accomplished1 and they wandered about1 sighing1 and listening to every different opinion4 ,each word they uttered gave raise to feelings of suspicion on the part of those who they addressed1 and if they were silent1 their silence was set down as wrong4 ,many well-meaning but weak and undecided characters yielded to temptation1 were scandalised1 and lost their fait2 indeed1 the number of those who persevered was very small indeed4 ,things were the same then as they oftentimes are now1 persons were willing to serve ,god if they met with no opposition from their fellowcreatures1 but were ashamed of the ,cross if held in contempt by others4 ,the hearts of some were1 however1 touched by the patience displayed by our ,lord in the midst of his sufferings1 and they walked away silent and sad4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a ,glance at ,jerusalem4 ,the customary prayers and preparations for the celebration of the festival being completed1 the greatest part of the inhabitants of the densely-populated city of ,jerusalem1 as also the strangers congregated there1 were plunged in sleep after the fatigues of the day1 when1 all at once1 the arrest of ,jesus was announced1 and everyone was aroused1 both his friends and foes1 and numbers immediately responded to the summons of the ,high ,priest1 and left their dwellings to assemble at his court4 ,in some parts the light of the moon enabled them to grope their way in safety along the dark and gloomy streets1 but in other parts they were obliged to make use of torches4 ,very few of the houses were built with their windows looking on the street1 and1 generally speaking1 their doors were in inner courts1 which gave the streets a still more gloomy appearance than is usual at this hour4 ,the steps of all were directed towards ,sion1 and an attentive listener might have heard persons stop at the doors of their friends1 and knock1 in order to awaken them--then hurry on1 then again stop to question others1 and1 finally1 set off anew in haste towards ,sion4 ,newsmongers and servants were hurrying forward to ascertain what was going on2 in order that they might return and give the account to those who remained at home2 and the bolting and barricading of doors might be plainly heard1 as many persons were much alarmed and feared an insurrection1 while a thousand different propositions were made and opinions given1 such as the following3--',lazarus and his sisters will soon know who is this man in whom they have placed such firm reliance4 ,johanna ,chusa1 ,susannah1 ,mary the mother of ,mark1 and ,salome will repent1 but too late1 the imprudence of their conduct2 ,seraphia1 the wife of ,sirach1 will be compelled to make an apology to her husband now1 for he has so often reproached her with her partiality for the ,galilean4 ,the partisans of this fanatical man1 this inciter of rebellion1 pretended to be filled with compassion for all who looked upon things in a different light from themselves1 and now they will not know where to hide their heads4 ,he will find no one now to cast garments and strew olive-branches at his feet4 ,those hypocrites who pretended to be so much better than other persons will receive their deserts1 for they are all implicated with the ,galilean4 ,it is a much more serious business than was at first thought4 ,i should like to know how ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea will get out of it2 the ,high ,priests have mistrusted them for some time2 they made common cause with ,lazarus3 but they are extremely cunning4 ,all will now1 however1 be brought to light4' ,speeches such as these were uttered by persons who were exasperated1 not only against the disciples of ,jesus1 but likewise with the holy women who had supplied his temporal wants1 and had publicly and fearlessly expressed their veneration for his doctrines1 and their belief in his ,divine mission4 ,but although many persons spoke of ,jesus and his followers in this contemptuous manner1 yet there were others who held very different opinions1 and of these some were frightened1 and others1 being overcome with sorrow1 sought friends to whom they might unburden their hearts1 and before whom they could1 without fear1 give vent to their feelings2 but the number of those sufficiently daring openly to avow their admiration for ,jesus was but small4 ,nevertheless1 it was in parts only of ,jerusalem that these disturbances took place--in those parts where the messengers had been sent by the ,high ,priests and the ,pharisees1 to convoke the members of the ,council and to call together the witnesses4 ,it appeared to me that ,i saw feelings of hatred and fury burst forth in different parts of the city1 under the form of flames1 which flames traversed the streets1 united with others which they met1 and proceeded in the direction of ,sion1 increasing every moment1 and at last came to a stop beneath the tribunal of ,caiphas1 where they remained1 forming together a perfect whirlwind of fire4 ,the ,roman soldiers took no part in what was going on2 they did not understand the excited feelings of the people1 but their sentinels were doubled1 their cohorts drawn up1 and they kept a strict look out2 this1 indeed1 was customary at the time of the ,paschal solemnity1 on account of the vast number of strangers who were then assembled together4 ,the ,pharisees endeavoured to avoid the neighbourhood of the sentinels1 for fear of being questioned by them1 and of contracting defilement by answering their questions4 ,the ,high ,priests had sent a message to ,pilate intimating their reasons for stationing soldiers round ,ophel and ,sion2 but he mistrusted their intentions1 as much ill-feeling existed between the ,romans and the ,jews4 ,he could not sleep1 but walked about during the greatest part of the night1 hearkening to the different reports and issuing orders consequent on what he heard2 his wife slept1 but her sleep was disturbed by frightful dreams1 and she groaned and wept alternately4 ,in no part of ,jerusalem did the arrest of ,jesus produce more touching demonstrations of grief than among the poor inhabitants of ,ophel1 the greatest part of whom were daylabourers1 and the rest principally employed in menial offices in the service of the ,temple4 ,the news came unexpectedly upon them2 for some time they doubted the truth of the report1 and wavered between hope and fear2 but the sight of their ,master1 their ,benefactor1 their ,consoler1 dragged through the streets1 torn1 bruised1 and ill-treated in every imaginable way1 filled them with horror2 and their grief was still farther increased by beholding his afflicted ,mother wandering about from street to street1 accompanied by the holy women1 and endeavouring to obtain some intelligence concerning her ,divine ,son4 ,these holy women were often obliged to hide in corners and under door-ways for fear of being seen by the enemies of ,jesus2 but even with these precautions they were oftentimes insulted1 and taken for women of bad character--their feelings were frequently harrowed by hearing the malignant words and triumphant expressions of the cruel ,jews1 and seldom1 very seldom1 did a word of kindness or pity strike their ears4 ,they were completely exhausted before reaching their place of refuge1 but they endeavoured to console and support one another1 and wrapped thick veils over their heads4 ,when at last seated1 they heard a sudden knock at the door1 and listened breathlessly--the knock was repeated1 but softly1 therefore they made certain that it was no enemy1 and yet they opened the door cautiously1 fearing a stratagem4 ,it was indeed a friend1 and they issued forth and walked about for a time1 and then again returned to their place of refuge--still more heartbroken than before4 ,the majority of the ,apostles1 overcome with terror1 were wandering about among the valleys which surround ,jerusalem1 and at times took refuge in the caverns beneath ,mount ,olivet4 ,they started if they came in contact with one another1 spoke in trembling tones1 and separated on the least noise being heard4 ,first they concealed themselves in one cave and then in another1 next they endeavoured to return to the town1 while some of their number climbed to the top of ,mount ,olivet and cast anxious glances at the torches1 the light of which they could see glimmering at and about ,sion2 they listened to every distant sound1 made a thousand different conjectures1 and then returned to the valley1 in hopes of getting some certain intelligence4 ,the streets in the vicinity of ,caiphas's tribunal were brightly illuminated with lamps and torches1 but1 as the crowds gathered around it1 the noise and confusion continued to increase4 ,mingling with these discordant sounds might be heard the bellowing of the beasts which were tethered on the outside of the walls of ,jerusalem1 and the plaintive bleating of the lambs4 ,there was something most touching in the bleating of these lambs1 which were to be sacrificed on the following day in the ,temple1--the one ,lamb alone who was about to be offered a willing sacrifice opened not his mouth1 like a sheep in the hands of the butcher1 which resists not1 or the lamb which is silent before the shearer2 and that ,lamb was the ,lamb of ,god--the ,lamb without spot--the true ,paschal ,lamb--,jesus ,christ himself4 ,the sky looked dark1 gloomy1 and threatening--the moon was red1 and covered with livid spots2 it appeared as if dreading to reach its full1 because its ,creator was then to die4 ,next ,i cast a glance outside the town1 and1 near the south gate1 ,i beheld the traitor1 ,judas ,iscariot1 wandering about1 alone1 and a prey to the tortures of his guilty conscience2 he feared even his own shadow1 and was followed by many devils1 who endeavoured to turn his feelings of remorse into black despair4 ,thousands of evil spirits were busying themselves in all parts1 tempting men first to one sin and then to another4 ,it appeared as if the gates of hell were flung open1 and ,satan madly striving and exerting his whole energies to increase the heavy load of iniquities which the ,lamb without spot had taken upon himself4 ,the angels wavered between joy and grief2 they desired ardently to fall prostrate before the throne of ,god1 and to obtain permission to assist ,jesus2 but at the same time they were filled with astonishment1 and could only adore that miracle of ,divine justice and mercy which had existed in ,heaven for all eternity1 and was now about to be accomplished2 for the angels believe1 like us1 in ,god1 the ,father ,almighty1 ,creator of ,heaven and ,earth1 and in ,jesus ,christ1 his only ,son1 our ,lord1 who was conceived by the ,holy ,ghost1 born of the ,virgin ,mary1 who began on this night to suffer under ,pontius ,pilate1 and the next day was to be crucified2 to die1 and be buried2 descend into hell1 rise again on the third day1 ascent into ,heaven1 be seated at the right hand of ,god the ,father ,almighty1 and from thence come to judge the living and the dead2 they likewise believe in the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,holy ,catholic ,church1 the communion of ,saints1 the forgiveness of sins1 the resurrection of the body1 and life everlasting4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,jesus before ,annas4 ,it was towards midnight when ,jesus reached the palace of ,annas1 and his guards immediately conducted him into a very large hall1 where ,annas1 surrounded by twentyeight councillors1 was seated on a species of platform1 raised a little above the level of the floor1 and placed opposite to the entrance4 ,the soldiers who first arrested ,jesus now dragged him roughly to the foot of the tribunal4 ,the room was quite full1 between soldiers1 the servants of ,annas1 a number of the mob who had been admitted1 and the false witnesses who afterwards adjourned to ,caiphas's hall4 ,annas was delighted at the thought of our ,lord being brought before him1 and was looking out for his arrival with the greatest impatience4 ,the expression of his countenance was most repulsive1 as it showed in every lineament not only the infernal joy with which he was filled1 but likewise all the cunning and duplicity of this heart4 ,he was the president of a species of tribunal instituted for the purpose of examining persons accused of teaching false doctrines2 and if convicted there1 they were then taken before the ,high ,priest4 ,jesus stood before ,annas4 ,he looked exhausted and haggard2 his garments were covered with mud1 his hands manacled1 his head bowed down1 and he spoke not a word4 ,annas was a thin ill-humoured-looking old man1 with a scraggy beard4 ,his pride and arrogance were great2 and as he seated himself he smiled ironically1 pretending that he knew nothing at all1 and that he was perfectly astonished at finding that the prisoner1 whom he had just been informed was to be brought before him1 was no other than ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ',is it possible1' said he1 'is it possible that thou art ,jesus of ,nazareth8 ,where are thy disciples1 thy numerous followers8 ,where is thy kingdom8 ,i fear affairs have not turned out as thou didst expect4 ,the authorities1 ,i presume1 discovered that it was quite time to put a stop to thy conduct1 disrespectful as it was towards ,god and his priests1 and to such violations of the ,sabbath4 ,what disciples hast thou now8 ,where are they all gone8 ,thou are silent6 ,speak out1 seducer6 ,speak out1 thou inciter of rebellion6 ,didst thou not eat the ,paschal lamb in an unlawful manner1 at an improper time1 and in an improper place8 ,dost thou not desire to introduce new doctrines8 ,who gave thee the right of preaching8 ,where didst thou study8 ,speak1 what are the tenets of thy religion8' ,jesus then raised his weary head1 looked at ,annas1 and said1 ',i have spoken openly to the world2 ,i have always taught in the synagogue1 and in the ,temple1 whither all the ,jews resort2 and in secret ,i have spoken nothing4 ,why askest thou me8 ,ask them who have heard what ,i have spoken unto them2 behold1 they know what thing ,i have said4' ,at this answer of ,jesus the countenance of ,annas flushed with fury and indignation4 ,a base menial who was standing near perceived this1 and he immediately struck our ,lord on the face with his iron gauntlet1 exclaiming at the same moment1 ',answerest thou the ,high ,priest so8' ,jesus was so nearly prostrated by the violence of the blow1 that when the guards likewise reviled and struck him1 he fell quite down1 and blood trickled from his face on to the floor4 ,laughter1 insults1 and bitter words resounded through the hall4 ,the archers dragged him roughly up again1 and he mildly answered1 ',if ,i have spoken evil1 give testimony of the evil2 but if well1 why strikest thou me8' ,annas became still more enraged when he saw the calm demeanour of ,jesus1 and1 turning to the witnesses1 he desired them to bring forward their accusations4 ,they all began to speak at once3--',he has called himself king2 he says that ,god is his ,father2 that the ,pharisees are an adulterous generation4 ,he causes insurrection among the people2 he cures the sick by the help of the devil on the ,sabbath-day4 ,the inhabitants of ,ophel assembled round him a short time ago1 and addressed him by the titles of ,saviour and ,prophet4 ,he lets himself be called the ,son of ,god2 he says that he is sent by ,god2 he predicts the destruction of ,jerusalem4 ,he does not fast2 he eats with sinners1 with pagans1 and with publicans1 and associates with women of evil repute4 ,a short time ago he said to a man who gave him some water to drink at the gates of ,ophel1 that he would give unto him the water of eternal life1 after drinking which he would thirst no more4 ,he seduces the people by words of double meaning1' etc41 etc4 ,these accusations were all vociferated at once2 some of the witnesses stood before ,jesus and insulted him while they spoke by derisive gestures1 and the archers went so far as even to strike him1 saying at the same time1 ',speak2 why dost thou not answer8' ,annas and his adherents added mockery to insult1 exclaiming at every pause in the accusations1 ',this is thy doctrine1 then1 is it8 ,what canst thou answer to this8 ,issue thy orders1 great ,king2 man sent by ,god1 give proofs of thy mission4' ',who art thou8' continued ,annas1 in a tone of cutting contempt2 'by whom art thou sent8 ,art thou the son of an obscure carpenter1 or art thou ,elias1 who was carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot8 ,he is said to be still living1 and ,i have been told that thou canst make thyself invisible when thou pleasest4 ,perhaps thou art the prophet ,malachy1 whose words thou dost so frequently quote4 ,some say that an angel was his father1 and that he likewise is still alive4 ,an impostor as thou art could not have a finer opportunity of taking persons in than by passing thyself off as this prophet4 ,tell me1 without farther preamble1 to what order of kings thou dost belong8 ,thou art greater than ,solomon1--at least thou pretendest so to be1 and dost even expect to be believed4 ,be easy1 ,i will no longer refuse the title and the sceptre which are so justly thy due4' ,annas then called for the sheet of parchment1 about a yard in length1 and six inches in width2 on this he wrote a series of words in large letters1 and each word expressed some different accusation which had been brought against our ,lord4 ,he then rolled it up1 placed it in a little hollow tube1 fastened it carefully on the top of a reed1 and presented this reed to ,jesus1 saying at the same time1 with a contemptuous sneer1 ',behold the sceptre of thy kingdom2 it contains thy titles1 as also the account of the honours to which thou art entitled1 and thy right to the throne4 ,take them to the ,high ,priest1 in order that he may acknowledge thy regal dignity1 and treat thee according to thy deserts4 ,tie the hands of this king1 and take him before the ,high ,priest4' ,the hands of ,jesus1 which had been loosened1 were then tied across his breast in such a manner as to make him hold the pretended sceptre1 which contained the accusations of ,annas1 and he was led to the ,court of ,caiphas1 amidst the hisses1 shouts1 and blows lavished upon him by the brutal mob4 ,the house of ,annas was not more than three hundred steps from that of ,caiphas2 there were high walls and common-looking houses on each side of the road1 which was lighted up by torches and lanterns placed on poles1 and there were numbers of ,jews standing about talking in an angry excited manner4 ,the soldiers could scarcely make their way through the crowd1 and those who had behaved so shamefully to ,jesus at the ,court of ,annas continued their insults and base usage during the whole of the time sent in walking to the house of ,caiphas4 ,i saw money given to those who behaved the worst to ,jesus by armed men belonging to the tribunal1 and ,i saw them push out of the way all who looked compassionately at him4 ,the former were allowed to enter the ,court of ,caiphas4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,the ,tribunal of ,caiphas4 ,to enter ,caiphas's tribunal persons had to pass through a large court1 which may be called the exterior court2 from thence they entered into an inner court1 which extended all round the building4 ,the building itself was of far greater length than breadth1 and in the front there was a kind of open vestibule surrounded on three sides by columns of no great height4 ,on the fourth side the columns were higher1 and behind them was a room almost as large as the vestibule itself1 where the seat of the members of the ,council were placed on a species of round platform raised above the level of the floor4 ,that assigned to the ,high ,priest was elevated above the others2 the criminal to be tried stood in the centre of the halfcircle formed by the seats4 ,the witnesses and accusers stood either by the side or behind the prisoner4 ,there were three doors at the back of the judges' seats which led into another apartment1 filled likewise with seats4 ,this room was used for secret consultation4 ,entrances placed on the right and left hand sides of this room opened into the interior court1 which was round1 like the back of the building4 ,those who left the room by the door on the righthand side saw on the left-hand side of the court the gate which led to a subterranean prison excavated under the room4 ,there were many underground prisons there1 and it was in one of these that ,peter and ,john were confined a whole night1 when they had cured the lame man in the ,temple after ,pentecost4 ,both the house and the courts were filled with torches and lamps1 which made them as light as day4 ,there was a large fire lighted in the middle of the porch1 on each side of which were hollow pipes to serve as chimneys for the smoke1 and round this fire were standing soldiers1 menial servants1 and witnesses of the lowest class who had received bribes for giving their false testimony4 ,a few women were there likewise1 whose employment was to pour out a species of red beverage for the soldiers1 and to bake cakes1 for which services they received a small compensation4 ,the majority of the judges were already seated around ,caiphas1 the others came in shortly afterwards1 and the porch was almost filled1 between true and false witnesses1 while many other persons likewise endeavoured to come in to gratify their curiosity1 but were prevented4 ,peter and ,john entered the outer court1 in the dress of travellers1 a short time before ,jesus was led through1 and ,john succeeded in penetrating into the inner court1 by means of a servant with whom he was acquainted4 ,the door was instantly closed after him1 therefore ,peter1 who was a little behind1 was shut out4 ,he begged the maid-servant to open the door for him1 but she refused both his entreaties and those of ,john1 and he must have remained on the outside had not ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 who came up at this moment1 taken him with them4 ,the two ,apostles then returned the cloaks which they had borrowed1 and stationed themselves in a place from whence they could see the judges1 and hear everything that was going on4 ,caiphas was seated in the centre of the raised platform1 and seventy of the members of the ,sanhedrin were placed around him1 while the public officers1 the scribes1 and the ancients were standing on either side1 and the false witnesses behind them4 ,soldiers were posted from the base of the platform to the door of the vestibule through which ,jesus was to enter4 ,the countenance of ,caiphas was solemn in the extreme1 but the gravity was accompanied by unmistakable signs of suppressed rage and sinister intentions4 ,he wore a long mantle of a dull red colour1 embroidered in flowers and trimmed with golden fringe2 it was fastened at the shoulders and on the chest1 besides being ornamented in the front with gold clasps4 ,his head-attire was high1 and adorned with hanging ribbons1 the sides were open1 and it rather resembled a bishop's mitre4 ,caiphas had been waiting with his adherents belonging to the ,great ,council for some time1 and so impatient was he that he arose several times1 went into the outer court in his magnificent dress1 and asked angrily whether ,jesus of ,nazareth was come4 ,when he saw the procession drawing near he returned to his seat4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,jesus before ,caiphas4 ,jesus was led across the court1 and the mob received him with groans and hisses4 ,as he passed by ,peter and ,john1 he looked at them1 but without turning his head1 for fear of betraying them4 ,scarcely had he reached the council-chamber1 than ,caiphas exclaimed in a loud tone1 ',thou art come1 then1 at last1 thou enemy of ,god1 thou blasphemer1 who dost disturb the peace of this holy night6' ,the tube which contained the accusations of ,annas1 and was fastened to the pretended sceptre in the hands of ,jesus1 was instantly opened and read4 ,caiphas made use of the most insulting language1 and the archers again struck and abused our ,lord1 vociferating at the same time1 ',answer at once6 ,speak out6 ,art thou dumb8' ,caiphas1 whose temper was indescribably proud and arrogant1 became even more enraged than ,annas had been1 and asked a thousand questions one after the other1 but ,jesus stood before him in silence1 and with his eyes cast down4 ,the archers endeavoured to force him to speak by repeated blows1 and a malicious child pressed his thumb into his lips1 tauntingly bidding him to bite4 ,the witnesses were then called for4 ,the first were persons of the lowest class1 whose accusations were as incoherent and inconsistent as those brought forward at the court of ,annas1 and nothing could be made out of them2 ,caiphas therefore turned to the principal witnesses1 the ,pharisees and the ,sadducees1 who had assembled from all parts of the country4 ,they endeavoured to speak calmly1 but their faces and manner betrayed the virulent envy and hatred with which their hearts were overflowing1 and they repeated over and over again the same accusations1 to which he had already replied so many times3 ',that he cured the sick1 and cast out devils1 by the help of devils--that he profaned the ,sabbath--incited the people to rebel--called the ,pharisees a race of vipers and adulterers--predicted the destruction of ,jerusalem--frequented the society of publicans and sinners--assembled the people and gave himself out as a king1 a prophet1 and the ,son of ,god4' ,they deposed 'that he was constantly speaking of his kingdom1--that he forbade divorce1--called himself the ,bread of ,life1 and said that whoever did not eat his flesh and drink his blood would not have eternal life4' ,thus did they distort and misinterpret the words he had uttered1 the instructions he had given and the parables by which he had illustrated his instructions1 giving them the semblance of crimes4 ,but these witnesses could not agree in their depositions1 for one said1 ',he calls himself king2' and a second instantly contradicted1 saying1 ',no1 he allows persons to call him so2 but directly they attempted to proclaim him1 he fled4' ,another said1 ',he calls himself the ,son of ,god1' but he was interrupted by a fourth1 who exclaimed1 ',no1 he only styles himself the ,son of ,god because he does the will of his ,heavenly ,father4' ,some of the witnesses stated that he had cured them1 but that their diseases had returned1 and that his pretended cures were only performed by magic4 ,they spoke likewise of the cure of the paralytic man at the pool of ,bethsaida1 but they distorted the facts so as to give them the semblance of crimes1 and even in these accusations they could not agree1 contradicting one another4 ,the ,pharisees of ,sephoris1 with whom he had once had a discussion on the subject of divorces1 accused him of teaching false doctrines1 and a young man of ,nazareth1 whom he had refused to allow to become one of his disciples1 was likewise base enough to bear witness against him4 ,it was found to be utterly impossible to prove a single fact1 and the witnesses appeared to come forward for the sole purpose of insulting ,jesus1 rather than to demonstrate the truth of their statements4 ,whilst they were disputing with one another1 ,caiphas and some of the other members of the ,council employed themselves in questioning ,jesus1 and turning his answers into derision4 ',what species of king art thou8 ,give proofs of thy power6 ,call the legions of angels of whom thou didst speak in the ,garden of ,olives6 ,what hast thou done with the money given unto thee by the widows1 and other simpletons whom thou didst seduce by thy false doctrines8 ,answer at once3 speak out1--art thou dumb8 ,thou wouldst have been far wiser to have kept silence when in the midst of the foolish mob3 there thou didst speak far too much4' ,all these questions were accompanied by blows from the under-servants of the members of the tribunal1 and had our ,lord not been supported from above1 he could not have survived this treatment4 ,some of the base witnesses endeavoured to prove that he was an illegitimate son2 but others declared that his mother was a pious ,virgin1 belonging to the ,temple1 and that they afterwards saw her betrothed to a man who feared ,god4 ,the witnesses upbraided ,jesus and his disciples with not having offered sacrifice in the ,temple4 ,it is true that ,i never did see either ,jesus or his disciples offer any sacrifice in the ,temple1 excepting the ,paschal lamb2 but ,joseph and ,anna used frequently during their lifetime to offer sacrifice for the ,child ,jesus4 ,however1 even this accusation was puerile1 for the ,essenians never offered sacrifice1 and no one thought the less well of them for not doing so4 ,the enemies of ,jesus still continued to accuse him of being a sorcerer1 and ,caiphas affirmed several times that the confusion in the statements of the witnesses was caused solely by witchcraft4 ,some said that he had eaten the ,paschal lamb on the previous day1 which was contrary to the law1 and that the year before he had made different alterations in the manner of celebrating this ceremony4 ,but the witnesses contradicted one another to such a degree that ,caiphas and his adherents found1 to their very great annoyance and anger1 that not one accusation could be really proved4 ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea were called up1 and being commanded to say how it happened that they had allowed him to eat the ,pasch on the wrong day in a room which belonged to them1 they proved from ancient documents that from time immemorial the ,galileans had been allowed to eat the ,pasch a day earlier than the rest of the ,jews4 ,they added that every other part of the ceremony had been performed according to the directions given in the law1 and that persons belonging to the ,temple were present at the supper4 ,this quite puzzled the witnesses1 and ,nicodemus increased the rage of the enemies of ,jesus by pointing out the passages in the archives which proved the right of the ,galileans1 and gave the reason for which this privilege was granted4 ,the reason was this3 the sacrifices would not have been finished by the ,sabbath if the immense multitudes who congregated together for that purpose had all been obliged to perform the ceremony on the same day2 and although the ,galileans had not always profited by this right1 yet its existence was incontestably proved by ,nicodemus2 and the anger of the ,pharisees was heightened by his remarking that the members of the ,council had cause to be greatly offended at the gross contradictions in the statements of the witnesses1 and that the extraordinary and hurried manner in which the whole affair had been conducted showed that malice and envy were the sole motives which induced the accusers1 and made them bring the case forward at a moment when all were busied in the preparations for the most solemn feast of the year4 ,they looked at ,nicodemus furiously1 and could not reply1 but continued to question the witnesses in a still more precipitate and imprudent manner4 ,two witnesses at last came forward1 who said1 ',this man said1 ,i will destroy this ,temple made with hands1 and within three days ,i will build another not made with hands2' however1 even these witnesses did not agree in their statements1 for one said that the accused wished to build a new ,temple1 and that he had eaten the ,pasch in an unusual place1 because he desired the destruction of the ancient ,temple2 but the other said1 ',not so3 the edifice where he ate the ,pasch was built by human hands1 therefore he could not have referred to that4' ,the wrath of ,caiphas was indescribable2 for the cruel treatment which ,jesus had suffered1 his ,divine patience1 and the contradiction of the witnesses1 were beginning to make a great impression on many persons present1 a few hisses were heard1 and the hearts of some were so touched that they could not silence the voice of their consciences4 ,ten soldiers left the court under pretext of indisposition1 but in reality overcome by their feelings4 ,as they passed by the place where ,peter and ,john were standing1 they exclaimed1 ',the silence of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 in the midst of such cruel treatment1 is superhuman3 it would melt a heart of iron3 the wonder is1 that the earth does not open and swallow such reprobates as his accusers must be4 ,but tell us1 where must we go8' ,the two ,apostles either mistrusted the soldiers1 and thought they were only seeking to betray them1 or they were fearful of being recognised by those around and denounced as disciples of ,jesus1 for they only made answer in a melancholy tone3 ',if truth calls you1 follow it1 and all will come right of itself4' ,the soldiers instantly went out of the room1 and left ,jerusalem soon after4 ,they met persons on the outskirts of the town1 who directed them to the caverns which lay to the south of ,jerusalem1 on the other side of ,mount ,sion1 where many of the ,apostles had taken refuge4 ,these latter were at first alarmed at seeing strangers enter their hiding-place2 but the soldiers soon dispelled all fear1 and gave them an account of the sufferings of ,jesus4 ,the temper of ,caiphas1 which was already perturbed1 became quite infuriated by the contradictory statements of the two last witnesses1 and rising from his seat he approached ,jesus1 and said3 ',answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee8' ,jesus neither raised his head nor looked at the ,high ,priest1 which increased the anger of the latter to the greatest degree2 and the archers perceiving this seized our ,lord by the hair1 pulled his head back1 and gave him blows under the chin2 but he still kept his eyes cast down4 ,caiphas raised his hands1 and exclaimed in an enraged tone3 ',i adjure thee by the living ,god that thou tell us if thou be ,christ the ,messiah1 the son of the living ,god8' ,a momentary and solemn pause ensued4 ,then ,jesus in a majestic and superhuman voice replied1 ',thou hast said it4 ,nevertheless ,i say to you1 hereafter you shall see the ,son of ,man sitting on the right hand of the power of ,god1 and coming in the clouds of ,heaven4' ,whilst ,jesus was pronouncing these words1 a bright light appeared to me to surround him2 ,heaven was opened above his head2 ,i saw the ,eternal ,father2 but no words from a human pen can describe the intuitive view that was then vouchsafed me of him4 ,i likewise saw the angels1 and the prayers of the just ascending to the throne of ,god4 ,at the same moment ,i perceived the yawning abyss of hell like a fiery meteor at the feet of ,caiphas2 it was filled with horrible devils2 a slight gauze alone appeared to separate him from its dark flames4 ,i could see the demoniacal fury with which his heart was overflowing1 and the whole house looked to me like hell4 ,at the moment that our ,lord pronounced the solemn words1 ',i am the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god1' hell appeared to be shaken from one extremity to the other1 and then1 as it were1 to burst forth and inundate every person in the house of ,caiphas with feelings of redoubled hatred towards our ,lord4 ,these things are always shown to me under the appearance of some material object1 which renders them less difficult of comprehension1 and impresses them in a more clear and forcible manner on the mind1 because we ourselves being material beings1 facts are more easily illustrated in our regard if manifested through the medium of the senses4 ,the despair and fury which these words produced in hell were shown to me under the appearance of a thousand terrific figures in different places4 ,i remember seeing1 among other frightful things1 a number of little black objects1 like dogs with claws1 which walked on their hind legs2 ,i knew at the time what kind of wickedness was indicated by this apparition1 but ,i cannot remember now4 ,i saw these horrible phantoms enter into the bodies of the greatest part of the bystanders1 or else place themselves on their head or shoulders4 ,i likewise at this moment saw frightful spectres come out of the sepulchres on the other side of ,sion2 ,i believe they were evil spirits4 ,i saw in the neighbourhood of the ,temple many other apparitions1 which resembled prisoners loaded with chains3 ,i do not know whether they were demons1 or souls condemned to remain in some particular part of the earth1 and who were then going to ,limbo1 which our ,lord's condemnation to death had opened to them4 ,it is extremely difficult to explain these facts1 for fear of scandalising those who have no knowledge of such things2 but persons who see feel them1 and they often cause the very hair to stand on end on the head4 ,i think that ,john saw some of these apparitions1 for ,i heard him speak about them afterwards4 ,all whose hearts were not radically corrupted felt excessively terrified at these events1 but the hardened were sensible of nothing but an increase of hatred and anger against our ,lord4 ,caiphas then arose1 and1 urged on by ,satan1 took up the end of his mantle1 pierced it with his knife1 and rent it from one end to the other1 exclaiming at the same time1 in a loud voice1 ',he hath blasphemed1 what further need have we of witnesses8 ,behold1 now you have heard the blasphemy3 what think you8' ,all who were then present arose1 and exclaimed with astounding malignancy1 ',he is guilty of death6' ,during the whole of this frightful scene1 the devils were in the most tremendous state of excitement2 they appeared to have complete possession not only of the enemies of ,jesus1 but likewise of their partisans and cowardly followers4 ,the powers of darkness seemed to me to proclaim a triumph over the light1 and the few among the spectators whose hearts still retained a glimmering of light were filled with such consternation that1 covering their heads1 they instantly departed4 ,the witnesses who belonged to the upper classes were less hardened than the others2 their consciences were racked with remorse1 and they followed the example given by the persons mentioned above1 and left the room as quickly as possible1 while the rest crowded round the fire in the vestibule1 and ate and drank after receiving full pay for their services4 ,the ,high ,priest then addressed the archers1 and said1 ',i deliver this king up into your hands2 render the blasphemer the honours which are his due4' ,after these words he retired with the members of his ,council into the round room behind the tribunal1 which could not be seen from the vestibule4 ,in the midst of the bitter affliction which inundated the heart of ,john1 his thoughts were with the ,mother of ,jesus2 he feared that the dreadful news of the condemnation of her ,son might be communicated to her suddenly1 or that perhaps some enemy might give the information in a heartless manner4 ,he therefore looked at ,jesus1 and saying in a low voice1 ',lord1 thou knowest why ,i leave thee1' went away quickly to seek the ,blessed ,virgin1 as if he had been sent by ,jesus himself4 ,peter was quite overcome between anxiety and sorrow1 which1 joined to fatigue1 made him chilly2 therefore1 as the morning was cold1 he went up to the fire where many of the common people were warming themselves4 ,he did his best to hide his grief in their presence1 as he could not make up his mind to go home and leave his beloved ,master4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,the ,insults received by ,jesus in the ,court of ,caiphas4 ,no sooner did ,caiphas1 with the other members of the ,council1 leave the tribunal than a crowd of miscreants--the very scum of the people--surrounded ,jesus like a swarm of infuriated wasps1 and began to heap every imaginable insult upon him4 ,even during the trial1 whilst the witnesses were speaking1 the archers and some others could not restrain their cruel inclinations1 but pulled out handfuls of his hair and beard1 spat upon him1 struck him with their fists1 wounded him with sharp-pointed sticks1 and even ran needles into his body2 but when ,caiphas left the hall they set no bounds to their barbarity4 ,they first placed a crown1 made of straw and the bark of trees1 upon his head1 and then took it off1 saluting him at the same time with insulting expressions1 like the following3 ',behold the ,son of ,david wearing the crown of his father4' ',a greater than ,solomon is here2 this is the king who is preparing a wedding feast for his son4' ,thus did they turn into ridicule those eternal truths which he had taught under the from of parables to those whom he came from heaven to save2 and whilst repeating these scoffing words1 they continued to strike him with their fists and sticks1 and to spit in his face4 ,next they put a crown of reeds upon his head1 took off his robe and scapular1 and then threw an old torn mantle1 which scarcely reached his knees1 over his shoulders2 around his neck they hung a long iron chain1 with an iron ring at each end1 studded with sharp points1 which bruised and tore his knees as he walked4 ,they again pinioned his arms1 put a reed into his hand1 and covered his ,divine countenance with spittle4 ,they had already thrown all sorts of filth over his hair1 as well as over his chest1 and upon the old mantle4 ,they bound his eyes with a dirty rag1 and struck him1 crying out at the same time in loud tones1 ',prophesy unto us1 ,o ,christ1 who is he that struck thee8' ,he answered not one word1 but sighed1 and prayed inwardly for them4 ,after many more insults1 they seized the chain which was hanging on his neck1 dragged him towards the room into which the ,council had withdrawn1 and with their stick forced him in1 vociferating at the same time1 ',march forward1 thou ,king of ,straw6 ,show thyself to the ,council with the insignia of the regal honours we have rendered unto thee4' ,a large body of councillors1 with ,caiphas at their head1 were still in the room1 and they looked with both delight and approbation at the shameful scene which was enacted1 beholding with pleasure the most sacred ceremonies turned into derision4 ,the pitiless guards covered him with mud and spittle1 and with mock gravity exclaimed1 ',receive the prophetic unction--the regal unction4' ,then they impiously parodied the baptismal ceremonies1 and the pious act of ,magdalen in emptying the vase of perfume on his head4 ',how canst thou presume1' they exclaimed1 'to appear before the ,council in such a condition8 ,thou dost purify others1 and thou art not pure thyself2 but we will soon purify thee4' ,they fetched a basin of dirty water1 which they poured over his face and shoulders1 whilst they bent their knees before him1 and exclaimed1 ',behold thy precious unction1 behold the spikenard worth three hundred pence2 thou hast been baptised in the pool of ,bethsaida4' ,they intended by this to throw into ridicule the act of respect and veneration shown by ,magdalen1 when she poured the precious ointment over his head1 at the house of the ,pharisee4 ,by their derisive words concerning his baptism in the pool of ,bethsaida1 they pointed out1 although unintentionally1 the resemblance between ,jesus and the ,paschal lamb1 for the lambs were washed in the first place in the pond near the ,probatica gate1 and then brought to the pool of ,bethsaida1 where they underwent another purification before being taken to the ,temple to be sacrificed4 ,the enemies of ,jesus likewise alluded to the man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years1 and who was cured by ,jesus at the pool of ,bethsaida2 for ,i saw this man either washed or baptised there2 ,i say either washed or baptised1 because ,i do not exactly remember the circumstances4 ,they then dragged ,jesus round the room1 before all the members of the ,council1 who continued to address him in reproachful and abusive language4 ,every countenance looked diabolical and enraged1 and all around was dark1 confused1 and terrified4 ,our ,lord1 on the contrary1 was from the moment that he declared himself to be the ,son of ,god1 generally surrounded with a halo of light4 ,many of the assembly appeared to have a confused knowledge of this fact1 and to be filled with consternation at perceiving that neither outrages or ignominies could alter the majestic expression of his countenance4 ,the halo which shone around ,jesus from the moment he declared himself to be the ,christ1 the ,son of the ,living ,god1 served but to incite his enemies to greater fury1 and yet it was so resplendent that they could not look at it1 and ,i believe their intention in throwing the dirty rag over his head was to deaden its brightness4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,the ,denial of ,st4 ,peter ,at the moment when ,jesus uttered the words1 ',thou hast said it1' and the ,high ,priest rent his garment1 the whole room resounded with tumultuous cries4 ,peter and ,john1 who had suffered intensely during the scene which had just been enacted1 and which they had been obliged to witness in silence1 could bear the sight no longer4 ,peter therefore got up to leave the room1 and ,john followed soon after4 ,the latter went to the ,blessed ,virgin1 who was in the house of ,martha with the holy women1 but ,peter's love for ,jesus was so great1 that he could not make up his mind to leave him2 his heart was bursting1 and he wept bitterly1 although he endeavoured to restrain and hide his tears4 ,it was impossible for him to remain in the tribunal1 as his deep emotion at the sight of his beloved ,master's sufferings would have betrayed him2 therefore he went into the vestibule and approached the fire1 around which soldiers and common people were sitting and talking in the most heartless and disgusting manner concerning the sufferings of ,jesus1 and relating all that they themselves had done to him4 ,peter was silent1 but his silence and dejected demeanour made the bystanders suspect something4 ,the portress came up to the fire in the midst of the conversation1 cast a bold glance at ,peter and said1 ',thou also wast with ,jesus the ,galilean4' ,these words startled and alarmed ,peter2 he trembled as to what might ensue if he owned the truth before his brutal companions1 and therefore answered quickly1 ',woman1 ,i know him not1' got up1 and left the vestibule4 ,at this moment the cock crowed somewhere in the outskirts of the town4 ,i do not remember hearing it1 but ,i felt that is was crowing4 ,as he went out1 another maid-servant looked at him1 and said to those who were with her1 ',this man was also with him1' and the persons she addressed immediately demanded of ,peter whether her words were true1 saying1 ',art thou not one of this man's disciples8' ,peter was even more alarmed than before1 and renewed his denial in these words1 ',i am not2 ,i know not the man4' ,he left the inner court1 and entered the exterior court2 he was weeping1 and so great was his anxiety and grief1 that he did not reflect in the least on the words he had just uttered4 ,the exterior court was quite filled with persons1 and some had climbed on to the top of the wall to listen to what was going on in the inner court which they were forbidden to enter4 ,a few of the disciples were likewise there1 for their anxiety concerning ,jesus was so great that they could not make up their minds to remain concealed in the caves of ,hinnom4 ,they came up to ,peter1 and with many tears questioned him concerning their loved ,master1 but he was so unnerved and so fearful of betraying himself1 that he briefly recommended them to go away1 as it was dangerous to remain1 and left them instantly4 ,he continued to indulge his violent grief1 while they hastened to leave the town4 ,i recognised among these disciples1 who were about sixteen in number1 ,bartholomew1 ,nathaniel1 ,saturninus1 ,judas ,barsabeas1 ,simon1 who was afterwards bishop of ,jerusalem1 ,zacheus1 and ,manahem1 the man who was born blind and cured by our ,lord4 ,peter could not rest anywhere1 and his love for ,jesus prompted him to return to the inner court1 which he was allowed to enter1 because ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus had1 in the first instance1 taken him in4 ,he did not re-enter the vestibule1 but turned to the right and went towards the round room which was behind the tribunal1 and in which ,jesus was undergoing every possible insult and ignominy from his cruel enemies4 ,peter walked timidly up to the door1 and although perfectly conscious that he was suspected by all present of being a partisan of ,jesus1 yet he could not remain outside2 his love for his ,master impelled him forward2 he entered the room1 advanced1 and soon stood in the very midst of the brutal throng who were feasting their cruel eyes on the sufferings of ,jesus4 ,they were at that moment dragging him ignominiously backwards and forwards with the crown of straw upon his head2 he cast a sorrowful and even severe glance upon ,peter1 which cut him to the heart1 but as he was still much alarmed1 and at that moment heard some of the bystanders call out1 ',who is that man8' he went back again into the court1 and seeing that the persons in the vestibule were watching him1 came up to the fire and remained before it for some time4 ,several persons who had observed his anxious troubled countenance began to speak in opprobrious terms of ,jesus1 and one of them said to him1 ',thou also art one of his disciples2 thou also art a ,galilean2 thy very speech betrays thee4' ,peter got up1 intending to leave the room1 when a brother of ,malchus came up to him and said1 ',did ,i not see thee in the garden with him8 ,didst thou not cut off my brother's ear8' ,peter became almost beside himself with terror2 he began to curse and to swear 'that he knew not the man1' and ran out of the vestibule into the outer court2 the cock then crowed again1 and ,jesus1 who at that moment was led across the court1 cast a look of mingled compassion and grief upon his ,apostle4 ,this look of our ,lord pierced ,peter to the very heart1--it recalled to his mind in the most forcible and terrible manner the words addressed to him by our ,lord on the previous evening3 ',before the cock crows twice1 thou shalt thrice deny me4' ,he had forgotten all his promises and protestations to our ,lord1 that he would die rather than deny him--he had forgotten the warning given to him by our ,lord2--but when ,jesus looked at him1 he felt the enormity of his fault1 and his heart was nigh bursting with grief4 ,he had denied his ,lord1 when that beloved ,master was outraged1 insulted1 delivered up into the hands of unjust judges1--when he was suffering all in patience and in silence4 ,his feelings of remorse were beyond expression2 he returned to the exterior court1 covered his face and wept bitterly2 all fear of being recognised was over2--he was ready to proclaim to the whole universe both his fault and his repentance4 ,what man will dare assert that he would have shown more courage than ,peter if1 with his quick and ardent temperament1 he were exposed to such danger1 trouble1 and sorrow1 at a moment1 too1 when completely unnerved between fear and grief1 and exhausted by the sufferings of this sad night8 ,our ,lord left ,peter to his own strength1 and he was weak2 like all who forget the words3 ',watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation4' ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,mary in the ,house of ,caiphas4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was ever united to her ,divine ,son by interior spiritual communications2 she was1 therefore1 fully aware of all that happened to him--she suffered with him1 and joined in his continual prayer for his murderers4 ,but her maternal feelings prompted her to supplicate ,almighty ,god most ardently not to suffer the crime to be completed1 and to save her ,son from such dreadful torments4 ,she eagerly desired to return to him2 and when ,john1 who had left the tribunal at the moment the frightful cry1 ',he is guilty of death1' was raised1 came to the house of ,lazarus to see after her1 and to relate the particulars of the dreadful scene he had just witnessed1 she1 as also ,magdalen and some of the other holy women1 begged to be taken to the place where ,jesus was suffering4 ,john1 who had only left our ,saviour in order to console her whom he loved best next to his ,divine ,master1 instantly acceded to their request1 and conducted them through the streets1 which were lighted up by the moon alone1 and crowded with persons hastening to their home4 ,the holy women were closely veiled2 but the sobs which they could not restrain made many who passed by observe them1 and their feelings were harrowed by the abusive epithets they overheard bestowed upon ,jesus by those who were conversing on the subject of his arrest4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin1 who ever beheld in spirit the opprobrious treatment which her dear ,son was receiving1 continued 'to lay up all these things in her heart2' like him she suffered in silence2 but more than once she became totally unconscious4 ,some disciples of ,jesus1 who were returning from the hall of ,caiphas1 saw her fainting in the arms of the holy women1 and1 touched with pity1 stopped to look at her compassionately1 and saluted her in these words3 ',hail6 ,unhappy ,mother--hail1 ,mother of the ,most ,holy ,one of ,israel1 the most afflicted of all mothers6' ,mary raised her head1 thanked them gratefully1 and continued her sad journey4 ,when in the vicinity of ,caiphas's house1 their grief was renewed by the sight of a group of men who were busily occupied under a tent1 making the cross ready for our ,lord's crucifixion4 ,the enemies of ,jesus had given orders that the cross should be prepared directly after his arrest1 that they might without delay execute the sentence which they hoped to persuade ,pilate to pass on him4 ,the ,romans had already prepared the crosses of the two thieves1 and the workmen who were making that of ,jesus were much annoyed at being obliged to labour at it during the night2 they did not attempt to conceal their anger at this1 and uttered the most frightful oaths and curses1 which pierced the heart of the tender ,mother of ,jesus through and through2 but she prayed for these blind creatures who thus unknowingly blasphemed the ,saviour who was about to die for their salvation1 and prepared the cross for his cruel execution4 ,mary1 ,john1 and the holy women traversed the outer court attached to ,caiphas's house4 ,they stopped under the archway of a door which opened into the inner court4 ,mary's heart was with her ,divine ,son1 and she desired most ardently to see this door opened1 that she might again have a chance of beholding him1 for she knew that it alone separated her from the prison where he was confined4 ,the door was at length opened1 and ,peter rushed out1 his face covered with his mantle1 wringing his hands1 and weeping bitterly4 ,by the light of the torches he soon recognised ,john and the ,blessed ,virgin1 but the sight of them only renewed those dreadful feelings of remorse which the look of ,jesus had awakened in his breast4 ,mary approached him instantly1 and said1 ',simon1 tell me1 ,i entreat you1 what is become of ,jesus1 my ,son8' ,these words pierced his very heart2 he could not even look at her1 but turned away1 and again wrung his hands4 ,mary drew close to him1 and said in a voice trembling with emotion3 ',simon1 son of ,john1 why dost thou not answer me8'--,mother6' exclaimed ,peter1 in a dejected tone1 ',o1 ,mother1 speak not to me--thy ,son is suffering more than words can express3 speak not to me6 ,they have condemned him to death1 and ,i have denied him three times4' ,john came up to ask a few more questions1 but ,peter ran out of the court as if beside himself1 and did not stop for a single moment until he reached the cave at ,mount ,olivet--that cave on the stones of which the impression of the hands of our ,saviour had been miraculously left4 ,i believe it is the cave in which ,adam took refuge to weep after his fall4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was inexpressibly grieved at hearing of the fresh pang inflicted on the loving heart of her ,divine ,son1 the pang of hearing himself denied by that disciple who had first acknowledged him as the ,son of the ,living ,god2 she was unable to support herself1 and fell down on the door-stone1 upon which the impression of her feet and hands remains to the present day4 ,i have seen the stones1 which are preserved somewhere1 but ,i cannot at this moment remember where4 ,the door was not again shut1 for the crowd was dispersing1 and when the ,blessed ,virgin came to herself1 she begged to be taken to some place as near as possible to her ,divine ,son4 ,john1 therefore1 led her and the holy women to the front of the prison where ,jesus was confined4 ,mary was with ,jesus in spirit1 and ,jesus was with her2 but this loving ,mother wished to hear with her own ear the voice of her ,divine ,son4 ,she listened and heard not only his moans1 but also the abusive language of those around him4 ,it was impossible for the holy women to remain in the court any longer without attracting attention4 ,the grief of ,magdalen was so violent that she was unable to conceal it2 and although the ,blessed ,virgin1 by a special grace from ,almighty ,god1 maintained a calm and dignified exterior in the midst of her sufferings1 yet even she was recognised1 and overheard harsh words1 such as these3 ',is not that the ,mother of the ,galilean8 ,her ,son will most certainly be executed1 but not before the festival1 unless1 indeed1 he is the greatest of criminals4' ,the ,blessed ,virgin left the court1 and went up to the fireplace in the vestibule1 where a certain number of persons were still standing4 ,when she reached the spot where ,jesus had said that he was the ,son of ,god1 and the wicked ,jews cried out1 ',he is guilty of death1' she again fainted1 and ,john and the holy women carried her away1 in appearance more like a corpse than a living person4 ,the bystanders said not a word2 they seemed struck with astonishment1 and silence1 such as might have been produced in hell by the passage of a celestial being1 reigned in that vestibule4 ,the holy women again passed the place where the cross was being prepared2 the workmen appeared to find as much difficulty in completing it as the judges had found in pronouncing sentence1 and were obliged to fetch fresh wood every moment1 for some bits would not fit1 and others split2 this continued until the different species of wood were placed in the cross according to the intentions of ,divine ,providence4 ,i saw angels who obliged these men to recommence their work1 and who would not let them rest1 until all was accomplished in a proper manner2 but my remembrance of this vision is indistinct4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,jesus confined in the subterranean ,prison4 ,the ,jews1 having quite exhausted their barbarity1 shut ,jesus up in a little vaulted prison1 the remains of which subsist to this day4 ,two of the archers alone remained with him1 and they were soon replaced by two others4 ,he was still clothed in the old dirty mantle1 and covered with the spittle and other filth which they had thrown over him2 for they had not allowed him to put on his own clothes again1 but kept his hands tightly bound together4 ,when our ,lord entered this prison1 he prayed most fervently that his ,heavenly ,father would accept all that he had already suffered1 and all that he was about to suffer1 as an expiatory sacrifice1 not only for his executioners1 but likewise for all who in future ages might have to suffer torments such as he was about to endure1 and be tempted to impatience or anger4 ,the enemies of our ,lord did not allow him a moment's respite1 even in this dreary prison1 but tied him to a pillar which stood in the centre1 and would not allow him to lean upon it1 although he was so exhausted from ill treatment1 the weight of his chains1 and his numerous falls1 that he could scarcely support himself on his swollen and torn feet4 ,never for a moment did they cease insulting him2 and when the first set were tired out1 others replaced them4 ,it is quite impossible to describe all that the ,holy of ,holies suffered from these heartless beings2 for the sight affected me so excessively that ,i became really ill1 and ,i felt as if ,i could not survive it4 ,we ought1 indeed1 to be ashamed of that weakness and susceptibility which renders us unable to listen composedly to the descriptions1 or speak without repugnance1 of those sufferings which our ,lord endured so calmly and patiently for our salvation4 ,the horror we feel is as great as that of a murderer who is forced to place his hands upon the wound he himself has inflicted on his victim4 ,jesus endured all without opening his mouth2 and it was man1 sinful man1 who perpetrated all these outrages against one who was at once their ,brother1 their ,redeemer1 and their ,god4 ,i1 too1 am a great sinner1 and my sins cause these sufferings4 ,at the day of judgment1 when the most hidden things will be manifested1 we shall see the share we have had in the torments endured by the ,son of ,god2 we shall see how far we have caused them by the sins we so frequently commit1 and which are1 in fact1 a species of consent which we give to1 and a participation in1 the tortures which were inflicted on ,jesus by his cruel enemies4 ,if1 alas6 we reflected seriously on this1 we should repeat with much greater fervour the words which we find so often in prayer books3 ',lord1 grant that ,i may die1 rather than ever wilfully offend thee again by sin4' ,jesus continued to pray for his enemies1 and they being at last tired out left him in peace for a short time1 when he leaned against the pillar to rest1 and a bright light shone around him4 ,the day was beginning to dawn1--the day of his ,passion1 of our ,redemption1--and a faint ray penetrating the narrow vent-hole of the prison1 fell upon the holy and immaculate ,lamb1 who had taken upon himself the sins of the world4 ,jesus turned towards the ray of light1 raised his fettered hands1 and1 in the most touching manner1 returned thanks to his ,heavenly ,father for the dawn of that day1 which had been so long desired by the prophets1 and for which he himself had so ardently sighed from the moment of his birth on earth1 and concerning which he had said to his disciples1 ',i have a baptism wherewith ,i am to be baptised1 and how am ,i straitened until it be accomplished6' ,i prayed with him2 but ,i cannot give the words of his prayer1 for ,i was so completely overcome1 and touched to hear him return thanks to his ,father for the terrible sufferings which he had already endured for me1 and for the still greater which he was about to endure4 ,i could only repeat over and over with the greatest fervour1 ',lord1 ,i beseech thee1 give me these sufferings3 they belong to me3 ,i have deserved them in punishment for my sins4' ,i was quite overwhelmed with feelings of love and compassion when ,i looked upon him thus welcoming the first dawn of the great day of his ,sacrifice1 and that ray of light which penetrated into his prison might1 indeed1 be compared to the visit of a judge who wishes to be reconciled to a criminal before the sentence of death which he has pronounced upon him is executed4 ,the archers1 who were dozing1 woke up for a moment1 and looked at him with surprise3 they said nothing1 but appeared to be somewhat astonished and frightened4 ,our ,divine ,lord was confined in this prison an hour1 or thereabouts4 ,whilst ,jesus was in this dungeon1 ,judas1 who had been wandering up and down the valley of ,hinnom like a madman1 directed his step towards the house of ,caiphas1 with the thirty pieces of silver1 the reward of his treachery1 still hanging to his waist4 ,all was silent around1 and he addressed himself to some of the sentinels1 without letting them know who he was1 and asked what was going to be done to the ,galilean4 ',he has been condemned to death1 and he will certainly be crucified1' was the reply4 ,judas walked to and fro1 and listened to the different conversations which were held concerning ,jesus4 ,some spoke of the cruel treatment he had received1 other of his astonishing patience1 while others1 again discoursed concerning the solemn trial which was to take place in the morning before the great ,council4 ,whilst the traitor was listening eagerly to the different opinions given1 day dawned2 the members of the tribunal commenced their preparations1 and ,judas slunk behind the building that he might not be seen1 for like ,cain he sought to hide himself from human eyes1 and despair was beginning to take possession of his soul4 ,the place in which he took refuge happened to be the very spot where the workmen had been preparing the wood for making the cross of our ,lord2 all was in readiness1 and the men were asleep by its side4 ,judas was filled with horror at the sight3 he shuddered and fled when he beheld the instrument of that cruel death to which for a paltry sum of money he had delivered up his ,lord and ,master2 he ran to and fro in perfect agonies of remorse1 and finally hid himself in an adjoining cave1 where he determined to await the trial which was to take place in the morning4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,the ,morning ,trial4 ,caiphas1 ,annas1 the ancients1 and the scribes assembled in the morning in the great hall of the tribunal1 to have a legal trial1 as meetings at night were not lawful1 and could only be looked upon in the light of preparatory audiences4 ,the majority of the members had slept in the house of ,caiphas1 where beds had been prepared for them1 but some1 and among them ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 had gone home1 and returned at the dawn of day4 ,the meeting was crowded1 and the members commenced their operations in the most hurried manner possible4 ,they wished to condemn ,jesus to death at once1 but ,nicodemus1 ,joseph1 and some others opposed their wishes and demanded that the decision should be deferred until after the festival1 for fear of causing an insurrection among the people1 maintaining likewise that no criminal could be justly condemned upon charges which were not proved1 and that in the case now before them all the witnesses contradicted one another4 ,the ,high ,priests and their adherents became very angry1 and told ,joseph and ,nicodemus1 in plain terms1 that they were not surprised at their expressing displeasure at what had been done1 because they were themselves partisans of the ,galilean and his doctrines1 and were fearful of being convicted4 ,the ,high ,priest even went so far as to endeavour to exclude from the ,council all those members who were in the lightest degree favourable to ,jesus4 ,these members protested that they washed their hands of all the future proceedings of the ,council1 and leaving the room went to the ,temple1 and from this day never again took their seats in the ,council4 ,caiphas then ordered the guards to bring ,jesus once more into his presence1 and to prepare everything for taking him to ,pilate's court directly he should have pronounced sentence4 ,the emissaries of the ,council hurried off to the prison1 and with their usual brutality untied the hands of ,jesus1 dragged off the old mantle which they had thrown over his shoulders1 made him put on his own soiled garment1 and having fastened ropes round his waist1 dragged him out of the prison4 ,the appearance of ,jesus1 when he passed through the midst of the crowd who were already assembled in the front of the house1 was that of a victim led to be sacrificed2 his countenance was totally changed and disfigured from ill-usage1 and his garments stained and torn2 but the sight of his sufferings1 far from exciting a feeling of compassion in the hard hearted ,jews1 simply filled them with disgust1 and increased their rage4 ,pity was1 indeed1 a feeling unknown in their cruel breasts4 ,caiphas1 who did not make the slightest effort to conceal his hatred1 addressed our ,lord haughtily in these words3 ',if thou be ,christ 1 tell us plainly4' ,then ,jesus raised his head1 and answered with great dignity and calmness1 ',if ,i shall tell you1 you will not believe me2 and if ,i shall also ask you1 you will not answer me1 or let me go4 ,but hereafter the ,son of ,man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of ,god4' ,the ,high ,priests looked at one another1 and said to ,jesus1 with a disdainful laugh1 ',art thou1 then1 the ,son of ,god8' ,and ,jesus answered1 with the voice of eternal truth1 ',you say that ,i am4' ,at these words they all exclaimed1 ',what need we any further testimony8 ,for we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth4' ,they all arose instantly and vied with each other as to who should heap the most abusive epithets upon ,jesus1 whom they termed a low-born miscreant1 who aspired to being their ,messiah1 and pretended to be entitled to sit at the right hand of ,god4 ,they ordered the archers to tie his hands again1 and to fasten a chain round his neck 7this was usually done to criminals condemned to death71 and they then prepared to conduct him to ,pilate's hall1 where a messenger had already been dispatched to beg him to have all in readiness for trying a criminal1 as it was necessary to make no delay on account of the festival day4 ,the ,jewish ,priests murmured among themselves at being obliged to apply to the ,roman governor for the confirmation of their sentence1 but it was necessary1 as they had not the right of condemning criminals excepting for things which concerned religion and the ,temple alone1 and they could not pass a sentence of death4 ,they wished to prove that ,jesus was an enemy to the emperor1 and this accusation concerned those departments which were under ,pilate's jurisdiction4 ,the soldiers were all standing in front of the house1 surrounded by a large body of the enemies of ,jesus1 and of common persons attracted by curiosity4 ,the ,high ,priests and a part of the ,council walked at the head of the procession1 and ,jesus1 led by archers1 and guarded by soldiers1 followed1 while the mob brought up the rear4 ,they were obliged to descend ,mount ,sion1 and cross a part of the lower town to reach ,pilate's palace1 and many priests who had attended the ,council went to the ,temple directly afterwards1 as it was necessary to prepare for the festival4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the ,despair of ,judas ,whilst the ,jews were conducting ,jesus to ,pilate1 the traitor ,judas walked about listening to the conversation of the crowd who followed1 and his ears were struck by words such as these3 ',they are taking him before ,pilate2 the ,high ,priests have condemned the ,galilean to death2 he will be crucified2 they will accomplish his death2 he has been already dreadfully illtreated2 his patience is wonderful1 he answers not2 his only words are that he is the ,messiah1 and that he will be seated at the right hand of ,god2 they will crucify him on account of those words2 had he not said them they could not have condemned him to death4 ,the miscreant who sold him was one of his disciples2 and had a short time before eaten the ,paschal lamb with him2 not for worlds would ,i have had to do with such an act2 however guilty the ,galilean may be1 he has not at all events sold his friend for money2 such an infamous character as this disciple is infinitely more deserving of death4' ,then1 but too late1 anguish1 despair1 and remorse took possession of the mind of ,judas4 ,satan instantly prompted him to fly4 ,he fled as if a thousand furies were at his heel1 and the bag which was hanging at his side struck him as he ran1 and propelled him as a spur from hell2 but he took it into his hand to prevent its blows4 ,he fled as fast as possible1 but where did he fly8 ,not towards the crowd1 that he might cast himself at the feet of ,jesus1 his merciful ,saviour1 implore his pardon1 and beg do die with him1--not to confess his fault with true repentance before ,god1 but to endeavour to unburden himself before the world of his crime1 and of the price of his treachery4 ,he ran like one beside himself into the ,temple1 where several members of the ,council had gathered together after the judgment of ,jesus4 ,they looked at one another with astonishment2 and then turned their haughty countenances1 on which a smile of irony was visible1 upon ,judas4 ,he with a frantic gesture tore the thirty pieces of silver from his side1 and holding them forth with his right hand1 exclaimed in accents of the most deep despair1 ',take back your silver--that silver with which you bribed me to betray this just man2 take back your silver2 release ,jesus2 our compact is at an end2 ,i have sinned grievously1 for ,i have betrayed innocent blood4' ,the priests answered him in the most contemptuous manner1 and1 as if fearful of contaminating themselves by the contact of the reward of the traitor1 would not touch the silver he tended1 but replied1 ',what have we to do with thy sin8 ,if thou thinkest to have sold innocent blood1 it is thine own affair2 we know what we have paid for1 and we have judged him worthy of death4 ,thou hast thy money1 say no more4' ,they addressed these words to him in the abrupt tone in which men usually speak when anxious to get rid of a troublesome person1 and instantly arose and walked away4 ,these words filled ,judas with such rage and despair that he became almost frantic3 his hair stood on end on his head2 he rent in two the bag which contained the thirty pieces of silver1 cast them down in the ,temple1 and fled to the outskirts of the town4 ,i again beheld him rushing to and fro like a madman in the valley of ,hinnom3 ,satan was by his side in a hideous form1 whispering in his ear1 to endeavour to drive him to despair1 all the curses which the prophets had hurled upon this valley1 where the ,jews formerly sacrificed their children to idols4 ,it appeared as if all these maledictions were directed against him1 as in these words1 for instance3 ',they shall go forth1 and behold the carcases of those who have sinned against me1 whose worm dieth not1 and whore fires shall never be extinguished4' ,then the devil murmured in his ears1 ',cain1 where is thy brother ,abel8 ,what hast thou done8--his blood cries to me for vengeance3 thou art cursed upon earth1 a wanderer for ever4' ,when he reached the torrent of ,cedron1 and saw ,mount ,olivet1 he shuddered1 turned away1 and again the words vibrated in his ear1 ',friend1 whereto art thou come8 ,judas1 dost thou betray the ,son of ,man with a kiss8' ,horror filled his soul1 his head began to wander1 and the arch fiend again whispered1 ',it was here that ,david crossed the ,cedron when he fled from ,absalom4 ,absalom put an end to his life by hanging himself4 ,it was of thee that ,david spoke when he said3 ,and they repaid me evil for good2 hatred for my love4 ,may the devil stand at his right hand2 when he is judged1 may he go out condemned4 ,may his days be few1 and his bishopric let another take4 ,may the iniquity of his father be remembered in the sight of the ,lord1 and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out1 because he remembered not to show mercy1 but persecuted the poor man and the beggar and the broken in heart1 to put him to death4 ,and he loved cursing1 and it shall come unto him4 ,and he put on cursing like a garment1 and it went in like water into his entrails1 and like oil into his bones4 ,may it be unto him like a garment which covereth him2 and like a girdle1 with which he is girded continually4 ,overcome by these terrible thoughts ,judas rushed on1 and reached the foot of the mountain4 ,it was a dreary1 desolate spot filled with rubbish and putrid remains2 discordant sounds from the city reverberated in his ears1 and ,satan continually repeated1 ',they are now about to put him to death2 thou has sold him4 ,knowest thou not the words of the law1 ,he who sells a soul among his brethren1 and receives the price of it1 let him die the death8 ,put an end to thy misery1 wretched one2 put an end to thy misery4' ,overcome by despair ,judas tore off his girdle1 and hung himself on a tree which grew in a crevice of the rock1 and after death his body burst asunder1 and his bowels were scattered around4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,jesus is taken before ,pilate4 ,the malicious enemies of our ,saviour led him through the most public part of the town to take him before ,pilate4 ,the procession wended its way slowly down the north side of the mountain of ,sion1 then passed through that section on the eastern side of the ,temple1 called ,acre1 towards the palace and tribunal of ,pilate1 which were seated on the north-west side of the ,temple1 facing a large square4 ,caiphas1 ,annas1 and many others of the ,chief ,council1 walked first in festival attire2 they were followed by a multitude of scribes and many other ,jews1 among whom were the false witnesses1 and the wicked ,pharisees who had taken the most prominent part in accusing ,jesus4 ,our ,lord followed at a short distance2 he was surrounded by a band of soldiers1 and led by the archers4 ,the multitude thronged on all sides and followed the procession1 thundering forth the most fearful oaths and imprecations1 while groups of persons were hurrying to and fro1 pushing and jostling one another4 ,jesus was stripped of all save his under garment1 which was stained and soiled by the filth which had been flung upon it2 a long chain was hanging round his neck1 which struck his knees as he walked2 his hands were pinioned as on the previous day1 and the archers dragged him by the ropes which were fastened round his waist4 ,he tottered rather than walked1 and was almost unrecognisable from the effects of his sufferings during the night2--he was colourless1 haggard1 his face swollen and even bleeding1 and his merciless persecutors continued to torment him each moment more and more4 ,they had gathered together a large body of the dregs of the people1 in order to make his present disgraceful entrance into the city a parody on his triumphal entrance on ,palm ,sunday4 ,they mocked1 and with derisive gestures called him king1 and tossed in his path stones1 bits of wood2 and filthy rags2 they made game of1 and by a thousand taunting speeches mocked him1 during this pretended triumphal entry4 ,in the corner of a building1 not far from the house of ,caiphas1 the afflicted ,mother of ,jesus1 with ,john and ,magdalen1 stood watching for him4 ,her soul was ever united to his2 but propelled by her love1 she left no means untried which could enable her really to approach him4 ,she remained at the ,cenacle for some time after her midnight visit to the tribunal of ,caiphas1 powerless and speechless from grief2 but when ,jesus was dragged forth from his prison1 to be again brought before his judges1 she arose1 cast her veil and cloak about her1 and said to ,magdalen and ,john3 ',let us follow my ,son to ,pilate's court2 ,i must again look upon him4' ,they went to a place through which the procession must pass1 and waited for it4 ,the ,mother of ,jesus knew that her ,son was suffering dreadfully1 but never could she have conceived the deplorable1 the heartrending condition to which he was reduced by the brutality of his enemies4 ,her imagination had depicted him to her as suffering fearfully1 but yet supported and illuminated by sanctity1 love1 and patience4 ,now1 however1 the sad reality burst upon her4 ,first in the procession appeared the priests1 those most bitter enemies of her ,divine ,son4 ,they were decked in flowing robes2 but at1 terrible to say1 instead of appearing resplendent in their character of priests of the ,most ,high1 they were transformed into priests of ,satan1 for no one could look upon their wicked countenances without beholding there1 portrayed in vivid colours1 the evil passions with which their souls were filled--deceit1 infernal cunning1 and a raging anxiety to carry out that most tremendous of crimes1 the death of their ,lord and ,saviour1 the only ,son of ,god4 ,next followed the false witnesses1 his perfidious accusers1 surrounded by the vociferating populace2 and last of all--himself--her ,son--,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 the ,son of ,man1 loaded with chains1 scarcely able to support himself1 but pitilessly dragged on by his infernal enemies1 receiving blows from some1 buffets from others1 and from the whole assembled rabble curses1 abuse1 and the most scurrilous language4 ,he would have been perfectly unrecognisable even to her maternal eyes1 stripped as he was of all save a torn remnant of his garment1 had she not instantly marked the contrast between his behaviour and that of his vile tormentors4 ,he alone in the midst of persecution and suffering looked calm and resigned1 and far from returning blow for blow1 never raised his hands but in acts of supplication to his ,eternal ,father for the pardon of his enemies4 ,as he approached1 she was unable to restrain herself any longer1 but exclaimed in thrilling accents3 ',alas6 is that my ,son8 ,ah1 yes6 ,i see that it is my beloved ,son4 ,o1 ,jesus1 my ,jesus6' ,when the procession was almost opposite1 ,jesus looked upon her with an expression of the greatest love and compassion2 this look was too much for the heartbroken mother3 she became for the moment totally unconscious1 and ,john and ,magdalen endeavoured to carry her home1 but she quickly roused herself1 and accompanied the beloved disciple to ,pilate's house4 ,the inhabitants of the town of ,ophel were all gathered together in an open space to meet ,jesus1 but far from administering comfort1 they added a fresh ingredient to his cup of sorrow2 they inflicted upon him that sharp pang which must ever be felt by those who see their friends abandon them in the hour of adversity4 ,jesus had done much for the inhabitants of ,ophel1 but no sooner did they see him reduced to such a state of misery and degradation1 than their faith was shaken2 they could no longer believe him to be a king1 a prophet1 the ,messiah1 and the ,son of ,god4 ,the ,pharisees jeered and made game of them1 on account of the admiration they had formerly expressed for ,jesus4 ',look at your king now1' they exclaimed2 'do homage to him2 have you no congratulations to offer him now that he is about to be crowned 1 and seated on his throne8 ,all his boasted miracles are at an end2 the ,high ,priest has put an end to his tricks and witchcraft4' ,notwithstanding the remembrance which these poor people had of the miracles and wonderful cures which had been performed under their very eyes by ,jesus2 notwithstanding the great benefits he had bestowed upon them1 their faith was shaken by beholding him thus derided and pointed out as an object of contempt by the ,high ,priest and the members of the ,sanhedrin1 who were regarded in ,jerusalem with the greatest veneration4 ,some went away doubting1 while others remained and endeavoured to join the rabble1 but they were prevented by the guards1 who had been sent by the ,pharisees1 to prevent riots and confusion4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,description of ,pilate's ,palace and the adjacent ,buildings4 ,the palace of the ,roman governor1 ,pilate1 was built on the north-west side of the mountain on which the ,temple stood1 and to reach it persons were obliged to ascend a flight of marble steps4 ,it overlooked a large square surrounded by a colonnade1 under which the merchants sat to sell their various commodities4 ,a parapet1 and an entrance at the north1 south1 east1 and west sides alone broke the uniformity of this part of the market-place1 which was called the forum1 and built on higher ground than the adjacent streets1 which sloped down from it4 ,the palace of ,pilate was not quite close1 but separated by a large court1 the entrance to which at the eastern side was through a high arch facing a street leading to the door called the ',probatica1' on the road to the ,mount of ,olives4 ,the southern entrance was through another arch1 which leads to ,sion1 in the neighbourhood of the fortress of ,acre4 ,from the top of the marble steps of ,pilate's palace1 a person could see across the court as far as the forum1 at the entrance of which a few columns and stone seats were placed4 ,it was at these seats that the ,jewish priests stopped1 in order not to defile themselves by entering the tribunal of ,pilate1 a line traced on the pavement of the court indicating the precise boundary beyond which they could not pass without incurring defilement4 ,there was a large parapet near the western entrance1 supported by the sides of ,pilate's ,praetorium1 which formed a species of porch between it and the square4 ,that part of ,pilate's palace which he made use of when acting in the capacity of judge1 was called the ,praetorium4 ,a number of columns surrounded the parapet of which we have just spoken1 and in the centre was an uncovered portion1 containing an underground part1 where the two thieves condemned to be crucified with our ,lord were confined1 and this part was filled with ,roman soldiers4 ,the pillar upon which our ,lord was scourged was placed on the forum itself1 not far from this parapet and the colonnade4 ,there were many other columns in this place2 those nearest to the palace were made use of for the infliction of various corporal punishments1 and the others served as posts to which were fastened the beasts brought for sale4 ,upon the forum itself1 opposite this building1 was a platform filled with seats made of stone2 and from this platform1 which was called ,gabbatha1 ,pilate was accustomed to pronounce sentence on great criminals4 ,the marble staircase ascended by persons going to the governor's palace led likewise to an uncovered terrace1 and it was from this terrace that ,pilate gave audience to the priests and ,pharisees1 when they brought forward their accusations against ,jesus4 ,they all stood before him in the forum1 and refused to advance further than the stone seats before mentioned4 ,a person speaking in a loud tone of voice from the terrace could be easily heard by those in the forum4 ,behind ,pilate's palace there were many other terraces1 and likewise gardens1 and a country house4 ,the gardens were between the palace of the governor and the dwelling of his wife1 ,claudia ,procles4 ,a large moat separated these buildings from the mountain on which the ,temple stood1 and on this side might be seen the houses inhabited by those who served in the ,temple4 ,the palace of ,herod the elder was placed on the eastern side of ,pilate's palace2 and it was in its inner court that numbers of the ,innocents were massacred4 ,at present the appearance of these two buildings is a little altered1 as their entrances are changed4 ,four of the principal streets commenced at this part of the town1 and ran in a southerly direction1 three leading to the forum and ,pilate's palace1 and the fourth to the gate through which persons passed on their way to ,bethsur4 ,the beautiful house which belonged to ,lazarus1 and likewise that of ,martha1 were in a prominent part of this street4 ,one of these streets was very near to the ,temple1 and began at the gate which was called ,probatica4 ,the pool of ,probatica was close to this gate on the right hand side1 and in this pool the sheep were washed for the first time1 before being taken to the ,temple2 while the second and more solemn washing took place in the pool of ,bethsaida1 which is near the south entrance to the ,temple4 ,the second of the above-mentioned streets contained a house belonging to ,st4 ,anna1 the mother of the ,blessed ,virgin1 which she usually inhabited when she came up to ,jerusalem with her family to offer sacrifice in the ,temple4 ,i believe it was in this house that the espousals of ,st4 ,joseph and the ,blessed ,virgin were celebrated4 ,the forum1 as ,i have already explained1 was built on higher ground than the neighbouring streets1 and the aqueducts which ran through these streets flowed into the ,probatica pool4 ,on ,mount ,sion1 directly opposite to the old castle of ,king ,david1 stood a building very similar to the forum1 while to the south-east might be seen the ,cenacle1 and a little towards the north the tribunals of ,annas and ,caiphas4 ,king ,david's castle was a deserted fortress1 filled with courts1 empty rooms1 and stables1 generally let to travellers4 ,it had long been in this state of ruin1 certainly before the time of our ,lord's nativity4 ,i saw the ,magi with their numerous retinue enter it before going into ,jerusalem4 ,when in meditation ,i behold the ruins of old castles and temples1 see their neglected and forlorn state1 and reflect on the uses to which they are now put1 so different from the intentions of those who raised them1 my mind always reverts to the events of our own days1 when so many of the beautiful edifices erected by our pious and zealous ancestors are either destroyed1 defaced1 or used for worldly1 if not wicked purposes4 ,the little church of our convent1 in which our ,lord deigned to dwell1 notwithstanding our unworthiness1 and which was to me a paradise upon earth1 is now without either roof or windows1 and all the monuments are effaced or carried away4 ,our beloved convent1 too1 what will be done with it in a short time8 ,that convent1 where ,i was more happy in my little cell with my broken chair1 than a king could be on his throne1 for from its window ,i beheld that part of the church which contained the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,in a few years1 perhaps1 no one will know that it ever existed1--no one will know that it once contained hundreds of souls consecrated to ,god1 who spent their days in imploring his mercy upon sinners4 ,but ,god will know all1 he never forgets1--the past and the future are equally present to him4 ,he it is who reveals to me events which took place so long ago1 and on the day of judgment1 when all must be accounted for1 and every debt paid1 even to the farthing1 he will remember both the good and the evil deeds performed in places long since forgotten4 ,with ,god there is no exception of persons or places1 his eyes see all1 even the ,vineyard of ,naboth4 ,it is a tradition among us that our convent was originally founded by two poor nuns1 whose worldly possessions consisted in a jar of oil and a sack of beans4 ,on the last day ,god will reward them for the manner in which they put out this small talent to interest1 and for the large harvest which they reaped and presented to him4 ,it is often said that poor souls remain in purgatory in punishment for what appears to us so small a crime as not having made restitution of a few coppers of which they had unlawful possession4 ,may ,god therefore have mercy upon those who have seized the property of the poor1 or of the ,church4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,jesus before ,pilate4 ,it was about eight in the morning1 according to our method of counting time1 when the procession reached the palace of ,pilate4 ,annas1 ,caiphas1 and the chiefs of the ,sanhedrin stopped at a part between the forum and the entrance to the ,praetorium1 where some stone seats were placed for them4 ,the brutal guards dragged ,jesus to the foot of the flight of stairs which led to the judgment-seat of ,pilate4 ,pilate was reposing in a comfortable chair1 on a terrace which overlooked the forum1 and a small three-legged table stood by his side1 on which was placed the insignia of his office1 and a few other things4 ,he was surrounded by officers and soldiers dressed with the magnificence usual in the ,roman army4 ,the ,jews and the priests did not enter the ,praetorium1 for fear of defiling themselves1 but remained outside4 ,when ,pilate saw the tumultuous procession enter1 and perceived how shamefully the cruel ,jews had treated their prisoner1 he arose1 and addressed them in a tone as contemptuous as could have been assumed by a victorious general towards the vanquished chief of some insignificant village3 ',what are you come about so early8 ,why have you illtreated this prisoner so shamefully8 ,is it not possible to refrain from thus tearing to pieces and beginning to execute your criminals even before they are judged8' ,they made no answer1 but shouted out to the guards1 ',bring him on--bring him to be judged6' and then1 turning to ,pilate1 they said1 ',listen to our accusations against this malefactor2 for we cannot enter the tribunal lest we defile ourselves4' ,scarcely had they finished these words2 when a voice was heard to issue from the midst of the dense multitude2 it proceeded from a venerable-looking old man1 of imposing stature1 who exclaimed1 ',you are right in not entering the ,praetorium1 for it has been sanctified by the blood of ,innocents2 there is but one ,person who has a right to enter1 and who alone can enter1 because he alone is pure as the ,innocents who were massacred there4' ,the person who uttered these words in a loud voice1 and then disappeared among the crowd1 was a rich man of the name of ,zadoc1 first-cousin to ,obed1 the husband of ,veronica2 two of his children were among the ,innocents whom ,herod had caused to be butchered at the birth of our ,saviour4 ,since that dreadful moment he had given up the world1 and1 together with his wife1 followed the rules of the ,essenians4 ,he had once seen our ,saviour at the house of ,lazarus1 and there heard him discourse1 and the sight of the barbarous manner in which he was dragged before ,pilate recalled to his mind all he himself had suffered when his babes were so cruelly murdered before his eyes1 and he determined to give this public testimony of his belief in the innocence of ,jesus4 ,the persecutors of our ,lord were far too provoked at the haughty manner which ,pilate assumed towards them1 and at the humble position they were obliged to occupy1 to take any notice of the words of a stranger4 ,the brutal guards dragged our ,lord up the marble staircase1 and led him to the end of the terrace1 from whence ,pilate was conferring with the ,jewish priests4 ,the ,roman governor had often heard of ,jesus1 although he had never seen him1 and now he was perfectly astonished at the calm dignity of department of a man brought before him in so pitiable a condition4 ,the inhuman behaviour of the priests and ancients both exasperated him and increased his contempt for them1 and he informed them pretty quickly that the had not the slightest intention of condemning ,jesus without satisfactory proofs of the truth of their accusation4 ',what accusation do you bring against this man8' said he1 addressing the priests in the most scornful tone possible4 ',if he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him up to thee1' replied the priests sullenly4 ',take him1' said ,pilate1 'and judge you him according to your law4' ',thou knowest well1' replied they1 'that it is not lawful for us to condemn any man to death4' ,the enemies of ,jesus were furious--they wished to have the trial finished off1 and their victim executed as quickly as possible1 that they might be ready at the festival-day to sacrifice the ,paschal lamb1 not knowing1 miserable wretches as they were1 that he whom they had dragged before the tribunal of an idolatrous judge 7into whose house they would not enter1 for fear of defiling themselves before partaking of the figurative victim71 that he1 and he alone1 was the true ,paschal ,lamb1 of which the other was only the shadow4 ,pilate1 however1 at last ordered them to produce their accusations4 ,these accusations were three in number1 and they brought forward ten witnesses to attest the truth of each4 ,their great aim was to make ,pilate believe that ,jesus was the leader of a conspiracy against the emperor1 in order that he might condemn him to death as a rebel4 ,they themselves were powerless in such matters1 being allowed to judge none but religious offences4 ,their first endeavour was to convict him of seducing the people1 exciting them to rebellion1 and of being an enemy to public peace and tranquillity4 ,to prove these charges they brought forward some false witnesses1 and declared likewise that he violated the ,sabbath1 and even profaned it by curing the sick upon that day4 ,at this accusation ,pilate interrupted them1 and said in a jeering tone1 ',it is very evident you were none of you ill yourselves--had you been so you would not have complained of being cured on the ,sabbath-day4' ',he seduces the people1 and inculcates the most disgusting doctrines4 ,he even says1 that no person can attain eternal life unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood4' ,pilate was quite provoked at the intense hatred which their words and countenances expressed and1 turning from them with a look of scorn1 exclaimed1 ',you most certainly must wish to follow his doctrines and to attain eternal life1 for you are thirsting for both his body and blood4' ,the ,jews then brought forward the second accusation against ,jesus1 which was that he forbad the people to pay tribute to the emperor4 ,these words roused the indignation of ,pilate1 as it was his place to see that all the taxes were properly paid1 and he exclaimed in an angry tone1 ',that is a lie6 ,i must know more about it than you4' ,this obliged the enemies of our ,lord to proceed to the third accusation1 which they did in words such as these3 ',although this man is of obscure birth1 he is the chief of a large party4 ,when at their head1 he denounces curses upon ,jerusalem1 and relates parables of double meaning concerning a king who is preparing a wedding feast for his son4 ,the multitude whom he had gathered together on a mountain endeavoured once to make him their king2 but it was sooner than he intended3 his plans were not matured2 therefore he fled and hid himself4 ,latterly he has come forward much more3 it was but the other day that he entered ,jerusalem at the head of a tumultuous assembly1 who by his orders made the people rend the air with acclamations of ,hosanna to the ,son of ,david6 ,blessed be the empire of our ,father ,david1 which is now beginning4 ,he obliges his partisans to pay him regal honours1 and tells them that he is the ,christ1 the ,anointed of the ,lord1 the ,messiah1 the king promised to the ,jews1 and he wishes to be addressed by these fine titles4' ,then witnesses gave testimony concerning these things4 ,the last accusation--that of ,jesus causing himself to be called king--made some impression upon ,pilate2 he became a little thoughtful1 left the terrace and1 casting a scrutinising glance on ,jesus1 went into the adjoining apartment1 and ordered the guards to bring him alone into his presence4 ,pilate was not only superstitious1 but likewise extremely weak-minded and susceptible4 ,he had often1 during the course of his pagan education1 heard mention made of sons of his gods who had dwelt for a time upon earth2 he was likewise fully aware that the ,jewish prophets had long foretold that one should appear in the midst of them who should be the ,anointed of the ,lord1 their ,saviour1 and ,deliverer from slavery2 and that many among the people believed this firmly4 ,he remembered likewise that kings from the east had come to ,herod1 the predecessor of the present monarch of that name1 to pay homage to a newly-born king of the ,jews1 and that ,herod had on this account given orders for the massacre of the ,innocents4 ,he had often heard of the traditions concerning the ,messiah and the king of the ,jews1 and even examined them with some curiosity2 although of course1 being a pagan1 without the slightest belief4 ,had he believed at all1 he would probably have agreed with the ,herodians1 and with those ,jews who expected a powerful and victorious king4 ,with such impressions1 the idea of the ,jews accusing the poor miserable individual whom they had brought into his presence of setting himself up as the promised king and ,messiah1 of course appeared to him absurd2 but as the enemies of ,jesus brought forward these charges in proof of treason against the emperor1 he thought it proper to interrogate him privately concerning them4 ',art thou the king of the ,jews1' said ,pilate1 looking at our ,lord1 and unable to repress his astonishment at the divine expression of his countenance4 ,jesus made answer1 ',sayest thou this thing of thyself1 or have others told it thee of me8' ,pilate was offended that ,jesus should think it possible for him to believe such a thing1 and answered1 ',am ,i a ,jew8 ,thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me as deserving of death3 what hast thou done8' ,jesus answered majestically1 ',my kingdom is not of this world4 ,if my kingdom were of this world1 my servants would certainly strive that ,i should not be delivered to the ,jews2 but now my kingdom is not from hence4' ,pilate was somewhat moved by these solemn words1 and said to him in a more serious tone1 ',art thou a king1 then8' ,jesus answered1 ',thou sayest that ,i am a king4 ,for this was ,i born1 and for this ,i came into the world1 that ,i should give testimony to the truth4 ,everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice4' ,pilate looked at him1 and rising from his seat said1 ',the truth6 ,what is truth8' ,they then exchanged a few more words1 which ,i do not now remember1 and ,pilate returned to the terrace4 ,the answers and deportment of ,jesus were far beyond his comprehension2 but he saw plainly that his assumption of royalty would not clash with that of the emperor1 for that it was to no worldly kingdom that he laid claim2 whereas the emperor cared for nothing beyond this world4 ,he therefore again addressed the chief priests from the terrace1 and said1 ',i find no cause in him4' ,the enemies of ,jesus became furious1 and uttered a thousand different accusations against our ,saviour4 ,but he remained silent1 solely occupied in praying for his base enemies1 and replied not when ,pilate addressed him in these words1 ',answerest thou nothing8 ,behold in how many things they accuse thee6' ,pilate was filled with astonishment1 and said1 ',i see plainly that all they allege is false4' ,but his accusers1 whose anger continued to increase1 cried out1 ',you find no cause in him8 ,is it no crime to incite the people to revolt in all parts of the kingdom8--to spread his false doctrines1 not only here1 but in ,galilee likewise8' ,the mention of ,galilee made ,pilate pause3 he reflected for a moment1 and then asked1 ',is this man a ,galilean1 and a subject of ,herod's8' ,they made answer1 ',he is2 his parents lived at ,nazareth1 and his present dwelling is in ,capharnaum4' ',since that is the case1' replied ,pilate1 'take him before ,herod2 he is here for the festival1 and can judge him at once1 as he is his subject4' ,jesus was immediately led out of the tribunal1 and ,pilate dispatched an officer to ,herod1 to inform him that ,jesus of ,nazareth1 who was his subject1 was about to be brought to him to be judged4 ,pilate had two reasons for following this line of conduct2 in the first place he was delighted to escape having to pass sentence himself1 as he felt very uncomfortable about the whole affair2 and in the second place he was glad of an opportunity of pleasing ,herod1 with whom he had had a disagreement1 for he knew him to be very curious to see ,jesus4 ,the enemies of our ,lord were enraged at being thus dismissed by ,pilate in the presence of the whole multitude1 and gave vent to their anger by ill-treating him even more than before4 ,they pinioned him afresh1 and then ceased not overwhelming him with curses and blows as they led him hurriedly through the crowd1 towards the palace of ,herod1 which was situated at no great distance from the forum4 ,some ,roman soldiers had joined the procession4 ,during the time of the trial ,claudia ,procles1 the wife of ,pilate1 had sent him frequent messages to intimate that she wished extremely to speak to him2 and when ,jesus was sent to ,herod1 she placed herself on a balcony and watched the cruel conduct of his enemies with mingled feelings of fear1 grief1 and horror4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,the ,origin of the ,way of the ,cross4 ,during the whole of the scene which we have just described1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 with ,magdalen and ,john1 had stood in a recess in the forum3 they were overwhelmed with the most bitter sorrow1 which was but increased by all they heard and saw4 ,when ,jesus was taken before ,herod1 ,john led the ,blessed ,virgin and ,magdalen over the parts which had been sanctified by his footsteps4 ,they again looked at the house of ,caiphas1 that of ,annas1 ,ophel1 ,gethsemani1 and the ,garden of ,olives2 they stopped and contemplated each spot where he had fallen1 or where he had suffered particularly2 and they wept silently at the thought of all he had undergone4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin knelt down frequently and kissed the ground where her ,son had fallen1 while ,magdalen wrung her hands in bitter grief1 and ,john1 although he could not restrain his own tears1 endeavoured to console his companions1 supported and led them on4 ,thus was the holy devotion of the ',way of the ,cross' first practised2 thus were the ,mysteries of the ,passion of ,jesus first honoured1 even before that ,passion was accomplished1 and the ,blessed ,virgin1 that model of spotless purity1 was the first to show forth the deep veneration felt by the ,church for our dear ,lord4 ,how sweet and consoling to follow this ,immaculate ,mother1 passing to and fro1 and bedewing the sacred spots with her tears4 ,but1 ah6 ,who can describe the sharp1 sharp sword of grief which then transfixed her tender soul8 ,she who had once borne the ,saviour of the world in her chaste womb1 and suckled him for so long1--she who had truly conceived him who was the ,word of ,god1 in ,god from all eternity1 and truly ,god1--she beneath whose heart1 full of grace1 he had deigned to dwell nine months1 who had felt him living within her before he appeared among men to impart the blessing of salvation and teach them his heavenly doctrines2 she suffered with ,jesus1 sharing with him not only the sufferings of his bitter ,passion1 but likewise that ardent desire of redeeming fallen man by an ignominious death1 which consumed him4 ,in this touching manner did the most pure and holy ,virgin lay the foundation of the devotion called the ,way of the ,cross2 thus at each station1 marked by the sufferings of her ,son1 did she lay up in her heart the inexhaustible merits of his ,passion1 and gather them up as precious stones or sweet-scented flowers to be presented as a choice offering to the ,eternal ,father in behalf of all true believers4 ,the grief of ,magdalen was so intense as to make her almost like an insane person4 ,the holy and boundless love she felt for our ,lord prompted her to cast herself at his feet1 and there pour forth the feelings of her heart 7as she once poured the precious ointment on his head as he sat at table72 but when on the point of following this impulse1 a dark gulf appeared to intervene between herself and him4 ,the repentance she felt for her faults was immense1 and not less intense was her gratitude for their pardon2 but when she longed to offer acts of love and thanksgiving as precious incense at the feet of ,jesus1 she beheld him betrayed1 suffering1 and about to die for the expiation of her offences which he had taken upon himself1 and this sight filled her with horror1 and almost rent her soul asunder with feelings of love1 repentance1 and gratitude4 ,the sight of the ingratitude of those for whom he was about to die increased the bitterness of these feelings tenfold1 and every step1 word1 or movement demonstrated the agony of her soul4 ,the heart of ,john was filled with love1 and he suffered intensely1 but he uttered not a word4 ,he supported the ,mother of his beloved ,master in this her first pilgrimage through the stations of the ,way of the ,cross1 and assisted her in giving the example of that devotion which has since been practised with so much fervour by the members of the ,christian ,church4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,pilate and his ,wife4 ,whilst the ,jews were leading ,jesus to ,herod1 ,i saw ,pilate go to his wife1 ,claudia ,procles4 ,she hastened to meet him1 and they went together into a small garden-house which was on one of the terraces behind the palace4 ,claudia appeared to be much excited1 and under the influence of fear4 ,she was a tall1 fine-looking woman1 although extremely pale4 ,her hair was plaited and slightly ornamented1 but partly covered by a long veil which fell gracefully over her shoulders4 ,she wore earrings1 a necklace1 and her flowing dress was drawn together and held up by a species of clasp4 ,she conversed with ,pilate for a long time1 and entreated him by all that he held sacred not to injure ,jesus1 that ,prophet1 that saint of saints2 and she related the extraordinary dreams or visions which she had had on the previous night concerning him4 ,whilst she was speaking ,i saw the greatest part of these visions3 the following were the most striking4 ,in the first place1 the principal events in the life of our ,lord--the annunciation1 the nativity1 the adoration of the shepherds and that of the kings1 the prophecy of ,simeon and that of ,anna1 the flight into ,egypt1 the massacre of the ,innocents1 and our ,lord's temptation in the wilderness4 ,she had likewise been shown in her sleep the most striking features of the public life of ,jesus4 ,he always appeared to her environed with a resplendent light1 but his malicious and cruel enemies were under the most horrible and disgusting forms imaginable4 ,she saw his intense sufferings1 his patience1 and his inexhaustible love1 likewise the anguish of his ,mother1 and her perfect resignation4 ,these visions filled the wife of ,pilate with the greatest anxiety and terror1 particularly as they were accompanied by symbols which made her comprehend their meaning1 and her tender feelings were harrowed by the sight of such dreadful scenes4 ,she had suffered from them during the whole of the night2 they were sometimes obscure1 but more often clear and distinct2 and when morning dawned and she was roused by the noise of the tumultuous mob who were dragging ,jesus to be judged1 she glanced at the procession and instantly saw that the unresisting victim in the midst of the crows1 bound1 suffering1 and so inhumanely treated as to be scarcely recognisable1 was no other than that bright and glorious being who had been so often brought before her eyes in the visions of the past night4 ,she was greatly affected by this sight1 and immediately sent for ,pilate1 and gave him an account of all that had happened to her4 ,she spoke with much vehemence and emotion2 and although there was a great deal in what she had seen which she could not understand1 much less express1 yet she entreated and implored her husband in the most touching terms to grant her request4 ,pilate was both astonished and troubled by the words of his wife4 ,he compared the narration with all he had previously heard concerning ,jesus2 and reflected on the hatred of the ,jews1 the majestic silence of our ,saviour1 and the mysterious answers he had given to all his questions4 ,he hesitated for some time1 but was at last overcome by the entreaties of his wife1 and told her that he had already declared his conviction of the innocence of ,jesus1 and that he would not condemn him1 because he saw that the accusations were mere fabrications of his enemies4 ,he spoke of the words of ,jesus to himself1 promised his wife that nothing should induce him to condemn this just man1 and even gave her a ring before they parted as a pledge of his promise4 ,the character of ,pilate was debauched and undecided1 but his worst qualities were an extreme pride and meanness which made him never hesitate in the performance of an unjust action1 provided it answered his ends4 ,he was excessively superstitious1 and when in any difficulty had recourse to charms and spells4 ,he was much puzzled and alarmed about the trial of ,jesus2 and ,i saw him running backwards and forwards1 offering incense first to one god and then to another1 and imploring them to assist him2 but ,satan filled his imagination with still greater confusion2 he first instilled one false idea and then another into his mind4 ,he then had recourse to one of his favourite superstitious practices1 that of watching the sacred chickens eat1 but in vain1--his mind remained enveloped in darkness1 and he became more and more undecided4 ,he first thought that he would acquit our ,saviour1 whom he well knew to be innocent1 but then he feared incurring the wrath of his false gods if he spared him1 as he fancied he might be a species of demigod1 and obnoxious to them4 ',it is possible1' said he inwardly1 'that this man may really be that king of the ,jews concerning whose coming there are so many prophecies4 ,it was a king of the ,jews whom the ,magi came from the ,east to adore4 ,perhaps he is a secret enemy both of our gods and of the emperor2 it might be most imprudent in me to spare his life4 ,who knows whether his death would not be a triumph to my gods8' ,then he remembered the wonderful dreams described to him by his wife1 who had never seen ,jesus1 and he again changed1 and decided that it would be safer not to condemn him4 ,he tried to persuade himself that he wished to pass a just sentence2 but he deceived himself1 for when he asked himself1 ',what is the truth8' he did not wait for the answer4 ,his mind was filled with confusion1 and he was quite at a loss how to act1 as his sole desire was to entail no risk upon himself4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,jesus before ,herod4 ,the palace of the ,tetrarch ,herod was built on the north side of the forum1 in the new town2 not very far from that of ,pilate4 ,an escort of ,roman soldiers1 mostly from that part of the country which is situated between ,switzerland and ,italy1 had joined the procession4 ,the enemies of ,jesus were perfectly furious at the trouble they were compelled to take in going backwards and forwards1 and therefore vented their rage upon him4 ,pilate's messenger had preceded the procession1 consequently ,herod was expecting them4 ,he was seated on a pile of cushions1 heaped together so as to form a species of throne1 in a spacious hall1 and surrounded by courtiers and warriors4 ,the ,chief ,priests entered and placed themselves by his side1 leaving ,jesus at the entrance4 ,herod was much elated and pleased at ,pilate's having thus publicly acknowledged his right of judging the ,galileans1 and likewise rejoiced at seeing that ,jesus who had never deigned to appear before him reduced to such a state of humiliation and degradation4 ,his curiosity had been greatly excited by the high terms in which ,john the ,baptist had announced the coming of ,jesus1 and he had likewise heard much about him from the ,herodians1 and through the many spies whom he had sent into different parts3 he was therefore delighted at this opportunity of interrogating him in the presence of the courtiers and of the ,jewish priests1 hoping to make a grand display of this own knowledge and talents4 ,pilate having sent him word1 'that he could find no cause in the man1' he concluded that these words were intended as a hint that he 7,pilate7 wished the accusers to be treated with contempt and mistrust4 ,he1 therefore1 addressed them in the most haughty distant manner possible1 and thereby increased their rage and anger indescribably4 ,they all began at once to vociferate their accusations1 to which ,herod hardly listened1 being intent solely on gratifying his curiosity by a close examination of ,jesus1 whom he had so often wished to see4 ,but when he beheld him stripped of all clothing save the remnant of a mantel1 scarcely able to stand1 and his countenance totally disfigured from the blows he had received1 and from the mud and missiles which the rabble had flung at his head1 the luxurious and effeminate prince turned away in disgust1 uttered the name of ,god1 and said to the priests in a tone of mingled pity and contempt1 ',take him hence1 and bring him not back into my presence in such a deplorable state4' ,the guards took ,jesus into the outer court1 and procured some water in a basin1 with which they cleansed his soiled garments and disfigured countenance2 but they could not restrain their brutality even while doing this1 and paid no regard to the wounds with which he was covered4 ,herod meantime accosted the priests in much the same strain as ,pilate had done4 ',your behaviour vastly resembles that of butchers1' he said1 'and you commence your immolations pretty early in the morning4' ,the ,chief ,priests produced their accusations at once4 ,herod1 when ,jesus was again brought into his presence1 pretended to feel some compassion1 and offered him a glass of wine to recruit his strength2 but ,jesus turned his head away and refused this alleviation4 ,herod then began to expatiate with great volubility on all he had heard concerning our ,lord4 ,he asked a thousand questions1 and exhorted him to work a miracle in his presence2 but ,jesus answered not a word1 and stood before him with his eyes cast down1 which conduct both irritated and disconcerted ,herod1 although he endeavoured to conceal his anger1 and continued his interrogations4 ,he at first expressed surprise1 and made use of persuasive words4 ',is it possible1 ,jesus of ,nazareth1' he exclaimed1 'that it is thou thyself that appearest before me as a criminal8 ,i have heard thy actions so much spoken of4 ,thou art not perhaps aware that thou didst offend me grievously by setting free the prisoners whom ,i had confined at ,thirza1 but possibly thy intentions were good4 ,the ,roman governor has now sent thee to me to be judged2 what answer canst thou give to all these accusations8 ,thou art silent8 ,i have heard much concerning thy wisdom1 and the religion thou teachest1 let me hear thee answer and confound thy enemies4 ,art thou the king of the ,jews8 ,art thou the ,son of ,god8 ,who art thou8 ,thou art said to have performed wonderful miracles2 work one now in my presence4 ,i have the power to release thee4 ,is it true that thou hast restored sight to the blind1 raised up ,lazarus from the dead1 and fed two or three thousand persons with a few loaves8 ,why dost thou not answer8 ,i recommend thee to work a miracle quickly before me2 perhaps thou mayest rejoice afterwards at having complied with my wishes4' ,jesus still kept silence1 and ,herod continued to question him with even more volubility4 ',who art thou8' said he4 ',from whence hast thou thy power8 ,how is it that thou dost no longer possess it8 ,art thou he whose birth was foretold in such a wonderful manner8 ,kings from the ,east came to my father to see a newly-born king of the ,jews3 is it true that thou wast that child8 ,didst thou escape when so many children were massacred1 and how was thy escape managed8 ,why hast thou been for so many years unknown8 ,answer my questions6 ,art thou a king8 ,thy appearance certainly is not regal4 ,i have been told that thou wast conducted to the ,temple in triumph a short time ago4 ,what was the meaning of such an exhibition8--speak out at once6--,answer me6' ,herod continued to question ,jesus in this rapid manner2 but our ,lord did not vouchsafe a reply4 ,i was shown 7as indeed ,i already knew7 that ,jesus was thus silent because ,herod was in a state of excommunication1 both on account of his adulterous marriage with ,herodias1 and of his having given orders for the execution of ,st4 ,john the ,baptist4 ,annas and ,caiphas1 seeing how indignant ,herod was at the silence of ,jesus1 immediately endeavoured to take advantage of his feelings of wrath1 and recommenced their accusations1 saying that he had called ,herod himself a fox2 that his great aim for many years had been the overthrow of ,herod's family2 that he was endeavouring to establish a new religion1 and had celebrated the ,pasch on the previous day4 ,although ,herod was extremely enraged at the conduct of ,jesus1 he did not lose sight of the political ends which he wished to forward4 ,he was determined not to condemn our ,lord1 both because he experienced a secret and indefinable sensation of terror in his presence1 and because he still felt remorse at the thought of having put ,john the ,baptist to death1 besides which he detested the ,high ,priests for not having allowed him to take part in the sacrifices on account of his adulterous connection with ,herodias4 ,but his principal reason for determining not to condemn ,jesus was1 that he wished to make some return to ,pilate for his courtesy1 and he thought the best return would be the compliment of showing deference to his decision and agreeing with him in opinion4 ,but he spoke in the most contemptuous manner to ,jesus1 and turning to the guards and servants who surrounded him1 and who were about two hundred in number1 said3 ',take away this fool1 and pay him that homage which is his due2 he is mad1 rather than guilty of any crime4' ,our ,lord was immediately taken into a large court1 where every possible insult and indignity was heaped upon him4 ,this court was between the two wings of the palace1 and ,herod stood a spectator on a platform for some time4 ,annas and ,caiphas were by his side1 endeavouring to persuade him to condemn our ,saviour4 ,but their efforts were fruitless1 and ,herod answered in a tone loud enough to be heard by the ,roman soldiers3 ',no1 ,i should act quite wrongly if ,i condemned him4' ,his meaning was1 that it would be wrong to condemn as guilty one whom ,pilate had pronounced innocent1 although he had been so courteous as to defer the final judgment to him4 ,when the ,high ,priests and the other enemies of ,jesus perceived that ,herod was determined no to give in to their wishes1 they dispatched emissaries to that division of the city called ,acre1 which was chiefly inhabited by ,pharisees1 to let them know that they must assemble in the neighbourhood of ,pilate's palace1 gather together the rabble1 and bribe them to make a tumult1 and demand the condemnation of our ,lord4 ,they likewise sent forth secret agents to alarm the people by threats of the divine vengeance if they did not insist on the execution of ,jesus1 whom they termed a sacrilegious blasphemer4 ,these agents were ordered likewise to alarm them by intimating that if ,jesus were not put to death1 he would go over to the ,romans1 assist in the extermination of the ,jewish nation1 for that it was to this he referred when he spoke of his future kingdom4 ,they endeavoured to spread a report in other parts of the city1 that ,herod had condemned him1 but still that it was necessary for the people likewise to express their wishes1 as his partisans were to be feared2 for that if he were released he would join the ,romans1 make a disturbance on the festival day1 and take the most inhuman revenge4 ,some among them circulated contradictory and alarming reports1 in order to excite the people and cause an insurrection2 while others distributed money among the soldiers to bribe them to ill-treat ,jesus1 so as to cause his death1 which they were most anxious should be brought about as quickly as possible1 lest ,pilate should acquit him4 ,whilst the ,pharisees were busying themselves in this manner1 our ,blessed ,saviour was suffering the greatest outrages from the brutal soldiers to whom ,herod had delivered him1 that they might deride him as a fool4 ,they dragged him into the court1 and one of their number having procured a large white sack which had once been filled with cotton1 they made a hole in its centre with a sword1 and then tossed it over the head of ,jesus1 accompanying each action with bursts of the most contemptuous laughter4 ,another soldier brought the remnant of an old scarlet cloak1 and passed it round his neck1 while the rest bent their knee before him--shoved him--abused him--spat upon him--struck him on the check1 because he had refused to answer their king1 mocked him by pretending to pay homage--threw mud upon him--seized him by the waist1 pretending to make him dance2 then1 having thrown him down1 dragged him through a gutter which ran on the side of the court1 thus causing his sacred head to strike against the columns and sides of the wall1 and when at last they raised him up1 it was only in order to recommence their insults4 ,the soldiers and servants of ,herod who were assembled in this court amounted to upwards of two hundred1 and all thought to pay court to their monarch by torturing ,jesus in some unheard-of way4 ,many were bribed by the enemies of our ,lord to strike him on the head with their sticks1 and they took advantage of the confusion and tumult to do so4 ,jesus looked upon them with compassion2 excess of pain drew from him occasional moans and groans1 but his enemies rejoiced in his sufferings1 and mocked his moans1 and not one among the whole assembly showed the slightest degree of compassion4 ,i saw blood streaming from his head1 and three times did the blows prostrate him1 but angels were weeping at his side1 and they anointed his head with heavenly balsam4 ,it was revealed to me that had it not been for this miraculous assistance he must have died from those wounds4 ,the ,philistines at ,gaza1 who gave vent to their wrath by tormenting poor blind ,samson2 were far less barbarous than these cruel executioners of our ,lord4 ,the priests were1 however1 impatient to return to the ,temple2 therefore1 having made certain that their orders regarding ,jesus would be obeyed1 they returned to ,herod1 and endeavoured to persuade him to condemn our ,lord4 ,but he1 being determined to do all in his power to please ,pilate1 refused to accede to their wishes1 and sent ,jesus back again clothed in the fool's garment4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,jesus led back from the ,court of ,herod to that of ,pilate4 ,the enemies of ,jesus were perfectly infuriated at being obliged to take ,jesus back1 still uncondemned1 to ,pilate1 who had so many times declared his innocence4 ,they led him round by a much longer road1 in order in the first place to let the persons of that part of the town see him in the state of ignominy to which he was reduced1 and in the second place to give their emissaries more time to stir up the populace4 ,this road was extremely rough and uneven2 and the soldiers1 encouraged by the ,pharisees1 scarcely refrained a moment from tormenting ,jesus4 ,the long garment with which he was clothed impeded his steps1 and caused him to fall heavily more than once2 and his cruel guards1 as also many among the brutal populace1 instead of assisting him in his state of exhaustion1 endeavoured by blows and kicks to force him to rise4 ,to all these outrages ,jesus offered not the smallest resistance2 he prayed constantly to his ,father for grace and strength that he might not sink under them1 but accomplish the work of his ,passion for our redemption4 ,it was about eight o'clock when the procession reached the palace of ,pilate4 ,the crowd was dense1 and the ,pharisees might be seen walking to and fro1 endeavouring to incite and infuriate them still more4 ,pilate1 who remembered an insurrection which had taken place the year before at the ,paschal time1 had assembled upwards of a thousand soldiers1 whom he posted around the ,praetorium1 the ,forum1 and his palace4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin1 her elder sister ,mary 7the daughter of ,heli71 ,mari 7the daughter of ,cleophas71 ,magdalen1 and about twenty of the holy women1 were standing in a room from whence they could see all which took place1 and at first ,john was with them4 ,the ,pharisees led ,jesus1 still clothed in the fool's garment1 through the midst of the insolent mob1 and had done all in their power to gather together the most vile and wicked of miscreants from among the dregs of the people4 ,a servant sent by ,herod had already reached ,pilate1 with a message to the effect that his master had fully appreciated his polite deference to his opinion1 but that he looked upon the far famed ,galilean as not better than a fool1 that he had treated him as such1 and now sent him back4 ,pilate was quite satisfied at finding that ,herod had come to the same conclusion as himself1 and therefore returned a polite message4 ,from that hour they became friends1 having been enemies many years2 in fact1 ever since the falling-in of the aqueduct4 ,the cause of the quarrel between ,pilate and ,herod was1 according to the account of ,sister ,emmerich1 simply this3 ,pilate had undertaken to build an aqueduct on the south-east side of the mountain on which the ,temple stood1 at the edge of the torrent into which the waters of the pool of ,bethsaida emptied themselves1 and this aqueduct was to carry off the refuse of the ,temple4 ,herod1 through the medium of one of his confidants1 who was a member of the ,sanhedrin1 agreed to furnish him with the necessary materials1 as also with twenty-eight architects1 who were also ,herodians4 ,his aim was to set the ,jews still more against the ,roman governor1 by causing the undertaking to fail4 ,he accordingly came to a private understanding with the architects1 who agreed to construct the aqueduct in such a manner that it would be certain to fail4 ,when the work was almost finished1 and a number of bricklayers from ,ophel were busily employed in removing the scaffolding1 the twenty-eight builders went on to the top of the ,tower of ,siloe to contemplate the crash which they knew must take place4 ,not only did the whole of the building crumble to pieces1 fall1 and kill ninety-three workmen1 but even the tower containing the twenty-eight architects came down1 and not one escaped death4 ,this accident occurred a short time previous to the #hth of ,january1 two years after ,jesus had commenced preaching2 it took place on ,herod's birthday1 the same day that ,john the ,baptist was beheaded in the ,castle of ,marcherunt4 ,no ,roman officer attended these festivities on account of the affair of the aqueduct1 although ,pilate had1 with hypocritical politeness1 been requested to take a part in them4 ,sister ,emmerich saw some of the disciples of ,jesus carry the news of this event into ,samaria1 where he was teaching1 on the #hth of ,january4 ,jesus went from thence to ,hebron1 to comfort the family of ,john2 and she saw him1 on the #acth of ,january1 cure many among the workmen of ,ophel who had been injured by the fall of the aqueduct4 ,we have seen by the relation previously given how little gratitude they showed him4 ,the enmity of ,herod towards ,pilate was still farther increased by the manner in which the latter revenged himself on the followers of ,herod4 ,we will insert here a few details which were communicated at different times to ,sister ,emmerich4 ,on the #beth of ,march1 of the second year of our ,lord's preaching1 when ,jesus and his disciples were in the neighbourhood of ,bethania1 they were warned by ,lazarus that ,judas of ,gaulon intended to excite an insurrection against ,pilate4 ,on the #bhth of ,march1 ,pilate issued a proclamation to the effect that he intended to impose a tax1 the proceeds of which were partly to cover the expenses he had incurred in raising the building which had just fallen to the ground4 ,this announcement was followed by a sedition headed by ,judas of ,gaulon1 who always stood up for liberty1 and who was 7unknown to himself7 a tool in the hands of the ,herodians4 ,the ,herodians were rather like our ,freemasons4 ,on the #cjth of ,march1 at ten o'clock p4m41 ,jesus1 dressed in a dark garment1 was teaching in the ,temple1 with his ,apostles and thirty disciples4 ,the revolt of the ,galileans against ,pilate burst forth on this very day1 and the rebels set free fifty of their number who had been imprisoned the day before2 and many among the ,romans were killed4 ,on the #fth of ,april1 ,pilate caused the ,galileans to be massacred at the moment of offering sacrifice1 by disguised soldiers whom he had concealed in the ,temple4 ,judas was killed with his companions4 ,this massacre exasperated ,herod still more against ,pilate1 and we have just seen by what means their reconciliation was effected4 ,jesus was again led to the house of ,pilate4 ,the archers dragged him up the stairs with their usual brutality2 his feet became entangled in his long robe1 and he fell upon the white marble steps1 which were stained with blood from his sacred head4 ,his enemies had again taken their seats at the entrance of the forum2 the mob laughed at his fall1 and the archers truck their innocent victim1 instead of assisting him to rise4 ,pilate was reclining on a species of easy-chair1 with a little table before him1 and surrounded with officers and persons who held strips of parchment covered with writing in their hands4 ,he came forward and said to the accusers of ,jesus3 ',you have presented unto me this man1 as one that perverteth the people1 and behold ,i1 having examined him before you1 find no cause in this man in those things wherein you accuse him4 ,no1 nor ,herod neither4 ,for ,i sent you to him1 and behold1 nothing worthy of death is done to him4 ,i will chastise him1 therefore1 and release him4' ,when the ,pharisees heard these words1 they became furious1 and endeavoured to the utmost of their power to persuade the people to revolt1 distributing money among them to effect this purpose4 ,pilate looked around with contempt1 and addressed them in scornful words4 ,it happened to be the precise time when1 according to an ancient custom1 the people had the privilege of demanding the deliverance of one prisoner4 ,the ,pharisees had dispatched emissaries to persuade the people to demand the death1 and not the life1 of our ,lord4 ,pilate hoped that they would ask for ,jesus1 and determined to give them to choose between him and a criminal called ,barabbas1 who had been convicted of a dreadful murder committed during a sedition1 as also of many other crimes1 and was1 moreover1 detested by the people4 ,there was considerable excitement among the crowd2 a certain portion came forward1 and their orators1 addressing ,pilate in a loud voice1 said3 ',grant us the favour you have always granted on the festival day4' ,pilate made answer3 ',it is customary for me to deliver to you a criminal at the ,paschal time2 whom will you that ,i release to you1 ,barabbas1 or ,jesus that is called ,christ8' ,although ,pilate did not in his own mind feel at all certain that ,jesus was the ,king of the ,jews1 yet he called him so1 partly because his ,roman pride made him take delight in humbling the ,jews by calling such a despicable-looking person their king2 and partly because he felt a kind of inward belief that ,jesus might really be that miraculous king1 that ,messiah who had been promised4 ,he saw plainly that the priests were incited by envy alone in their accusations against ,jesus2 this made him most anxious to disappoint them2 and the desire was increased by that glimmering of the truth which partly enlightened his mind4 ,there was some hesitation among the crowd when ,pilate asked this question1 and a few voices answered1 ',barabbas4' ,a servant sent by ,pilate's wife asked for him at this moment2 he left the platform1 and the messenger presented the pledge which he had given her1 saying at the same time3 ',claudia ,procles begs you to remember your promise this morning4' ,the ,pharisees and the priests walked anxiously and hastily about among the crowd1 threatening some and ordering others1 although1 in fact1 little was required to incite the already infuriated multitude4 ,mary1 with ,magdalen1 ,john1 and the holy women1 stood in a corner of the forum1 trembling and weeping2 for although the ,mother of ,jesus was fully aware that the redemption of man could not be brought about by any other means than the death of her ,son1 yet she was filled with the anguish of a mother1 and with a longing desire to save him from those tortures and from that death which he was about to suffer4 ,she prayed ,god not to allow such a fearful crime to be perpetrated2 she repeated the words of ,jesus in the ,garden of ,olives3 ',if it is possible1 let this chalice pass away4' ,she still felt a glimmering of hope1 because there was a report current that ,pilate wished to acquit ,jesus4 ,groups of persons1 mostly inhabitants of ,capharnaum1 where ,jesus had taught1 and among whom he had wrought so many miraculous cures1 were congregated in her vicinity2 they pretended not to remember either her or her weeping companions2 they simply cast a glance now and then1 as if by chance1 at their closely-veiled figures4 ,many thought1 as did her companions likewise1 that these persons at least would reject ,barabbas1 and beg for the life of their ,saviour and ,benefactor2 but these hopes were1 alas1 fallacious4 ,pilate sent back the pledge to his wife1 as an assurance of his intention to keep his promise4 ,he again came forward on the platform1 and seated himself at the little table4 ,the ,chief ,priests took their seats likewise1 and ,pilate once more demanded3 ',which of the two am ,i to deliver up to you8' ,a general cry resounded through the hall3 ',not this man1 but ,barabbas6' ',but what am ,i to do with ,jesus1 who is called ,christ8' replied ,pilate4 ,all exclaimed in a tumultuous manner3 ',let him be crucified6 ,let him be crucified6' ',but what evil has he done8' asked ,pilate for the third time4 ',i find no cause in him4 ,i will scourge and then acquit him4' ,but the cry1 ',crucify him6 ,crucify him6' burst from the crowd1 and the sounds echoed like an infernal tempest2 the ,high ,priests and the ,pharisees vociferated and hurried backwards and forwards as if insane4 ,pilate at last yielded2 his weak pusillanimous character could not withstand such violent demonstrations2 he delivered up ,barabbas to the people1 and condemned ,jesus to be scourged4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,the ,scourging of ,jesus4 ,that most weak and undecided of all judges1 ,pilate1 had several times repeated these dastardly words3 ',i find no crime in him3 ,i will chastise him1 therefore1 and let him go2' to which the ,jews had continued to respond1 ',crucify him6 ,crucify him6' but he determined to adhere to his resolution of not condemning our ,lord to death1 and ordered him to be scourged according to the manner of the ,romans4 ,the guards were therefore ordered to conduct him through the midst of the furious multitude to the forum1 which they did with the utmost brutality1 at the same time loading him with abuse1 and striking him with their staffs4 ,the pillar where criminals were scourged stood to the north of ,pilate's palace1 near the guard-house1 and the executioners soon arrived1 carrying whips1 rods1 and ropes1 which they tossed down at its base4 ,they were six in number1 dark1 swarthy men1 somewhat shorter than ,jesus2 their chests were covered with a piece of leather1 or with some dirty stuff2 their loins were girded1 and their hairy1 sinewy arms bare4 ,they were malefactors from the frontiers of ,egypt1 who had been condemned for their crimes to hard labour1 and were employed principally in making canals1 and in erecting public buildings1 the most criminal being selected to act as executioners in the ,praetorium4 ,these cruel men had many times scourged poor criminals to death at this pillar4 ,they resembled wild beasts or demons1 and appeared to be half drunk4 ,they struck our ,lord with their fists1 and dragged him by the cords with which he was pinioned1 although he followed them without offering the least resistance1 and1 finally1 they barbarously knocked him down against the pillar4 ,this pillar1 placed in the centre of the court1 stood alone1 and did not serve to sustain any part of the building2 it was not very high1 for a tall man could touch the summit by stretching out his arm2 there was a large iron ring at the top1 and both rings and hooks a little lower down4 ,it is quite impossible to describe the cruelty shown by these ruffians towards ,jesus3 they tore off the mantle with which he had been clothed in derision at the court of ,herod1 and almost threw prostrate again4 ,jesus trembled and shuddered as he stood before the pillar1 and took off his garments as quickly as he could1 but his hands were bloody and swollen4 ,the only return he made when his brutal executioners struck and abused him was1 to pray for them in the most touching manner3 he turned his face once towards his ,mother1 who was standing overcome with grief2 this look quite unnerved her3 she fainted1 and would have fallen1 had not the holy women who were there supported her4 ,jesus put his arms round the pillar1 and when his hands were thus raised1 the archers fastened them to the iron ring which was at the top of the pillar2 they then dragged his arms to such a height that his feet1 which were tightly bound to the base of the pillar1 scarcely touched the ground4 ,thus was the ,holy of ,holies violently stretched1 without a particle of clothing1 on a pillar used for the punishment of the greatest criminals2 and then did two furious ruffians who were thirsting for his blood begin in the most barbarous manner to scourge his sacred body from head to foot4 ,the whips or scourges which they first made use of appeared to me to be made of a species of flexible white wood1 but perhaps they were composed of the sinews of the ox1 or of strips of leather4 ,our loving ,lord1 the ,son of ,god1 true ,god and true ,man1 writhed as a worm under the blows of these barbarians2 his mild but deep groans might be heard from afar2 they resounded through the air1 forming a kind of touching accompaniment to the hissing of the instruments of torture4 ,these groans resembled rather a touching cry of prayer and supplication1 than moans of anguish4 ,the clamour of the ,pharisees and the people formed another species of accompaniment1 which at times as a deafening thunder-storm deadened and smothered these sacred and mournful cries1 and in their place might be heard the words1 ',put him to death6' ',crucify him6' ,pilate continued parleying with the people1 and when he demanded silence in order to be able to speak1 he was obliged to proclaim his wishes to the clamorous assembly by the sound of a trumpet1 and at such moments you might again hear the noise of the scourges1 the moans of ,jesus1 the imprecations of the soldiers1 and the bleating of the ,paschal lambs which were being washed in the ,probatica pool1 at no great distance from the forum4 ,there was something peculiarly touching in the plaintive bleating of these lambs3 they alone appeared to unite their lamentations with the suffering moans of our ,lord4 ,the ,jewish mob was gathered together at some distance from the pillar at which the dreadful punishment was taking place1 and ,roman soldiers were stationed in different parts round about4 ,many persons were walking to and fro1 some in silence1 others speaking of ,jesus in the most insulting terms possible1 and a few appearing touched1 and ,i thought ,i beheld rays of light issuing from our ,lord and entering the hearts of the latter4 ,i saw groups of infamous1 bold-looking young men1 who were for the most part busying themselves near the watch-house in preparing fresh scourges1 while others went to seek branches of thorns4 ,several of the servants of the ,high ,priests went up to the brutal executioners and gave them money2 as also a large jug filled with a strong bright red liquid1 which quite inebriated them1 and increased their cruelty tenfold towards their innocent ,victim4 ,the two ruffians continued to strike our ,lord with unremitting violence for a quarter of an hour1 and were then succeeded by two others4 ,his body was entirely covered with black1 blue1 and red marks2 the blood was trickling down on the ground1 and yet the furious cries which issued from among the assembled ,jews showed that their cruelty was far from being satiated4 ,the night had been extremely cold1 and the morning was dark and cloudy2 a little hail had fallen1 which surprised everyone1 but towards twelve o'clock the day became brighter1 and the sun shone forth4 ,the two fresh executioners commenced scourging ,jesus with the greatest possible fury2 they made use of a different kind of rod1--a species of thorny stick1 covered with knots and splinters4 ,the blows from these sticks tore his flesh to pieces2 his blood spouted out so as to stain their arms1 and he groaned1 prayed1 and shuddered4 ,at this moment1 some strangers mounted on camels passed through the forum2 they stopped for a moment1 and were quite overcome with pity and horror at the scene before them1 upon which some of the bystanders explained the cause of what they witnessed4 ,some of these travellers had been baptised by ,john1 and others had heard the sermon of ,jesus on the mountain4 ,the noise and the tumult of the mob was even more deafening near the house of ,pilate4 ,two fresh executioners took the places of the last mentioned1 who were beginning to flag2 their scourges were composed of small chains1 or straps covered with iron hooks1 which penetrated to the bone1 and tore off large pieces of flesh at every blow4 ,what word1 alas6 could describe this terrible--this heartrending scene6 ,the cruelty of these barbarians was nevertheless not yet satiated2 they untied ,jesus1 and again fastened him up with his back turned towards the pillar4 ,as he was totally unable to support himself in an upright position1 they passed cords round his waist1 under his arms1 and above his knees1 and having bound his hands tightly into the rings which were placed at the upper part of the pillar1 they recommenced scourging him with even greater fury than before2 and one among them struck him constantly on the face with a new rod4 ,the body of our ,lord was perfectly torn to shreds1--it was but one wound4 ,he looked at his torturers with his eyes filled with blood2 as if entreating mercy2 but their brutality appeared to increase1 and his moans each moment became more feeble4 ,the dreadful scourging had been continued without intermission for three quarters of an hour1 when a stranger of lowly birth1 a relation to ,ctesiphon1 the blind man whom ,jesus had cured1 rushed from amidst the crowd1 and approached the pillar with a knife shaped like a cutlass in his hand4 ',cease6' he exclaimed1 in an indignant tone2 ',cease6 ,scourge not this innocent man unto death6' ,the drunken miscreants1 taken by surprise1 stopped short1 while he quickly severed the cords which bound ,jesus to the pillar1 and disappeared among the crowd4 ,jesus fell almost without consciousness on the ground1 which was bathed with his blood4 ,the executioners left him there1 and rejoined their cruel companions1 who were amusing themselves in the guardhouse with drinking1 and plaiting the crown of thorns4 ,our ,lord remained for a short time on the ground1 at the foot of the pillar1 bathed in his own blood1 and two or three bold-looking girls came up to gratify their curiosity away in disgust1 but at the moment the pain of the wounds of ,jesus was so intense that he raised his bleeding head and looked at them4 ,they retired quickly1 and the soldiers and guards laughed and made game of them4 ,during the time of the scourging of our ,lord1 ,i saw weeping angels approach him many times2 ,i likewise heard the prayers he constantly addressed to his ,father for the pardon of our sins--prayers which never ceased during the whole time of the infliction of this cruel punishment4 ,whilst he lay bathed in his blood ,i saw an angel present to him a vase containing a bright-looking beverage which appeared to reinvigorate him in a certain degree4 ,the archers soon returned1 and after giving him some blows with their sticks1 bade him rise and follow them4 ,he raised himself with the greatest difficulty1 as his trembling limbs could scarcely support the weight of this body2 they did not give him sufficient time to put on his clothes1 but threw his upper garment over his naked shoulders and led him from the pillar to the guardhouse1 where he wiped the blood which trickled down his face with a corner of his garment4 ,when he passed before the benches on which the ,high ,priests were seated1 they cried out1 ',put him to death6 ,crucify him6 ,crucify him6' and then turned away disdainfully4 ,the executioners led him into the interior of the guardhouse1 which was filled with slaves1 archers1 hodmen1 and the very dregs of the people1 but there were no soldiers4 ,the great excitement among the populace alarmed ,pilate so much1 that he sent to the fortress of ,antonia for a reinforcement of ,roman soldiers1 and posed these well-disciplined troops round the guard-house2 they were permitted to talk and to deride ,jesus in every possible way1 but were forbidden to quit their ranks4 ,these soldiers1 whom ,pilate had sent for to intimidate the mob1 numbered about a thousand4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,mary during the ,scourging of our ,lord4 ,i saw the ,blessed ,virgin in a continual ecstasy during the time of the scourging of her ,divine ,son2 she saw and suffered with inexpressible love and grief all the torments he was enduring4 ,she groaned feebly1 and her eyes were red with weeping4 ,a large veil covered her person1 and she leant upon ,mary of ,heli1 her eldest sister1 who was old and extremely like their mother1 ,anne4#aj ,mary of ,cleophas1 the daughter of ,mary of ,heli1 was there also4 ,the friends of ,jesus and ,mary stood around the latter2 they wore large veils1 appeared overcome with grief and anxiety1 an were weeping as if in the momentary expectation of death4 ,the dress of ,mary was blue2 it was long1 and partly covered by a cloak made of white wool1 and her veil was of rather a yellow white4 ,magdalen was totally beside herself from grief1 and her hair was floating loosely under her veil4 ,when ,jesus fell down at the foot of the pillar1 after the flagellation1 ,i saw ,claudia ,procles1 the wife of ,pilate1 sent some large pieces of linen to the ,mother of ,god4 ,i know not whether she thought that ,jesus would be set free1 and that his ,mother would then require linen to dress his wounds1 or whether this compassionate lady was aware of the use which would be made of her present4 ,at the termination of the scourging1 ,mary came to herself for a time1 and saw her ,divine ,son all torn and mangled1 being led away by the archers after the scouring3 he wiped his eyes1 which were filled with blood1 that he might look at his ,mother1 and she stretched out her hands towards him1 and continued to look at the bloody traces of his footsteps4 ,i soon after saw ,mary and ,magdalen approach the pillar where ,jesus had been scourged2 the mob were at a distance1 and they were partly concealed by the other holy women1 and by a few kind-hearted persons who had joined them2 they knelt down on the ground near the pillar1 and wiped up the sacred blood with the linen which ,claudia ,procles had sent4 ,john was not at that time with the holy women1 who were about twenty in number4 ,the sons of ,simeon and of ,obed1 and ,veronica1 as also the two nephews of ,joseph of ,arimathea--,aram and ,themni--were in the ,temple1 and appeared to be overwhelmed with grief4 ,it was not more than nine o'clock a4m4 when the scourging terminated4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,interruption of the ,visions of the ,passion by the ,appearance of ,st4 ,joseph under the form of a ,child4 ,during the whole time of the visions which we have just narrated 7that is to say1 from the #ahth of ,february until the #hth of ,march71 ,sister ,emmerich continued to suffer all the mental and bodily tortures which were once endured by our ,lord4 ,being totally immersed in these meditations1 and1 as it were1 dead to exterior objects1 she wept and groaned like a person in the hands of an executioner1 trembled1 shuddered1 and writhed on her couch1 while her face resembled that of a man about to expire under torture1 and a bloody sweat often trickled over her chest and shoulders4 ,she generally perspired so profusely that her bed and clothes were saturated4 ,her sufferings from thirst were likewise fearful1 and she might truly be compared to a person perishing in a desert from the want of water4 ,generally speaking1 her mouth was so parched in the morning1 and her tongue so contracted and dried up1 that she could not speak1 but was obliged by signs and inarticulate sounds to beg for relief4 ,her constant state of fever was probably brought on by the great pains she endured1 added to which she likewise often took upon herself the illnesses and temporal calamities merited by others4 ,it was always necessary for her to rest for a time before relating the different scenes of the ,passion1 nor was it always that she could speak of what she had seen1 and she was even often obliged to discontinue her narrations for the day4 ,she was in this state of suffering on ,saturday the #hth of ,march1 and with the greatest difficulty and suffering described the scourging of our ,lord which she had seen in the vision of the previous night1 and which appeared to be present to her mind during the greatest part of the following day4 ,towards evening1 however1 a change took place1 and there was an interruption in the course of meditations on the ,passion which had latterly followed one another so regularly4 ,we will describe this interruption1 in order1 in the first place1 to give our readers a more full comprehension of the interior life of this most extraordinary person2 and1 in the second1 to enable them to pause for a time to rest their minds1 as ,i well know that meditations on the ,passion of our ,lord exhaust the weak1 even when they remember that it was for their salvation that he suffered and died4 ,the life of ,sister ,emmerich1 both as regarded her spiritual and intellectual existence1 invariably harmonised with the spirit of the ,church at different seasons of the year4 ,it harmonised even more strongly than man's natural life does with season1 or with the hours of the day1 and this caused her to be 7if we may thus express ourselves7 a realisation of the existence and of the various intentions of the ,church4 ,her union with its spirit was so complete1 that no sooner did a festival day begin 7that is to say1 on the eve71 than a perfect change took place within her1 both intellectually and spiritually4 ,as soon as the spiritual sun of these festival days of the ,church was set1 she directed all her thoughts towards that which would rise on the following day1 and disposed all her prayers1 good works1 and sufferings for the attainment of the special graces attached to the feast about to commence1 like a plant which absorbs the dew1 and revels in the warmth and light of the first rays of the sun4 ,these changes did not1 as will readily be believed1 always take place at the exact moment when the sound of the ,angelus announced the commencement of a festival1 and summoned the faithful to prayer2 for this bell is often1 either through ignorance or negligence1 rung at the wrong time2 but they commenced at the time when the feast really began4 ,if the ,church commemorated a sorrowful mystery1 she appeared depressed1 faint1 and almost powerless2 but the instant the celebration of a joyful feast commenced1 both body and soul revived to a new life1 as if refreshed by the dew of new graces1 and she continued in this calm1 quiet1 and happy state1 quite released from every kind of suffering1 until the evening4 ,these things took place in her soul quite independently of her will2 but as she had had from infancy the most ardent desire of being obedient to ,jesus and to his ,church1 ,god had bestowed upon her those special graces which give a natural facility for practising obedience4 ,every faculty of her soul was directed towards the ,church1 in the same manner as a plant which1 even if put into a dark cellar1 naturally turns its leaves upwards1 and appears to seek the light4 ,on ,saturday1 #hth of ,march #ahbc1 after sunset1 ,sister ,emmerich had1 with the greatest difficulty1 portrayed the different events of the scourging of our ,lord1 and the writer of these pages thought that her mind was occupied in the contemplation of the 'crowning with thorns1' when suddenly her countenance1 which was preciously pale and haggard1 like that of a person on the point of death1 became bright and serene and she exclaimed in a coaxing tone1 as if speaking to a child1 ',o1 that dear little boy6 ,who is he8--,stay1 ,i will ask him4 ,his name is ,joseph4 ,he has pushed his way through the crowd to come to me4 ,poor child1 he is laughing3 he knows nothing at all of what is going on4 ,how light his clothing is6 ,i fear he must be cold1 the air is so sharp this morning4 ,wait1 my child2 let me put something more over you4' ,after saying these words in such a natural tone of voice that it was almost impossible for those present not to turn round and expect to see the child1 she held up a dress which was near her1 as would be done by a kind-hearted person wishing to clothe a poor frozen child4 ,the friend who was standing by her bedside had not sufficient time to ask her to explain the words she had spoken1 for a sudden change took place1 both in her whole appearance and manner1 when her attendant pronounced the word obedience1--one of the vows by which she had consecrated herself to our ,lord4 ,she instantly came to herself1 and1 like an obedient child awakening from a sound sleep and starting up at the voice of its mother1 she stretched forth her hand1 took the rosary and crucifix which were always at her side1 arranged her dress1 rubbed her eyes1 and sat up4 ,she was then carried from her bed to a chair1 as she could neither stand nor walk2 and it being the time for making her bed1 her friend left the room in order to write out what he had heard during the day4 ,on ,sunday1 the #ith of ,march1 the friend asked her attendant what ,sister ,emmerich meant the evening before when she spoke of a child called ,joseph4 ,the attendant answered1 ',she spoke of him again many times yesterday evening2 he is the son of a cousin of mine1 and a great favourite of hers4 ,i fear that her talking so much about him is a sign that he is going to have an illness1 for she said so many times that the poor child was almost without clothing1 and that he must be cold4' ,the friend remembered having often seen this little ,joseph playing on the bed of ,sister ,emmerich1 and he supposed that she was dreaming about him on the previous day4 ,when the friend went to see her later in the day to endeavour to obtain a continuation of the narrations of the ,passion1 he found her1 contrary to his expectation1 more calm1 and apparently better in health than on the previous day4 ,she told him that she had seen nothing more after the scourging of our ,lord2 and when he questioned her concerning what she had said about little ,joseph1 she could not remember having spoken of the child at all4 ,he then asked the reason of her being so calm1 serene1 and apparently well in health2 and she answered1 ',i always feel thus when ,mid-,lent comes1 for then the ,church sings with ,isaias in the introit at ,mass3 ,rejoice1 ,o1 ,jerusalem1 and come together all you that love her2 rejoice with joy1 you that have been in sorrow1 that you may exult and be filled from the breasts of your consolation4 ,mid-,lent ,sunday is consequently a day of rejoicing2 and you may likewise remember that1 in the gospel of this day1 the ,church relates how our ,lord fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes1 of which twelve baskets of fragments remained1 consequently we ought to rejoice4' ,she likewise added1 that our ,lord had deigned to visit her on that day in the ,holy ,communion1 and that she always felt especial spiritual consolation when she received him on that particular day of the year4 ,the friend cast his eyes on the calendar of the diocese of ,munster1 and saw that on that day they not only kept ,mid-,lent ,sunday1 but likewise the ,feast of ,st4 ,joseph1 the foster-father of our ,lord2 he was not aware of this before1 because in other places the feast of ,st4 ,joseph is kept on the #aith1 and he remarked this circumstance to ,sister ,emmerich1 and asked her whether she did not think that was the cause of her speaking about ,joseph4 ,she answered that she was perfectly aware of its being the feast of the foster-father of ,jesus1 but that she had not been thinking of the child of that name4 ,however1 a moment after1 she suddenly remembered what her thoughts had been the day before1 and explained to her friend that the moment the feast of ,st4 ,joseph began1 her vision of the sorrowful mysteries of the ,passion ceased1 and were superseded by totally different scenes1 in which ,st4 ,joseph appeared under the form of a child1 and that it was to him that the words we have mentioned above were addressed4 ,we found that when she received these communications the vision was often in the form of a child1 especially in those cases when an artist would have made use of that simile to express his ideas4 ,if1 for instance1 the accomplishment of some ,scripture prophecy was being shown to her1 she often saw by the side of the illustration a child1 who clearly designated the characteristics of such or such a prophet1 by his position1 his dress1 and the manner in which he held in his hand and waved to and fro the prophetic roll appended to a staff4 ,sometimes1 when she was in extreme suffering1 a beautiful child1 dressed in green1 with a calm and serene countenance1 would approach1 and seat himself in a posture of resignation at the side of her bed1 allowing himself to be moved from one side to the other1 or even put down on to the ground1 without the smallest opposition and constantly looking at her affectionately and consoling her4 ,if1 when quite prostrate from illness and the sufferings of others which she had taken upon herself1 she entered into communication with a saint1 either by participation in the celebration of his feast1 or from his relics being brought to her1 she sometimes saw passages of the childhood of martyrdom4 ,in her greatest sufferings she was usually consoled1 instructed1 or reproved 7whichever the occasion called for7 by apparitions under the form of children4 ,sometimes1 when totally overcome by trouble and distress1 she would fall asleep1 and be carried back in imagination to the scenes and perils of her childhood4 ,she sometimes dreamed1 as her exclamations and gestures demonstrated1 that she was once more a little country girl of five years old1 climbing over a hedge1 caught in the briars1 and weeping with fear4 ,these scenes of her childhood were always events which had really occurred1 and the words which escaped her showed what was passing in her mind4 ,she would exclaim 7as if repeating the words of others73 ',why do you call out so8' ',i will not hold the hedge back until you are quiet and ask me gently to do so4' ,she had obeyed this injunction when she was a child and caught in the hedge1 and she followed the same rule when grown up and suffering from the most terrible trials4 ,she often spoke and joked about the thorn hedge1 and the patience and prayer which had then been recommended to her1 which admonition she1 in after-life1 had frequently neglected1 but which had never failed her when she had recourse to it4 ,this symbolical coincidence of the events of her childhood with those of her riper years shows that1 in the individual no less than in humanity at large1 prophetic types may be found4 ,but1 to the individual as well as to mankind in general1 a ,divine ,type has been given in the person of our ,redeemer1 in order that both the one and the other1 by walking in his footsteps and with his assistance1 may surpass human nature and attain to perfect wisdom and grace with ,god and man4 ,thus it is that the will of ,god is done on earth as in heaven1 and that this kingdom is attained by 'men of good will4' ,she then gave a short account of the visions which had1 on the previous night1 interrupted her visions of the ,passion at the commencement of the feast of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,description of the ,personal ,appearance of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,while these sad events were taking place ,i was in ,jerusalem1 sometimes in one locality and sometimes in another2 ,i was quite overcome1 my sufferings were intense1 and ,i felt as if about to expire4 ,during the time of the scourging of my adorable ,spouse ,i sat in the vicinity1 in a part which no ,jew dared approach1 for fear of defiling himself2 but ,i did not fear defilement1 ,i was only anxious for a drop of our ,lord's blood to fall upon me1 to purify me4 ,i felt so completely heartbroken that ,i thought ,i must die as ,i could not relieve ,jesus1 and each blow which he received drew from me such sobs and moans that ,i felt quite astonished at not being driven away4 ,when the executioners took ,jesus into the guardhouse1 to crown him with thorns1 ,i longed to follow that ,i might again contemplate him in his sufferings4 ,then it was that the ,mother of ,jesus1 accompanied by the holy women1 approached the pillar and wiped up the blood with which it and the ground around were saturated4 ,the door of the guardhouse was open1 and ,i heard the brutal laughter of the heartless men who were busily employed in finishing off the crown of thorns which they had prepared for our ,lord4 ,i was too much affected to weep1 but ,i endeavoured to drag myself near to the place where our ,lord was to be crowned with thorns4 ,i once more saw the ,blessed ,virgin2 her countenance was wan and pale1 her eyes red with weeping1 but the simple dignity of her demeanour cannot be described4 ,notwithstanding her grief and anguish1 notwithstanding the fatigue which she had endured 7for she had been wandering ever since the previous evening through the streets of ,jerusalem1 and across the ,valley of ,josaphat71 her appearance was placid and modest1 and not a fold of her dress out of place4 ,she looked majestically around1 and her veil fell gracefully over her shoulders4 ,she moved quietly1 and although her heart was a prey to the most bitter grief1 her countenance was calm and resigned4 ,her dress was moistened by the dew which had fallen upon it during the night1 and by the tears which she had shed in such abundance2 otherwise it was totally unsoiled4 ,her beauty was great1 but indescribable1 for it was super-human--a mixture of majesty1 sanctity1 simplicity1 and purity4 ,the appearance of ,mary ,magdalen was totally different2 she was taller and more robust1 the expression of her countenance showed greater determination1 but its beauty was almost destroyed by the strong passions which she had so long indulged1 and by the violent repentance and grief she had since felt4 ,it was painful to look upon her2 she was the very picture of despair1 her long dishevelled hair was partly covered by her torn and wet veil1 and her appearance was that of one completely absorbed by woe and almost beside herself from sorrow4 ,many of the inhabitants of ,magdalum were standing near1 gazing at her with surprise and curiosity1 for they had known her in former days1 first in prosperity and afterwards in degradation and consequent misery4 ,they pointed1 they even cast mud upon her1 but she saw nothing1 knew nothing1 and felt nothing1 save her agonising grief4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,the ,crowning with ,thorns4 ,no sooner did ,sister ,emmerich recommence the narrative of her visions on the ,passion than she again became extremely ill1 oppressed with fever1 and so tormented by violent thirst that her tongue was perfectly parched and contracted2 and on the ,monday after ,mid-,lent ,sunday1 she was so exhausted that it was not without great difficulty1 and after many intervals of rest1 that she narrated all which our ,lord suffered in this crowning with thorns4 ,she was scarcely able to speak1 because she herself felt every sensation which she described in the following account3 ,pilate harangued the populace many times during the time of the scourging of ,jesus1 but they interrupted him once1 and vociferated1 ',he shall be executed1 even if we die for it4' ,when ,jesus was led into the guardhouse1 they all cried out again1 ',crucify him1 crucify him6' ,after this there was silence for a time4 ,pilate occupied himself in giving different orders to the soldiers1 and the servants of the ,high ,priests brought them some refreshments2 after which ,pilate1 whose superstitious tendencies made him uneasy in mind1 went into the inner part of his palace in order to consult his gods1 and to offer them incense4 ,when the ,blessed ,virgin and the holy women had gathered up the blood of ,jesus1 with which the pillar and the adjacent parts were saturated1 they left the forum and went into a neighbouring small house1 the owner of which ,i do not know4 ,john was not1 ,i think1 present at the scourging of ,jesus4 ,a gallery encircled the inner court of the guardhouse where our ,lord was crowned with thorns1 and the doors were open4 ,the cowardly ruffians1 who were eagerly waiting to gratify their cruelty by torturing and insulting our ,lord1 were about fifty in number1 and the greatest part slaves or servants of the jailers and soldiers4 ,the mob gathered round the building1 but were soon displaced by a thousand ,roman soldiers1 who were drawn up in good order and stationed there4 ,although forbidden to leave their ranks1 these soldiers nevertheless did their utmost by laughter and applause to incite the cruel executioners to redouble their insults2 and as public applause gives fresh energy to a comedian1 so did their words of encouragement increase tenfold the cruelty of these men4 ,in the middle of the court there stood the fragment of a pillar1 and on it was placed a very low stool which these cruel men maliciously covered with sharp flints and bits of broken potsherds4 ,then they tore off the garments of ,jesus1 thereby reopening all his wounds2 threw over his shoulders an old scarlet mantle which barely reached his knees2 dragged him to the seat prepared1 and pushed him roughly down upon it1 having first placed the crown of thorns upon his head4 ,the crown of thorns was made of three branches plaited together1 the greatest part of the thorns being purposely turned inwards so as to pierce our ,lord's head4 ,having first placed these twisted branches on his forehead1 they tied them tightly together at the back of his head1 and no sooner was this accomplished to their satisfaction than they put a large reed into his hand1 doing all with derisive gravity as if they were really crowning him king4 ,they then seized the reed1 and struck his head so violently that his eyes were filled with blood2 they knelt before him1 derided him1 spat in his face1 and buffeted him1 saying at the same time1 ',hail1 ,king of the ,jews6' ,then they threw down his stool1 pulled him up again from the ground on which he had fallen1 and reseated him with the greatest possible brutality4 ,it is quite impossible to describe the cruel outrages which were thought of and perpetrated by these monsters under human form4 ,the sufferings of ,jesus from thirst1 caused by the fever which his wounds and sufferings had brought on1 were intense4#aa ,he trembled all over1 his flesh was torn piecemeal1 his tongue contracted1 and the only refreshment he received was the blood which trickled from his head on to his parched lips4 ,this shameful scene was protracted a full half-hour1 and the ,roman soldiers continued during the whole time to applaud and encourage the perpetration of still greater outrages4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,ecce ,homo4 ,the cruel executioners then reconducted our ,lord to ,pilate's palace1 with the scarlet cloak still thrown over his shoulders1 the crown of thorns on his head1 and the reed in his fettered hands4 ,he was perfectly unrecognisable1 his eyes1 mouth1 and beard being covered with blood1 his body but one wound1 and his back bowed down as that of an aged man1 while every limb trembled as he walked4 ,when ,pilate saw him standing at the entrance of his tribunal1 even he 7hart-hearted as he usually was7 started1 and shuddered with horror and compassion1 whilst the barbarous priests and the populace1 far from being moved to pity1 continued their insults and mockery4 ,when ,jesus had ascended the stairs1 ,pilate came forward1 the trumpet was sounded to announce that the governor was about to speak1 and he addressed the ,chief ,priests and the bystanders in the following words3 ',behold1 ,i bring him forth to you1 that you may know that ,i find no cause in him4' ,the archers then led ,jesus up to ,pilate1 that the people might again feast their cruel eyes on him1 in the state of degradation to which he was reduced4 ,terrible and heartrending1 indeed1 was the spectacle he presented1 and an exclamation of horror burst from the multitude1 followed by a dead silence1 when he with difficulty raised his wounded head1 crowned as it was with thorns1 and cast his exhausted glance on the excited throng4 ,pilate exclaimed1 as he pointed him out to the people2 ',ecce homo6 ,behold the man6' ,the hatred of the ,high ,priests and their followers was1 if possible1 increased at the sight of ,jesus1 and they cried out1 ',put him to death2 crucify him4' ',are you not content8' said ,pilate4 ',the punishment he has received is1 beyond question1 sufficient to deprive him of all desire of making himself king4' ,but they cried out the more and the multitude joined in the cry1 ',crucify him1 crucify him6' ,pilate then sounded the trumpet to demand silence1 and said3 ',take you him and crucify him1 for ,i find no cause in him4' ',we have a law1 and according to that law he ought to die1' replied the priests1 'because he made himself the ,son of ,god4' ,these words1 'he made himself the ,son of ,god1' revived the fears of ,pilate2 he took ,jesus into another room1 and asked him2 ',whence art thou8' ,but ,jesus made no answer4 ',speakest thou not to me8' said ,pilate2 'knowest thou not that ,i have power to crucify thee1 and power to release thee8' ',thou shouldst not have any power against me1' replied ,jesus1 'unless it were given thee from above2 therefore he that hath delivered me to thee hath the greater sin4' ,the undecided1 weak conduct of ,pilate filled ,claudia ,procles with anxiety2 she again sent him the pledge1 to remind him of his promise1 but he only returned a vague1 superstitious answer1 importing that he should leave the decision of the case to the gods4 ,the enemies of ,jesus1 the ,high ,priests and the ,pharisees1 having heard of the efforts which were being made by ,claudia to save him1 caused a report to be spread among the people1 that the partisans of our ,lord had seduced her1 that he would be released1 and then join the ,romans and bring about the destruction of ,jerusalem1 and the extermination of the ,jews4 ,pilate was in such a state of indecision and uncertainty as to be perfectly beside himself2 he did not know what step to take next1 and again addressed himself to the enemies of ,jesus1 declaring that 'he found no crime in him1' but they demanded his death still more clamorously4 ,he then remembered the contradictory accusations which had been brought against ,jesus1 the mysterious dreams of his wife1 and the unaccountable impression which the words of ,jesus had made on himself1 and therefore determined to question him again in order thus to obtain some information which might enlighten him as to the course he ought to pursue2 he therefore returned to the ,praetorium1 went alone into a room1 and sent for our ,saviour4 ,he glanced at the mangled and bleeding ,form before him1 and exclaimed inwardly3 ',is it possible that he can be ,god8' ,then he turned to ,jesus1 and adjured him to tell him if he was ,god1 if he was that king who had been promised to the ,jews1 where his kingdom was1 and to what class of gods he belonged4 ,i can only give the sense of the words of ,jesus1 but they were solemn and severe4 ,he told him 'that his kingdom was not of this world1' and likewise spoke strongly of the many hidden crimes with which the conscience of ,pilate was defiled2 warned him of the dreadful fate which would be his if he did not repent2 and finally declared that he himself1 the ,son of ,man1 would come at the last day1 to pronounce a just judgment upon him4 ,pilate was half frightened and half angry at the words of ,jesus2 he returned to the balcony1 and again declared that he would release ,jesus2 but they cried out3 ',if thou release this man1 thou art not ,caesar's friend4 ,for whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against ,caesar4' ,others said that they would accuse him to the ,emperor of having disturbed their festival2 that he must make up his mind at once1 because they were obliged to be in the ,temple by ten o'clock at night4 ,the cry1 ',crucify him6 ,crucify him6' resounded on all sides2 it re-echoed even from the flat roofs of the houses near the forum1 where many persons were assembled4 ,pilate saw that all his efforts were vain1 that he could make no impression on the infuriated mob2 their yells and imprecations were deafening1 and he began to fear an insurrection4 ,therefore he took water1 and washed his hands before the people1 saying1 ',i am innocent of the blood of this just man2 look you to it4' ,a frightful and unanimous cry then came from the dense multitude1 who were assembled from all parts of ,palestine1 ',his blood be upon us1 and upon our children4' ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,reflections on the ,visions4 ,whenever1 during my meditations on the ,passion of our ,lord1 ,i imagine ,i hear that frightful cry of the ,jews1 ',his blood be upon us1 and upon our children1' visions of a wonderful and terrible description display before my eyes at the same moment the effect of that solemn curse4 ,i fancy ,i see a gloomy sky covered with clouds1 of the colour of blood1 from which issue fiery swords and darts1 lowering over the vociferating multitude2 and this curse1 which they have entailed upon themselves1 appears to me to penetrate even to the very marrow of their bones1--even to the unborn infants4 ,they appear to me encompassed on all sides by darkness2 the words they utter take1 in my eyes1 the form of black flames1 which recoil upon them1 penetrating the bodies of some1 and only playing around others4 ,the last-mentioned were those who were converted after the death of ,jesus1 and who were in considerable numbers1 for neither ,jesus nor ,mary ever ceased praying1 in the midst of their sufferings1 for the salvation of these miserable beings4 ,when1 during visions of this kind1 ,i turn my thoughts to the holy souls of ,jesus and ,mary1 and to those of the enemies of ,christ1 all that takes place within them is shown me under various forms4 ,i see numerous devils among the crowd1 exciting and encouraging the ,jews1 whispering in their ears1 entering their mouths1 inciting them still more against ,jesus1 but nevertheless trembling at the sight of his ineffable love and heavenly patience4 ,innumerable angels surrounded ,jesus1 ,mary1 and the small number of saints who were there4 ,the exterior of these angels denotes the office they fill2 some represent consolation1 others prayer1 or some of the works of mercy4 ,i likewise often see consolatory1 and at other times menacing voices1 under the appearance of bright or coloured gleams of light1 issuing from the mouths of these different apparitions2 and ,i see the feelings of their souls1 their interior sufferings1 and in a word1 their every thought1 under the appearance of dark or bright rays4 ,i then understand everything perfectly1 but it is impossible for me to give an explanation to others2 besides which1 ,i am so ill1 and so totally overcome by the grief which ,i feel for my own sins and for those of the world1 ,i am so overpowered by the sight of the sufferings of our ,lord1 that ,i can hardly imagine how it is possible for me to relate events with the slightest coherency4 ,many of these things1 but more especially the apparitions of devils and of angels1 which are related by other persons who have had visions of the ,passion of ,jesus ,christ1 are fragments of symbolical interior perceptions of this species1 which vary according to the state of the soul of the spectator4 ,hence the numerous contradictions1 because many things are naturally forgotten or omitted4 ,sister ,emmerich sometimes spoke on these subjects1 either during the time of her visions on the ,passion1 or before they commenced2 but she more often refused to speak at all concerning them1 for fear of causing confusion in the visions4 ,it is easy to see how difficult it must have been for her1 in the midst of such a variety of apparitions1 to preserve any degree of connection in her narrations4 ,who can therefore be surprised at finding some omissions and confusion in her descriptions8 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,jesus condemned to be crucified4 ,pilate1 who did not desire to know the truth1 but was solely anxious to get out of the difficulty without harm to himself1 became more undecided than ever2 his conscience whispered--',jesus is innocent2' his wife said1 'he is holy2' his superstitious feelings made him fear that ,jesus was the enemy of his gods2 and his cowardice filled him with dread lest ,jesus1 if he was a god1 should wreak his vengeance upon his judge4 ,he was both irritated and alarmed at the last words of ,jesus1 and he made another attempt for his release2 but the ,jews instantly threatened to lay an accusation against him before the ,emperor4 ,this menace terrified him1 and he determined to accede to their wishes1 although firmly convinced in his own mind of the innocence of ,jesus1 and perfectly conscious that by pronouncing sentence of death upon him he should violate every law of justice1 besides breaking the promise he had made to his wife in the morning4 ,thus did he sacrifice ,jesus to the enmity of the ,jews1 and endeavour to stifle remorse by washing his hands before the people1 saying1 ',i am innocent of the blood of this just man2 look you to it4' ,vainly dost thou pronounce these words1 ,o ,pilate6 for his blood is on thy head likewise2 thou canst not wash his blood from thy soul1 as thou dost from thy hands4 ,those fearful words1 ',his blood be upon us and upon our children1' had scarcely ceased to resound1 when ,pilate commenced his preparations for passing sentence4 ,he called for the dress which he wore on state occasions1 put a species of diadem1 set in precious stones1 on his head1 changed his mantle1 and caused a staff to be carried before him4 ,he was surrounded with soldiers1 preceded by officers belonging to the tribunal1 and followed by ,scribes1 who carried rolls of parchments and books used for inscribing names and dates4 ,one man walked in front1 who carried the trumpet4 ,the procession marched in this order from ,pilate's palace to the forum1 where an elevated seat1 used on these particular occasions1 was placed opposite to the pillar where ,jesus was scourged4 ,this tribunal was called ,gabbatha2 it was a kind of round terrace1 ascended by means of staircases2 on the top was a seat for ,pilate1 and behind this seat a bench for those in minor offices1 while a number of soldiers were stationed round the terrace and upon the staircases4 ,many of the ,pharisees had left the palace and were gone to the ,temple1 so that ,annas1 ,caiphas1 and twenty-eight priests alone followed the ,roman governor on to the forum1 and the two thieves were taken there at the time that ,pilate presented our ,saviour to the people1 saying3 ',ecce homo6' ,our ,lord was still clothed in his purple garment1 his crown of thorns upon his head1 and his hands manacled1 when the archers brought him up to the tribunal1 and placed him between the two malefactors4 ,as soon as ,pilate was seated1 he again addressed the enemies of ,jesus1 in these words1 ',behold your ,king6' ,but the cries of ',crucify him6 ,crucify him6' resounded on all sides4 ',shall ,i crucify your ,king8' said ,pilate4 ',we have no ,king but ,caesar6' responded the ,high ,priests4 ,pilate found it was utterly hopeless to say anything more1 and therefore commenced his preparations for passing sentence4 ,the two thieves had received their sentence of crucifixion some time before2 but the ,high ,priests had obtained a respite for them1 in order that our ,lord might suffer the additional ignominy of being executed with two criminals of the most infamous description4 ,the crosses of the two thieves were by their sides2 that intended fro our ,lord was not brought1 because he was not as yet sentenced to death4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin1 who had retired to some distance after the scourging of ,jesus1 again approached to hear the sentence of death pronounced upon her ,son and her ,god4 ,jesus stood in the midst of the archers1 at the foot of the staircase leading up to the tribunal4 ,the trumpet was sounded to demand silence1 and then the cowardly1 the base judge1 in a tremulous undecided voice1 pronounced the sentence of death on the ,just ,man4 ,the sight of the cowardice and duplicity of this despicable being1 who was nevertheless puffed up with pride at his important position1 almost overcame me1 and the ferocious joy of the executioners--the triumphant countenances of the ,high ,priests1 added to the deplorable condition to which our loving ,saviour was reduced1 and the agonising grief of his beloved ,mother--still further increased my pain4 ,i looked up again1 and saw the cruel ,jews almost devouring their victim with their eyes1 the soldiers standing coldly by1 and multitudes of horrible demons passing to and fro and mixing in the crowd4 ,i felt that ,i ought to have been in the place of ,jesus1 my beloved ,spouse1 for the sentence would not then have been unjust2 but ,i was so overcome with anguish1 and my sufferings were so intense1 that ,i cannot exactly remember all that ,i did see4 ,however1 ,i will relate all as nearly as ,i can4 ,after a long preamble1 which was composed principally of the most pompous and exaggerated eulogy of the ,emperor ,tiberias1 ,pilate spoke of the accusations which had been brought against ,jesus by the ,high ,priests4 ,he said that they had condemned him to death for having disturbed the public peace1 and broken their laws by calling himself the ,son of ,god and ,king of the ,jews2 and that the people had unanimously demanded that their decree should be carried out4 ,notwithstanding his oft repeated conviction of the innocence of ,jesus1 this mean and worthless judge was not ashamed of saying that he likewise considered their decision a just one1 and that he should therefore pronounce sentence--which he did in these words3 ',i condemn ,jesus of ,nazareth1 the ,king of the ,jews1 to be crucified2' and he ordered the executioners to bring the cross4 ,i think ,i remember likewise that he took a long stick in his hands1 broke it1 and threw the fragments at the feet of ,jesus4 ,on hearing these words of ,pilate the ,mother of ,jesus became for a few moments totally unconscious1 for she was now certain that her beloved ,son must die the most ignominious and the most painful of all deaths4 ,john and the holy women carried her away1 to prevent the heartless beings who surrounded them from adding crime to crime by jeering at her grief2 but no sooner did she revive a little than she begged to be taken again to each spot which had been sanctified by the sufferings of her ,son1 in order to bedew them with her tears2 and thus did the ,mother of our ,lord1 in the name of the ,church1 take possession of those holy places4 ,pilate then wrote down the sentence1 and those who stood behind him copied it out three times4 ,the words which he wrote were quite different from those he had pronounced2 ,i could see plainly that his mind was dreadfully agitated--an angel of wrath appeared to guide his hand4 ,the substance of the written sentence was this3 ',i have been compelled1 for fear of an insurrection1 to yield to the wishes of the ,high ,priests1 the ,sanhedrin1 and the people1 who tumultuously demanded the death of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 whom they accused of having disturbed the public peace1 and also of having blasphemed and broken their laws4 ,i have given him up to them to be crucified1 although their accusations appeared to be groundless4 ,i have done so for fear of their alleging to the ,emperor that ,i encourage insurrections1 and cause dissatisfaction among the ,jews by denying them the rights of justice4' ,he then wrote the inscription for the cross1 while his clerks copied out the sentence several times1 that these copies might be sent to distant parts of the country4 ,the ,high ,priests were extremely dissatisfied at the words of the sentence1 which they said were not true2 and they clamorously surrounded the tribunal to endeavour to persuade him to alter the inscription2 and not to put ,king of the ,jews1 but that he said1 ,i am the ,king of the ,jews4 ,pilate was vexed1 and answered impatiently1 ',what ,i have written ,i have written6' ,they were likewise anxious that the cross of our ,lord should not be higher than those of the two thieves1 but it was necessary for it to be so1 because there would otherwise not have been sufficient place for ,pilate's inscription2 they therefore endeavoured to persuade him not to have this obnoxious inscription put up at all4 ,but ,pilate was determined1 and their words made no impression upon him2 the cross was therefore obliged to be lengthened by a fresh bit of wood4 ,consequently the form of the cross was peculiar--the two arms stood out like the branches of a tree growing from the stem1 and the shape was very like that of the letter ,y1 with the lower part lengthened so as to rise between the arms1 which had been put on separately1 and were thinner than the body of the cross4 ,a piece of wood was likewise nailed at the bottom of the cross for the feet to rest upon4 ,during the time that ,pilate was pronouncing the iniquitous sentence1 ,i saw his wife1 ,claudia ,procles1 send him back the pledge which he had given her1 and in the evening she left his palace and joined the friends of our ,lord1 who concealed her in a subterraneous vault in the house of ,lazarus at ,jerusalem4 ,later in the same day1 ,i likewise saw a friend of our ,lord engrave the words1 ,judex injustus1 and the name of ,claudia ,procles1 on a greenlooking stone1 which was behind the terrace called ,gabbatha--this stone is still to be found in the foundations of a church or house at ,jerusalem1 which stands on the spot formerly called ,gabbatha4 ,claudia ,procles became a ,christian1 followed ,st4 ,paul1 and became his particular friend4 ,no sooner had ,pilate pronounced sentence than ,jesus was given up into the hands of the archers1 and the clothes which he had taken off in the court of ,caiphas were brought for him to put on again4 ,i think some charitable persons had washed them1 for they looked clean4 ,the ruffians who surrounded ,jesus untied his hands for his dress to be changed1 and roughly dragged off the scarlet mantle with which they had clothed him in mockery1 thereby reopening all his wounds2 he put on his own linen under-garment with trembling hands1 and they threw his scapular over his shoulders4 ,as the crown of thorns was too large and prevented the seamless robe1 which his ,mother had made for him1 from going over his head1 they pulled it off violently1 heedless of the pain thus inflicted upon him4 ,his white woollen dress was next thrown over his shoulders1 and then his wide belt and cloak4 ,after this1 they again tied round his waist a ring covered with sharp iron points1 and to it they fastened the cords by which he was led1 doing all with their usual brutal cruelty4 ,the two thieves were standing1 one on the right and the other on the left of ,jesus1 with their hands tied and a chain round their necks2 they were covered with black and lived marks1 the effects of the scourging of the previous day4 ,the demeanour of the one who was afterwards converted was quiet and peaceable1 while that of the other1 on the contrary1 was rough and insolent1 and he joined the archers in abusing and insulting ,jesus1 who looked upon his two companions with love and compassion1 and offered up his sufferings for their salvation4 ,the archers gathered together all the implements necessary for the crucifixions1 and prepared everything for the terrible and painful journey to ,calvary4 ,annas and ,caiphas at last left off disputing with ,pilate1 and angrily retired1 taking with them the sheets of parchment on which the sentence was written2 they went away in haste1 fearing that they should get to the ,temple too late for the ,paschal sacrifice4 ,thus did the ,high ,priests1 unknowingly to themselves1 leave the true ,paschal ,lamb4 ,they went to a temple made of stone1 to immolate and to sacrifice that lamb which was but a symbol1 and they left the true ,paschal ,lamb1 who was being led to the ,altar of the ,cross by the cruel executioners2 they were most careful not to contract exterior defilement1 while their souls were completely defiled by anger1 hatred1 and envy4 ,they had said1 ',his blood be upon us and upon our children6' ,and by these words they had performed the ceremony1 and had placed the hand of the sacrificer upon the head of the ,victim4 ,thus were the two paths formed--the one leading to the altar belonging to the ,jewish law1 the other leading to the ,altar of ,grace3 ,pilate1 that proud and irresolute pagan1 that slave of the world1 who trembled in the presence of the true ,god1 and yet adored his false gods1 took a middle path1 and returned to his palace4 ,the iniquitous sentence was given at about ten in the morning4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,the ,carrying of the ,cross4 ,when ,pilate left the tribunal a portion of the soldiers followed him1 and were drawn up in files before the palace2 a few accompanying the criminals4 ,eight-and-twenty armed ,pharisees came to the forum on horseback1 in order to accompany ,jesus to the place of execution1 and among these were the six enemies of ,jesus1 who had assisted in arresting him in the ,garden of ,olives4 ,the archers led ,jesus into the middle of the court1 the slaves threw down the cross at his feet1 and the two arms were forthwith tied on to the centre piece4 ,jesus knelt down by its side1 encircled it with his sacred arms1 and kissed it three times1 addressing1 at the same time1 a most touching prayer of thanksgiving to his ,heavenly ,father for that work of redemption which he had begun4 ,it was the custom among pagans for the priest to embrace a new altar1 and ,jesus in like manner embraced his cross1 that august altar on which the bloody and expiatory sacrifice was about to be offered4 ,the archers soon made him rise1 and then kneel down again1 and almost without any assistance1 place the heavy cross on his right shoulder1 supporting its great weight with his right hand4 ,i saw angels come to his assistance1 otherwise he would have been unable even to raise it from the ground4 ,whilst he was on his knees1 and still praying1 the executioners put the arms of the crosses1 which were a little curbed and not as yet fastened to the centre pieces1 on the backs of the two thieves1 and tied their hands tightly to them4 ,the middle parts of the crosses were carried by slaves1 as the transverse pieces were not to be fastened to them until just before the time of execution4 ,the trumpet sounded to announce the departure of ,pilate's horsemen1 and one of the ,pharisees belonging to the escort came up to ,jesus1 who was still kneeling1 and said1 ',rise1 we have had a sufficiency of thy fine speeches2 rise and set off4' ,they pulled him roughly up1 for he was totally unable to rise without assistance1 and he then felt upon his shoulders the weight of that cross which we must carry after him1 according to his true and holy command to follow him4 ,thus began that triumphant march of the ,king of ,kings1 a march so ignominious on earth1 and so glorious in heaven4 ,by means of ropes1 which the executioners had fastened to the foot of the cross1 two archers supported it to prevent its getting entangled in anything1 and four other soldiers took hold of the ropes1 which they had fastened to ,jesus underneath his clothes4 ,the sight of our dear ,lord trembling beneath his burden1 reminded me forcibly of ,isaac1 when he carried the wood destined for his own sacrifice up the mountains4 ,the trumpet of ,pilate was sounded as the signal for departure1 for he himself intended to go to ,calvary at the head of a detachment of soldiers1 to prevent the possibility of an insurrection4 ,he was on horseback1 in armour1 surrounded by officers and a body of cavalry1 and followed by about three hundred of the infantry1 who came from the frontiers of ,italy and ,switzerland4 ,the procession was headed by a trumpeter1 who sounded his trumpet at every corner and proclaimed the sentence4 ,a number of women and children walked behind the procession with ropes1 nails1 wedges1 and baskets filled with different articles1 in their hands2 others1 who were stronger1 carried poles1 ladders1 and the centre pieces of the crosses of the two thieves1 and some of the ,pharisees followed on horseback4 ,a boy who had charge of the inscription which ,pilate had written for the cross1 likewise carried the crown of thorns 7which had been taken off the head of ,jesus7 at the end of a long stick1 but he did not appear to be wicked and hard-hearted like the rest4 ,next ,i beheld our ,blessed ,saviour and ,redeemer--his bare feet swollen and bleeding--his back bent as though he were about to sink under the heavy weight of the cross1 and his whole body covered with wounds and blood4 ,he appeared to be half fainting from exhaustion 7having had neither refreshment or sleep since the supper of the previous night71 weak from loss of blood1 and parched with thirst produced by fever and pain4 ,he supported the cross on his right shoulder with his right hand1 the left hung almost powerless at his side1 but he endeavoured now and then to hold up his long garment to prevent his bleeding feet from getting entangled in it4 ,the four archers who held the cords which were fastened round his waist1 walked at some distance from him1 the two in front pulled him on1 and the two behind dragged him back1 so that he could not get on at all without the greatest difficulty4 ,his hands were cut by the cords with which they had been bound2 his face bloody and disfigured2 his hair and beard saturated with blood2 the weight of the cross and of his chains combined to press and make the woollen dress cleave to his wounds1 and reopen them3 derisive and heartless words alone were addressed to him1 but he continued to pray for his persecutors1 and his countenance bore an expression of combined love and resignation4 ,many soldiers under arms walked by the side of the procession1 and after ,jesus came the two thieves1 who were likewise led1 the arms of their crosses1 separate from the middle1 being placed upon their backs1 and their hands tied tightly to the two ends4 ,they were clothed in large aprons1 with a sort of sleeveless scapular which covered the upper part of their bodies1 and they had straw caps upon their heads4 ,the good thief was calm1 but the other was1 on the contrary furious1 and never ceased cursing and swearing4 ,the rear of the procession was brought up by the remainder of the ,pharisees on horseback1 who rode to and fro to keep order4 ,pilate and his courtiers were at a certain distance behind2 he was in the midst of his officers clad in armour1 preceded by a squadron of cavalry1 and followed by three hundred foot soldiers2 he crossed the forum1 and then entered one of the principal streets1 for he was marching through the town in order to prevent any insurrection among the people4 ,jesus was conducted by a narrow back street1 that the procession might not inconvenience the persons who were going to the ,temple1 and likewise in order that ,pilate and his band might have the whole principal street entirely to themselves4 ,the crowd had dispersed and started in different directions almost immediately after the reading of the sentence1 and the greatest part of the ,jews either returned to their own houses1 or to the ,temple1 to hasten their preparations for sacrificing the ,paschal lamb2 but a certain number were still hurrying on in disorder to see the melancholy procession pass2 the ,roman soldiers prevented all persons from joining the procession1 therefore the most curious were obliged to go round by back streets1 or to quicken their steps so as to reach ,calvary before ,jesus4 ,the street through which they led ,jesus was both narrow and dirty2 he suffered much in passing through it1 because the archers were close and harassed him4 ,persons stood on the roofs of the houses1 and at the windows1 and insulted him with opprobrious language2 the slaves who were working in the streets threw filth and mud at him2 even the children1 incited by his enemies1 had filled their pinafores with sharp stones1 which they throw down before their doors as he passed1 that he might be obliged to walk over them4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,the ,first ,fall of ,jesus4 ,the street of which we have just spoken1 after turning a little to the left1 became rather steep1 as also wider1 a subterranean aqueduct proceeding from ,mount ,sion passed under it1 and in its vicinity was a hollow which was often filled with water and mud after rain1 and a large stone was placed in its centre to enable persons to pass over more easily4 ,when ,jesus reached this spot1 his strength was perfectly exhausted2 he was quite unable to move2 and as the archers dragged and pushed him without showing the slightest compassion1 he fell quite down against this stone1 and the cross fell by his side4 ,the cruel executioners were obliged to stop1 they abused and struck him unmercifully1 but the whole procession came to a standstill1 which caused a degree of confusion4 ,vainly did he hold out his hand for someone to assist him to rise3 ',ah6' he exclaimed1 'all will soon be over2' and he prayed for his enemies4 ,lift him up1' said the ,pharisees1 'otherwise he will die in our hands4' ,there were many women and children following the procession2 the former wept1 and the latter were frightened4 ,jesus1 however1 received support from above1 and raised his head2 but these cruel men1 far from endeavouring to alleviate his sufferings1 put the crown of thorns again on his head before they pulled him out of the mud1 and no sooner was he once more on his feet than they replaced the cross on his back4 ,the crown of thorns which encircled his head increased his pain inexpressibly1 and obliged him to bend on one side to give room for the cross1 which lay heavily on his shoulders4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,the ,second ,fall of ,jesus4 ,the afflicted ,mother of ,jesus had left the forum1 accompanied by ,john and some other women1 immediately after the unjust sentence was pronounced4 ,she had employed herself in walking to many of the spots sanctified by our ,lord and watering them with her tears2 but when the sound of the trumpet1 the rush of people1 and the clang of the horsemen announced that the procession was about to start for ,calvary1 she could not resist her longing desire to behold her beloved ,son once more1 and she begged ,john to take her to some place through which he must pass4 ,john conducted her to a palace1 which had an entrance in that street which ,jesus traversed after his first fall2 it was1 ,i believe1 the residence of the high priest ,caiphas1 whose tribunal was in the division called ,sion4 ,john asked and obtained leave from a kind-hearted servant to stand at the entrance mentioned above1 with ,mary and her companions4 ,the ,mother of ,god was pale1 her eyes were red with weeping1 and she was closely wrapped in a cloak of a bluish-grey colour4 ,the clamour and insulting speeches of the enraged multitude might be plainly heard2 and a herald at that moment proclaimed in a loud voice1 that three criminals were about to be crucified4 ,the servant opened the door2 the dreadful sounds became more distinct every moment2 and ,mary threw herself on her knees4 ,after praying fervently1 she turned to ,john and said1 ',shall ,i remain8 ,ought ,i to go away8 ,shall ,i have strength to support such a sight8' ,john made answer1 ',if you do not remain to see him pass1 you will grieve afterwards4' ,they remained therefore near the door1 with their eyes fixed on the procession1 which was still distant1 but advancing by slow degrees4 ,when those who were carrying the instruments for the execution approached1 and the ,mother of ,jesus saw their insolent and triumphant looks1 she could not control her feelings1 but joined her hands as if to implore the help of heaven2 upon which one among them said to his companions3 ',what woman is that who is uttering such lamentations8' ,another answered3 ',she is the ,mother of the ,galilean4' ,when the cruel men heard this1 far from being moved to compassion1 they began to make game of the grief of this most afflicted ,mother3 they pointed at her1 and one of them took the nails which were to be used for fastening ,jesus to the cross1 and presented them to her in an insulting manner2 but she turned away1 fixed her eyes upon ,jesus1 who was drawing near1 and leant against the pillar for support1 lest she should again faint from grief1 for her cheeks were as pale as death1 and her lips almost blue4 ,the ,pharisees on horseback passed by first1 followed by the boy who carried the inscription4 ,then came her beloved ,son4 ,he was almost sinking under the heavy weight of his cross1 and his head1 still crowned with thorns1 was drooping in agony on his shoulder4 ,he cast a look of compassion and sorrow upon his ,mother1 staggered1 and fell for the second time upon his hands and knees4 ,mary was perfectly agonised at this sight2 she forgot all else2 she saw neither soldiers nor executioners2 she saw nothing but her dearly-loved ,son2 and1 springing from the doorway into the midst of the group who were insulting and abusing him1 she threw herself on her knees by his side and embraced him4 ,the only words ,i heard were1 ',beloved ,son6' and ',mother6' but ,i do not know whether these words were really uttered1 or whether they were only in my own mind4 ,a momentary confusion ensued4 ,john and the holy women endeavoured to raise ,mary from the ground1 and the archers reproached her1 one of them saying1 ',what hast thou to do her1 woman8 ,he would not have been in our hands if he had been better brought up4' ,a few of the soldiers looked touched2 and1 although they obliged the ,blessed ,virgin to retire to the doorway1 not one laid hands upon her4 ,john and the women surrounded her as she fell half fainting against a stone1 which was near the doorway1 and upon which the impression of her hands remained4 ,this stone was very hard1 and was afterwards removed to the first ,catholic church built in ,jerusalem1 near the ,pool of ,bethsaida1 during the time that ,st4 ,james the ,less was ,bishop of that city4 ,the two disciples who were with the ,mother of ,jesus carried her into the house1 and the door was shut4 ,in the mean time the archers had raised ,jesus1 and obliged him to carry the cross in a different manner4 ,its arm being unfastened from the centre1 and entangled in the ropes with which he was bound1 he supported them on his arm1 and by this means the weight of the body of the cross was a little taken off1 as it dragged more on the ground4 ,i saw numbers of persons standing about in groups1 the greatest part amusing themselves by insulting our ,lord in different ways1 but a few veiled females were weeping4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,simon of ,cyrene4 ,third ,fall of ,jesus4 ,the procession had reached an arch formed in an old wall belonging to the town1 opposite to a square1 in which three streets terminated1 when ,jesus stumbled against a large stone which was placed in the middle of the archway1 the cross slipped from his shoulder1 he fell upon the stone1 and was totally unable to rise4 ,many respectable-looking persons who were on their way to the ,temple stopped1 and exclaimed compassionately3 ',look at that poor man1 he is certainly dying6' but his enemies showed no compassion4 ,this fall caused a fresh delay1 as our ,lord could not stand up again1 and the ,pharisees said to the soldiers3 ',we shall never get him to the place of execution alive1 if you do not find someone to carry his cross4' ,at this moment ,simon of ,cyrene1 a pagan1 happened to pass by1 accompanied by his three children4 ,he was a gardener1 just returning home after working in a garden near the eastern wall of the city1 and carrying a bundle of lopped branches4 ,the soldiers perceiving by his dress that he was a pagan1 seized him1 and ordered him to assist ,jesus in carrying his cross4 ,he refused at first1 but was soon compelled to obey1 although his children1 being frightened1 cried and made a great noise1 upon which some women quieted and took charge of them4 ,simon was much annoyed1 and expressed the greatest vexation at being obliged to walk with a man in so deplorable a condition of dirt and misery2 but ,jesus wept1 and cast such a mild and heavenly look upon him that he was touched1 and instead of continuing to show reluctance1 helped him to rise1 while the executioners fastened one arm of the cross on his shoulders1 and he walked behind our ,lord1 thus relieving him in a great measure from its weight2 and when all was arranged1 the procession moved forward4 ,simon was a stout-looking man1 apparently about forty years of age4 ,his children were dressed in tunics made of a variegated material2 the two eldest1 named ,rufus and ,alexander1 afterwards joined the disciples2 the third was much younger1 but a few years later went to live with ,st4 ,stephen4 ,simon had not carried the cross after ,jesus any length of time before he felt his heart deeply touched by grace4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,the ,veil of ,veronica4 ,while the procession was passing through a long street1 an incident took place which made a strong impression upon ,simon4 ,numbers of respectable persons were hurrying towards the ,temple1 of whom many got out of the way when they saw ,jesus1 from a ,pharisaical fear of defilement1 while others1 on the contrary1 stopped and expressed pity for his sufferings4 ,but when the procession had advanced about two hundred steps from the spot where ,simon began to assist our ,lord in carrying his cross1 the door of a beautiful house on the left opened1 and a woman of majestic appearance1 holding a young girl by the hand1 came out1 and walked up to the very head of the procession4 ,seraphia was the name of the brave woman who thus dared to confront the enraged multitude2 she was the wife of ,sirach1 one of the councillors belonging to the ,temple1 and was afterwards known by the name of ,veronica1 which name was given from the words vera icon 7true portrait71 to commemorate her brave conduct on this day4 ,seraphia had prepared some excellent aromatic wine1 which she piously intended to present to our ,lord to refresh him on his dolorous way to ,calvary4 ,she had been standing in the street for some time1 and at last went back into the house to wait4 ,she was1 when ,i first saw her1 enveloped in a long veil1 and holding a little girl of nine years of age1 whom she had adopted1 by the hand2 a large veil was likewise hanging on her arm1 and the little girl endeavoured to hide the jar of wine when the procession approached4 ,those who were marching at the head of the procession tried to push her back2 but she made her way through the mob1 the soldiers1 and the archers1 reached ,jesus1 fell on her knees before him1 and presented the veil1 saying at the same time1 ',permit me to wipe the face of my ,lord4' ,jesus took the veil in his left hand1 wiped his bleeding face1 and returned it with thanks4 ,seraphia kissed it1 and put it under her cloak4 ,the girl then timidly offered the wine1 but the brutal soldiers would not allow ,jesus to drink it4 ,the suddenness of this courageous act of ,seraphia had surprised the guards1 and caused a momentary although unintentional halt1 of which she had taken advantage to present the veil to her ,divine ,master4 ,both the ,pharisees and the guards were greatly exasperated1 not only by the sudden halt1 but much more by the public testimony of veneration which was thus paid to ,jesus1 and they revenged themselves by striking and abusing him1 while ,seraphia returned in haste to her house4 ,no sooner did she reach her room than she placed the woollen veil on a table1 and fell almost senseless on her knees4 ,a friend who entered the room a short time after1 found her thus kneeling1 with the child weeping by her side1 and saw1 to his astonishment1 the bloody countenance of our ,lord imprinted upon the veil1 a perfect likeness1 although heartrending and painful to look upon4 ,he roused ,seraphia1 and pointed to the veil4 ,she again knelt down before it1 and exclaimed through her tears1 ',now ,i shall indeed leave all with a happy heart1 for my ,lord has given me a remembrance of himself4' ,the texture of this veil was a species of very fine wool2 it was three times the length of its width1 and was generally worn on the shoulders4 ,it was customary to present these veil to persons who were in affliction1 or overfatigued1 or ill1 that they might wipe their faces with them1 and it was done in order to express sympathy or compassion4 ,veronica kept this veil until her death1 and hung it at the head of her bed2 it was then given to the ,blessed ,virgin1 who left it to the ,apostles and they afterwards passed it on to the ,church4 ,seraphis and ,john the ,baptist were cousins1 her father and ,zacharias being brothers4 ,when ,joachim and ,anna brought the ,blessed ,virgin1 who was then only four years old1 up to ,jerusalem1 to place her among the virgins in the ,temple1 they lodged in the house of ,zacharias1 which was situated near the fish-market4 ,seraphia was at least five years older than the ,blessed ,virgin1 was present at her marriage with ,st4 ,joseph1 and was likewise related to the aged ,simeon1 who prophesied when the ,child ,jesus was put into his arms4 ,she was brought up with his sons1 both of whom1 as well as ,seraphia1 he imbued with his ardent desire of seeing our ,lord4 ,when ,jesus was twelve years old1 and remained teaching in the ,temple1 ,seraphia1 who was not then married1 sent food for him every day to a little inn1 a quarter of a mile from ,jerusalem1 where he dwelt when he was not in the ,temple4 ,mary wet there for two days1 when on her way from ,bethlehem to ,jerusalem to offer her ,child in the ,temple4 ,the two old men who kept this inn were ,essenians1 and well acquainted with the ,holy ,family2 it contained a kind of foundation for the poor1 and ,jesus and his disciples often went there for a night's lodging4 ,seraphia married rather late in life2 her husband1 ,sirach1 was descended from the chaste ,susannah1 and was a member of the ,sanhedrin4 ,he was at first greatly opposed to our ,lord1 and his wife suffered much on account of her attachment to ,jesus1 and to the holy women1 but ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus brought him to a better state of feeling1 and he allowed ,seraphia to follow our ,lord4 ,when ,jesus was unjustly accused in the court of ,caiphas1 the husband of ,seraphia joined with ,joseph and ,nicodemus in attempts to obtain the liberation of our ,lord1 and all three resigned their seats in the ,council4 ,seraphia was about fifty at the time of the triumphant procession of our ,lord when he entered into ,jerusalem on ,palm ,sunday1 and ,i then saw her take off her veil and spread it on the ground for him to walk upon4 ,it was this same veil1 which she presented to ,jesus1 at this his second procession1 a procession which outwardly appeared to be far less glorious1 but was in fact much more so4 ,this veil obtained for her the name of ,veronica1 and it is still shown for the veneration of the faithful4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,the ,fourth and ,fifth ,falls of ,jesus4 ,the ,daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,the procession was still at some distance from the south-west gate1 which was large1 and attached to the fortifications1 and the street was rough and steep2 it had first to pass under a vaulted arch1 then over a bridge1 and finally under a second arch4 ,the wall on the left side of the gate runs first in southerly direction1 then deviates a little to the west1 and finally runs to the south behind ,mount ,sion4 ,when the procession was near this gate1 the brutal archers shoved ,jesus into a stagnant pool1 which was close to it2 ,simon of ,cyrene1 in his endeavours to avoid the pool1 gave the cross a twist1 which caused ,jesus to fall down for the fourth time in the midst of the dirty mud1 and ,simon had the greatest difficulty in lifting up the cross again4 ,jesus then exclaimed in a tone which1 although clear1 was moving and sad3 ',jerusalem1 ,jerusalem1 how often would ,i have gathered together thy children as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings1 and thou wouldst not6' ,when the ,pharisees heard these words1 they became still more angry1 and recommencing their insults and blows endeavoured to force him to get up out of the mud4 ,their cruelty to ,jesus so exasperated ,simon of ,cyrene that he at last exclaimed1 ',if you continue this brutal conduct1 ,i will throw down the cross and carry it no farther4 ,i will do so if you kill me for it4' ,a narrow and stony path was visible as soon as the gate was passed1 and this path ran in a northerly direction1 and led to ,calvary4 ,the high road from which it deviates divided shortly after into three branches1 one to the south-west1 which led to ,bethlehem1 through the vale of ,gihon2 a second to the south towards ,emmaus and ,joppa2 a third1 likewise to the south-west1 wound round ,calvary1 and terminated at the gate which led to ,bethsur4 ,a person standing at the gate through which ,jesus was led might easily see the gate of ,bethlehem4 ,the officers had fastened an inscription upon a post which stood at the commencement of the road to ,calvary1 to inform those who passed by that ,jesus and the two thieves were condemned to death4 ,a group of women had gathered together near this spot1 and were weeping and lamenting2 many carried young children in their arms2 the greatest part were young maidens and women from ,jerusalem1 who had preceded the procession1 but a few came from ,bethlehem1 from ,hebron1 and from other neighbouring places1 in order to celebrate the ,pasch4 ,jesus was on the point of again falling1 but ,simon1 who was behind1 perceiving that he could not stand1 hastened to support him2 he leant upon ,simon1 and was thus saved from falling to the ground4 ,when the women and children of whom we have spoken above1 saw the deplorable condition to which our ,lord was reduced1 they uttered loud cries1 wept1 and1 according to the ,jewish custom1 presented him cloths to wipe his face4 ,jesus turned towards them and said3 ',daughters of ,jerusalem1 weep not over me1 but weep for yourselves and for your children4 ,for behold the days shall come wherein they will say3 ,blessed are the barren1 and the wombs that have not borne1 and the papas that have not given suck4 ,then shall they begin to say to the mountains3 ,fall upon us1 and to the hills3 ,cover us4 ,for if in the green wood they do these things1 what shall be done in the dry8' ,he then addressed a few words of consolation to hem1 which ,i do not exactly remember4 ,the procession made a momentary halt4 ,the executioners1 who set of first1 had reached ,calvary with the instruments for the execution1 and were followed by a hundred of the ,roman soldiers who had started with ,pilate2 he only accompanied the procession as far as the gateway1 and returned to the town4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,jesus on ,mount ,golgotha4 ,sixth and ,seventh ,falls of ,jesus4 ,the procession again moved on2 the road was very steep and rough between the walls of the town and ,calvary1 and ,jesus had the greatest difficulty in walking with his heavy burden on his shoulders2 but his cruel enemies1 far from feeling the slightest compassion1 or giving the least assistance1 continued to urge him on by the infliction of hard blows1 and the utterance of dreadful curses4 ,at last they reached a spot where the pathway turned suddenly to the south2 here he stumbled and fell for the sixth time4 ,the fall was a dreadful one1 but the guards only struck him the harder to force him to get up1 and no sooner did he reach ,calvary that he sank down again for the seventh time4 ,simon of ,cyrene was filled with indignation and pity2 notwithstanding his fatigue1 he wished to remain that he might assist ,jesus1 but the archers first reviled1 and then drove him away1 and he soon after joined the body of disciples4 ,the executioners then ordered the workmen and the boys who had carried the instruments of the execution to depart1 and the ,pharisees soon arrived1 for they were on horseback1 and had taken the smooth and easy road which ran to the east of ,calvary4 ,there was a fine view of the whole town of ,jerusalem from the top of ,calvary4 ,this top was circular1 and about the size of an ordinary ridingschool1 surrounded by a low wall1 and with five separate entrances4 ,this appeared to be the usual number in those parts1 for there were five roads at the baths1 at the place where they baptised1 at the pool of ,bethsaida1 and there were likewise many towns with five gates4 ,in this1 as in many other peculiarities of the ,holy ,land1 there was a deep prophetic signification2 that number five1 which so often occurred1 was a type of those five sacred wound of our ,blessed ,saviour1 which were to open to us the gates of ,heaven4 ,the horsemen stopped on the west side of the mount1 where the declivity was not so steep2 for the side up which the criminals were brought was both rough and steep4 ,about a hundred soldiers were stationed on different parts of the mountain1 and as space was required1 the thieves were not brought to the top1 but ordered to halt before they reached it1 and to lie on the ground with their arms fastened to their crosses4 ,soldiers stood around and guarded them1 while crowds of persons who did not fear defiling themselves1 stood near the platform or on the neighbouring heights2 these were mostly of the lower classes--strangers1 slaves1 and pagans1 and a number of them were women4 ,it wanted about a quarter to twelve when ,jesus1 loaded with his cross1 sank down at the precise spot where he was to be crucified4 ,the barbarous executioners dragged him up by the cords which they had fastened round his waist1 and then untied the arms of the cross1 and threw them on the ground4 ,the sight of our ,blessed ,lord at this moment was1 indeed1 calculated to move the hardest heart to compassion2 he stood or rather bent over the cross1 being scarcely able to support himself2 his heavenly countenance was pale and was as that of a person on the verge of death1 although wounds and blood disfigured it to a frightful degree2 but the hearts of these cruel men were1 alas6 harder than iron itself1 and far from showing the slightest commiseration1 they threw him brutally down1 exclaiming in a jeering tone1 ',most powerful king1 we are about to prepare thy throne4' ,jesus immediately placed himself upon the cross1 and they measured him and marked the places for his feet and hands2 whilst the ,pharisees continued to insult their unresisting ,victim4 ,when the measurement was finished1 they led him to a cave cut in the rock1 which had been used formerly as a cellar1 opened the door1 and pushed him in so roughly that had it not been for the support of angels1 his legs must have been broken by so hard a fall on the rough stone floor4 ,i most distinctly heard his groans of pain1 but they closed the door quickly1 and placed guards before it1 and the archers continued their preparations for the crucifixion4 ,the centre of the platform mentioned above was the most elevated part of ,calvary1--it was a round eminence1 about two feet high1 and persons were obliged to ascend two of three steps to reach its top4 ,the executioners dug the holes for the three crosses at the top of this eminence1 and placed those intended for the thieves one on the right and the other on the left of our ,lord's2 both were lower and more roughly made than his4 ,they then carried the cross of our ,saviour to the spot where they intended to crucify him1 and placed it in such a position that it would easily fall into the hole prepared for it4 ,they fastened the two arms strongly on to the body of the cross1 nailed the board at the bottom which was to support the feet1 bored the holes for the nails1 and cut different hollows in the wood in the parts which would receive the head and back of our ,lord1 in order that his body might rest against the cross1 instead of being suspended from it4 ,their aim in this was the prolongation of his tortures1 for if the whole weight of this body was allowed to fall upon the hands the holes might be quite torn open1 and death ensue more speedily than they desired4 ,the executioners then drove into the ground the pieces of wood which were intended to keep the cross upright1 and made a few other similar preparations4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,the ,departure of ,mary and the holy ,women of ,calvary4 ,although the ,blessed ,virgin was carried away fainting after the sad meeting with her ,son loaded with his cross1 yet she soon recovered consciousness2 for love1 and the ardent desire of seeing him once more1 imparted to her a supernatural feeling of strength4 ,accompanied by her companions she went to the house of ,lazarus1 which was at the bottom of the town1 and where ,martha1 ,magdalen1 and many holy women were already assembled4 ,all were sad and depressed1 but ,magdalen could not restrain her tears and lamentations4 ,they started from this house1 about seventeen in number1 to make the way of the cross1 that is to say1 to follow every step ,jesus had taken in this most painful journey4 ,mary counted each footstep1 and being interiorly enlightened1 pointed out to her companions those places which had been consecrated by peculiar sufferings4 ,then did the sharp sword predicted by aged ,simeon impress for the first time in the heart of ,mary that touching devotion which has since been so constantly practised in the ,church4 ,mary imparted it to her companions1 and they in their turn left it to future generations1--a most precious gift indeed1 bestowed by our ,lord on his beloved ,mother1 and which passed from her heart to the hearts of her children through the revered voice of tradition4 ,when these holy women reached the house of ,veronica they entered it1 because ,pilate and his officers were at that moment passing through the street1 on their way home4 ,they burst forth into unrestrained tears when they beheld the countenance of ,jesus imprinted on the veil1 and they returned thanks to ,god for the favour he had bestowed on his faithful servant4 ,they took the jar of aromatic wine which the ,jews had prevented ,jesus from drinking1 and set off together towards ,golgotha4 ,their number was considerably increased1 for many pious men and women whom the sufferings of our ,lord had filled with pity had joined them1 and they ascended the west side of ,calvary1 as the declivity there was not so great4 ,the ,mother of ,jesus1 accompanied by her niece1 ,mary 7the daughter of ,cleophas71 ,john1 and ,salome went quite up to the round platform2 but ,martha1 ,mary of ,heli1 ,veronica1 ,johanna ,chusa1 ,susanna1 and ,mary1 the mother of ,mark1 remained below with ,magdalen1 who could hardly support herself4 ,lower down on the mountain there was a third group of holy women1 and there were a few scattered individuals between the three groups1 who carried messages from one to the other4 ,the ,pharisees on horseback rode to and fro among the people1 and the five entrances were guarded by ,roman soldiers4 ,mary kept her eyes fixed on the fatal spot1 and stood as if entranced1--it was indeed a sight calculated to appal and rend the heart of a mother4 ,there lay the terrible cross1 the hammers1 the ropes1 the nails1 and alongside of these frightful instruments to torture stood the brutal executioners1 half drunk1 and almost without clothing1 swearing and blaspheming1 whilst making their preparations4 ,the sufferings of the ,blessed ,virgin were greatly increased by her not being able to see her ,son2 she knew that he was still alive1 and she felt the most ardent desire once more to behold him1 while the thought of the torments he still had to endure made her heart ready to burst with grief4 ,a little hail had been falling at times during the morning1 but the sun came out again after ten o'clock1 and a thick red fog began to obscure it towards twelve4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,the ,nailing of ,jesus to the ,cross4 ,the preparations for the crucifixion being finished four archers went to the cave where they had confined our ,lord and dragged him out with their usual brutality1 while the mob looked on and made use of insulting language1 and the ,roman soldiers regarded all with indifference1 and thought of nothing but maintaining order4 ,when ,jesus was again brought forth1 the holy women gave a man some money1 and begged him to pay the archer anything they might demand if they would allow ,jesus to drink the wine which ,veronica had prepared2 but the cruel executioners1 instead of giving it to ,jesus1 drank it themselves4 ,they had brought two vases with them1 one of which contained vinegar and gall1 and the other a mixture which looked like wine mixed with myrrh and absinthe2 they offered a glass of the latter to our ,lord1 which he tasted1 but would not drink4 ,there were eighteen archers on the platform2 the six who had scourged ,jesus1 the four who had conducted him to ,calvary1 the two who held the ropes which supported the cross1 and six others who came for the purpose of crucifying him4 ,they were strangers in the pay of either the ,jews or the ,romans1 and were short thick-set men1 with most ferocious countenances1 rather resembling wild beasts than human beings1 and employing themselves alternately in drinking and in making preparations for the crucifixion4 ,this scene was rendered the more frightful to me by the sight of demons1 who were invisible to others1 and ,i saw large bodies of evil spirits under the forms of toads1 serpents1 sharp-clawed dragons1 and venomous insects1 urging these wicked men to still greater cruelty1 and perfectly darkening the air4 ,they crept into the mouths and into the hearts of the assistants1 sat upon their shoulders1 filled their minds with wicked images1 and incited them to revile and insult our ,lord with still greater brutality4 ,weeping angels1 however1 stood around ,jesus1 and the sight of their tears consoled me not a little1 and they were accompanied by little angels of glory1 whose heads alone ,i saw4 ,there were likewise angels of pity and angels of consolation among them2 the latter frequently approached the ,blessed ,virgin and the rest of the pious persons who were assembled there1 and whispered words of comfort which enabled them to bear up with firmness4 ,the executioners soon pulled off our ,lord's cloak1 the belt to which the ropes were fastened1 and his own belt1 when they found it was impossible to drag the woollen garment which his ,mother had woven for him over his head1 on account of the crown of thorns2 they tore off this most painful crown1 thus reopening every wound1 and seizing the garment1 tore it mercilessly over his bleeding and wounded head4 ,our dear ,lord and ,saviour then stood before his cruel enemies1 stripped of all save the short scapular which was on his shoulders1 and the linen which girded his loins4 ,his scapular was of wool2 the wool had stuck to the wounds1 and indescribable was the agony of pain he suffered when they pulled it roughly off4 ,he shook like the aspen as he stood before them1 for he was so weakened from suffering and loss of blood that he could not support himself for more than a few moments2 he was covered with open wounds1 and his shoulders and back were torn to the bone by the dreadful scourging he had endured4 ,he was about to fall when the executioners1 fearing that he might die1 and thus deprive them of the barbarous pleasure of crucifying him1 led him to a large stone and placed him roughly down upon it1 but no sooner was he seated than they aggravated his sufferings by putting the crown of thorns again upon his head4 ,they then offered him some vinegar and gall1 from which1 however1 he turned away in silence4 ,the executioners did not allow him to rest long1 but bade him rise and place himself on the cross that they might nail him to it4 ,then seizing his right arm they dragged it to the hole prepared for the nail1 and having tied it tightly down with a cord1 one of them knelt upon his sacred chest1 a second held his hand flat1 and a third taking a long thick nail1 pressed it on the open palm of that adorable hand1 which had ever been open to bestow blessings and favours on the ungrateful ,jews1 and with a great iron hammer drove it through the flesh1 and far into the wood of the cross4 ,our ,lord uttered one deep but suppressed groan1 and his blood gushed forth and sprinkled the arms of the archers4 ,i counted the blows of the hammer1 but my extreme grief made me forget their number4 ,the nails were very large1 the heads about the size of a crown piece1 and the thickness that of a man's thumb1 while the points came through at the back of the cross4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin stood motionless2 from time to time you might distinguish her plaintive moans2 she appeared as if almost fainting from grief1 and ,magdalen was quite beside herself4 ,when the executioners had nailed the right hand of our ,lord1 they perceived that his left hand did not reach the hole they had bored to receive the nail1 therefore they tied ropes to his left arm1 and having steadied their feet against the cross1 pulled the left hand violently until it reached the place prepared for it4 ,this dreadful process caused our ,lord indescribable agony1 his breast heaved1 and his legs were quite contracted4 ,they again knelt upon him1 tied down his arms1 and drove the second nail into his left hand2 his blood flowed afresh1 and his feeble groans were once more heard between the blows of the hammer1 but nothing could move the hard-hearted executioners to the slightest pity4 ,the arms of ,jesus1 thus unnaturally stretched out1 no longer covered the arms of the cross1 which were sloped2 there was a wide space between them and his armpits4 ,each additional torture and insult inflicted on our ,lord caused a fresh pang in the heart of his ,blessed ,mother2 she became white as a corpse1 but as the ,pharisees endeavoured to increase her pain by insulting words and gestures1 the disciples led her to a group of pious women who were standing a little farther off4 ,the executioners had fastened a piece of wood at the lower part of the cross under where the feet of ,jesus would be nailed1 that thus the weight of his body might not rest upon the wounds of his hands1 as also to prevent the bones of his feet from being broken when nailed to the cross4 ,a hole had been pierced in this wood to receive the nail when driven through his feet1 and there was likewise a little hollow place for his heels4 ,these precautions were taken lest his wounds should be torn open by the weight of this body1 and death ensue before he had suffered all the tortures which they hoped to see him endure4 ,the whole body of our ,lord had been dragged upward1 and contracted by the violent manner with which the executioners had stretched out his arms1 and his knees were bent up2 they therefore flattened and tied them down tightly with cords2 but soon perceiving that his feet did not reach the bit of wood which was placed for them to rest upon1 they became infuriated4 ,some of their number proposed making fresh holes for the nails which pierced his hands1 as there would be considerable difficulty in removing the bit of wood1 but the others would do nothing of the sort1 and continued to vociferate1 ',he will not stretch himself out1 but we will help him2' they accompanied these words with the most fearful oaths and imprecations1 and having fastened a rope to his right leg1 dragged it violently until it reached the wood1 and then tied it down as tightly as possible4 ,the agony which ,jesus suffered from this violent tension was indescribable2 the words ',my ,god1 my ,god1' escaped his lips1 and the executioners increased his pain by tying his chest and arms to the cross1 lest the hands should be torn from the nails4 ,they then fastened his left foot on to his right foot1 having first bored a hole through them with a species of piercer1 because they could not be placed in such a position as to be nailed together at once4 ,next they took a very long nail and drove it completely through both feet into the cross below1 which operation was more than usually painful1 on account of his body being so unnaturally stretched out2 ,i counted at least six and thirty blows of the hammer4 ,during the whole time of the crucifixion our ,lord never ceased praying1 and repeating those passages in the ,psalms which he was then accompanying1 although from time to time a feeble moan caused by excess of suffering might be heard4 ,in this manner he had prayed when carrying his cross1 and thus he continued to pray until his death4 ,i heard him repeat all these prophecies2 ,i repeated them after him1 and ,i have often since noted the different passages when reading the ,psalms1 but ,i now feel so exhausted with grief that ,i cannot at all connect them4 ,when the crucifixion of ,jesus was finished1 the commander of the ,roman soldiers ordered ,pilate's inscription to be nailed on the top of the cross4 ,the ,pharisees were much incensed at this1 and their anger was increased by the jeers of the ,roman soldiers1 who pointed at their crucified king2 they therefore hastened back to ,jerusalem1 determined to use their best endeavours to persuade the governor to allow them to substitute another inscription4 ,it was about a quarter past twelve when ,jesus was crucified1 and at the moment the cross was lifted up1 the ,temple resounded with the blast of trumpets1 which were always blown to announce the sacrifice of the ,paschal ,lamb4 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,raising of the ,cross4 ,when the executioners had finished the crucifixion of our ,lord1 they tied ropes to the trunk of the cross1 and fastened the ends of these ropes round a long beam which was fixed firmly in the ground at a little distance1 and by means of these ropes they raised the cross4 ,some of their number supported it while others shoved its foot towards the hole prepared for its reception--the heavy cross fell into this hole with a frightful shock--,jesus uttered a faint cry1 and his wounds were torn open in the most fearful manner1 his blood again burst forth1 and his half dislocated bones knocked one against the other4 ,the archers pushed the cross to get it thoroughly into the hole1 and caused it to vibrate still more by planting five stakes around to support it4 ,a terrible1 but at the same time a touching sight it was to behold the cross raised up in the midst of the vast concourse of persons who were assembled all around2 not only insulting soldiers1 proud ,pharisees1 and the brutal ,jewish mob were there1 but likewise strangers from all parts4 ,the air resounded with acclamations and derisive cries when they beheld it towering on high1 and after vibrating for a moment in the air1 fall with a heavy crash into the hole cut for it in the rock4 ,but words of love and compassion resounded through the air at the same moment2 and need we say that these words1 these sounds1 were emitted by the most saintly of human beings--,mary--,john--the holy women1 and all who were pure of heart8 ,they bowed down and adored the ',word made flesh1' nailed to the cross2 they stretched forth their hands as if desirous of giving assistance to the ,holy of ,holies1 whom they beheld nailed to a cross and in the power of his furious enemies4 ,but when the solemn sound of the fall of the cross into the hole prepared for it in the rock was heard1 a dead silence ensued1 every heart was filled with an indefinable feeling of awe--a feeling never before experienced1 and for which no one could account1 even to himself2 all the inmates of hell shook with terror1 and vented their rage by endeavouring to stimulate the enemies of ,jesus to still greater fury and brutality2 the souls in ,limbo were filled with joy and hope1 for the sound was to them a harbinger of happiness1 the prelude to the appearance of their ,deliverer4 ,thus was the blessed cross of our ,lord planted for the first time on the earth2 and well might it be compared to the tree of life in ,paradise1 for the wounds of ,jesus were as sacred fountains1 from which flowed four rivers destined both to purify the world from the curse of sin1 and to give it fertility1 so as to produce fruit unto salvation4 ,the eminence on which the cross was planted was about two feet higher than the surrounding parts2 the feet of ,jesus were sufficiently near the ground for his friends to be able to reach to kiss them1 and his face was turned to the north-west4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,crucifixion of the ,thieves4 ,during the time of the crucifixion of ,jesus1 the two thieves were left lying on the ground at some distance off2 their arms were fastened to the crosses on which they were to be executed1 and a few soldiers stood near on guard4 ,the accusation which had been proved against them was that of having assassinated a ,jewish woman who1 with her children1 was travelling from ,jerusalem to ,joppa4 ,they were arrested1 under the disguise of rich merchants1 at a castle in which ,pilate resided occasionally1 when employed in exercising his troops1 and they had been imprisoned for a long time before being brought to trial4 ,the thief placed on the left-hand side was much older than the other2 a regular miscreant1 who had corrupted the younger4 ,they were commonly called ,dismas and ,gesmas1 and as ,i forget their real names ,i shall distinguish them by these terms1 calling the good one ,dismas1 and the wicked one ,gesmas4 ,both the one and the other belonged to a band of robbers who infested the frontiers of ,egypt2 and it was in a cave inhabited by these robbers that the ,holy ,family took refuge when flying into ,egypt1 at the time of the massacre of the ,innocents4 ,the poor leprous child1 who was instantly cleansed by being dipped in the water which had been used for washing the infant ,jesus1 was no other than this ,dismas1 and the charity of his mother1 in receiving and granting hospitality to the ,holy ,family1 had been rewarded by the cure of her child2 while this outward purification was an emblem of the inward purification which was afterwards accomplished in the soul of ,dismas on ,mount ,calvary1 through that ,sacred ,blood which was then shed on the cross for our redemption4 ,dismas knew nothing at all about ,jesus1 but as his heart was not hardened1 the sight of the extreme patience of our ,lord moved him much4 ,when the executioners had finished putting up the cross of ,jesus1 they ordered the thieves to rise without delay1 and they loosened their fetters in order to crucify them at once1 as the sky was becoming very cloudy and bore every appearance of an approaching storm4 ,after giving them some myrrh and vinegar1 they stripped off their ragged clothing1 tied ropes round their arms1 and by the help of small ladders dragged them up to their places on the cross4 ,the executioners then bound the arms of the thieves to the cross1 with cords made of the bark of trees1 and fastened their wrists1 elbows1 knees1 and feet in like manner1 drawing the cords so tight that their joints cracked1 and the blood burst out4 ,they uttered piercing cries1 and the good thief exclaimed as they were drawing him up1 ',this torture is dreadful1 but if they had treated us as they treated the poor ,galilean1 we should have been dead long ago4' ,the executioners had divided the garments of ,jesus1 in order to draw lots for them2 his mantle1 which was narrow at the top1 was very wide at the bottom1 and lined over the chest1 thus forming a pocket between the lining and the material itself2 the lining they pulled out1 tore into bands1 and divided4 ,they did the same with his long white robe1 belt1 scapular1 and under-garment1 which was completely saturated with his ,sacred ,blood4 ,not being able to agree as to who was to be the possessor of the seamless robe woven by his ,mother1 which could not be cut up and divided1 they brought out a species of chessboard marked with figures1 and were about to decide the point by lots1 when a messenger1 sent by ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 informed them that there were persons ready to purchase all the clothes of ,jesus2 they therefore gathered them together and sold them in a bundle4 ,thus did the ,christians get possession of these precious relics4 ,,chapter ,,xli4 ,jesus hanging on the ,cross between two ,thieves4 ,the tremendous concussion caused by the fall of the cross into the hole prepared for it drove the sharp points of the crown of thorns1 which was still upon the head of our dear ,saviour1 still deeper into his sacred flesh1 and blood ran down again in streams1 both from it and from his hands and feet4 ,the archers then placed ladders against the sides of the cross1 mounted them and unfastened the ropes with which they had bound our ,lord to the cross1 previous to lifting it up1 fearing that the shock might tear open the wounds in his hands and feet1 and that then the nails would no longer support his body4 ,his blood had become1 in a certain degree1 stagnated by his horizontal position and the pressure of the cords1 but when these were withdrawn1 it resumed its usual course1 and caused such agonising sensations throughout his countless wounds1 that he bowed his head1 and remained as if dead for more than seven minutes4 ,a pause ensued2 the executioners were occupied with the division of his garments2 the trumpets in the ,temple no longer resounded2 and all the actors in this fearful tragedy appeared to be exhausted1 some by grief1 and others by the efforts they had made to compass their wicked ends1 and by the joy which they felt now at having at last succeeded in bringing about the death of him whom they had so long envied4 ,with mixed feelings of fear and compassion ,i cast my eyes upon ,jesus1--,jesus my ,redeemer1--the ,redeemer of the world4 ,i beheld him motionless1 and almost lifeless4 ,i felt as if ,i myself must expire2 my heart was overwhelmed between grief1 love1 and horror2 my mind was half wandering1 my hands and feet burning with a feverish heat2 each vein1 nerve1 and limb was racked with inexpressible pain2 ,i saw nothing distinctly1 excepting my beloved ,spouse hanging on the cross4 ,i contemplated his disfigured countenance1 his head encircled with that terrible crown of thorns1 which prevented his raising it even for a moment without the most intense suffering1 his mouth parched and half open from exhaustion1 and his hair and beard clotted with blood4 ,his chest was torn with stripes and wounds1 and his elbows1 wrists1 and shoulders so violently distended as to be almost dislocated2 blood constantly trickled down from the gaping wounds in his hands1 and the flesh was so torn from his ribs that you might almost count them4 ,his legs and thighs1 as also his arms1 were stretched out almost to dislocation1 the flesh and muscles so completely laid bare that every bone was visible1 and his whole body covered with black1 green1 and reeking wounds4 ,the blood which flowed from his wounds was at first red1 but it became by degrees light and watery1 and the whole appearance of his body was that of a corpse ready for interment4 ,and yet1 notwithstanding the horrible wounds with which he was covered1 notwithstanding the state of ignominy to which he was reduced1 there still remained that inexpressible look of dignity and goodness which had ever filled all beholders with awe4 ,the complexion of our ,lord was fair1 like that of ,mary1 and slightly tinted with red2 but his exposure to the weather during the last three years had tanned him considerably4 ,his chest was wide1 but not hairy like that of ,st4 ,john ,baptist2 his shoulders broad1 and his arms and thighs sinewy2 his knees were strong and hardened1 as is usually the case with those who have either walked or knelt much1 and his legs long1 with very strong muscles2 his feet were well formed1 and his hands beautiful1 the fingers being long and tapering1 and although not delicate like those of a woman1 still not resembling those of a man who had laboured hard4 ,his neck was rather long1 with a well-set and finely proportioned head2 his forehead large and high2 his face oval2 his hair1 which was far from thick1 was of a golden brown colour1 parted in the middle and falling over his shoulders2 his beard was not any great length1 but pointed and divided under the chin4 ,when ,i contemplated him on the cross1 his hair was almost all torn off1 and what remained was matted and clotted with blood2 his body was one wound1 and every limb seemed as if dislocated4 ,the crosses of the two thieves were placed1 the one to the right and the other to the left of ,jesus2 there was sufficient space left for a horseman to ride between them4 ,nothing can be imagined more distressing than the appearance of the thieves on their crosses2 they suffered terribly1 and the one on the left-hand side never ceased cursing and swearing4 ,the cords with which they were tied were very tight1 and caused great pain2 their countenances were livid1 and their eyes enflamed and ready to start from the sockets4 ,the height of the crosses of the two thieves was much less than that of our ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4 ,first ,word of ,jesus on the ,cross4 ,as soon as the executioners had crucified the two thieves and divided the garment of ,jesus between them1 they gathered up their tools1 addressed a few more insulting words to our ,lord1 and went away4 ,the ,pharisees1 likewise1 rode up to ,jesus1 looked at him scornfully1 made use of some opprobrious expression1 and then left the place4 ,the ,roman soldiers1 of whom a hundred had been posted round ,calvary1 were marched away1 and their places filled by fifty others1 the command of whom was given to ,abenadar1 an ,arab by birth1 who afterwards took the name of ,ctesiphon in baptism2 and the second in command was ,cassius1 who1 when he became a ,christian1 was known by the name of ,longinus3 ,pilate frequently made use of him as a messenger4 ,twelve ,pharisees1 twelve ,sadducees1 as many scribes1 and a few ancients1 accompanied by those ,jews who had been endeavouring to persuade ,pilate to change the inscription on the ,cross of ,jesus1 then came up3 they were furious1 as the ,roman governor had given them a direct refusal4 ,they rode round the platform1 and drove away the ,blessed ,virgin1 whom ,st4 ,john led to the holy women4 ,when they passed the ,cross of ,jesus1 they shook their heads disdainfully at him1 exclaiming at the same time1 ',vah6 thou that destroyest the temple of ,god1 and in three days buildest it up again1 save thyself1 coming down from the ,cross4 ,let ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel1 come down now from the ,cross1 that we may see and believe4' ,the soldiers1 likewise1 made use of deriding language4 ,the countenance and whole body of ,jesus became even more colourless3 he appeared to be on the point of fainting1 and ,gesmas 7the wicked thief7 exclaimed1 ',the demon by whom he is possessed is about to leave him4' ,a soldier then took a sponge1 filled it with vinegar1 put it on a reed1 and presented it to ,jesus1 who appeared to drink4 ',if thou art the ,king of the ,jews1' said the soldier1 'save thyself1 coming down from the ,cross4' ,these things took place during the time that the first band of soldiers was being relieved by that of ,abenadar4 ,jesus raised his head a little1 and said1 ',father1 forgive them1 for they know not what they do4' ,and ,gesmas cried out1 ',if thou art the ,christ1 save thyself and us4' ,dismas 7the good thief7 was silent1 but he was deeply moved at the prayer of ,jesus for his enemies4 ,when ,mary heard the voice of her ,son1 unable to restrain herself1 she rushed forward1 followed by ,john1 ,salome1 and ,mary of ,cleophas1 and approached the ,cross1 which the kind-hearted centurion did not prevent4 ,the prayers of ,jesus obtained for the good thief a moist powerful grace2 he suddenly remembered that it was ,jesus and ,mary who had cured him of leprosy in his childhood1 and he exclaimed in a loud and clear voice1 ',how can you insult him when he prays for you8 ,he has been silent1 and suffered all your outrages with patience2 he is truly a ,prophet--he is our ,king--he is the ,son of ,god4' ,this unexpected reproof from the lips of a miserable malefactor who was dying on a cross caused a tremendous commotion among the spectators2 they gathered up stones1 and wished to throw them at him2 but the centurion ,abenadar would not allow it4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was much comforted and strengthened by the prayer of ,jesus1 and ,dismas said to ,gesmas1 who was still blaspheming ,jesus1 ',neither dost thou fear ,god1 seeing thou art under the same condemnation4 ,and we indeed justly1 for we receive the due reward of our deeds2 but this man hath done no evil4 ,remember thou art now at the point of death1 and repent4' ,he was enlightened and touched3 he confessed his sins to ,jesus1 and said3 ',lord1 if thou condemnest me it will be with justice4' ,and ,jesus replied1 ',thou shalt experience my mercy4' ,dismas1 filled with the most perfect contrition1 began instantly to thank ,god for the great graces he had received1 and to reflect over the manifold sins of his past life4 ,all these events took place between twelve and the half-hour shortly after the crucifixion2 but such a surprising change had taken place in the appearance of nature during that time as to astonish the beholders and fill their minds with awe and terror4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4 ,eclipse of the ,sun4 ,second and ,third ,word of ,jesus on the ,cross4 ,a little hail had fallen at about ten o'clock1--when ,pilate was passing sentence1--and after that the weather cleared up1 until towards twelve1 when the thick red-looking fog began to obscure the sun4 ,towards the sixth hour1 according to the manner of counting of the ,jews1 the sun was suddenly darkened4 ,i was shown the exact cause of this wonderful phenomenon2 but ,i have unfortunately partly forgotten it1 and what ,i have not forgotten ,i cannot find words to express2 but ,i was lifted up from the earth1 and beheld the stars and the planets moving about out of their proper spheres4 ,i saw the moon like an immense ball of fire rolling along as if flying from the earth4 ,i was then suddenly taken back to ,jerusalem1 and ,i beheld the moon reappear behind the ,mountain of ,olives1 looking pale and full1 and advancing rapidly towards the sun1 which was dim and over-shrouded by a fog4 ,i saw to the east of the sun a large dark body which had the appearance of a mountain1 and which soon entirely hid the sun4 ,the centre of this body was dark yellow1 and a red circle like a ring of fire was round it4 ,the sky grew darker and the stars appeared to cast a red and lurid light4 ,both men and beasts were struck with terror2 the enemies of ,jesus ceased reviling him1 while the ,pharisees endeavoured to give philosophical reasons for what was taking place1 but they failed in their attempt1 and were reduced to silence4 ,many were seized with remorse1 struck their breasts1 and cried out1 ',may his blood fall upon his murderers6' ,numbers of others1 whether near the ,cross or at a distance1 fell on their knees and entreated forgiveness of ,jesus1 who turned his eyes compassionately upon them in the midst of his sufferings4 ,however1 the darkness continued to increase1 and everyone excepting ,mary and the most faithful among the friends of ,jesus left the ,cross4 ,dismas then raised his head1 and in a tone of humility and hope said to ,jesus1 ',lord1 remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom4' ,and ,jesus made answer1 ',amen1 ,i say to thee1 ,this day thou shalt be with me in ,paradise4' ,magdalen1 ,mary of ,cleophas1 and ,john stood near the ,cross of our ,lord and looked at him1 while the ,blessed ,virgin1 filled with intense feelings of motherly love1 entreated her ,son to permit her to die with him2 but he1 casting a look of ineffable tenderness upon her1 turned to ,john and said1 ',woman1 behold thy son2' then he said to ,john1 ',behold thy mother4' ,john looked at his dying ,redeemer1 and saluted this beloved mother 7whom he henceforth considered as his own7 in the most respectful manner4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was so overcome by grief at these words of ,jesus that she almost fainted1 and was carried to a short distance from the ,cross by the holy women4 ,i do not know whether ,jesus really pronounced these words1 but ,i felt interiorly that he gave ,mary to ,john as a mother1 and ,john to ,mary as a son4 ,in similar visions a person is often conscious of things which are not written1 and words can only express a portion of them1 although to the individual to whom they are shown they are so clear as not to require explanation4 ,for this reason it did not appear to me in the least surprising that ,jesus should call the ,blessed ,virgin ',woman1' instead of ',mother4' ,i felt that he intended to demonstrate that she was that woman spoken of in ,scripture who was to crush the head of the serpent1 and that then was the moment in which that promise was accomplished in the death of her ,son4 ,i knew that ,jesus1 by giving her as a mother to ,john1 gave her also as a mother to all who believe in him1 who become children of ,god1 and are not born of flesh and blood1 or of the will of man1 but of ,god4 ,neither did it appear to me surprising that the most pure1 the most humble1 and the most obedient among women1 who1 when saluted by the angel as 'full of grace1' immediately replied1 ',behold the handmaid of the ,lord1 be it done to me according to thy word1' and in whose sacred womb the ,word was instantly made flesh1--that she1 when informed by her dying ,son that she was to become the spiritual mother of another son1 should repeat the same words with humble obedience1 and immediately adopt as her children all the children of ,god1 the brothers of ,jesus ,christ4 ,these things are much easier to feel by the grace of ,god than to be expressed in words4 ,i remember my celestial ,spouse once saying to me1 ',everything is imprinted in the hearts of those children of the ,church who believe1 hope1 and love4' ,,chapter ,,xliv4 ,the ,fear felt by the ,inhabitants of ,jerusalem4 ,fourth ,word of ,jesus on the ,cross4 ,it was about half-past one o'clock when ,i was taken into ,jerusalem to see what was going on there4 ,the inhabitants were perfectly overcome with terror and anxiety2 the streets dark and gloomy1 and some persons were feeling their way about1 while others1 seated on the ground with their heads veiled1 struck their breasts1 or went up to the roofs of their houses1 looked at the sky1 and burst forth in bitter lamentations4 ,even the animals uttered mournful cries1 and hid themselves2 the birds flew low1 and fell to the ground4 ,i saw ,pilate conferring with ,herod on the alarming state of things3 they were both extremely agitated1 and contemplated the appearance of the sky from that terrace upon which ,herod was standing when he delivered up ,jesus to be insulted by the infuriated rabble4 ',these events are not in the common course of nature1' they both exclaimed3 'they must be caused by the anger of the gods1 who are displeased at the cruelty which has been exercised towards ,jesus of ,nazareth4' ,pilate and ,herod1 surrounded by guards1 then directed their hasty trembling steps through the forum to ,herod's palace4 ,pilate turned away his head when he passed ,gabbatha1 from whence he had condemned ,jesus to be crucified4 ,the square was almost empty2 a few persons might be seen re-entering their houses as quickly as possible1 and a few others running about and weeping1 while two or three small groups might be distinguished in the distance4 ,pilate sent for some of the ancients and asked them what they thought the astounding darkness could possible portend1 and said that he himself considered it a terrific proof of the anger of their ,god at the crucifixion of the ,galilean1 who was most certainly their prophet and their king3 he added that he had nothing to reproach himself with on that head1 for he had washed his hands of the whole affair1 and was1 therefore1 quite innocent4 ,the ancients were as hardened as ever1 and replied1 in a sullen tone1 that there was nothing unnatural in the course of events1 that they might be easily accounted for by philosophers1 and that they did not repent of anything they had done4 ,however1 many persons were converted1 and among others those soldiers who fell to the ground at the words of our ,lord when they were sent to arrest him in the ,garden of ,olives4 ,the rabble assembled before ,pilate's house1 and instead of the cry of ',crucify him1 crucify him6' which had resounded in the morning1 you might have heard vociferations of ',down with the iniquitous judge6' ',may the blood of the just man fall upon his murderers6' ,pilate was much alarmed2 he sent for additional guards1 and endeavoured to cast all the blame upon the ,jews4 ,he again declared that the crime was not his2 that he was no subject of this ,jesus1 whom they had put to death unjustly1 and who was their king1 their prophet1 their ,holy ,one2 that they alone were guilty1 as it must be evident to all that he condemned ,jesus solely from compulsion4 ,the ,temple was thronged with ,jews1 who were intent on the immolation of the ,paschal lamb2 but when the darkness increased to such a degree that it was impossible to distinguish the countenance of one from that of the other1 they were seized with fear1 horror1 and dread1 which they expressed by mournful cries and lamentations4 ,the ,high ,priests endeavoured to maintain order and quiet4 ,all the lamps were lighted2 but the confusion became greater every moment1 and ,annas appeared perfectly paralysed with terror4 ,i saw him endeavouring to hide first in one place1 and then in another4 ,when ,i left the ,temple1 and walked through the streets1 ,i remarked that1 although not a breath of wind was stirring1 yet both the doors and windows of the houses were shaking as if in a storm1 and the darkness was becoming every moment more dense4 ,the consternation produced by the sudden darkness at ,mount ,calvary was indescribable4 ,when it first commenced1 the confusion of the noise of the hammers1 the vociferations of the rabble1 the cries of the two thieves on being fastened to their crosses1 the insulting speeches of the ,pharisees1 the evolutions of the soldiers1 and the drunken shouts of the executioners1 had so completely engrossed the attention of everyone1 that the change which was gradually coming over the face of nature was not remarked2 but as the darkness increased1 every sound ceased1 each voice was hushed1 and remorse and terror took possession of every heart1 while the bystanders retired one by one to a distance from the ,cross4 ,then it was that ,jesus gave his ,mother to ,st4 ,john1 and that she1 overcome by grief1 was carried away to a short distance4 ,as the darkness continued to grow more and more dense1 the silence became perfectly astounding2 everyone appeared terror struck2 some looked at the sky1 while others1 filled with remorse1 turned towards the ,cross1 smote their breasts1 and were converted4 ,although the ,pharisees were in reality quite as much alarmed as other persons1 yet they endeavoured at first to put a bold face on the matter1 and declared that they could see nothing unaccountable in these events2 but at last even they lost assurance1 and were reduced to silence4 ,the disc of the sun was of a dark-yellow tint1 rather resembling a mountain when viewed by moonlight1 and it was surrounded by a bright fiery ring2 the stars appeared1 but the light they cast was red and lurid2 the birds were so terrified as to drop to the ground2 the beasts trembled and moaned2 the horses and the asses of the ,pharisees crept as close as possible to one another1 and put their heads between their legs4 ,the thick fog penetrated everything4 ,stillness reigned around the ,cross4 ,jesus hung upon it alone2 forsaken by all1--disciples1 followers1 friends1 his ,mother even was removed from his side2 not one person of the thousands upon whom he had lavished benefits was near to offer him the slightest alleviation in his bitter agony1--his soul was overspread with an indescribable feeling of bitterness and grief1--all within him was dark1 gloomy1 and wretched4 ,the darkness which reigned around was but symbolical of that which overspread his interior2 he turned1 nevertheless1 to his ,heavenly ,father1 he prayed for his enemies1 he offered the chalice of his sufferings for their redemption1 he continued to pray as he had done during the whole of his ,passion1 and repeated portions of those ,psalms the prophecies of which were then receiving their accomplishment in him4 ,i saw angels standing around4 ,again ,i looked at ,jesus--my beloved ,spouse--on his ,cross1 agonising and dying1 yet still in dreary solitude4 ,he at that moment endured anguish which no mortal pen can describe1--he felt that suffering which would overwhelm a poor weak mortal if deprived at once of all consolation1 both divine and human1 and then compelled1 without refreshment1 assistance1 or light1 to traverse the stormy desert of tribulation upheld by faith1 hope1 and charity alone4 ,his sufferings were inexpressible2 but it was by them that he merited for us the grace necessary to resist those temptations to despair which will assail us at the hour of death1--that tremendous hour when we shall feel that we are about to leave all that is dear to us here below4 ,when our minds1 weakened by disease1 have lost the power of reasoning1 and even our hopes of mercy and forgiveness are become1 as it were1 enveloped in mist and uncertainty1--then it is that we must fly to ,jesus1 unite our feelings of desolation with that indescribable dereliction which he endured upon the ,cross1 and be certain of obtaining a glorious victory over our infernal enemies4 ,jesus then offered to his ,eternal ,father his poverty1 his dereliction1 his labours1 and1 above all1 the bitter sufferings which our ingratitude had caused him to endure in expiation for our sins and weakness2 no one1 therefore1 who is united to ,jesus in the bosom of his ,church must despair at the awful moment preceding his exit from this life1 even if he be deprived of all sensible light and comfort2 for he must then remember that the ,christian is no longer obliged to enter this dark desert alone and unprotected1 as ,jesus has cast his own interior and exterior dereliction on the ,cross into this gulf of desolation1 consequently he will not be left to cope alone with death1 or be suffered to leave this world in desolation of spirit1 deprived of heavenly consolation4 ,all fear of loneliness and despair in death must therefore be cast away2 for ,jesus1 who is our true light1 the ,way1 the ,truth1 and the ,life1 has preceded us on that dreary road1 has overspread it with blessings1 and raised his ,cross upon it1 one glance at which will calm our every fear4 ,jesus then 7if we may so express ourselves7 made his last testament in the presence of his ,father1 and bequeathed the merits of his ,death and ,passion to the ,church and to sinners4 ,not one erring soul was forgotten2 he thought of each and everyone2 praying1 likewise1 even for those heretics who have endeavoured to prove that1 being ,god1 he did not suffer as a man would have suffered in his place4 ,the cry which he allowed to pass his lips in the height of his agony was intended not only to show the excess of the sufferings he was then enduring1 but likewise to encourage all afflicted souls who acknowledge ,god as their ,father to lay their sorrows with filial confidence at his feet4 ,it was towards three o'clock when he cried out in a loud voice1 ',eloi1 ,eloi1 lamma sabacthani8' ',my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me8' ,these words of our ,lord interrupted the dead silence which had continued so long2 the ,pharisees turned towards him1 and one of them said1 ',behold1 he calleth ,elias2' and another1 ',let us see whether ,elias will come to deliver him4' ,when ,mary heard the voice of her divine ,son1 she was unable to restrain herself any longer1 but rushed forwards1 and returned to the foot of the ,cross1 followed by ,john1 ,mary the daughter of ,cleophas1 ,mary ,magdalen1 and ,salome4 ,a troop of about thirty horsemen from ,judea and the environs of ,joppa1 who were on their way to ,jerusalem for the festival1 passed by just at the time when all was silent round the ,cross1 both assistants and spectators being transfixed with terror and apprehensions4 ,when they beheld ,jesus hanging on the ,cross1 saw the cruelty with which he had been treated1 and remarked the extraordinary signs of ,god's wrath which overspread the face of nature1 they were filled with horror1 and exclaimed1 ',if the ,temple of ,god were not in ,jerusalem1 the city should be burned to the ground for having taken upon itself so fearful a crime4' ,these words from the lips of strangers--strangers too who bore the appearance of persons of rank--made a great impression on the bystanders1 and loud murmurs and exclamations of grief were heard on all sides2 some individuals gathered together in groups1 more freely to indulge their sorrow1 although a certain portion of the crowd continued to blaspheme and revile all around them4 ,the ,pharisees were compelled to assume a more humble tone1 for they feared great existing excitement among the inhabitants of ,jerusalem4 ,they therefore held a consultation with ,abenadar1 the centurion1 and agreed with him that the gate of the city1 which was in the vicinity1 should be closed1 in order to prevent farther communication1 and that they should send to ,pilate and ,herod for #ejj men to guard against the chance of an insurrection1 the centurion1 in the mean time1 doing all in his power to maintain order1 and preventing the ,pharisees from insulting ,jesus1 lest it should exasperate the people still more4 ,shortly after three o'clock the light reappeared in a degree1 the moon began to pass away from the disc of the sun1 while the sun again shone forth1 although its appearance was dim1 being surrounded by a species of red mist2 by degrees it became more bright1 and the stars vanished1 but the sky was still gloomy4 ,the enemies of ,jesus soon recovered their arrogant spirit when they saw the light returning2 and it was then that they exclaimed1 ',behold1 he calleth ,elias4' ,,chapter ,,xlv4 ,fifth1 ,sixth1 and ,seventh ,words of ,jesus on the ,cross4 ,his ,death4 ,the light continued to return by degrees1 and the livid exhausted countenance of our ,lord again became visible4 ,his body was become much more white from the quantity of blood he had lost2 and ,i heard him exclaim1 ',i am pressed as the grape1 which is trodden in the winepress4 ,my blood shall be poured out until water cometh1 but wine shall here be made no more4' ,i cannot be sure whether he really pronounced these words1 so as to be heard by others1 or whether they were only an answer given to my interior prayer4 ,i afterwards had a vision relating to these words1 and in it ,i saw ,japhet making wine in this place4 ,jesus was almost fainting2 his tongue was parched1 and he said3 ',i thirst4' ,the disciples who were standing round the ,cross looked at him with the deepest expression of sorrow1 and he added1 ',could you not have given me a little water8' ,by these words he gave them to understand that no one would have prevented them from doing so during the darkness4 ,john was filled with remorse1 and replied3 ',we did not think of doing so1 ,o ,lord4' ,jesus pronounced a few more words1 the import of which was3 ',my friends and my neighbours were also to forget me1 and not give me to drink1 that so what was written concerning me might be fulfilled4' ,this omission had afflicted him very much4 ,the disciples then offered money to the soldiers to obtain permission to give him a little water3 they refused to give it1 but dipped a sponge in vinegar and gall1 and were about to offer it to ,jesus1 when the centurion ,abenadar1 whose heart was touched with compassion1 took it from them1 squeezed out the gal1 poured some fresh vinegar upon it1 and fastening it to a reed1 put the reed at the end of a lance1 and presented it for ,jesus to drink4 ,i heard our ,lord say several other things1 but ,i only remember these words3 ',when my voice shall be silent1 the mouths of the dead shall be opened4' ,some of the bystanders cried out3 ',he blasphemeth again4' ,but ,abenadar compelled them to be silent4 ,the hour of our ,lord was at last come2 his death-struggle had commenced2 a cold sweat overspread every limb4 ,john stood at the foot of the ,cross1 and wiped the feet of ,jesus with his scapular4 ,magdalen was crouched to the ground in a perfect frenzy of grief behind the ,cross4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin stood between ,jesus and the good thief1 supported by ,salome and ,mary of ,cleophas1 with her eyes rivetted on the countenance of her dying ,son4 ,jesus then said3 ',it is consummated2' and1 raising his head1 cried out in a loud voice1 ',father1 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit4' ,these words1 which he uttered in a clear and thrilling tone1 resounded through heaven and earth2 and a moment after1 he bowed down his head and gave up the ghost4 ,i saw his soul1 under the appearance of a bright meteor1 penetrate the earth at the foot of the ,cross4 ,john and the holy women fell prostrate on the ground4 ,the centurion ,abenadar had kept his eyes steadfastly fixed on the disfigured countenance of our ,lord1 and was perfectly overwhelmed by all that had taken place4 ,when our ,lord pronounced his last words1 before expiring1 in a loud tone1 the earth trembled1 and the rock of ,calvary burst asunder1 forming a deep chasm between the ,cross of our ,lord and that of ,gesmas4 ,the voice of ,god--that solemn and terrible voice--had re-echoed through the whole universe2 it had broken the solemn silence which then pervaded all nature4 ,all was accomplished4 ,the soul of our ,lord had left his body3 his last cry had filled every breast with terror4 ,the convulsed earth had paid homage to its ,creator3 the sword of grief had pierced the hearts of those who loved him4 ,this moment was the moment of grace for ,abenadar3 his horse trembled under him2 his heart was touched2 it was rent like the hard rock2 he threw his lance to a distance1 struck his breast1 and cried out3 ',blessed be the ,most ,high ,god1 the ,god of ,abraham1 of ,isaac1 and of ,jacob2 indeed this ,man was the ,son of ,god6' ,his words convinced many among the soldiers1 who followed his example1 and were likewise converted4 ,abenadar became from this moment a new man2 he adored the true ,god1 and would no longer serve his enemies4 ,he gave both his horse and his lance to a subaltern of the name of ,longinus1 who1 having addressed a few words to the soldiers1 mounted his horse1 and took the command upon himself4 ,abenadar then left ,calvary1 and went through the ,valley of ,gihon to the caves in the ,valley of ,hinnom1 where the disciples were hidden1 announced the death of our ,lord to them1 and then went to the town1 in order to see ,pilate4 ,no sooner had ,abenadar rendered public testimony of his belief in the divinity of ,jesus1 than a large number of soldiers followed his example1 as did also some of the bystanders1 and even a few ,pharisees4 ,many struck their breasts1 wept1 and returned home1 while others rent their garments1 and cast dust on their heads1 and all were filled with horror and fear4 ,john arose2 and some of the holy women who were at a short distance came up to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and led her away from the foot of the ,cross4 ,when ,jesus1 the ,lord of life and death1 gave up his soul into the hands of his ,father1 and allowed death to take possession of his body1 this sacred body trembled and turned lividly white2 the countless wounds which were covered with congealed blood appeared like dark marks2 his cheeks became more sunken1 his nose more pointed1 and his eyes1 which were obscured with blood1 remained but half open4 ,he raised his weary head1 which was still crowned with thorns1 for a moment1 and then dropped it again in agony of pain2 while his parched and torn lips1 only partially closed1 showed his bloody and swollen tongue4 ,at the moment of death his hands1 which were at one time contracted round the nails1 opened and returned to their natural size1 as did also his arms2 his body became stiff1 and the whole weight was thrown upon the feet1 his knees bent1 and his feet twisted a little on one side4 ,what words can1 alas1 express the deep grief of the ,blessed ,virgin8 ,her eyes closed1 a death-like tint overspread her countenance2 unable to stand1 she fell to the ground1 but was soon lifted up1 and supported by ,john1 ,magdalen1 and the others4 ,she looked once more upon her beloved ,son--that ,son whom she had conceived by the ,holy ,ghost1 the flesh of her flesh1 the bone of her bone1 the heart of her heart--hanging on a cross between two thieves2 crucified1 dishonoured1 contemned by those whom he came on earth to save2 and well might she at this moment be termed 'the queen of martyrs4' ,the sun still looked dim and suffused with mist2 and during the time of the earthquake the air was close and oppressive1 but by degrees it became more clear and fresh4 ,it was about three o'clock when ,jesus expired4 ,the ,pharisees were at first much alarmed at the earthquake2 but when the first shock was over they recovered themselves1 began to throw stones into the chasm1 and tried to measure its depth with ropes4 ,finding1 however1 that they could not fathom its bottom1 they became thoughtful1 listened anxiously to the groans of the penitents1 who were lamenting and striking their breasts1 and then left ,calvary4 ,many among the spectators were really converted1 and the greatest part returned to ,jerusalem perfectly overcome with fear4 ,roman soldiers were placed at the gates1 and in other principal parts of the city1 to prevent the possibility of an insurrection4 ,cassius remained on ,calvary with about fifty soldiers4 ,the friends of ,jesus stood round the ,cross1 contemplated our ,lord1 and wept2 many among the holy women had returned to their homes1 and all were silent and overcome with grief4 ,,chapter ,,xlvi4 ,the ,earthquake4 ,apparitions of the ,dead in ,jerusalem4 ,i saw the soul of ,jesus1 at the moment he expired1 appear under the form of a bright orb1 and accompanied by angels1 among whom ,i distinguished the angel ,gabriel penetrate the earth at the foot of the ,cross4 ,i likewise saw these angels cast a number of evil spirits into the great abyss1 and ,i heard ,jesus order several of the souls in ,limbo to re-enter the bodies in which they once dwelt1 in order that the sight might fill sinners with a salutary terror1 and that these souls might render a solemn testimony to his divinity4 ,the earthquake which produced the deep chasm at ,calvary did much damage in different parts of ,palestine1 but ifs effects were even more fatal in ,jerusalem4 ,its inhabitants were just beginning to be a little reassured by the return of light1 when their terror was reawakened with double force by the shocks of the earthquake1 and the terrible noise and confusion caused by the downfall of houses and walls on all sides1 which panic was still farther increased by the sudden appearance of dead persons1 confronting the trembling miscreants who were flying to hide themselves1 and addressing them in the most severe and reproachful language4 ,the ,high ,priests had recommenced the sacrifice of the ,paschal lamb 7which had been stopped by the unexpected darkness71 and they were triumphing at the return of light1 when suddenly the ground beneath them trembled1 the neighbouring buildings fell down1 and the veil of the ,temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom4 ,excess of terror at first rendered those on the outside speechless1 but after a time they burst forth into cries and lamentations4 ,the confusion in the interior of the ,temple was not1 however1 as great as would naturally have been expected1 because the strictest order and decorum were always enforced there1 particularly with regard to the regulation to be followed by those who entered to make their sacrifice1 and those who left after having offered it4 ,the crowd was great1 but the ceremonies were so solemnly carried out by the priests1 that they totally engrossed the minds of the assistants4 ,first came the immolation of the lamb1 then the sprinkling of its blood1 accompanied by the chanting of canticles and the sounding of trumpets4 ,the priests were endeavouring to continue the sacrifices1 when suddenly an unexpected and most appalling pause ensued2 terror and astonishment were depicted on each countenance2 all was thrown into confusion2 not a sound was heard2 the sacrifices ceased2 there was a general rush to the gates of the ,temple2 everyone endeavoured to fly as quickly as possible4 ,and well might they fly1 well might they fear and tremble2 for in the midst of the multitude there suddenly appeared persons who had been dead and buried for many years6 ,these persons looked at them sternly1 and reproved them most severely for the crime they had committed that day1 in bringing about the death of 'the just man1' and calling down his blood upon their heads4 ,even in the midst of this confusion1 some attempts were1 however1 made by the priests to preserve order2 they prevented those who were in the inner part of the ,temple from rushing forward1 pushing their way through the crowds who were in advance of them1 and descending the steps which led out of the ,temple3 they even continued the sacrifices in some parts1 and endeavoured to calm the fears of the people4 ,the appearance of the ,temple at this moment can only be described by comparing it to an ant-hill on which persons have thrown stones1 or which has been disturbed by a sick being driven into its centre4 ,the ants in those parts on which the stones have fallen1 or which the stick had disturbed1 are filled with confusion and terror2 they run to and fro and do nothing2 while the ants in those parts which have not been disturbed continue to labour quietly1 and even begin to repair the damaged parts4 ,the ,high ,priest ,caiphas and his retinue did not lose their presence of mind1 and by the outward tranquillity which their diabolical hardness of heart enabled them to preserve1 they calmed the confusion in a great degree1 and then did their utmost to prevent the people from looking upon these stupendous events as testimonies of the innocence of ,jesus4 ,the ,roman garrison belonging to the fortress of ,antonia likewise made great efforts to maintain order2 consequently1 the disturbance of the festival was not followed by an insurrection1 although every heart was fixed with fear and anxiety1 which anxiety the ,pharisees endeavoured 7and in some instances with success7 to calm4 ,i remember a few other striking incidents3 in the first place1 the two columns which were placed at the entrance of their ,holy of ,holies1 and to which a magnificent curtain was appended1 were shaken to the very foundations2 the column on the left side fell down in a southerly1 and that on the right side in a northerly direction1 thus rending the veil in two from the top to the bottom with a fearful sound1 and exposing the ,holy of ,holies uncovered to the public gaze4 ,a large stone was loosened and fell from the wall at the entrance of the sanctuary1 near where the aged ,simeon used to kneel1 and the arch was broken4 ,the ground was heaved up1 and many other columns were thrown down in other parts of the ,temple4 ,an apparition of the ,high ,priest ,zacharias1 who was slain between the porch and the altar1 was seen in the sanctuary4 ,he uttered fearful menaces1 spoke of the death of the second ,zacharias1 and of that of ,st4 ,john ,baptist1 as also of the violent deaths of the other prophets4#ab ,the two sons of the ,high ,priest ,simon1 surnamed the ,just 7ancestors of the aged ,simeon who prophesied when ,jesus was presented in the ,temple71 made their appearance in the part usually occupied by the doctors of the law2 they also spoke in terrific terms of the deaths of the prophets1 of the sacrifice of the old law which was now about to cease1 and they exhorted all present to be converted1 and to embrace the doctrines which had been preached by him whom they had crucified4 ,the prophet ,jeremiah likewise appeared2 he stood near the altar1 and proclaimed1 in a menacing tone1 that the ancient sacrifice was at an end1 and that a new one had commenced4 ,as these apparitions took place in parts where none but priests were allowed to enter1 ,caiphas and a few others were alone cognisant of them1 and they endeavoured1 as far as possible1 either to deny their reality1 or to conceal them4 ,these prodigies were followed by others still more extraordinary4 ,the doors of the sanctuary flew open of themselves1 and a voice was heard to utter these words3 ',let us leave this place2' and ,i saw all the angels of the ,lord instantly leave the ,temple4 ,the thirty-two ,pharisees who went to ,calvary a short time before our ,lord expired were almost all converted at the foot of the ,cross4 ,they returned to the ,temple in the midst of the confusion1 and were perfectly thunderstruck at all which had taken place there4 ,they spoke most sternly1 both to ,annas and to ,caiphas1 and left the ,temple4 ,annas had always been the most bitter of the enemies of ,jesus1 and had headed every proceeding against him2 but the supernatural events which had taken place had completely unnerved him that he knew not where to hide himself4 ,caiphas was1 in realty excessively alarmed1 and filled with anxiety1 but his pride was so great that he concealed his feelings as far as possible1 and endeavoured to reassure ,annas4 ,he succeeded for a time2 but the sudden appearance of a person who had been dead many years marred the effect of his words1 and ,annas became again a prey to the most fearful terror and remorse4 ,whilst these things were going on in the ,temple1 the confusion and panic were not less in ,jerusalem4 ,dead persons were walking about1 and many walls and buildings had been shaken by the earthquake1 and parts of them fallen down4 ,the superstition of ,pilate rendered him even more accessible to fear2 he was perfectly paralysed and speechless with terror2 his palace was shaken to the very foundation1 and the earth quaked beneath his feet4 ,he ran wildly from room to room1 and the dead constantly stood before him1 reproaching him with the unjust sentence he had passed upon ,jesus4 ,he thought that they were the gods of the ,galilean1 and took refuge in an inner room1 where he offered incense1 and made vows to his idols to invoke their assistance in his distress4 ,herod was usually alarmed2 but he shut himself up in his palace1 out of the sight of everyone4 ,more than a hundred persons who had died at different epochs re-entered the bodies they had occupied when on earth1 made their appearance in different parts of ,jerusalem1 and filled the inhabitants with inexpressible consternation4 ,those souls which had been released by ,jesus from ,limbo uncovered their faces and wandered to and fro in the streets1 and although their bodies were the same as those which they had animated when on earth1 yet these bodies did not appear to touch the ground as they walked4 ,they entered the houses of their descendants1 proclaimed the innocence of ,jesus1 and reproved those who had taken part in his death most severely4 ,i saw them passing through the principal streets2 they were generally in couples1 and appeared to me to glide through the airs without moving their feet4 ,the countenances of some were pale2 others of a yellow tint2 their beards were long1 and their voices sounded strange and sepulchral4 ,their grave-clothes were such as it was customary to use at the period of their decease4 ,when they reached the place where sentence of death was proclaimed on ,jesus before the procession started for ,calvary1 they paused for a moment1 and exclaimed in a loud voice3 ',glory be to ,jesus for ever and ever1 and destruction to his enemies6' ,towards four o'clock all the dead returned to their graves4 ,the sacrifices in the ,temple had been so interrupted1 and the confusion caused by the different prodigies was so great1 that very few persons ate the ,paschal lamb on that evening4 ,,chapter ,,xlvii4 ,the ,request of ,joseph of ,arimathea to be allowed to have the ,body of ,jesus4 ,scarcely had the commotion which the town had been thrown into begun to subside in a degree1 when the ,jews belonging to the ,council sent to ,pilate to request that the legs of the criminals might be broken1 in order to put an end to their lives before the ,sabbath-day dawned4 ,pilate immediately dispatched executioners to ,calvary to carry out their wishes4 ,joseph of ,arimathea then demanded an audience2 he had heard of the death of ,jesus1 and he and ,nicodemus had determined to bury him in a new sepulchre which he had made at the end of his garden1 not far from ,calvary4 ,pilate was still filled with anxiety and solicitude1 and was much astonished at seeing a person holding a high position like ,joseph so anxious for leave to give honourable burial to a criminal whom he had sentenced to be ignominiously crucified4 ,he sent for the centurion ,abenadar1 who returned to ,jerusalem after he had conferred with the disciples who were hidden in the caverns1 and asked him whether the ,king of the ,jews was really dead4 ,abenadar gave ,pilate a full account of the death of our ,lord1 of his last words1 and of the loud cry he uttered immediately before death1 and of the earthquake which had rent the great chasm in the rock4 ,the only thing at which ,pilate expressed surprise was that the death of ,jesus should have taken place so quickly1 as those who were crucified usually lived much longer2 but although he said so little1 every word uttered by ,joseph increased his dismay and remorse4 ,he instantly gave ,joseph an order1 by which he was authorised to take down the body of the ,king of the ,jews from the ,cross1 and to perform the rites of sepulture at once4 ,pilate appeared to endeavour1 by his readiness in granting this request1 to wish to make up1 in a degree1 for his previous cruel and unjust conduct1 and he was likewise very glad to do what he was certain would annoy the priests extremely1 as he knew their wish was to have ,jesus buried ignominiously between the two thieves4 ,he dispatched a messenger to ,calvary to see his orders executed4 ,i believe the messenger was ,abenadar1 for ,i saw him assisting in taking ,jesus down from the ,cross4 ,when ,joseph of ,arimathea left ,pilate's palace1 he instantly rejoined ,nicodemus1 who was waiting for him at the house of a pious woman1 which stood opposite to a large street1 and was not far from that alley where ,jesus was so shamefully ill-treated when he first commenced carrying his ,cross4 ,the woman was a vendor of aromatic herbs1 and ,nicodemus had purchased many perfumes which were necessary for embalming the body of ,jesus from her4 ,she procured the more precious kinds from other places1 and ,joseph went away to procure a fine winding-sheet4 ,his servants then fetched ladders1 hammers1 pegs1 jars of water1 and sponges1 from a neighbouring shed1 and placed them in a hand-barrow similar to that on which the disciples of ,john the ,baptist put his body when they carried it off from the castle of ,macherus4 ,,chapter ,,xlviii4 ,the ,opening of the ,side of ,jesus4 ,death of the two thieves4 ,whilst these events were taking place in ,jerusalem1 silence reigned around ,calvary4 ,the crowd which had been for a time so noisy and tumultuous1 was dispersed2 all were panicstricken2 in some that panic had produced sincere repentance1 but on others it had had no beneficial effects4 ,mary1 ,john1 ,magdalen1 ,mary of ,cleophas1 and ,salome had remained1 either standing or sitting before the ,cross1 closely veiled and weeping silently4 ,a few soldiers were leaning over the terrace which enclosed the platform2 ,cassius rode up and down2 the sky was lowering1 and all nature wore a garb of mourning4 ,six archers soon after made their appearance1 bringing with them ladders1 spades1 ropes1 and large iron staves for the purpose of breaking the legs of the criminals1 in order to hasten their deaths4 ,when they approached our ,lord's ,cross1 his friends retired a few paces back1 and the ,blessed ,virgin was seized with fear lest they should indulge their hatred of ,jesus by insulting even his dead body4 ,her fears were not quite unfounded1 for when they first placed their ladders against the ,cross they declared that he was only pretending to be dead2 in a few moments1 however1 seeing that he was cold and stiff1 they left him1 and removed their ladders to the crosses on which the two thieves were still hanging alive4 ,they took up their iron staves and broke the arms of the thieves above and below the elbow2 while another archer at the same moment broke their legs1 both above and below the knee4 ,gesmas uttered frightful cries1 therefore the executioner finished him off by three heavy blows of a cudgel on his chest4 ,dismas gave a deep groan1 and expired3 he was the first among mortals who had the happiness of rejoining his ,redeemer4 ,the cords were then loosened1 the two bodies fell to the ground1 and the executioners dragged them to a deep morass1 which was between ,calvary and the walls of the town1 and buried them there4 ,the archers still appeared doubtful whether ,jesus was really dead1 and the brutality they had shown in breaking the legs of the thieves made the holy women tremble as to what outrage they might next perpetrate on the body of our ,lord4 ,but ,cassius1 the subaltern officer1 a young man of about five-and-twenty1 whose weak squinting eyes and nervous manner had often excited the derision of his companions1 was suddenly illuminated by grace1 and being quite overcome at the sight of the cruel conduct of the soldiers1 and the deep sorrow of the holy women1 determined to relieve their anxiety by proving beyond dispute that ,jesus was really dead4 ,the kindness of his heart prompted him1 but unconsciously to himself he fulfilled a prophecy4 ,he seized his lance and rode quickly up to the mound on which the ,cross was planted1 stopped just between the cross of the good thief and that of our ,lord1 and taking his lance in both hands1 thrust it so completely into the right side of ,jesus that the point went through the heart1 and appeared on the left side4 ,when ,cassius drew his lance out of the wound a quantity of blood and water rushed from it1 and flowed over his face and body4 ,this species of washing produced effects somewhat similar to the vivifying waters of ,baptism3 grace and salvation at once entered his soul4 ,he leaped from his horse1 threw himself upon his knees1 struck his breast1 and confessed loudly before all his firm belief in the divinity of ,jesus4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and her companions were still standing near1 with their eyes fixed upon the ,cross1 but when ,cassius thrust his lance into the side of ,jesus they were much startled1 and rushed with one accord up to it4 ,mary looked as if the lance had transfixed her heart instead of that of her ,divine ,son1 and could scarcely support herself4 ,cassius meantime remained kneeling and thanking ,god1 not only for the grace he had received but likewise for the cure of the complaint in his eyes1 which had caused the weakness and the squint4 ,this cure had been effected at the same moment that the darkness with which his soul was previously filled was removed4 ,every heart was overcome at the sight of the blood of our ,lord1 which ran into a hollow in the rock at the foot of the ,cross4 ,mary1 ,john1 the holy women1 and ,cassius1 gathered up the blood and water in flasks1 and wiped up the remainder with pieces of linen4#ac ,cassius1 whose sight was perfectly restored at the same moment that the eyes of his soul were opened1 was deeply moved1 and continued his humble prayer of thanksgiving4 ,the soldiers were truck with astonishment at the miracle which had taken place1 and cast themselves on their knees by his side1 at the same time striking their breasts and confessing ,jesus4 ,the water and blood continued to flow from the large wound in the side of our ,lord2 it ran into the hollow in the rock1 and the holy women put it in vases1 while ,mary and ,magdalen mingled their tears4 ,the archers1 who had received a message from ,pilate1 ordering them not to touch the body of ,jesus1 did not return at all4 ,all these events took place near the ,cross1 at a little before four o'clock1 during the time that ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus were gathering together the articles necessary for the burial of ,jesus4 ,but the servants of ,joseph having been sent to clean out the tomb1 informed the friends of our ,lord that their master intended to take the body of ,jesus and place it in his new sepulchre4 ,john immediately returned to the town with the holy women2 in the first place1 that ,mary might recruit her strength a little1 and in the second1 to purchase a few things which would be required for the burial4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin had a small lodging among the buildings near the ,cenaculum4 ,they did not re-enter the town through the gate which was the nearest to ,calvary1 because it was closed1 and guarded by soldiers placed there by the ,pharisees2 but they went through that gate which leads to ,bethlehem4 ,,chapter ,,xlix4 ,a ,description of some ,parts of ancient ,jerusalem4 ,this chapter will contain some descriptions of places given by ,sister ,emmerich on various occasions4 ,they will be followed by a description of the tomb and garden of ,joseph of ,arimathea1 that so we may have no need to interrupt the account of the burial of our ,lord4 ,the first gate which stood on the eastern side of ,jerusalem1 to the south of the south-east angle of the ,temple1 was the one leading to the suburb of ,ophel4 ,the gate of the sheep was to the north of the north-east angle of the ,temple4 ,between these two gates there was a third1 leading to some streets situated to the east of the ,temple1 and inhabited for the most part by stonemasons and other workmen4 ,the houses in these streets were supported by the foundations of the ,temple2 and almost all belonged to ,nicodemus1 who had caused them to be built1 and who employed nearly all the workmen living there4 ,nicodemus had not long before built a beautiful gate as an entrance to these streets1 called the ,gate of ,moriah4 ,it was but just finished1 and through it ,jesus had entered the town on ,palm ,sunday4 ,thus he entered by the new gate of ,nicodemus1 through which no one had yet passed1 and was buried in the new monument of ,joseph of ,arimathea1 in which no one had yet been laid4 ,this gate was afterwards walled up1 and there was a tradition that the ,christians were once again to enter the town through it4 ,even in the present day1 a walled-up gate1 called by the ,turks the ,golden ,gate1 stands on this spot4 ,the road leading to the west from the gate of the sheep passed almost exactly between the north-western side of ,mount ,sion and ,calvary4 ,from this gate to ,golgotha the distance was about two miles and a quarter2 and from ,pilate's palace to ,golgotha about two miles4 ,the fortress ,antonia was situated to the north-west of the mountain of the ,temple1 on a detached rock4 ,a person going towards the west1 on leaving ,pilate's palace1 would have had this fortress to his left4 ,on one of its walls there was a platform commanding the forum1 and from which ,pilate was accustomed to make proclamations to the people3 he did this1 for instance1 when he promulgated new laws4 ,when our ,divine ,lord was carrying his ,cross1 in the interior of the town1 ,mount ,calvary was frequently on his right hand4 ,this road1 which partly ran in a south-westerly direction1 led to a gate made in an inner wall of the town1 towards ,sion4 ,beyond this wall1 to the left1 there was a sort of suburb1 containing more gardens than houses2 and towards the outer wall of the city stood some magnificent sepulchres with stone entrances4 ,on this side was a house belonging to ,lazarus1 with beautiful gardens1 extending towards that part where the outer western wall of ,jerusalem turned to the south4 ,i believe that a little private door1 made in the city wall1 and through which ,jesus and his disciples often passed by permission of ,lazarus1 led to these gardens4 ,the gate standing at the north-western angle of the town led to ,bethsur1 which was situated more towards the north than ,emmaus and ,joppa4 ,the western part of ,jerusalem was lower than any other3 the land on which it was built first sloped in the direction of the surrounding wall1 and then rose again when close to it2 and on this declivity there stood gardens and vineyards1 behind which wound a wide road1 with paths leading to the walls and towers4 ,on the other side1 without the wall1 the land descended towards the valley1 so that the walls surrounding the lower part of the town looked as if built on a raised terrace4 ,there are gardens and vineyards even in the present day on the outer hill4 ,when ,jesus arrived at the end of the ,way of the ,cross1 he had on his left hand that part of the town where there were so many gardens2 and it was from thence that ,simon of ,cyrene was coming when he met the procession4 ,the gate by which ,jesus left the town was not entirely facing the west1 but rather the south-west4 ,the city wall on the left-hand side1 after passing through the gate1 ran somewhat in a southerly direction1 then turned towards the west1 and then again to the south1 round ,mount ,sion4 ,on this side there stood a large tower1 like a fortress4 ,the gate by which ,jesus left the town was at no great distance from another gate more towards the south1 leading down to the valley1 and where a road1 turning to the left in the direction of ,bethlehem1 commenced4 ,the road turned to the north towards ,mount ,calvary shortly after that gate by which ,jesus left ,jerusalem when bearing his ,cross4 ,mount ,calvary was very steep on its eastern side1 facing the town1 and a gradual descent on the western2 and on this side1 from which the road to ,emmaus was to be seen1 there was a field1 in which ,i saw ,luke gather several plants when he and ,cleophas were going to ,emmaus1 and met ,jesus on the way4 ,near the walls1 to the east and south of ,calvary1 there were also gardens1 sepulchres1 and vineyards4 ,the ,cross was buried on the north-east side1 at the foot of ,mount ,calvary4 ,the garden of ,joseph of ,arimathea was situated near the gate of ,bethlehem1 at about a seven minutes' walk from ,calvary3 it was a very fine garden1 with tall trees1 banks1 and thickets in it1 which gave much shade1 and was situated on a rising ground extending to the walls of the city4#ad ,a person coming from the northern side of the valley1 and entering the garden1 had on his left hand a slight ascent extending as far as the city wall2 and on his right1 at the end of the garden1 a detached rock1 where the cave of the sepulchre was situated4 ,the grotto in which it was made looked to the east2 and on the south-western and north-western sides of the same rock were two other smaller sepulchres1 which were also new1 and with depressed fronts4 ,a pathway1 beginning on the western side of this rock1 ran all round it4 ,the ground in front of the sepulchre was higher than that of the entrance1 and a person wishing to enter the cavern had to descend several steps4 ,the cave was sufficiently large for four men to be able to stand close up to the wall on either side without impeding the movements of the bearers of the body4 ,opposite the door was a cavity in the rock1 in which the tomb was made2 it was about two feet above the level of the ground1 and fastened to the rock by one side only1 like an altar3 two persons could stand1 one at the head and one at the foot2 and there was a place also for a third in front1 even if the door of the cavity was closed4 ,this door was made of some metal1 perhaps of brass1 and had two folding doors4 ,these doors could be closed by a stone being rolled against them2 and the stone used for this purpose was kept outside the cavern4 ,immediately after our ,lord was placed in the sepulchre it was rolled in front of the door4 ,it was very large1 and could not be removed without the united effort of several men4 ,opposite the entrance of the cavern there stood a stone bench1 and by mounting on this a person could climb on to the rock1 which was covered with grass1 and from whence the city walls1 the highest parts of ,mount ,sion1 and some towers could be seen1 as well as the gate of ,bethlehem and the fountain of ,gihon4 ,the rock inside was of a white colour1 intersected with red and blue veins4 ,,chapter ,l4 ,the ,descent from the ,cross4 ,at the time when everyone had left the neighbourhood of the ,cross1 and a few guards alone stood around it1 ,i saw five persons1 who ,i think were disciples1 and who had come by the valley from ,bethania1 draw nigh to ,calvary1 gaze for a few moments upon the ,cross1 and then steal away4 ,three times ,i met in the vicinity two men who were making examinations and anxiously consulting together4 ,these men were ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus4 ,the first time was during the ,crucifixion 7perhaps when they caused the clothes of ,jesus to be brought back from the soldiers71 and they were then at no great distance from ,calvary4 ,the second was when1 after standing to look whether the crowd was dispersing1 they went to the town to make some preparations4 ,the third was on their return from the tomb to the ,cross1 when they were looking around in every direction1 as if waiting for a favourable moment1 and then concerted together as to the manner in which they should take the body of our ,lord down from the ,cross1 after which they returned to the town4 ,their next care was to make arrangements for carrying with them the necessary articles for embalming the body1 and their servants took some tools with which to detach it from the ,cross1 as well as two ladders which they found in a barn close to ,nicodemus's house4 ,each of these ladders consisted of a single pole1 crossed at regular intervals by pieces of wood1 which formed the steps4 ,there were hooks which could be fastened on any part of the pole1 and by means of which the ladder could be steadied1 or on which1 perhaps1 anything required for the work could also be hung4 ,the woman from whom they had bought their spices had packed the whole neatly together4 ,nicodemus had bought a hundred pounds' weight of roots1 which quantity is equal to about thirty-seven pounds of our measure1 as has been explained to me4 ,they carried these spices in little barrels make of bark1 which were hung round their necks1 and rested on their breasts4 ,one of these barrels contained some sort of powder4 ,they had also some bundles of herbs in bags made of parchment or leather1 and ,joseph carried a box of ointment2 but ,i do not know what this box was made of4 ,the servants were to carry vases1 leathern bottles1 sponges1 and tools1 on a species of litter1 and they likewise took fire with them in a closed lantern4 ,they left the town before their master1 and by a different gate 7perhaps that of ,bethania71 and then turned their steps towards ,mount ,calvary4 ,as they walked through the town they passed by the house where the ,blessed ,virgin2 ,st4 ,john1 and the holy women had gone to seek different things required for embalming the body of ,jesus1 and ,john and the holy women followed the servants at a certain distance4 ,the women were about five in number1 and some of them carried large bundles of linen under their mantles4 ,it was the custom for women1 when they went out in the evening1 or if intending to perform some work of piety secretly1 to wrap their persons carefully in a long sheet at least a yard wide4 ,they began by one arm1 and then wound the linen so closely round their body that they could not walk without difficulty4 ,i have seen them wrapped up in this manner1 and the sheet not only extended to both arms1 but likewise veiled the head4 ,on the present occasion1 the appearance of this dress was most striking in my eyes1 for it was a real mourning garment4 ,joseph and ,nicodemus were also in mourning attire1 and wore black sleeves and wide sashes4 ,their cloaks1 which they had drawn over their heads1 were both wide and long1 of a common grey colour1 and served to conceal everything that they were carrying4 ,they turned their steps in the direction of the gate leading to ,mount ,calvary4 ,the streets were deserted and quiet1 for terror kept everyone at home4 ,the greatest number were beginning to repent1 and but few were keeping the festival4 ,when ,joseph and ,nicodemus reached the gate they found it closed1 and the road1 streets1 and every corner lined with soldiers4 ,these were the soldiers whom the ,pharisees had asked for at about two o'clock1 and whom they had kept under arms and on guard1 as they still feared a tumult among the people4 ,joseph showed an order1 signed by ,pilate1 to let them pass freely1 and the soldiers were most willing that they should do so1 but explained to him that they had endeavoured several times to open the gate1 without being able to move it2 that apparently the gate had received a shock1 and been strained in some part2 and that on this account the archers sent to break the legs of the thieves had been obliged to return to the city by another gate4 ,but when ,joseph and ,nicodemus seized hold of the bolt1 the gate opened as if of itself1 to the great astonishment of all the bystanders4 ,it was still dark and the sky cloudy when they reached ,mount ,calvary1 where they found the servants who had been sent on already arrived1 and the holy women sitting weeping in front of the ,cross4 ,cassius and several soldiers who were converted remained at a certain distance1 and their demeanour was respectful and reserved4 ,joseph and ,nicodemus described to the ,blessed ,virgin and ,john all they had done to save ,jesus from an ignominious death1 and learned from them how they had succeeded in preventing the bones of our ,lord from being broken1 and how the prophecy had been fulfilled4 ,they spoke also of the wound which ,cassius had made with his lance4 ,no sooner was the centurion ,abenadar arrived than they began1 with the deepest recollection of spirit1 their mournful and sacred labour of taking down from the ,cross and embalming the adorable body of our ,lord4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and ,magdalen were seated at the foot of the ,cross2 while1 on the right-hand side1 between the cross of ,dismas and that of ,jesus1 the other women were engaged in preparing the linen1 spices1 water1 sponges1 and vases4 ,cassius also came forward1 and related to ,abenadar the miraculous cure of his eyes4 ,all were deeply affected1 and their hearts overflowing with sorrow and love2 but1 at the same time1 they preserved a solemn silence1 and their every movement was full of gravity and reverence4 ,nothing broke the stillness save an occasional smothered word of lamentation1 or a stifled groan1 which escaped from one or other of these holy personages1 in spite of their earnest eagerness and deep attention to their pious labour4 ,magdalen gave way unrestrainedly to her sorrow1 and neither the presence of so many different persons1 nor any other consideration1 appeared to distract her from it4 ,nicodemus and ,joseph placed the ladders behind the ,cross1 and mounted them1 holding in their hands a large sheet1 to which three long straps were fastened4 ,they tied the body of ,jesus1 below the arms and knees1 to the tree of the ,cross1 and secured the arms by pieces of linen placed underneath the hands4 ,then they drew out the nails1 by pushing them from behind with strong pins pressed upon the points4 ,the sacred hands of ,jesus were thus not much shaken1 and the nails fell easily out of the wounds2 for the latter had been made wider by the weight of the body1 which1 being now supported by the cloths1 no longer hung on the nails4 ,the lower part of the body1 which since our ,lord's death had sunk down on the knees1 now rested in a natural position1 supported by a sheet fastened above to the arms of the ,cross4 ,whilst ,joseph was taking out the nail from the left hand1 and then allowing the left arm1 supported by its cloth1 to fall gently down upon the body1 ,nicodemus was fastening the right arm of ,jesus to that of the ,cross1 as also the sacred crowned head1 which had sunk on the right shoulder4 ,then he took out the right nail1 and having surrounded the arm with its supporting sheet1 let it fall gently on to the body4 ,at the same time1 the centurion ,abenadar1 with great difficulty1 drew out the large nail which transfixed the feet4 ,cassius devoutly received the nails1 and laid them at the feet of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,then ,joseph and ,nicodemus1 having placed ladders against the front of the ,cross1 in a very upright position1 and close to the body1 untied the upper strap1 and fastened it to one of the hooks on the ladder2 they did the same with the two other straps1 and passing them all on from hook to hook1 caused the sacred body to descend gently towards the centurion1 who having mounted upon a stool received it in his arms1 holding it below the knees2 while ,joseph and ,nicodemus1 supporting the upper part of the body1 came gently down the ladder1 stopping at every step1 and taking every imaginable precaution1 as would be done by men bearing the body of some beloved friend who had been grievously wounded4 ,thus did the bruised body of our ,divine ,saviour reach the ground4 ,it was a most touching sight4 ,they all took the same precautions1 the same care1 as if they had feared to cause ,jesus some suffering4 ,they seemed to have concentrated on the sacred body all the love and veneration which they had felt for their ,saviour during his life4 ,the eyes of each were fixed upon the adorable body1 and followed all its movements2 and they were continually uplifting their hands towards ,heaven1 shedding tears1 and expressing in every possible way the excess of their grief and anguish4 ,yet they all remained perfectly calm1 and even those who were so busily occupied about the sacred body broke silence but seldom1 and1 when obliged to make some necessary remark1 did so in a low voice4 ,during the time that the nails were being forcible removed by blows of the hammer1 the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,magdalen2 and all those who had been present at the ,crucifixion1 felt each blow transfix their hearts4 ,the sound recalled to their minds all the sufferings of ,jesus1 and they could not control their trembling fear1 lest they should again hear his piercing cry of suffering2 although1 at the same time they grieved at the silence of his blessed lips1 which proved1 alas too surely1 that he was really dead4 ,when the body was taken down it was wrapped in linen from the knees to the waist1 and then placed in the arms of the ,blessed ,virgin1 who1 overwhelmed with sorrow and love1 stretched them forth to receive their precious burden4 ,,chapter ,,li4 ,the ,embalming of the ,body of ,jesus4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin seated herself upon a large cloth spread on the ground1 with her right knee1 which was slightly raised1 and her back resting against some mantles1 rolled together so as to from a species of cushion4 ,no precaution had been neglected which could in any way facilitate to her--the ,mother of ,sorrows--in her deep affliction of soul1 the mournful but most sacred duty which she was about to fulfil in regard to the body of her beloved ,son4 ,the adorable head of ,jesus rested upon ,mary's knee1 and his body was stretched upon a sheet4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was overwhelmed with sorrow and love4 ,once more1 and for the last time1 did she hold in her arms the body of her most beloved ,son1 to whom she had been unable to give any testimony of love during the long hours of his martyrdom4 ,and she gazed upon his wounds and fondly embraced his blood-stained cheeks1 while ,magdalen pressed her face upon his feet4 ,the men withdrew into a little cave1 situated on the south-west side of ,calvary1 there to prepare the different things needful for the embalming2 but ,cassius1 with a few other soldiers who had been converted1 remained at a respectful distance4 ,all ill-disposed persons were gone back to the city1 and the soldiers who were present served merely to form a guard to prevent any interruption in the last honours which were being rendered to the body of ,jesus4 ,some of these soldiers even gave assistance when desired4 ,the holy women held the vases1 sponges1 linen1 unction1 and spices1 according as required2 but when not thus employed1 they remained at a respectful distance1 attentively gazing upon the ,blessed ,virgin as she proceeded in her mournful task4 ,magdalen did not leave the body of ,jesus2 but ,john gave continual assistance to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and went to and fro from the men to the women1 lending aid to both parties4 ,the women had with them some large leathern bottles and a vase filled with water standing upon a coal fire4 ,they gave the ,blessed ,virgin and ,magdalen1 according as they required1 vases filled with clear water1 and sponges1 which they afterwards squeezed in the leathern bottles4 ,the courage and firmness of ,mary remained unshaken even in the midst of her inexpressible anguish4#ae ,it was absolutely impossible for her to leave the body of her ,son in the awful state to which it had been reduced by his sufferings1 and therefore she began with indefatigable earnestness to wash and purify it from the traces of the outrages to which it had been exposed4 ,with the utmost care she drew off the crown of thorns1 opening it behind1 and then cutting off one by one the thorns which had sunk deep into the head of ,jesus1 in order that she might not widen the wounds4 ,the crown was placed by the side of the nails1 and then ,mary drew out the thorns which had remained in the skin with a species of rounded pincers1 and sorrowfully showed them to her friends4#af ,these thorns were placed with the crown1 but still some of them must have been preserved separately4 ,the divine face of our ,saviour was scarcely recognisable1 so disfigured was it by the wounds with which it was covered4 ,the beard and hair were matted together with blood4 ,mary washed the head and face1 and passed damp sponges over the hair to remove the congealed blood4 ,as she proceeded in her pious office1 the extent of the awful cruelty which had been exercised upon ,jesus became more and more apparent1 and caused in her soul emotions of compassion and tenderness which increased as she passed from one wound to another4 ,she washed the wounds of the head1 the eyes filled with blood1 the nostrils1 and the ears1 with a sponge and a small piece of linen spread over the fingers of her right hand2 and then she purified1 in the same manner1 the half-opened mouth1 the tongue1 the teeth1 and the lips4 ,she divided what remained of our ,lord's hair into three parts1 a part falling over each temple1 and the third over the back of his head2 and when she had disentangled the front hair and smoothed it1 she passed it behind his ears4#ag ,when the head was thoroughly cleansed and purified1 the ,blessed ,virgin covered it with a veil1 after having kissed the sacred cheeks of her dear ,son4 ,she then turned her attention to the neck1 shoulders1 chest1 back1 arms1 and pierced hands4 ,all the bones of the breast and the joints were dislocated1 and could not be bent4 ,there was a frightful wound on the shoulders which had borne the weight of the ,cross1 and all the upper part of the body was covered with bruises and deeply marked with blows of the scourges4 ,on the left breast there was a small wound where the point of ,cassius's lance had come out1 and on the right side was the large wound made by the same lance1 and which had pierced the heart through and through4 ,mary washed all these wounds1 and ,magdalen1 on her knees1 helped her from time to time2 but without leaving the sacred feet of ,jesus1 which she bathed with tears and wiped with her hair4 ,the head1 bosom1 and feet of our ,lord were now washed1 and the sacred body1 which was covered with brown stains and red marks in those places where the skin had been torn off1 and of a bluish-white colour1 like flesh that has been drained of blood1 was resting on the knees of ,mary1 who covered the parts which she had washed with a veil1 and then proceeded to embalm all the wounds4 ,the holy women knelt by her side1 and in turn presented to her a box1 out of which she took some precious ointment1 and with it filled and covered the wounds4 ,she also anointed the hair1 and then1 taking the sacred hands of ,jesus in her left hand1 respectfully kissed them1 and filled the large wounds made by the nails with this ointment or sweet spice4 ,she likewise filled the ears1 nostrils1 and wound in the side with the same precious mixture4 ,meanwhile ,magdalen wiped and embalmed our ,lord's feet1 and then again washed them with her tears1 and often pressed her face upon them4 ,the water which had been used was not thrown away1 but poured into the leathern bottles in which the sponges had been squeezed4 ,i saw ,cassius or some other soldier go several times to fetch fresh water from the fountain of ,gihon1 which was at no great distance off4 ,when the ,blessed ,virgin had filled all the wounds with ointment1 she wrapped the head up in linen cloths1 but she did not as yet cover the face4 ,she closed the half-open eyes of ,jesus1 and kept her hand upon them for some time4 ,she also closed the mouth1 and then embraced the sacred body of her beloved ,son1 pressing her face fondly and reverently upon his4 ,joseph and ,nicodemus had been waiting for some time1 when ,john drew near to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and besought her to permit the body of her ,son to be taken from her1 that the embalming might be completed1 because the ,sabbath was close at hand4 ,once more did ,mary embrace the sacred body of ,jesus1 and utter her farewells in the most touching language1 and then the men lifted it from her arms on the sheet1 and carried it to some distance4 ,the deep sorrow of ,mary had been for the time assuaged by the feelings of love and reverence with which she had accomplished her sacred task2 but now it once more overwhelmed her1 and she fell1 her head covered with her veil1 into the arms of the holy women4 ,magdalen felt almost as though her ,beloved were being forcibly carried away from her1 and hastily ran forward a few steps1 with her arms stretched forth2 but then1 after a moment1 returned to the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,the sacred body was carried to a spot beneath the level of the top of ,golgotha1 where the smooth surface of a rock afforded a convenient platform on which to embalm the body4 ,i first saw a piece of open-worked linen1 looking very much like lace1 and which made me think of the large embroidered curtain hung between the choir and nave during ,lent4#ah ,it was probably worked in that open stitch for the water to run through4 ,i also saw another large sheet unfolded4 ,the body of our ,saviour was placed on the open-worked piece of linen1 and some of the other men held the other sheet spread above it4 ,nicodemus and ,joseph then knelt down1 and underneath this covering took off the linen which they had fastened round the loins of our ,saviour1 when they took his body down from the ,cross4 ,they then passed sponges under this sheet1 and washed the lower parts of the body2 after which they lifted it up by the help of pieces of linen crossed beneath the loins and knees1 and washed the back without turning it over4 ,they continued washing until nothing but clear water came from the sponges when pressed4 ,next they poured water of myrrh over the whole body1 and then1 handling it with respect1 stretched it out full length1 for it was still in the position in which our ,divine ,lord had died--the loins and knees bent4 ,they then placed beneath his hips a sheet which was a yard in width and three in length1 laid upon his lap bundles of sweet-scented herbs1 and shook over the whole body a powder which ,nicodemus had brought4 ,next they wrapped up the lower part of the body1 and fastened the cloth which they had placed underneath round it strongly4 ,after this they anointed the wounds of the thighs1 placed bundles of herbs between the legs1 which were stretched out to their full length1 and wrapped them up entirely in these sweet spices4 ,then ,john conducted the ,blessed ,virgin and the other holy women once more to the side of the body4 ,mary knelt down by the head of ,jesus1 and placed beneath it a piece of very fine linen which had been given her by ,pilate's wife1 and which she had worn round her neck under her cloak2 next1 assisted by the holy women1 she placed from the shoulders to the cheeks bundles of herbs1 spices1 and sweet-scented powder1 and then strongly bound this piece of linen round the head and shoulders4 ,magdalen poured besides a small bottle of balm into the wound of the side1 and the holy women placed some more herbs into those of the hands and feet4 ,then the men put sweet spices around all the remainder of the body1 crossed the sacred stiffened arms on the chest1 and bound the large white sheet round the body as high as the chest1 in the same manner as if they had been swaddling a child4 ,then1 having fastened the end of a large band beneath the armpits1 they rolled it round the head and the whole body4 ,finally1 they placed our ,divine ,lord on the large sheet1 six yards in length1 which ,joseph of ,arimathea had bought1 and wrapped him in it4 ,he was lying diagonally upon it1 and one corner of the sheet was raised from the feet to the chest1 the other drawn over the head and shoulders1 while the remaining two ends were doubled round the body4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin1 the holy women1 the men--all were kneeling round the body of ,jesus to take their farewell of it1 when a most touching miracle took place before them4 ,the sacred body of ,jesus1 with all its wounds1 appeared imprinted upon the cloth which covered it1 as though he had been pleased to reward their care and their love1 and leave them a portrait of himself through all the veils with which he was enwrapped4 ,with tears they embraced the adorable body1 and then reverently kissed the wonderful impression which it had left4 ,their astonishment increased when1 on lifting up the sheet1 they saw that all the bands which surrounded the body had remained white as before1 and that the upper cloth alone had been marked in this wonderful manner4 ,it was not a mark made by the bleeding wounds1 since the whole body was wrapped up and covered with sweet spices1 but it was a supernatural portrait1 bearing testimony to the divine creative power ever abiding in the body of ,jesus4 ,i have seen many things relative to the subsequent history of this piece of linen1 but ,i could not describe them coherently4 ,after the resurrection it remained in the possession of the friends of ,jesus1 but fell twice into the hands of the ,jews1 and later was honoured in several different places4 ,i have seen it in a city of ,asia1 in the possession of some ,christians1 who were not ,catholics4 ,i have forgotten the name of the town1 which is situated in a province near the country of the ,three ,kings4 ,,chapter ,,lii4 ,the ,body of our ,lord placed in the ,sepulchre4 ,the men placed the sacred body on a species of leathern hand-barrow1 which they covered wit a brown-coloured cloth1 and to which they fastened two long stakes4 ,this forcibly reminded me of the ,ark of the ,covenant4 ,nicodemus and ,joseph bore on their shoulders the front shafts1 while ,abenadar and ,john supported those behind4 ,after them came the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,mary of ,heli1 her eldest sister1 ,magdalen and ,mary of ,cleophas1 and then the group of women who had been sitting at some distance--,veronica1 ,johanna ,chusa1 ,mary ,salome1 ,salome of ,jerusalem1 ,susanna1 and ,anne the niece of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,cassius and the soldiers closed the procession4 ,the other women1 such as ,marone of ,naim1 ,dina the ,samaritaness1 and ,mara the ,suphanitess1 were at ,bethania1 with ,martha and ,lazarus4 ,two soldiers1 bearing torches in their hands1 walked on first1 that there might be some light in the grotto of the sepulchre2 and the procession continued to advance in this order for about seven minutes1 the holy men and women singing psalms in sweet but melancholy tones4 ,i saw ,james the ,greater1 the brother of ,john1 standing upon a hill the other side of the valley1 to look at them as they passed1 and he returned immediately afterwards1 to tell the other disciples what he had seen4 ,the procession stopped at the entrance of ,joseph's garden1 which was opened by the removal of some stakes1 afterwards used as levers to roll the stone to the door of the sepulchre4 ,when opposite the rock1 they placed the ,sacred ,body on a long board covered with a sheet4 ,the grotto1 which had been newly excavated1 had been latterly cleaned by the servants of ,nicodemus1 so that the interior was neat and pleasing to the eye4 ,the holy women sat down in front of the grotto1 while the four men carried in the body of our ,lord1 partially filled the hollow couch destined for its reception with aromatic spices1 and spread over them a cloth1 upon which they reverently deposited the sacred body4 ,after having once more given expression to their love by tears and fond embraces1 they left the grotto4 ,then the ,blessed ,virgin entered1 seated herself close to the head of her dear ,son1 and bent over his body with many tears4 ,when she left the grotto1 ,magdalen hastily and eagerly came forward1 and flung on the body some flowers and branches which she had gathered in the garden4 ,then she clasped her hands together1 and with sobs kissed the feet of ,jesus2 but the men having informed her that they must close the sepulchre1 she returned to the other women4 ,they covered the sacred body with the extremities of the sheet on which it was lying1 placed on the top of all the brown coverlet1 and closed the folding-doors1 which were made of a bronze-coloured metal1 and had on their front two sticks1 one straight down and the other across1 so as to form a perfect cross4 ,the large stone with which they intended to close the sepulchre1 and which was still lying in front of the grotto1 was in shape very like a chest or tomb2#ai its length was such that a man might have laid himself down upon it1 and it was so heavy that it was only by means of levers that the men could roll it before the door of the sepulchre4 ,the entrance of the grotto was closed by a gate made of branches twined together4 ,everything that was done within the grotto had to be accomplished by torchlight1 for daylight never penetrated there4 ,,chapter ,,liii4 ,the ,return from the ,sepulchre4 ,joseph of ,arimathea is put in ,prison4 ,the ,sabbath was close at hand1 and ,nicodemus and ,joseph returned to ,jerusalem by a small door not far from the garden1 and which ,joseph had been allowed by special favour to have made in the city wall4 ,they told the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,magdalen1 ,john1 and some of the women1 who were returning to ,calvary to pray there1 that this door1 as well as that of the super-room1 would be opened to them whenever they knocked4 ,the elder sister of the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,mary of ,heli1 returned to the town with ,mary the mother of ,mark1 and some other women4 ,the servants of ,nicodemus and ,joseph went to ,calvary to fetch several things which had been left there4 ,the soldiers joined those who were guarding the city gate near ,calvary2 and ,cassius went to ,pilate with the lance1 related all that he had seen1 and promised to give him an exact account of everything that should happen1 if he would put under his command the guards whom the ,jews would not fail to ask to have put round the tomb4 ,pilate listened to his words with secret terror1 but only told him in reply that his superstition amounted to madness4 ,joseph and ,nicodemus met ,peter and the two ,jameses in the town4 ,they all shed many tears1 but ,peter was perfectly overwhelmed by the violence of this grief4 ,he embraced them1 reproached himself for not having been present at the death of our ,saviour1 and thanked them for having bestowed the rites of sepulture upon his sacred body4 ,it was agreed that the door of the supper-room should be opened to them whenever they knocked1 and then they went away to seek some other disciples who were dispersed in various directions4 ,later ,i saw the ,blessed ,virgin and her companions enter the upper-room2 ,abenadar next came and was admitted2 and by degrees the greatest part of the ,apostles and disciples assembled there4 ,the holy women retired to that part of the building where the ,blessed ,virgin was living4 ,they took some food1 and spent a few minutes more in tears1 and in relating to one another what each had seen4 ,then men changed their dresses1 and ,i saw them standing under the lamp1 and keeping the ,sabbath4 ,they ate some lambs in the supper-room1 but without observing any ceremony1 for they had eaten the ,paschal lamb the evening before4 ,they were all perturbed in spirit1 and filled with grief4 ,the holy women also passed their time in praying with the ,blessed ,virgin under the lamp4 ,later1 when night had quite fallen1 ,lazarus1 the widow of ,naim1 ,dina the ,samaritan woman1 and ,mara of ,suphan1 came from ,bethania1 and then1 once more1 descriptions were given of all that had taken place1 and many tears shed4 ,according to the visions of ,sister ,emmerich1 the three women named in the text had been living for some time at ,bethania1 in a sort of community established by ,martha for the purpose of providing for the maintenance of the disciples when our ,lord was moving about1 and for the division and distribution of the alms which were collected4 ,the widow of ,naim1 whose son ,martial was raised from the dead by ,jesus1 according to ,sister ,emmerich1 on the #bhth ,marcheswan 7the #ahth of ,november71 was named ,maroni4 ,she was the daughter of an uncle1 on the father's side1 of ,st4 ,peter4 ,her first husband was the son of a sister of ,elizabeth1 who herself was the daughter of a sister of the mother of ,st4 ,anne4 ,maroni's first husband having died without children1 she had married ,elind1 a relation of ,st4 ,anne1 and had left ,chasaluth1 near ,tabor1 to take up her abode at ,naim1 which was not far off1 and where she soon lost her second husband4 ,dina1 the ,samaritan woman1 was the same who conversed with ,jesus by ,jacob's well4 ,she was born near ,damascus1 of parents who were half ,jewish and half ,pagan4 ,they died while she was yet very young1 and she being brought up by a woman of bad character1 the seeds of the most evil passions were early sown in her heart4 ,she had had several husbands1 who supplanted one another in turn1 and the last lived at ,sichar1 whither she had followed him and changed her name from ,dina to ,salome4 ,she had three grown-up daughters and two sons1 who afterwards joined the disciples4 ,sister ,emmerich used to say that the life of this ,samaritan woman was prophetic--that ,jesus had spoken to the entire sect of ,samaritans in her person1 and that they were attached to their errors by as many ties as she had committed adulteries4 ,mara of ,suphan was a ,moabitess1 came from the neighbourhood of ,suphan1 and was a descendant of ,orpha1 the widow of ,chelion1 ,noemi's son4 ,orpha had married again in ,moab4 ,by ,orpha1 the sister-in-law of ,ruth1 ,mara was connected with the family of ,david1 from whom our ,lord was descended4 ,sister ,emmerich saw ,jesus deliver ,mara from four devils and grant her forgiveness of her sins on the #agth ,elud 7#ith ,september7 of the second year of his public life4 ,she was living at ,ainon1 having been repudiated by her husband1 a rich ,jew1 who had kept the children he had had by her with him4 ,she had with her tree others1 the offspring of her adulteries4 ',i saw1' ,sister ,emmerich would say1--',i saw how the stray branch of the stock of ,david was purified within her by the grace of ,jesus1 and admitted into the bosom of the ,church4 ,i cannot express how many of these roots and offshoots ,i see become entwined with each other1 lost to view1 and then once more brought to light4' ,joseph of ,arimathea returned home late from the supper-room1 and he was sorrowfully walking along the streets of ,sion1 accompanied by a few disciples and women1 when all on a sudden a band of armed men1 who were lying in ambuscade in the neighbourhood of ,caiphas's tribunal1 fell upon them1 and laid hands upon ,joseph1 whereupon his companions fled1 uttering loud cries of terror4 ,he was confined in a tower contiguous to the city wall1 not far from the tribunal4 ,these soldiers were pagans1 and had not to keep the ,sabbath1 therefore ,caiphas had been able to secure their services on this occasion4 ,the intention was to let ,joseph die of hunger1 and keep his disappearance a secret4 ,here conclude the descriptions of all that occurred on the day of the ,passion of our ,lord2 but we will add some supplementary matter concerning ,holy ,saturday1 the ,descent into ,hell1 and the ,resurrection4 ,,chapter ,,liv4 ,on the ,name of ,calvary4 ,whilst meditating on the name of ,golgotha1 ,calvary1 the place of skulls1 borne by the rock upon which ,jesus was crucified1 ,i became deeply absorbed in contemplation1 and beheld in spirit all ages from the time of ,adam to that of ,christ1 and in this vision the origin of the name was made known to me4 ,i here give all that ,i remember on this subject4 ,i saw ,adam1 after his expulsion from ,paradise1 weeping in the grotto where ,jesus sweated blood and water1 on ,mount ,olivet4 ,i saw how ,seth was promised to ,eve in the grotto of the manger at ,bethlehem1 and how she brought him forth in that same grotto4 ,i also saw ,eve living in some caverns near ,hebron1 where the ,essenian ,monastery of ,maspha was afterwards established4 ,i then beheld the country where ,jerusalem was built1 as it appeared after the ,deluge1 and the land was all unsettled1 black1 stony1 and very different from what it had been before4 ,at an immense dept below the rock which constitutes ,mount ,calvary 7which was formed in this spot by the rolling of the waters71 ,i saw the tomb of ,adam and ,eve4 ,the head and one rib were wanting to one of the skeletons1 and the remaining head was placed within the same skeleton1 to which it did not belong4 ,the bones of ,adam and ,eve had not all been left in this grave1 for ,noah had some of them with him in the ark1 and they were transmitted from generation to generation by the ,patriarchs4 ,noah1 and also ,abraham1 were in the habit1 when offering sacrifice1 of always laying some of ,adam's bones upon the altar1 to remind the ,almighty of his promise4 ,when ,jacob gave ,joseph his variegated robe1 he at the same time gave him some bones of ,adam1 to be kept as relics4 ,joseph always wore them on his bosom1 and they were placed with his own bones in the first reliquary which the children of ,israel brought out of ,egypt4 ,i have seen similar things1 but some ,i have forgotten1 and the others time fails me to describe4 ,as regards the origin of the name of ,calvary1 ,i here give all ,i know4 ,i beheld the mountain which bears this name as it was in the time of the ,prophet ,eliseus4 ,it was not the same then as at the time of our ,lord's ,crucifixion1 but was a hill1 with many walls and caverns1 resembling tombs1 upon it4 ,i saw the ,prophet ,eliseus descend into these caverns1 ,i cannot say whether in reality or only in a vision1 and ,i saw him take out a skull from a stone sepulchre in which bones were resting4 ,someone who was by his side--,i think an angel--said to him1 ',this is the skull of ,adam4' ,the prophet was desirous to take it away1 but his companion forbade him4 ,i saw upon the skull some few hairs of a fair colour4 ,i learned also that the prophet having related what had happened to him1 the spot received the name of ,calvary4 ,finally1 ,i saw that the ,cross of ,jesus was placed vertically over the skull of ,adam4 ,i was informed that this spot was the exact centre of the earth2 and at the same time ,i was shown the numbers and measures proper to every country1 but ,i have forgotten them1 individually as well as in general4 ,yet ,i have seen this centre from above1 and as it were from a bird's-eye view4 ,in that way a person sees far more clearly than on a map all the different countries1 mountains1 deserts1 seas1 rivers1 towns1 and even the smallest places1 whether distant or near at hand4 ,,chapter ,,lv4 ,the ,cross and the ,winepress4 ,as ,i was meditating upon these words or thoughts of ,jesus when hanging on the ,cross3 ',i am pressed like wine placed here under the press for the first time2 my blood must continue to flow until water comes1 but wine shall no more be made here1' an explanation was given me by means of another vision relating to ,calvary4 ,i saw this rocky country at a period anterior to the ,deluge2 it was then less wild and less barren than it afterwards became1 and was laid out in vineyards and fields4 ,i saw there the ,patriarch ,japhet1 a majestic dark-complexioned old man1 surrounded by immense flocks and herds and a numerous posterity3 his children as well as himself had dwellings excavated in the ground1 and covered with turf roofs1 on which herbs and flowers were growing4 ,there were vines all around1 and a new method of making wine was being tried on ,calvary1 in the presence of ,japhet4 ,i saw also the ancient method of preparing wine1 but ,i can give only the following description of it4 ,at first men were satisfied with only eating the grapes2 then they pressed them with pestles in hollow stones1 and finally in large wooden trenches4 ,upon this occasion a new wine-press1 resembling the holy ,cross in shape1 had been devised2 it consisted of the hollow trunk of a tree placed upright1 with a bag of grapes suspended over it4 ,upon this bag there was fastened a pestle1 surmounted by a weight2 and on both sides of the trunk were arms joined to the bag1 through openings made for the purpose1 and which1 when put in motion by lowering the ends1 crushed the grapes4 ,the juice flowed out of the tree by five openings1 and fell into a stone vat1 from whence it flowed through a channel made of bark and coated with resin1 into the species of cistern excavated in the rock where ,jesus was confined before his ,crucifixion4 ,at the foot of the winepress1 in the stone vat1 there was a sort of sieve to stop the skins1 which were put on one side4 ,when they had made their winepress1 they filled the bag with grapes1 nailed it to the top of the trunk1 placed the pestle1 and put in motion the side arms1 in order to make the wine flow4 ,all this very strongly reminded me of the ,crucifixion1 on account of the resemblance between the winepress and the ,cross4 ,they had a long reed1 at the end of which there were points1 so that it looked like an enormous thistle1 and they ran this through the channel and trunk of the tree when there was any obstruction4 ,i was reminded of the lance and sponge4 ,there were also some leathern bottles1 and vases made of bark and plastered with resin4 ,i saw several young men1 with nothing but a cloth wrapped round their loins like ,jesus1 working at this winepress4 ,japhet was very old2 he wore a long beard1 and a dress made of the skins of beasts2 and he looked at the new winepress with evident satisfaction4 ,it was a festival day1 and they sacrificed on a stone altar some animals which were running loose in the vineyard1 young asses1 goats1 and sheep4 ,it was not in this place that ,abraham came to sacrifice ,isaac2 perhaps it was on ,mount ,moriah4 ,i have forgotten many of the instructions regarding the wine1 vinegar1 and skins1 and the different ways in which everything was to be distributed to the right and to the left2 and ,i regret it1 because the veriest trifles in these matters have a profound symbolical meaning4 ,if it should be the will of ,god for me to make them known1 he will show them to me again4 ,,chapter ,,lvi4 ,apparitions on ,occasion of the ,death of ,jesus4 ,among the dead who rose from their graves1 and who were certainly a hundred in number1 at ,jerusalem1 there were no relations of ,jesus4 ,i saw in various parts of the ,holy ,land others of the dead appear and bear testimony to the divinity of ,jesus4 ,thus ,i saw ,sadoch1 a most pious man1 who had given all his property to the poor and to the ,temple1 appear to many persons in the neighbourhood of ,hebron4 ,this ,sadoch had lived a century before ,jesus1 and was the founder of a community of ,essenians3 he had ardently sighed for the coming of the ,messias1 and had had several revelations upon the subject4 ,i saw some others of the dead appear to the hidden disciples of our ,lord1 and give them different warnings4 ,terror and desolation reigned even in the most distant parts of ,palestine1 and it was not in ,jerusalem only that frightful prodigies took place4 ,at ,thirza1 the towers of the prison in which the captives delivered by ,jesus had been confined fell down4 ,in ,galilee1 where ,jesus had travelled so much1 ,i saw many buildings1 and in particular the houses of those ,pharisees who had been the foremost in persecuting our ,saviour1 and who were then all at the festival1 shaken to the ground1 crushing their wives and children4 ,numerous accidents happened in the neighbourhood of the ,lake of ,genazareth4 ,many buildings fell down at ,capharnaum2 and the wall of rocks which was in front of the beautiful garden of the centurion ,zorobabel cracked across4 ,the lake overflowed into the valley1 and its waters descended as far as ,capharnaum1 which was a mile and a half distant4 ,peter's house1 and the dwelling of the ,blessed ,virgin in front of the town1 remained standing4 ,the lake was strongly convulsed2 its shores crumbled in several places1 and its shape was very much altered1 and became more like what it is at the present day4 ,great changes took place1 particularly at the south-eastern extremity1 near ,tarichea1 because in this part there was a long causeway made of stones1 between the lake and a sort of marsh1 which gave a constant direction to the course of the ,jordan when it left the lake4 ,the whole of this causeway was destroyed by the earthquake4 ,many accidents happened on the eastern side of the lake1 on the spot where the swine belonging to the inhabitants of ,gergesa cast themselves in1 and also at ,gergesa1 ,gerasa1 and in the entire district of ,chorazin4 ,the mountain where the second multiplication of the loaves took place was shaken1 and the stone upon which the miracle had been worked split in two4 ,in ,decapolis1 whole towns crumbled to the earth2 and in ,asia1 in several localities1 the earthquake was severely felt1 particularly to the east and north-east of ,paneas4 ,in ,upper ,galilee1 many ,pharisees found their houses in ruins when they returned from keeping the feast4 ,a number of them1 while yet at ,jerusalem1 received the news of what had happened1 and it was on that account that the enemies of ,jesus made such very slight efforts against the ,christian community at ,pentecost4 ,a part of the ,temple of ,garizim crumbled down4 ,an idol stood there above a fountain1 in a small temple1 the roof of which fell into the fountain with the idol4 ,half of the synagogue of ,nazareth1 out of which ,jesus had been drive1 fell down1 as well as that part of the mountain from which his enemies had endeavoured to precipitate him4 ,the bed of the ,jordan was much changed by all these shocks1 and its course altered in many places4 ,at ,macherus1 and at the other towns belonging to ,herod1 everything remained quiet1 for that country was out of the sphere of repentance and of threats1 like those men who did not fall to the ground in the ,garden of ,olives1 and1 consequently1 did not rise again4 ,in many other parts where there were evil spirits1 ,i saw the latter disappear in large bodies amid the falling mountains and buildings4 ,the earthquakes reminded me of the convulsions of the possessed1 when the enemy feels that he must take to flight4 ,at ,gergesa1 a part of the mountain from which the devils had cast themselves with the swine into a marsh1 fell into this same marsh2 and ,i then saw a band of evil spirits cast themselves into the abyss1 like a dark cloud4 ,it was at ,nice1 unless ,i am mistaken1 that ,i saw a singular occurrence1 of which ,i have only an imperfect remembrance4 ,there was a port there with many vessels in it2 and near this port stood a house with a high tower1 in which ,i saw a pagan whose office was to watch these vessels4 ,he had often to ascend this tower1 and see what was going on at sea4 ,having heard a great noise over the vessels in the port1 he hurriedly ascended the tower to discover what was taking place1 and he saw several dark figures hovering over the port1 and who exclaimed to him in plaintive accents3 ',if thou desirest to preserve the vessels1 cause them to be sailed out of this port1 for we must return to the abyss3 the great ,pan is dead4' ,they told him several other things2 laid injunctions upon him to make known what they were then telling him upon his return from a certain voyage which he was soon to make1 and to give a good reception to the messengers who would come to announce the doctrine of him who had just died4 ,the evil spirits were forced in this manner by the power of ,god to inform this good man of their defeat1 and announce it to the world4 ,he had the vessels put in safety1 and then an awful storm arose3 the devils cast themselves howling into the sea1 and half the city fell down4 ,his house remained standing4 ,soon afterwards he went on a great journey1 and announced the death of the great ,pan1 if that is the name by which our ,saviour had been called4 ,later he came to ,rome1 where much amazement was caused by what he related4 ,his name was something like ,thamus or ,thramus4 ,,chapter ,,lvii4 ,guards are placed around the ,tomb of ,jesus4 ,late on ,friday night1 ,i saw ,caiphas and some of the chief men among the ,jews holding a consultation concerning the best course to pursue with regard to the prodigies which had taken place1 and the effect they had had upon the people4 ,they continued their deliberations quite into the morning1 and then hurried to ,pilate's house1 to tell him that1 as that seducer said1 while he was yet alive1 ',after three days ,i will rise again1' it would be right to command the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day1 as otherwise his disciples might come and steal him away1 and say to the people1 ',he is risen from the dead1' and the last error would be worse that the first4 ,pilate was determined to have nothing more to do with the business1 and he only answered3 ',you have a guard2 go1 guard it as you know4' ,however1 he appointed ,cassius to keep a watch over all that took place1 and give him an exact account of every circumstance4 ,i saw these men1 twelve in number1 leave the town before sunrise1 accompanied by some soldiers who did not wear the ,roman uniform1 being attached to the ,temple4 ,they carried lanterns fastened to the end of long poles1 in order that they might be able to see every surrounding object1 in spite of the darkness of the night1 and also that they might have some light in the dark cave of the sepulchre4 ,no sooner had they reached the sepulchre than1 having first seen with their own eyes that the body of ,jesus was really there1 they fastened one rope across the door of the tomb1 and a second across the great stone which was placed in front1 sealing the whole with a seal of half-circular shape4 ,they then returned to the city1 and the guards stationed themselves opposite the outer door4 ,they were five or six in number1 and watched three and three alternately4 ,cassius never left his post1 and usually remained sitting or standing in front of the entrance to the cave1 so as to see that side of the tomb where the feet of our ,lord rested4 ,he had received many interior graces1 and been given to understand many mysteries4 ,being wholly unaccustomed to this state of spiritual enlightenment1 he was perfectly transported out of himself1 and remained nearly all the time unconscious of the presence of exterior things4 ,he was entirely changed1 had become a new man1 and spent the whole day in penance1 in making fervent acts of gratitude1 and in humbly adoring ,god4 ,,chapter ,,lviii4 ,a ,glance at the ,disciples of ,jesus on ,holy ,saturday4 ,the faithful disciples of our ,lord assembled together in the ,cenaculum1 to keep the eve of the ,sabbath4 ,they were about twenty in number1 clothed in long white dresses1 and with their waists girded4 ,the room was lighted up by a lamp2 and after their repast they separated1 and for the most part returned home4 ,they again assembled on the following morning1 and sat together reading and praying by turns2 and if a friend entered the room1 they arose and saluted him cordially4 ,in that part of the house inhabited by the ,blessed ,virgin there was a large room1 divided into small compartments like cells1 which were used by the holy women for sleeping in at night4 ,when they returned from the sepulchre1 one of their number lighted a lamp which was hanging in the middle of the room1 and they all assembled around the ,blessed ,virgin1 and commenced praying in a mournful but recollected manner4 ,a short time afterwards1 ,martha1 ,maroni1 ,dina1 and ,mara1 who were just come with ,lazarus from ,bethania1 where they had passed the ,sabbath1 entered the room4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and her companions gave them a detailed account of the death and burial of our ,lord1 accompanying each relation with many tears4 ,the evening was advancing1 and ,joseph of ,arimathea came in with a few other disciples1 to ask whether any of the women wished to return to their homes1 as they were ready to escort them4 ,a few accepted the proposition1 and set off immediately2 but before they reached the tribunal of ,caiphas1 some armed men stopped ,joseph of ,arimathea1 arrested1 and shut him up in an old deserted turret4 ,those among the holy women who did not leave the ,cenaculum retired to take their rest in the cell-like compartments spoken of above3 they fastened long veils over their heads1 seated themselves sorrowfully on the floor1 and leaned upon the couches which were placed against the wall4 ,after a time they stood up1 spread out the bedclothes which were rolled up on the couches1 took off their sandals1 girdles1 and a part of their clothing1 and reclined for a time in order to endeavour to get a little sleep4 ,at midnight1 they arose1 clothed themselves1 put up their beds1 and reassembled around the lamp to continue their prayer with the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,when the ,mother of ,jesus and her pious companions had finished their nocturnal prayer 7that holy duty which has been practised by all faithful children of ,god and holy souls1 who have either felt themselves called to it by a special grace1 or who follow a rule given by ,god and his ,church71 they heard a knock at the door1 which was instantly opened1 and ,john and some of the disciples who had promised to conduct them to the ,temple1 entered1 upon which the women wrapped their cloaks about them1 and started instantly4 ,it was then about three in the morning1 and they went straight to the ,temple1 it being customary among many ,jews to get there before day dawned1 on the day after they had eaten the ,paschal lamb2 and for this reason the ,temple was open from midnight1 as the sacrifices commenced very early4 ,they started at about the same hour as that at which the priests had put their seal upon the sepulchre4 ,the aspect of things in the ,temple was1 however1 very different from what was usually the case at such times1 for the sacrifices were stopped1 and the place was empty and desolate1 as everyone had left on account of the events on the previous day which had rendered it impure4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin appeared to me to visit it for the sole purpose of taking leave of the place where she had passed her youth4 ,the ,temple was1 however1 open2 the lamps lighted1 and the people at liberty to enter the vestibule of the priests1 which was the customary privilege of this day1 as well as of that which followed the ,paschal supper4 ,the ,temple was1 as ,i said before1 quite empty1 with the exception of a chance priest or server who might be seen wandering about2 and every part bore the marks of the confusion into which all was thrown on the previous day by the extraordinary and frightful events that had taken place2 besides which it had been defiled by the presence of the dead1 and ,i reflected and wondered in my own mind whether it would be possible ever to purify if again4 ,the sons of ,simeon1 and the nephew of ,joseph of ,arimathea1 were much grieved when they heard of the arrest of their uncle1 but they welcomed the ,blessed ,virgin and her companions1 and conducted them all over the ,temple1 which they did without difficulty1 as they held the offices of inspectors of the ,temple4 ,the holy women stood in silence and contemplated all the terrible and visible marks of the anger of ,god with feelings of deep awe1 and then listened with interest to the many stupendous details recounted by their guides4 ,the effects of the earthquake were still visible1 as little had been done towards repairing the numerous rents and cracks in the floor1 and in the walls4 ,in that part of the ,temple where the vestibule joined the sanctuary1 the wall was so tremendously shaken by the shock of the earthquake1 as to produce a fissure wide enough for a person to walk through1 and the rest of the wall looked unsteady1 as if it might fall down at any moment4 ,the curtain which hung in the sanctuary was rent in two and hung in shreds at the sides2 nothing was to be seen around but crumbled walls1 crushed flagstones1 and columns either partly or quite shaken down4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin visited all those parts which ,jesus had rendered sacred in her eyes2 she prostrated1 kissed them1 and with tears in her eyes explained to the others her reasons for venerating each particular spot1 whereupon they instantly followed her example4 ,the greatest veneration was always shown by the ,jews for all places which had been rendered sacred by manifestations of the ,divine power1 and it was customary to place the hands reverently on such places1 to kiss them1 and to prostrate to the very earth before them4 ,i do not think there was anything in the least surprising in such a custom1 for they both knew1 saw1 end felt that the ,god of ,abraham1 of ,isaac1 and of ,jacob1 was a living ,god1 and that his dwelling among his people was in the ,temple at ,jerusalem2 consequently it would have been infinitely more astonishing if they had not venerated those holy parts where his power had been particularly demonstrated1 for the ,temple and the holy places were to them what the ,blessed ,sacrament is to ,christians4 ,deeply penetrated with these feelings of respect1 the ,blessed ,virgin walked trough the ,temple with her companions1 and pointed out to them the spot where she was presented when still a child1 the parts where she passed her childhood1 the place where she was affianced to ,st4 ,joseph1 and the spot where she stood when she presented ,jesus and heard the prophecy of ,simeon3 the remembrance of his words made her weep bitterly1 for the prophecy was indeed fulfilled1 and the sword of grief had indeed transfixed her heart2 she again stopped her companions when she reached the part of the ,temple where she found ,jesus teaching when she lost him at the age of twelve1 and she respectfully kissed the ground on which he then stood4 ,when the holy women had looked at every place sanctified by the presence of ,jesus1 when they had wept and prayed over them1 they returned to ,sion4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin did not leave the ,temple without shedding many tears1 as she contemplated the state of desolation to which it was reduced1 an aspect of desolation which was rendered still more depressing by the marked contrast it bore to the usual state of the ,temple on the festival day4 ,instead of songs and hymns of jubilee1 a mournful silence reigned throughout the vast edifice1 and in place of groups of joyful and devout worshippers1 the eye wandered over a vast and dreary solitude4 ,too truly1 alas1 did this change betoken the fearful crime which had been perpetrated by the people of ,god1 and she remembered how ,jesus had wept over the ,temple1 and said1 ',destroy the ,temple and in three days ,i will build it up again4' ,she thought over the destruction of the ,temple of the ,body of ,jesus which had been brought about by his enemies1 and she sighed with a longing desire for the dawning of that third day when the words of eternal truth were to be accomplished4 ,it was about daybreak when ,mary and her companions reached the ,cenaculum1 and they retired into the building which stood on its right-hand side1 while ,john and some of the disciples re-entered the ,cenaculum1 where about twenty men1 assembled around a lamp1 were occupied in prayer4 ,every now and then new-comers drew nigh to the door1 came in timidity1 approached the group round the lamp1 and addressed them in a few mournful words1 which they accompanied with tears4 ,everyone appeared to regard ,john with feelings of respect2 because he had remained with ,jesus until he expired2 but with these sentiments of respect was mingled a deep feeling of shame and confusion1 when they reflected on their own cowardly conduct in abandoning their ,lord and ,master in the hour of need4 ,john spoke to everyone with the greatest charity and kindness2 his manner was modest and unassuming as that of a child1 and he seemed to fear receiving praise4 ,i saw the assembled group take one meal during that day1 but its members were1 for the most part1 silent2 not a sound was to be heard throughout the house1 and the doors were tightly closed1 although1 in fact1 there was no likelihood of anyone disturbing them1 as the house belonged to ,nicodemus1 and he had let it to them for the time of the festival4 ,the holy women remained in this room until nightfall2 it was lighted up by a single lamp2 the doors were closed1 and curtains drawn over the windows4 ,sometimes they gathered round the ,blessed ,virgin and prayed under the lamp2 at other times they retired to the side of the room1 covered their heads with black veils1 and either sat on ashes 7the sign of mourning71 or prayed with their faces turned towards the wall2 those whose health was delicate took a little food1 but the others fasted4 ,i looked at them again and again1 and ,i saw them ever occupied in the same manner1 that is to say1 either in prayer or in mourning over the sufferings of their beloved ,master4 ,when my thoughts wandered from the contemplation of the ,blessed ,virgin to that of her ,divine ,son1 ,i beheld the holy sepulchre with six or seven sentinels at the entrance--,cassius standing against the door of the cave1 apparently in deep meditation1 the exterior door closed1 and the stone rolled close to it4 ,notwithstanding the thick door which intervened between the body of our ,saviour and myself ,i could see it plainly2 it was quite transparent with a divine light1 and two angels were adoring at the side4 ,but my thoughts then turned to the contemplation of the blessed soul of my ,redeemer1 and such an extensive and complicated picture of his descent into hell was shown to me1 that ,i can only remember a small portion of it1 which ,i will describe to the best of my power4 ,,chapter ,,lix4 ,a ,detached ,account of the ,descent into ,hell4 ,when ,jesus1 after uttering a loud cry1 expired1 ,i saw his heavenly soul under the form of a bright meteor pierce the earth at the foot of the ,cross1 accompanied by the angel ,gabriel and many other angels4 ,his ,divine nature continued united to his soul as well as to his body1 which still remained hanging upon the ,cross1 but ,i cannot explain how this was1 although ,i saw it plainly in my own mind4 ,the place into which the soul of ,jesus entered was divided into three parts1 which appeared to me like three worlds2 and ,i felt that they were round1 and that each division was separated from the other by a hemisphere4 ,i beheld a bright and beautiful space opposite to ,limbo2 it was enamelled with flowers1 delicious breezes wafted through it2 and many souls were placed there before being admitted into ,heaven after their deliverance from ,purgatory4 ,limbo1 the place where the souls were waiting for the ,redemption1 was divided into different compartments1 and encompassed by a thick foggy atmosphere4 ,our ,lord appeared radiant with light and surrounded by angels1 who conducted him triumphantly between two of these compartments2 the one on the left containing the patriarchs who lived before the time of ,abraham1 and that on the right those who lived between the days of ,abraham and ,st4 ,john the ,baptist4 ,these souls did not at first recognise ,jesus1 but were filled nevertheless with sensations of joy and hope4 ,there was not a spot in those narrow confines which did not1 as it were1 dilate with feelings of happiness4 ,the passage of ,jesus might be compared to the wafting of a breath of air1 to a sudden flash of light1 or to a shower of vivifying dew1 but it was swift as a whirlwind4 ,after passing through the two compartments1 he reached a dark spot in which ,adam and ,eve were standing2 he spoke to them1 they prostrated and adored him in a perfect ecstasy of joy1 and they immediately joined the band of angels1 and accompanied our ,lord to the compartment on the left1 which contained the patriarchs who lived before ,abraham4 ,this compartment was a species of ,purgatory1 and a few evil spirits were wandering about among the souls and endeavouring to fill them with anxiety and alarm4 ,the entrance through a species of door was closed1 but the angels rapped1 and ,i thought ,i heard them say1 ',open these doors4' ,when ,jesus entered in triumph the demons dispersed1 crying out at the same time1 ',what is there between thee and us8 ,what art thou come to do here8 ,wilt thou crucify us likewise8' ,the angels hunted them away1 having first chained them4 ,the poor souls confined in this place had only a slight presentiment and vague idea of the presence of ,jesus2 but the moment he told them that it was he himself1 they burst out into acclamations of joy1 and welcomed him with hymns of rapture and delight4 ,the soul of our ,lord then wended its way to the right1 towards that part which really constituted ,limbo2 and there he met the soul of the good thief which angels were carrying to ,abraham's bosom1 as also that of the bad thief being dragged by demons into ,hell4 ,our ,lord addressed a few words to both1 and then entered ,abraham's bosom1 accompanied by numerous angels and holy souls1 and also by those demons who had been chained and expelled from the compartment4 ,this locality appeared to me more elevated than the surrounding parts2 and ,i can only describe my sensations on entering it1 by comparing them to those of a person coming suddenly into the interior of a church1 after having been for some time in the burial vaults4 ,the demons1 who were strongly chained1 were extremely loth to enter1 and resisted to the utmost of their power1 but the angels compelled them to go forwards4 ,all the just who had lived before the time of ,christ were assembled there2 the patriarchs1 ,moses1 the judges1 and the kings on the left-hand side2 and on the right side1 the prophets1 and the ancestors of our ,lord1 as also his near relations1 such as ,joachim1 ,anna1 ,joseph1 ,zacharias1 ,elizabeth1 and ,john4 ,there were no demons in this place1 and the only discomfort that had been felt by those placed there was a longing desire for the accomplishment of the promise2 and when our ,lord entered they saluted him with joyful hymns of gratitude and thanksgiving for its fulfilment1 they prostrated and adored him1 and the evil spirits who had been dragged into ,abraham's bosom when our ,lord entered were compelled to confess with shame that they were vanquished4 ,many of these holy souls were ordered by our ,lord to return to the earth1 re-enter their own bodies1 and thus render a solemn and impressive testimony to the truth4 ,it was at this moment that so many dead persons left their tombs in ,jerusalem2 ,i regarded them less in the light of dead persons risen again than as corpses put in motion by a divine power1 and which1 after having fulfilled the mission entrusted to them1 were laid aside in the same manner as the insignia of office are taken off by a clerk when he has executed the orders of his superiors4 ,i next saw our ,lord1 with his triumphant procession1 enter into a species of ,purgatory which was filled with those good pagans who1 having had a faint glimmering of the truth1 had longed for its fulfilment3 this ,purgatory was very deep1 and contained a few demons compelled to confess the deception they had practised with regard to these idols1 and the souls of the poor pagans cast themselves at the feet of ,jesus1 and adored him with inexpressible joy3 here1 likewise1 the demons were bound with chains and dragged away4 ,i saw our ,saviour perform many other actions2 but ,i suffered so intensely at the same time1 that ,i cannot recount them as ,i should have wished4 ,finally1 ,i beheld him approach to the centre of the great abyss1 that is to say1 to ,hell itself2 and the expression of his countenance was most severe4 ,the exterior of ,hell was appalling and frightful2 it was an immense1 heavy-looking building1 and the granite of which it was formed1 although black1 was of metallic brightness2 and the dark and ponderous doors were secured with such terrible bolts that no one could behold them without trembling4 ,deep groans and cries of despair might be plainly distinguished even while the doors were tightly closed2 but1 ,o1 who can describe the dreadful yells and shrieks which burst upon the ear when the bolts were unfastened and the doors flung open2 and1 ,o1 who can depict the melancholy appearance of the inhabitants of this wretched place6 ,the form under which the ,heavenly ,jerusalem is generally represented in my visions is that of a beautiful and well-regulated city1 and the different degrees of glory to which the elect are raised are demonstrated by the magnificence of their palaces1 or the wonderful fruit and flowers with which the gardens are embellished4 ,hell is shown to me under the same form1 but all within it is1 on the contrary1 close1 confused1 and crowded2 every object tends to fill the mind with sensations of pain and grief2 the marks of the wreath and vengeance of ,god are visible everywhere2 despair1 like a vulture1 gnaws every heart1 and discord and misery reign around4 ,in the ,heavenly ,jerusalem all is peace and eternal harmony1 the beginning1 fulfilment1 and end of everything being pure and perfect happiness2 the city is filled with splendid buildings1 decorated in such a manner as to charm every eye and enrapture every sense2 the inhabitants of this delightful abode are overflowing with rapture and exultation1 the gardens gay with lovely flowers1 and the trees covered with delicious fruits which give eternal life4 ,in the city of ,hell nothing is to be seen but dismal dungeons1 dark caverns1 frightful deserts1 fetid swamps filled with every imaginable species of poisonous and disgusting reptile4 ,in ,heaven you behold the happiness and peaceful union of the saints2 in ,hell1 perpetual scenes of wretched discord1 and every species of sin and corruption1 either under the most horrible forms imaginable1 or represented by different kinds of dreadful torments4 ,all in this dreary abode tends to fill the mind with horror2 not a word of comfort is heard or a consoling idea admitted2 the one tremendous thought1 that the justice of an all-powerful ,god inflicts on the damned nothing but what they have fully deserved is the absorbing tremendous conviction which weighs down each heart4 ,vice appears in its own grim disgusting colours1 being stripped of the mask under which it is hidden in this world1 and the infernal viper is seen devouring those who have cherished or fostered it here below4 ,in a word1 ,hell is the temple of anguish and despair1 while the kingdom of ,god is the temple of peace and happiness4 ,this is easy to understand when seen2 but it is almost impossible to describe clearly4 ,the tremendous explosion of oaths1 curses1 cries of despair1 and frightful exclamations which1 like a clap of thunder1 burst forth when the gates of ,hell were thrown open by the angels1 would be difficult even to imagine2 our ,lord spoke first to the soul of ,judas1 and the angels then compelled all the demons to acknowledge and adore ,jesus4 ,they would have infinitely preferred the most frightful torments to such a humiliation2 but all were obliged to submit4 ,many were chained down in a circle which was placed round other circles4 ,in the centre of ,hell ,i saw a dark and horrible-looking abyss1 and into this ,lucifer was cast1 after being first strongly secured with chains2 thick clouds of sulphureous black smoke arose from its fearful depths1 and enveloped his frightful form in the dismal folds1 thus effectually concealing him from every beholder4 ,god himself had decreed this2 and ,i was likewise told1 if ,i remember right1 that he will be unchained for a time fifty or sixty years before the year of ,christ #bjjj4 ,the dates of many other events were pointed out to me which ,i do not now remember2 but a certain number of demons are to be let loose much earlier than ,lucifer1 in order to tempt men1 and to serve as instruments of the divine vengeance4 ,i should think that some must be loosened even in the present day1 and others will be set free in a short time4 ,it would be utterly impossible for me to describe all the things which were shown to me2 their number was so great that ,i could not reduce them sufficiently to order to define and render them intelligible4 ,besides which my sufferings are very great1 and when ,i speak on the subject of my visions ,i behold them in my mind's eye portrayed in such vivid colours1 that the sight is almost sufficient to cause a weak mortal like myself to expire4 ,i next saw innumerable bands of redeemed souls liberated from ,purgatory and from ,limbo1 who followed our ,lord to a delightful spot situated above the celestial ,jerusalem1 in which place ,i1 a very short time ago1 saw the soul of a person who was very dear to me4 ,the soul of the good thief was likewise taken there1 and the promise of our ,lord1 ',this day thou shalt be with me in ,paradise1' was fulfilled4 ,it is not in my power to explain the exact time that each of these events occurred1 nor can ,i relate one-half of the things which ,i saw and heard2 for some were incomprehensible even to myself1 and others would be misunderstood if ,i attempted to relate them4 ,i have seen our ,lord in many different places4 ,even in the sea he appeared to me to sanctify and deliver everything in the creation4 ,evil spirits fled at his approach1 and cast themselves into the dark abyss4 ,i likewise beheld his soul in different parts of the earth1 first inside the tomb of ,adam1 under ,golgotha2 and when he was there the souls of ,adam and ,eve came up to him1 and he spoke to them for some time4 ,he then visited the tombs of the prophets1 who were buried at an immense depth below the surface2 but he passed through the soil in the twinkling of an eye4 ,their souls immediately re-entered their bodies1 and he spoke to them1 and explained the most wonderful mysteries4 ,next ,i saw him1 accompanied by a chosen band of prophets1 among whom ,i particularly remarked ,david1 visit those parts of the earth which had been sanctified by his miracles and by his sufferings4 ,he pointed out to them1 with the greatest love and goodness1 the different symbols in the old law expressive of the future2 and he showed them how he himself had fulfilled every prophecy4 ,the sight of the soul of our ,lord1 surrounded by these happy souls1 and radiant with light1 was inexpressibly grand as he glided triumphantly through the air1 sometimes passing1 with the velocity of lightning1 over rivers1 then penetrating though the hardest rocks to the very centre of the earth1 or moving noiselessly over its surface4 ,i can remember nothing beyond the facts which ,i have just related concerning the descent of ,jesus into ,limbo1 where he went in order to present to the souls there detained the grace of the ,redemption which he had merited for them by his death and by his sufferings2 and ,i saw all these things in a very short space of time2 in fact1 time passed so quickly that it seemed to me but a moment4 ,our ,lord1 however1 displayed before me1 at the same time1 another picture1 in which ,i beheld the immense mercies which he bestows in the present day on the poor souls in ,purgatory2 for on every anniversary of this great day1 when his ,church is celebrating the glorious mystery of his death1 he casts a look of compassion on the souls in ,purgatory1 and frees some of those who sinned against him before his crucifixion4 ,i this day saw ,jesus deliver many souls2 some ,i was acquainted with1 and others were strangers to me1 but ,i cannot name any of them4 ,our ,lord1 by descending into ,hell1 planted 7if ,i may thus express myself71 in the spiritual garden of the ,church1 a mysterious tree1 the fruits of which--namely1 his merits--are destined for the constant relief of the poor souls in ,purgatory4 ,the ,church militant must cultivate the tree1 and gather its fruit1 in order to present them to that suffering portion of the ,church which can do nothing for itself4 ,thus it is with all the merits of ,christ2 we must labour with him if we wish to obtain our share of them2 we must gain our bread by the sweat of our brow4 ,everything which our ,lord has done for us in time must produce fruit for eternity2 but we must gather these fruits in time1 without which we cannot possess them in eternity4 ,the ,church is the most prudent and thoughtful of mothers2 the ecclesiastical year is an immense and magnificent garden1 in which all those fruits for eternity are gathered together1 that we may make use of them in time4 ,each year contains sufficient to supply the wants of all2 but woe be to that careless or dishonest gardener who allows any of the fruit committed to his care to perish2 if he fails to turn to a proper account those graces which would restore health to the sick2 strength to the weak1 or furnish food to the hungry6 ,when the ,day of ,judgment arrives1 the ,master of the garden will demand a strict account1 not only of every tree1 but also of all the fruit produced in the garden4 ,,chapter ,,lx4 ,the ,eve of the ,resurrection4 ,towards the close of the ,sabbath-day1 ,john came to see the holy women4 ,he endeavoured to give some consolation1 but could not restrain his own tears1 and only remained a short time with them4 ,they had likewise a short visit from ,peter and ,james the ,greater1 after which they retired to their cells1 and gave free vent to grief1 sitting upon ashes1 and veiling themselves even more closely4 ,the prayer of the ,blessed ,virgin was unceasing4 ,she ever kept her eyes fixed interiorly on ,jesus1 and was perfectly consumed by her ardent desire of once more beholding him whom she loved with such inexpressible love4 ,suddenly an angel stood by her side1 and bade her arise and go to the door of the dwelling of ,nicodemus1 for that the ,lord was very near4 ,the heart of the ,blessed ,virgin leaped for joy4 ,she hastily wrapped her cloak about her1 and left the holy women1 without informing them where she was going4 ,i saw her walk quickly to a small entrance which was cut in the town wall1 the identical one through which she had entered when returning with her companions from the sepulchre4 ,it was about nine o'clock at night1 and the ,blessed ,virgin had almost reached the entrance1 when ,i saw her stop suddenly in a very solitary spot1 and look upwards in an ecstasy of delight1 for on the top of the town wall she beheld the soul of our ,lord1 resplendent with light1 without the appearance of a wound1 and surrounded by patriarchs4 ,he descended towards her1 turned to his companions1 and presenting her to them1 said1 ',behold ,mary1 behold my ,mother4' ,he appeared to me to salute her with a kiss1 and he then disappeared4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin knelt down1 and most reverently kissed the ground on which he had stood1 and the impression of her hands and knees remained imprinted upon the stones4 ,the sight filled her with inexpressible joy1 and she immediately rejoined the holy women1 who were busily employed in preparing the perfumes and spices4 ,she did not tell them what she had seen1 but her firmness and strength of mind was restored4 ,she was perfectly renovated1 and therefore comforted all the rest1 and endeavoured to strengthen their faith4 ,all the holy women were sitting by a long table1 the cover of which hung down to the floor1 when ,mary returned2 bundles of herbs were heaped around them1 and these they mixed together and arranged2 small flasks1 containing sweet unctions and water of spikenard1 were standing near1 as also bunches of natural flowers1 among which ,i remarked one in particular1 which was like a streaked iris or a lily4 ,magdalen1 ,mary the daughter of ,cleophas1 ,salome1 ,johanna1 and ,mary ,salome1 had bought all these things in the town during the absence of ,mary4 ,their intention was to go to the sepulchre before sunrise on the following day1 in order to strew these flowers and perfumes over the body of their beloved ,master4 ,,chapter ,,lvi4 ,joseph of ,arimathea miraculously set at large4 ,a short time after the return of the ,blessed ,virgin to the holy women1 ,i was shown the interior of the prison in which the enemies of ,joseph of ,arimathea had confined him4 ,he was praying fervently1 when suddenly a brilliant light illuminated the whole place1 and ,i heard a voice calling him by name1 while at the same moment the roof opened1 and a bright form appeared1 holding out a sheet resembling that in which he had wrapped the body of ,jesus4 ,joseph grasped it with both hands1 and was drawn up to the opening1 which closed again as soon as he had passed through2 and the apparition disappeared the instant he was in safety at the tope of the tower4 ,i know not whether it was our ,lord himself or an angel who thus set ,joseph free4 ,he walked on the summit of the wall until he reached the neighbourhood of the ,cenaculum1 which was near to the south wall of ,sion1 and then climbed down and knocked at the door of that edifice1 as the doors were fastened4 ,the disciples assembled there had been much grieved when they first missed ,joseph1 who they thought had been thrown into a sink1 a report to that effect having become current4 ,great1 therefore1 was their joy when they opened the door and found that it was he himself2 indeed1 they were almost as much delighted as when ,peter was miraculously delivered from prison some years after4 ,when ,joseph had related what had taken place1 they were filled with astonishment and delight2 and after thanking ,god fervently gave him some refreshment1 which he greatly needed4 ,he left ,jerusalem that same night1 and fled to ,arimathea1 his native place1 where he remained until he thought he could return safely to ,jerusalem4 ,i likewise saw ,caiphas towards the close of the ,sabbath-day1 at the house of ,nicodemus4 ,he was conversing with him and asking many questions with pretended kindness4 ,nicodemus answered firmly1 and continued to affirm the innocence of ,jesus4 ,they did not remain long together4 ,,chapter ,,lxii4 ,the ,night of ,resurrection4 ,i soon after beheld the tomb of our ,lord4 ,all was calm and silent around it4 ,there were six soldiers on guard1 who were either seated or standing before the door1 and ,cassius was among them4 ,his appearance was that of a person immersed in meditation and in the expectation of some great event4 ,the sacred body of our ,blessed ,redeemer was wrapped in the winding-sheet1 and surrounded with light1 while two angels sat in an attitude of adoration1 the one at the head1 and the other at the feet4 ,i had seen them in the same posture ever since he was first put into the tomb4 ,these angels were clothed as priests4 ,their position1 and the manner in which they crossed their arms over their breasts1 reminded me of the cherubim who surrounded the ,ark of the covenant1 only they were without wings2 at least ,i did not see any4 ,the whole of the sepulchre reminded me of the ,ark of the ,covenant at different periods of its history4 ,it is possible that ,cassius was sensible of the presence of the angels1 and of the bright light which filled the sepulchre1 for his attitude was like that of a person in deep contemplation before the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,i next saw the soul of our ,lord accompanied by those among the patriarchs whom he had liberated enter into the tomb through the rock4 ,he showed them the wounds with which his sacred body was covered2 and it seemed to me that the winding-sheet which previously enveloped it was removed1 and that ,jesus wished to show the souls the excess of suffering he had endured to redeem them4 ,the body appeared to me to be quite transparent1 so that the whole depth of the wounds could be seen2 and this sight filled the holy souls with admiration1 although deep feelings of compassion likewise drew tears from their eyes4 ,my next vision was so mysterious that ,i cannot explain or even relate it in a clear manner4 ,it appeared to me that the soul and body of ,jesus were taken together out of the sepulchre1 without1 however1 the former being completely reunited to the latter1 which still remained inanimate4 ,i thought ,i saw two angels who were kneeling and adoring at the head and feet of the sacred body1 raise it--keeping it in the exact position in which it was lying in the tomb--and carry it uncovered and disfigured with wounds across the rock1 which trembled as they passed4 ,it then appeared to me that ,jesus presented his body1 marked with the stigmas of the ,passion1 to his ,heavenly ,father1 who1 seated on a throne1 was surrounded by innumerable choirs of angels1 blissfully occupied in pouring forth hymns of adoration and jubilee4 ,the case was probably the same when at the death of our ,lord1 so many holy souls re-entered their bodies1 and appeared in the ,temple and in different parts of ,jerusalem2 for it is not likely that the bodies which they animated were really alive1 as in that case they would have been obliged to die a second time1 whereas they returned to their original state without apparent difficulty2 but it is to be supposed that their appearance in human form was similar to that of our ,lord1 when he 7if we may thus express it7 accompanied his body to the throne of his ,heavenly ,father4 ,at this moment the rock was so violently shaken1 from the very summit to the base1 that three of the guards fell down and became almost insensible4 ,the other four were away at the time1 being gone to the town to fetch something4 ,the guards who were thus thrown prostrate attributed the sudden shock to an earthquake2 but ,cassius1 who1 although uncertain as to what all this might portend1 yet felt an inward presentiment that it was the prelude to some stupendous event1 stood transfixed in anxious expectation1 waiting to see what would follow next4 ,the soldiers who were gone to ,jerusalem soon returned4 ,i again beheld the holy women3 they had finished preparing the spices1 and were resting in their private cells2 not stretched out on the couches1 but leaning against the bedclothes1 which were rolled up4 ,they wished to go to the sepulchre before the break of day1 because they feared meeting the enemies of ,jesus2 but the ,blessed ,virgin1 who was perfectly renovated and filled with fresh courage since she had seen her ,son1 consoled and recommended them to sleep for a time1 and then go fearlessly to the tomb1 as no harm would come to them2 whereupon they immediately followed her advice1 and endeavoured to sleep4 ,it was towards eleven o'clock at night when the ,blessed ,virgin1 incited by irrepressible feelings of love1 arose1 wrapped a grey cloak around her1 and left the house quite alone4 ,when ,i saw her do this1 ,i could not help feeling anxious1 and saying to myself1 ',how is it possible for this holy ,mother1 who is so exhausted from anguish and terror1 to venture to walk all alone through the streets at such an hour8' ,i saw her go first to the house of ,caiphas1 and then to the palace of ,pilate1 which was at a great distance off2 ,i watched her through the whole of her solitary journey along that part which had been trodden by her ,son1 loaded with his heavy ,cross2 she stopped at every place where our ,saviour had suffered particularly1 or had received any fresh outrage from his barbarous enemies4 ,her appearance1 as she walked slowly along1 was that of a person seeking something2 she often bent down to the ground1 touched the stones with her hands1 and then inundated them with kisses1 if the precious blood of her beloved ,son was upon them4 ,god granted her at this time particular lights and graces1 and she was able without the slightest degree of difficulty to distinguish every place sanctified by his sufferings4 ,i accompanied her through the whole of her pious pilgrimage1 and ,i endeavoured to imitate her to the best of my power1 as far as my weakness would permit4 ,mary then went to ,calvary2 but when she had almost reached it1 she stopped suddenly1 and ,i saw the sacred body and soul of our ,saviour standing before her4 ,an angel walked in front2 the two angels whom ,i had seen in the tomb were by his side1 and the souls whom he had redeemed followed him by hundreds4 ,the body of ,jesus was brilliant and beautiful1 but its appearance was not that of a living body1 although a voice issued from it2 and ,i heard him describe to the ,blessed ,virgin all he had done in ,limbo1 and then assure her that he should rise again with his glorified body2 that he would then show himself to her1 and that she must wait near the rock of ,mount ,calvary1 and that part where she saw him fall down1 until he appeared4 ,our ,saviour then went towards ,jerusalem1 and the ,blessed ,virgin1 having again wrapped her veil about her1 prostrated on the spot which he had pointed out4 ,it was then1 ,i think1 past midnight1 for the pilgrimage of ,mary over the ,way of the ,cross had taken up at least an hour2 and ,i next saw the holy souls who had been redeemed by our ,saviour traverse in their turn the sorrowful ,way of the ,cross1 and contemplate the different places where he had endured such fearful sufferings for their sakes4 ,the angels who accompanied them gathered sacred flesh which had been torn off by the frequent blows he received1 as also the blood with which the ground was sprinkled on those spots where he had fallen4 ,i once more saw the sacred body of our ,lord stretched out as ,i first beheld it in the sepulchre2 the angels were occupied in replacing the garments they had gathered up of his flesh1 and they received supernatural assistance in doing this4 ,when next ,i contemplated him it was in his winding-sheet1 surrounded with a bright light and with two adoring angels by his side4 ,i cannot explain how all these things came to pass1 for they are far beyond our human comprehension2 and even if ,i understand them perfectly myself when ,i see them1 they appear dark and mysterious when ,i endeavour to explain them to others4 ,as soon as a faint glimmering of dawn appeared in the east1 ,i saw ,magdalen1 ,mary the daughter of ,cleophas1 ,johanna ,chusa1 and ,salome1 leave the ,cenaculum1 closely wrapped up in their mantles4 ,they carried bundles of spices2 and one of their number had a lighted candle in her hand1 which she endeavoured to conceal under her cloak4 ,i saw them direct their trembling steps towards the small door at the house of ,nicodemus4 ,,chapter ,,lxiii4 ,the ,resurrection of our ,lord4 ,i beheld the soul of our ,lord between two angels1 who were in the attire of warriors3 it was bright1 luminous1 and resplendent as the sun at mid-day2 it penetrated the rock1 touched the sacred body1 passed into it1 and the two were instantaneously united1 and became as one4 ,i then saw the limbs move1 and the body of our ,lord1 being reunited to his soul and to his divinity1 rise and shake off the winding-sheet3 the whole of the cave was illuminated and lightsome4 ,at the same moment ,i saw a frightful monster burst from the earth underneath the sepulchre4 ,it had the tail of a serpent1 and it raised its dragon head proudly as if desirous of attacking ,jesus2 and had likewise1 if ,i remember correctly1 a human head4 ,but our ,lord held in his hand a white staff1 to which was appended a large banner2 and he placed his foot on the head of the dragon1 and struck its tail three times with his staff1 after which the monster disappeared4 ,i had had this same vision many times before the ,resurrection1 and ,i saw just such a monster1 appearing to endeavour to hide itself1 at the time of the conception of our ,lord3 it greatly resembled the serpent which tempted our first parents in ,paradise1 only it was more horrible4 ,i thought that this vision had reference to the prophetic words1 that 'by the seed of the woman the head of the serpent should be crushed1' and that the whole was intended to demonstrate the victory of our ,lord over death1 for at the same moment that ,i saw him crush the head of the monster1 the tomb likewise vanished from my sight4 ,i then saw the glorified body of our ,lord rise up1 and it passed through the hard rock as easily as if the latter had been formed of some ductile substance4 ,the earth shook1 and an angel in the garb of a warrior descended from ,heaven with the speed of lightning1 entered the tomb1 lifted the stone1 placed it on the right side1 and seated himself upon it4 ,at this tremendous sight the soldiers fell to the ground1 and remained there apparently lifeless4 ,when ,cassius saw the bright light which illuminated the tomb1 he approached the place where the sacred body had been placed1 looked at and touched the linen clothes in which it had been wrapped1 and left the sepulchre1 intending to go and inform ,pilate of all that had happened4 ,however1 he tarried a short time to watch the progress of events2 for although he had felt the earthquake1 seen the angel move the stone1 and looked at the empty tomb1 yet he had not seen ,jesus4 ,at the very moment in which the angel entered the sepulchre and the earth quaked1 ,i saw our ,lord appear to his holy ,mother on ,calvary4 ,his body was beautiful and lightsome1 and its beauty was that of a celestial being4 ,he was clothed in a large mantle1 which at one moment looked dazzlingly white1 as it floated through the air1 waving to and fro with every breath of wind1 and the next reflected a thousand brilliant colours as the sunbeams passed over it4 ,his large open wounds shone brightly1 and could be seen from a great distance3 the wounds in his hands were so large that a finger might be put into them without difficulty2 and rays of light proceeded from them1 diverging in the direction of his fingers4 ,the souls of the patriarchs bowed down before the ,mother of our ,saviour1 and ,jesus spoke to her concerning his ,resurrection1 telling her many things which ,i have forgotten4 ,he showed her his wounds2 and ,mary prostrated to kiss his sacred feet2 but he took her hand1 raised her1 and disappeared4 ,when ,i was at some distance from the sepulchre ,i saw fresh lights burning there1 and ,i likewise beheld a large luminous spot in the sky immediately over ,jerusalem4 ,,chapter ,,lxiv4 ,the holy ,women at the ,sepulchre4 ,the holy women were very near the door of ,nicodemus's house at the moment of our ,lord's ,resurrection2 but they did not see anything of the prodigies which were taking place at the sepulchre4 ,they were not aware that guards had been placed around the tomb1 for they had not visited it on the previous day1 on account of its being the ,sabbath4 ,they questioned one another anxiously concerning what would have to be done about the large stone at the door1 as to who would be the best person to ask about removing it1 for they had been so engrossed by grief that they had not thought about it before4 ,their intention was to pour precious ointments upon the body of ,jesus1 and then to strew over it flowers of the most rare and aromatic kinds1 thus rendering all the honour possible to their ,divine ,master in his sepulchre4 ,salome1 who had brought more things than anyone else1 was a rich lady1 who lived in ,jerusalem1 a relation of ,st4 ,joseph1 but not the mother of ,john4 ,the holy women came to the determination of putting down their spices on the stone which closed the door of the monument1 and waiting until someone came to roll it back4 ,the guards were still lying on the ground1 and the strong convulsions which even then shook them clearly demonstrated how great had been their terror1 and the large stone was cast on one side1 so that the door could be opened without difficulty4 ,i could see the linen cloth in which the body of ,jesus had been wrapped scattered about in the tomb1 and the large winding-sheet lying in the same place as when they left it1 but doubled together in such a manner that you saw at once that it no longer contained anything but the spices which had been placed round the body1 and the bandages were on the outside of the tomb4 ,the linen cloth in which ,mary had enveloped the sacred head of her ,son was still there4 ,i saw the holy women coming into the garden2 but when they perceived the light given by the lamps of the sentinels1 and the prostrate forms of the soldiers round the tomb1 they for the most part became much alarmed1 and retreated towards ,golgotha4 ,mary ,magdalen was1 however1 more courageous1 and1 followed by ,salome1 entered the garden while the other women remained timidly on the outside4 ,magdalen started1 and appeared for a moment terrified when she drew near the sentinels4 ,she retreated a few steps and rejoined ,salome1 but both quickly recovered their presence of mind1 and walked on together through the midst of the prostrate guards1 and entered into the cave which contained the sepulchre4 ,they immediately perceived that the stone was removed1 but the doors were closed1 which had been done in all probability by ,cassius4 ,magdalen opened them quickly1 looked anxiously into the sepulchre1 and was much surprised at seeing that the cloths in which they had enveloped our ,lord were lying on one side1 and that the place where they had deposited the sacred remains was empty4 ,a celestial light filled the cave1 and an angel was seated on the right side4 ,magdalen became almost beside herself from disappointment and alarm4 ,i do not know whether she heard the words which the angel addressed to her1 but she left the garden as quickly as possible1 and ran to the town to inform the ,apostles who were assembled there of what had taken place4 ,i do not know whether the angel spoke to ,mary ,salome1 as she did not enter the sepulchre2 but ,i saw her leaving the garden directly after ,magdalen1 in order to relate all that had happened to the rest of the holy women1 who were both frightened and delighted at the news1 but could not make up their minds as to whether they would go to the garden or not4 ,in the mean time ,cassius had remained near the sepulchre in hopes of seeing ,jesus1 as he thought he would be certain to appear to the holy women2 but seeing nothing1 he directed his steps towards ,pilate's palace to relate to him all that had happened1 stopping1 however1 first at the place where the rest of the holy women were assembled1 to tell them what he had seen1 and to exhort them to go immediately to the garden4 ,they followed his advice1 and went there at once4 ,no sooner had they reached the door of the sepulchre than they beheld two angels clothed in sacerdotal vestments of the most dazzling white4 ,the women were very much alarmed1 covered their faces with their hands1 and prostrated almost to the ground2 but one of the angels addressed them1 bade them not fear1 and told them that they must not seek for their crucified ,lord there1 for that he was alive1 had risen1 and was no longer an inhabitant of the tomb4 ,he pointed out to them at the same moment the empty sepulchre1 and ordered them to go and relate to the disciples all that they had seen and heard4 ,he likewise told them that ,jesus would go before them into ,galilee1 and recalled to their minds the words which our ,saviour had addressed to them on a former occasion3 ',the ,son of ,man will be delivered into the hands of sinners1 he will be crucified1 and the third day rise again4' ,the angels then disappeared1 and left the holy women filled with joy1 although of course greatly agitated2 they wept1 looked at the empty tomb and linen clothes1 and immediately started to return to the town4 ,but they were so much overcome by the many astounding events which had taken place1 that they walked very slowly1 and stopped and looked back often1 in hopes of seeing our ,lord1 or at least ,magdalen4 ,in the mean time ,magdalen reached the ,cenaculum4 ,she was so excited as to appear like a person beside herself1 and knocked hastily at the door4 ,some of the disciples were still sleeping1 and those who were risen were conversing together4 ,peter and ,john opened the door1 but she only exclaimed1 without entering the house1 ',they have taken away the body of my ,lord1 and ,i know not where they have laid him1' and immediately returned to the garden4 ,peter and ,john went back into the house1 and after saying a few words to the other disciples followed her as speedily as possible1 but ,john far outstripped ,peter4 ,i then saw ,magdalen reenter the garden1 and direct her steps towards the sepulchre2 she appeared greatly agitated partly from grief1 and partly from having walked so fast4 ,her garments were quite moist with dew1 and her veil hanging on one side1 while the luxuriant hair in which she had formerly taken so much pride fell in dishevelled masses over her shoulders1 forming a species of mantle4 ,being alone1 she was afraid of entering the cave1 but stopped for a moment on the outside1 and knelt down in order to see better into the tomb4 ,she was endeavouring to push back her long hair1 which fell over her face and obscured her vision1 when she perceived the two angels who were seated in the tomb1 and ,i heard one of them address her thus3 ',woman1 why weepest thou8' ,she replied1 in a voice choked with tears 7for she was perfectly overwhelmed with grief at finding that the body of ,jesus was really gone71 ',because they have taken away my ,lord1 and ,i know not where they have laid him4' ,she said no more1 but seeing the empty winding-sheet1 went out of the sepulchre and began to look about in other parts4 ,she felt a secret presentiment that not only should she find ,jesus1 but that he was even then near to her2 and the presence of the angels seemed not to disturb her in the least2 she did not appear even to be aware that they were angels1 every faculty was engrossed with the one thought1 ',jesus is not here6 ,where is ,jesus8' ,i watched her wandering about like an insane person1 with her hair floating loosely in the wind3 her hair appeared to annoy her much1 for she again endeavoured to push it from off her face1 and having divided it into two parts1 threw it over her shoulders4 ,she then raised her head1 looked around1 and perceived a tall figure1 clothed in white1 standing at about ten paces from the sepulchre on the east side of the garden1 where there was a slight rise in the direction of the town2 the figure was partly hidden from her sight by a palm-tree1 but she was somewhat startled when it addressed her in these words3 ',woman1 why weepest thou8 ,whom seekest thou8' ,she thought it was the gardener2 and1 in fact1 he had a spade in his hand1 and a large hat 7apparently made of the bark of trees7 on his head4 ,his dress was similar to that worn by the gardener described in the parable which ,jesus had related to the holy women at ,bethania a short time before his ,passion4 ,his body was not luminous1 his hole appearance was rather that of a man dressed in white and seen by twilight4 ,at the words1 ',whom seekest thou8' she looked at him1 and answered quickly1 ',sir1 if thou hast taken him hence1 tell me where thou hast laid him2 and ,i will take him away4' ,and she looked anxiously around4 ,jesus said to her1 ',mary4' ,she then instantly recognised his beloved voice1 and turning quickly1 replied1 ',rabboni 7,master76' ,she threw herself on her knees before him1 and stretched out her hands to touch his feet2 but he motioned her to be still1 and said1 ',do not touch me1 for ,i am not yet ascended to my ,father2 but go to my brethren and say to them3 ,i ascend to my ,father and to your ,father1 to my ,god and your ,god4' ,he then disappeared4 ,the reason of the words of ,jesus1 ',do not touch me1' was afterwards explained to me1 but ,i have only an indistinct remembrance of that explanation4 ,i think he made use of those words because of the impetuosity of ,magdalen's feelings1 which made her in a certain degree forget the stupendous mystery which had been accomplished1 and feel as if what she then beheld was still mortal instead of a glorified body4 ,as for the words of ,jesus1 ',i am not yet ascended to my ,father1' ,i was told that their meaning was that he had not presented himself to his ,father since his ,resurrection1 to return him thanks for his victory over death1 and for the work of the redemption which he had accomplished4 ,he wished her to infer from these words1 that the first-fruits of joy belong to ,god1 and that she ought to reflect and return thanks to him for the accomplishment of the glorious mystery of the redemption1 and for the victory which he had gained over death2 and if she had kissed his feet as she used before the ,passion1 she would have thought of nothing but her ,divine ,master1 and in her raptures of love have totally forgotten the wonderful events which were causing such astonishment and joy in ,heaven4 ,i saw ,magdalen arise quickly1 as soon as our ,lord disappeared1 and run to look again in the sepulchre1 as if she believed herself under the influence of a dream4 ,she saw the two angels still seated there1 and they spoke to her concerning the resurrection of our ,lord in the same words as they had addressed the two other women4 ,she likewise saw the empty winding-sheet1 and then1 feeling certain that she was not in a state of delusion1 but that the apparition of our ,lord was real1 she walked quickly back towards ,golgotha to seek her companions1 who were wandering about to and fro1 anxiously looking out for her return1 and indulging a kind of vague hope that they should see or hear something of ,jesus4 ,the whole of this scene occupied a little more than two or three minutes4 ,it was about half-past three when our ,lord appeared to ,magdalen1 and ,john and ,peter entered the garden just as she was leaving it4 ,john1 who was a little in advance of ,peter1 stopped at the entrance of the cave and looked in4 ,he saw the linen clothes lying on one side1 and waited until ,peter came up1 when they entered the sepulchre together1 and saw the winding-sheet empty as has been before described4 ,john instantly believed in the ,resurrection1 and they both understood clearly the words addressed to them by ,jesus before his ,passion1 as well as the different passages in ,scripture relating to that event1 which had until then been incomprehensible to them4 ,peter put the linen clothes under his cloak1 and they returned hastily into the town through the small entrance belonging to ,nicodemus4 ,the appearance of the holy sepulchre was the same when the two ,apostles entered as when ,magdalen first saw it4 ,the two adoring angels were seated1 one at the head1 and the other at the extremity of the tomb1 in precisely the same attitude as when his adorable body was lying there4 ,i do not think ,peter was conscious of their presence4 ,i afterwards heard ,john tell the disciples of ,emmaus1 that when he looked into the sepulchre he saw an angel4 ,perhaps he was startled by this sight1 and therefore drew back and let ,peter enter the sepulchre first2 but it is likewise very possible that the reason of his not mentioning the circumstance in his gospel was because humility made him anxious to conceal the fact of his having been more highly favoured than ,peter4 ,the guards at this moment began to revive1 and rising1 gathered up their lances1 and took down the lamps1 which were on the door1 from whence they cast a glimmering weak light on surrounding objects4 ,i then saw them walk hastily out of the garden in evident fear and trepidation1 in the direction of the town4 ,in the mean time ,magdalen had rejoined the holy women1 and given them the account of her seeing the ,lord in the garden1 and of the words of the angels afterwards1 whereupon they immediately related what had been seen by themselves1 and ,magdalen wended her way quickly to ,jerusalem1 while the women returned to that side of the garden where they expected to find the two ,apostles4 ,just before they reached it1 ,jesus appeared to them4 ,he was clothed in a long white robe1 which concealed even his hands1 and said to them1 ',all hail4' ,they started with astonishment1 and cast themselves at his feet2 he spoke a few words1 held forth his hand as if to point out something to them1 and disappeared4 ,the holy women went instantly to the ,cenaculum1 and told the disciples who were assembled there that they had seen the ,lord2 the disciples were incredulous1 and would not give credence either to their account or to that of ,magdalen4 ,they treated both the one and the other as the effects of their excited imaginations2 but when ,peter and ,john entered the room and related what they likewise had seen1 they knew not what to answer1 and were filled with astonishment4 ,peter and ,john soon left the ,cenaculum1 as the wonderful events which had taken place rendered them extremely silent and thoughtful1 and before long they met ,james the ,less and ,thaddeus1 who had wished to accompany them to the sepulchre4 ,both ,james and ,thaddeus were greatly overcome1 for the ,lord had appeared to them a short time before they met ,peter and ,john4 ,i also saw ,jesus pass quite close to ,peter and ,john4 ,i think the former recognised him1 for the started suddenly1 but ,i do not think the latter saw him4 ,,chapter ,,lxv4 ,the ,relation which was given by the ,sentinels who were placed around the ,sepulchre4 ,cassius hastened to the house of ,pilate about an hour after the ,resurrection1 in order to give him an account of the stupendous events which had taken place4 ,he was not yet risen1 but ,cassius was allowed to enter his bedroom4 ,he related all that had happened1 and expressed his feelings in the most forcible language4 ,he described how the rock had been rent1 and how an angel had descended from ,heaven and pushed aside the stone2 he also spoke of the empty winding-sheet1 and added that most certainly ,jesus was the ,messiah1 the ,son of ,god1 and that he was truly risen4 ,pilate listened to this account2 he trembled and quivered with terror1 but concealed his agitation to the best of his power1 and answered ,cassius in these words3 ',thou art exceedingly superstitious2 it was very foolish to go to the ,galilean's tomb2 his gods took advantage of thy weakness1 and displayed all these ridiculous visions to alarm thee4 ,i recommend thee to keep silence1 and not recount such silly tales to the priests1 for thou wouldst get the worst of it from them4' ,he pretended to believe that the body of ,jesus had been carried away by his disciples1 and that the sentinels1 who had been bribed1 and had fallen asleep1 or perhaps been deceived by witchcraft1 had fabricated these accounts in order to justify their conduct4 ,when ,pilate had said all he could on the subject1 ,cassius left him1 and he went to offer sacrifice to his gods4 ,the four soldiers who had guarded the tomb arrived shortly after at ,pilate's palace1 and began to tell him all that he had already heard from ,cassius2 but he would listen to nothing more1 and sent them to ,caiphas4 ,the rest of the guards were assembled in a large court near the ,temple which was filled with aged ,jews1 who1 after some previous consultation1 took the soldiers on one side1 and by dint of bribes and threats endeavoured to persuade them to say that they fell asleep1 and that while they were asleep the disciples came and carried away the body of our ,lord4 ,the soldiers1 however1 demurred1 because the statement which their comrades were gone to make to ,pilate would contradict any account which they could now fabricate1 but the ,pharisees promised to arrange everything with the governor4 ,whilst they were still disputing1 the four guards returned from their interview with ,pilate1 and the ,pharisees endeavoured to persuade them to conceal the truth2 but this they refused to do1 and declared firmly that they would not vary their first statement in the smallest degree4 ,the miraculous deliverance of ,joseph of ,arimathea from prison was become public1 and when the ,pharisees accused the soldiers of having allowed the ,apostles to carry off the body of ,jesus1 and threatened them with the infliction of the most severe punishment if they did not produce the body1 they replied1 that it would be as utterly impossible for them to produce the body of ,jesus1 as it was for the soldiers who had charge of ,joseph of ,arimathea to bring him back into his prison again4 ,they spoke with the greatest firmness and courage2 promises and menaces were equally ineffectual4 ,they declared that they would speak the truth and nothing but the truth2 that the sentence of death which had been passed upon ,jesus was both unjust and iniquitous2 and that the crime which was perpetrated in putting him to death was the sole cause of the interruption in the ,paschal solemnity4 ,the ,pharisees1 being perfectly furious1 caused the four soldiers to be arrested and thrown into prison1 and the others1 who had accepted the bribes they offered1 then affirmed that the body of ,jesus had been carried off by the disciples while they slept2 and the ,pharisees1 ,sadducees1 and ,herodians endeavoured to disseminate this lie to the utmost of their power1 not only in the synagogue but also among the people2 and they accompanied this false statement by the most slanderous lies concerning ,jesus4 ,all these precautions1 however1 availed but little1 for1 after the ,resurrection1 many persons who had been long dead arose from their graves1 and appeared to those among their descendants who were not sufficiently hardened to be impervious to grace1 and exhorted them to be converted4 ,these dead persons were likewise seen by many of the disciples1 who1 overcome with terror1 and shaken in faith1 had fled into the country4 ,they both exhorted and encouraged them to return1 and restored their drooping courage4 ,the resurrection of these dead persons did not in the slightest degree resemble the ,resurrection of ,jesus4 ,he arose with a glorified body1 which was no longer susceptible of either corruption or death1 and ascended into heaven with this glorified body in the sight of all his disciples2 but the dead bodies of which we spoke above were motionless corpses1 and the souls which once inhabited them were only allowed to enter and reanimate them for a time1 and after performing the mission given them1 the souls again quitted these bodies1 which returned to their original state in the bowels of the earth1 where they will remain until the resurrection at the day of judgment4 ,neither could their return to life be compared to the raising of ,lazarus from the dead2 for he really returned to a new life1 and died a second time4 ,,chapter ,,lxvi4 ,the ,end of the ,lenten ,meditations4 ,on the following ,sunday1 if ,i remember right1 ,i saw the ,jews washing and purifying the ,temple4#bj ,they offered up expiatory sacrifices1 cleared away the rubbish1 and endeavoured to conceal the effects of the earthquake by placing planks and carpets over the chasms and fissures made by it in the walls and on the pavement2 and they recommenced the ,paschal solemnities1 which had been interrupted in the midst1 declared that the disturbance had been caused by the presence of impure persons1 and endeavoured to explain away the apparition of the dead4 ,they referred to a vision of ,ezechiel1 but how ,i can no longer remember4 ,they threatened all who dared to say a syllable concerning the events which had taken place1 or who presumed to murmur1 with excommunication and other severe punishments4 ,they succeeded in silencing some few hardened persons who1 conscious of their own guilt1 wished to banish the subject from their minds1 but they made no impression on those whose hearts still retained some remains of virtue2 they remained silent for a time1 concealing their inward belief1 but later1 regaining courage1 proclaimed their faith in ,jesus loudly to the world4 ,the ,high ,priests were much disconcerted1 when they perceived how rapidly the doctrines of ,christ spread over the country4 ,when ,stephen was deacon1 the whole of ,ophel and the eastern side of ,sion was too small to contain the numerous ,christian communities1 and a portion were obliged to take up their residence in the country between ,jerusalem and ,bethania4 ,i saw ,annas in such a state of frenzy as to act like one possessed2 he was at last obliged to be confined1 and never again to make his appearance in public4 ,caiphas was outwardly less demonstrative1 but he was inwardly devoured with such rage and extreme jealousy that his reason was affected4 ,i saw ,pilate on ,easter ,thursday2 he was instituting a search for his wife in every part of the city1 but his efforts for her recovery were fruitless2 she was concealed in the house of ,lazarus1 in ,jerusalem4 ,no one thought of looking there1 as the house contained no other female2 but ,stephen carried food to her there1 and let her know all that was going on in the city4 ,stephen was first-cousin to ,st4 ,paul4 ,they were the sons of two brothers4 ,on the day after the ,sabbath1 ,simon of ,cyrene went to the ,apostles and begged to be instructed and to receive baptism4 ,the visions of ,sister ,emmerich1 which had continued from the #ahth of ,february to the #fth of ,april #ahbc1 here came to a conclusion4 ,,appendix4 ,detached ,account of ,longinus4 ,on the #aeth of ,march #ahba1 ,sister ,emmerich gave the following detached account of parts of a vision which she had had the previous night concerning ,st4 ,longinus1 whose festival happened to fall upon that very day1 although she did not know it4 ,longinus1 who had1 ,i think1 another name1 held on office1 partly civil and partly military1 in the household of ,pilate1 who entrusted him with the duty of superintending all that passed1 and making a report of it to him4 ,he was trustworthy and ready to do a service1 but previous to his conversion was greatly wanting in firmness and strength of character4 ,he was excessively impetuous in all that he did1 and anxious to be thought a person of great importance1 and as he squinted and had weak eyes1 he was often jeered at and made the laughing-stock of his companions4 ,i have seen him frequently during the course of this night1 and in connection with him ,i have at the same time seen all the ,passion1 ,i do not know in what manner2 ,i only remember that it was in connection with him4 ,longinus was only in a subordinate position1 and had to give an account to ,pilate of all that he saw4 ,on the night that ,jesus was led before the tribunal of ,caiphas he was in the outer court among the soldiers1 and unceasingly going backwards and forwards4 ,when ,peter was alarmed at the words of the maid-servant standing near the fire1 it was he who said once3 ',art thou not also one of this man's disciples8' ,when ,jesus was being led to ,calvary1 ,longinus1 by ,pilate's orders1 followed him closely1 and our ,divine ,lord gave him a look which touched his heart4 ,afterwards ,i saw him on ,golgotha with the soldiers4 ,he was on horseback1 and carried a lance2 ,i saw him at ,pilate's house1 after the death of our ,lord1 saying that the legs of ,jesus ought not to be broken4 ,he returned at once to ,calvary4 ,his lance was made of several pieces which fitted one into the other1 so that by drawing them out1 the lance could be made three times its original length4 ,he had just done this when he came to the sudden determination of piercing the side of our ,saviour4 ,he was converted upon ,mount ,calvary1 and a short time afterwards expressed to ,pilate his conviction that ,jesus was the ,son of ,god4 ,nicodemus prevailed upon ,pilate to let him have ,longinus's lance1 and ,i have seen many things concerning the subsequent history of this lance4 ,longinus1 after his conversion1 left the army1 and joined the disciples4 ,he and two other soldiers1 who were converted at the foot of the cross1 were among the first baptised after ,pentecost4 ,i saw ,longinus and these two men1 clothed in long white garments1 return to their native land4 ,they lived there in the country1 in a barren and marshy locality4 ,here it was that the forty martyrs died4 ,longinus was not a priest1 but a deacon1 and travelled here and there in that capacity1 preaching the name of ,christ1 and giving1 as an eye-witness1 a history of his ,passion and ,resurrection4 ,he converted a large number of persons1 and cured many of the sick1 by allowing them to touch a piece of the sacred lance which he carried with him4 ,the ,jews were much enraged at him and his two companions because they made known in all parts the truth of the ,resurrection of ,jesus1 and the cruelty and deceits of his enemies4 ,at their instigation1 some ,roman soldiers were dispatched to ,longinus's country to take and judge him on the plea of his having left the army without leave1 and being a disturber of public peace4 ,he was engaged in cultivating his field when they arrived1 and he took them to his house1 and offered them hospitality4 ,they did not know him1 and when they had acquainted him with the object of their journey1 he quietly called his two companions who were living in a sort of hermitage at no great distance off1 and told the soldiers that they and himself were the men for whom they were seeking4 ,the same thing happened to the holy gardener1 ,phocas4 ,the soldiers were really distressed1 for they had conceived a great friendship for him4 ,i saw him led with his two companions to a small neighbouring town1 where they were questioned4 ,they were not put in prison1 but permitted to go whither they pleased1 as prisoners on their word1 and only made to wear a distinctive park on the shoulder4 ,later1 they were all three beheaded on a hill1 situated between the little town and ,longinus's house1 and there buried4 ,the soldiers put the head of ,longinus at the end of a spear1 and carried it to ,jerusalem1 as a proof that they had fulfilled their commission4 ,i think ,i remember that this took place a very few years after the death of our ,lord4 ,afterwards ,i had a vision of things happening at a later period4 ,a blind countrywoman of ,st4 ,longinus went with her son on a pilgrimage to ,jerusalem1 in hopes of recovering her sight in the holy city where the eyes of ,longinus had been cured4 ,she was guided by her child1 but he died1 and she was left alone and disconsolate4 ,then ,st4 ,longinus appeared to her1 and told her that she would recover her sight when she had drawn his head out of a sink into which the ,jews had thrown it4 ,this sink was a deep well1 with the sides bricked1 and all the filth and refuse of the town flowed into it through several drains4 ,i saw some persons lead the poor woman to the spot2 she descended into the well up to her neck1 and drew out the sacred head1 whereupon she recovered her sight4 ,she returned to her native land1 and her companions preserved the head4 ,i remember no more upon this subject4 ,detached ,account of ,abenadar4 ,on the #ast of ,april #ahbc1 ,sister ,emmerich said that that day was the feast of ,st4 ,ctesiphon1 the centurion who had assisted at the ,crucifixion1 and that she had seen during the night various particulars concerning his life4 ,but she had also suffered greatly1 which1 combined with exterior distractions1 had caused her to forget the greatest part of what she had seen4 ,she related what follows3 ,abenadar1 afterwards called ,ctesiphon1 was born in a country situated between ,babylon and ,egypt in ,arabia ,felix1 to the right of the spot where ,job dwelt during the latter half of his life4 ,a certain number of square houses1 with flat roofs1 were built there on a slight ascent4 ,there were many small trees growing on this spot1 and incense and balm were gathered there4 ,i have been in ,abenadar's house1 which was large and spacious1 as might be expected of a rich man's house1 but it was also very low4 ,all these houses were built in this manner1 perhaps on account of the wind1 because they were much exposed4 ,abenadar had joined the garrison of the fortress ,antonia1 at ,jerusalem1 as a volunteer4 ,he had entered the ,roman service for the purpose of enjoying more facilities in his study of the fine arts1 for he was a learned man4 ,his character was firm1 his figure short and thick-set1 and his complexion dark4 ,abenadar was early convinced1 by the doctrine which he heard ,jesus preach1 and by a miracle which he saw him work2 that salvation was to be found among the ,jews1 and he had submitted to the law of ,moses4 ,although not yet a disciple of our ,lord1 he bore him no illwill1 and held his person in secret veneration4 ,he was naturally grave and composed1 and when he came to ,golgotha to relieve guard1 he kept order on all sides1 and forced everybody to behave at least with common decency1 down to the moment when truth triumphed over him1 and he rendered public testimony to the ,divinity of ,jesus4 ,being a rich man1 and a volunteer1 he had no difficulty in resigning his post at once4 ,he assisted at the descent from the ,cross and the burial of our ,lord1 which put him into familiar connection with the friends of ,jesus1 and after the day of ,pentecost he was one of the first to receive baptism in the ,pool of ,bethsaida1 where he took the name of ,ctesiphon4 ,he had a brother living in ,arabia1 to whom he related the miracles he had beheld1 and who was thus called to the path of salvation1 came to ,jerusalem1 was baptised by the name of ,cecilius1 and was charged1 together with ,ctesiphon1 to assist the deacons in the newly-formed ,christian community4 ,ctesiphon accompanied the ,apostle ,st4 ,james the ,greater into ,spain1 and also returned with him4 ,after a time1 he was again sent into ,spain by the ,apostles1 and carried there the body of ,st4 ,james1 who had been martyred at ,jerusalem4 ,he was made a bishop1 and resided chiefly in a sort of island or peninsula at no great distance from ,france1 which he also visited1 and where he made some disciples4 ,the name of the place where he lived was rather like ,vergui1 and it was afterwards laid waste by an inundation4 ,i do not remember that ,ctesiphon was ever martyred4 ,he wrote several books containing details concerning the ,passion of ,christ2 but there have been some books falsely attributed to him1 and others1 which were really from his pen1 ascribed to different writers4 ,rome has since rejected these books1 the greatest part of which were apocryphal1 but which nevertheless did contain some few things really from his pen4 ,one of the guards of our ,lord's sepulchre1 who would not let himself be bribed by the ,jews1 was his fellow countryman and friend4 ,his name was something like ,sulei or ,suleii4 ,after being detained some time in prison1 he retired into a cavern of ,mount ,sinai1 where he lived seven years4 ,god bestowed many special graces upon this man1 and he wrote some very learned books in the style of ,denis the ,areopagite4 ,another writer made use of his works1 and in this manner some extracts from them have come down to us4 ,everything concerning these facts was made known to me1 as well as the name of the book1 but ,i have forgotten it4 ,this countryman of ,ctesiphon1 afterwards followed him into ,spain4 ,among the companions of ,ctesiphon in that country were this brother ,cecilius1 and some other men1 whose name were ,intalecius1 ,hesicius1 and ,euphrasius4 ,another ,arab1 called ,sulima1 was converted in the very early days of the ,church1 and a fellow countryman of ,ctesiphon1 with a name like ,sulensis1 became a ,christian later1 in the time of the deacons4 ,,the ,,end4 #a ,anne ,catherine's visions clearly fall in the category of private revelation4 ,sacred ,scripture and ,sacred ,tradition are infallible2 private revelation is fallible4 ,however1 her visions are neither mere human meditations nor pious fiction4 ,her account of events in the lives of ,jesus and ,mary were revealed to her by ,god4 ,although ,god cannot err in anything ,he does1 errors can be introduced into private revelation by a misunderstanding on the part of the person who receives the revelation1 or by an error made by the person who writes down or transmits the revelation4 ,sacred ,scripture and ,sacred ,tradition are immune from these types of error2 private revelation is not4 ,anne ,catherine's visions come from ,god1 but they are fallible because they come to us through fallible human persons4 #b ,her name in ,german1 her native language1 is ,anna ,katharina ,emmerick4 ,with the decree of ,april #bd1 #bjja1 the servant of ,god ,anna ,katharina ,emmerick has been awarded the degree of heroic virtue 7,decretum super virtutibus71 with which she has been awarded by ,church practice the title ,venerable4 #c ,in more modern times1 holy persons who also had the stigmata include3 ,audrey ,marie ,santo 7,worcester1 ,massachusetts71 ,venerable ,padre ,pio of ,pietrelcina1 ,venerable ,anna ,maria ,taigi1 ,theresa ,neumann1 and many others4 #d ,in her book1 ,the ,life of ,jesus ,christ and ,biblical ,revelations1 ,anne ,catherine ,emmerich details the events of the #ca_/b-year ,ministry of ,jesus ,christ4 ,although she explicitly states that ,christ's ,ministry lasted #ca_/b years 7,vol4 #a1 p4 #dif71 the astute reader of that work will notice a gap of about one year4 #e ,she here again explained the manner in which the families assembled together1 and in what numbers4 ,but the writer has forgotten her words4 #f ,she was not certain that the ,blessed ,sacrament was administered in that order1 for on another occasion she had seen ,john the last to receive4 #g ,it was not without surprise that the editor1 some years after these things had been related by ,sister ,emmerich1 read1 in the ,latin edition of the ,roman ,catechism 7,mayence1 ,muller71 in reference to the ,sacrament of ,confirmation1 that1 according to the tradition of the holy pope ,fabian1 ,jesus taught his ,apostles in what manner they were to prepare the ,holy ,chrism1 after the institution of the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,the ,pope says expressly1 in the #edth paragraph of his ,second ,epistle to the ,bishops of the ,east3 ',our predecessors received from the ,apostles and delivered to us that our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 after having made the ,last ,supper with his ,apostles and washed their feet1 taught them how to prepare the ,holy ,chrism4' #h ,on the #aath of ,december #ahab1 in her visions of the public life of ,jesus1 she saw our ,lord permit the devils whom he had expelled from the men of ,gergesa to enter into a herd of swine1 she also saw1 on this particular occasion that the possessed men first overturned a large vat filled with some fermented liquid4 #i ,dulmen is a small town in ,westphalia1 where ,sister ,emmerich lived at this time4 #aj ,mary of ,heli is often spoken of in this relation4 ,according to ,sister ,emmerich1 she was the daughter of ,st4 ,joachim and ,st4 ,anne1 and was born nearly twenty years before the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,she was not the child of promise1 and is called ,mary of ,heli1 by which she is distinguished from the other of the same name1 because she was the daughter of ,joachim1 or ,heliachim4 ,her husband bore the name of ,cleophas1 and her daughter that of ,mary of ,cleophas4 ,this daughter was1 however1 older than her aunt1 the ,blessed ,virgin1 and had been married first to ,alpheus1 by whom she had three sons1 afterwards the ,apostles ,simon1 ,james the ,less and ,thaddeus4 ,she had one son by her second husband1 ,sabat1 and another called ,simon1 by her third husband1 ,jonas4 ,simon was afterwards ,bishop of ,jerusalem4 #aa ,these meditations on the sufferings of ,jesus filled ,sister ,emmerich with such feelings of compassion that she begged of ,god to allow her to suffer as he had done4 ,she instantly became feverish and parched with thirst1 and1 by morning1 was speechless from the contraction of her tongue and of her lips4 ,she was in this state when her friend came to her in the morning1 and she looked like a victim which had just been sacrificed4 ,those around succeeded1 with some difficulty1 in moistening her mouth with a little water1 but it was long before she could give any further details concerning her meditations on the ,passion4 #ab ,the ,zacharias here referred to was the father of ,john the ,baptist1 who was tortured and afterwards put to death by ,herod1 because he would not betray ,john into the hands of the tyrant4 ,he was buried by his friends within the precincts of the ,temple4 #ac ,sister ,emmerich added3 ',cassius was baptised by the name of ,longinus2 and was ordained deacon1 and preached the faith4 ,he always kept some of the blood of ,christ1--it dried up1 but was found in his coffin in ,italy4 ,he was buried in a town at no great distance from the locality where ,st4 ,clare passed her life4 ,there is a lake with an island upon it near this town1 and the body of ,longinus must have been taken there4' ,sister ,emmerich appears to designate ,mantua by this description1 and there is a tradition preserved in that town to the effect4 ,i do not know which ,st4 ,clare lived in the neighbourhood4 #ad ,we must here remark that1 in the four years during which ,sister ,emmerich had her visions1 she described everything that had happened to the holy places from the earliest times down to our own4 ,more than once she beheld them profaned and laid waste1 but always venerated1 either publicly or privately4 ,she saw many stones and pieces of rock1 which had been silent witnesses of the ,passion and ,resurrection of our ,lord1 placed by ,st4 ,helena in the ,church of the ,holy ,sepulchre upon occasion of the foundation of that sacred building4 ,when ,sister ,emmerich visited it in spirit she was accustomed to venerate the spots where the ,cross had stood and the ,holy ,sepulchre been situated4 ,it must be observed1 however1 that she used sometimes to see a greater distance between the actual position of the ,tomb and the spot where the ,cross stood than there is between the chapels which bear their names in the church at ,jerusalem4 #ae ,on ,good ,friday1 ,march #cjth1 #ahbj1 as ,sister ,emmerich was contemplating the descent from the ,cross she suddenly fainted1 in the presence of the writer of these lines1 and appeared to be really dead4 ,but after a time she recovered her senses and gave the following explanation1 although still in a state of great suffering3 ',as ,i was contemplating the body of ,jesus lying on the knees of the ,blessed ,virgin ,i said to myself3 ,how great is her strength6 ,she has not fainted even once6 ,my guide reproached me for this thought--in which there was more astonishment than compassion--and said to me1 ,suffer then what she has suffered6 ,and at the same moment a sensation of the sharpest anguish transfixed me like a sword1 so that ,i believed ,i must have died from it4' ,she had had an illness which reduced her almost to the brink of the grave4 #af ,sister ,emmerich said that the shape of these pincers reminded her of the scissors with which ,samson's hair was cut off4 ,in her visions of the third year of the public life of ,jesus she had seen our ,lord keep the ,sabbathday at ,misael--a town belonging to the ,levites1 of the tribe of ,aser--and as a portion of the ,book of ,judges was read in the synagogue1 ,sister ,emmerich beheld upon that occasion the life of ,samson4 #ag ,sister ,emmerich was accustomed1 when speaking of persons of historical importance1 to explain how they divided their hair4 ',eve1' she said1 'divided her hair in two parts1 but ,mary into three4' ,and she appeared to attach importance to these words4 ,no opportunity presented itself for her to give any explanation upon the subject1 which probably would have shown what was done with the hair in sacrifices1 funerals1 consecrations1 or vows1 etc4 ,she once said of ,samson3 ',his fair hair1 which was long and thick1 was gathered up on his head in seven tresses1 like a helmet1 and the ends of these tresses were fastened upon his forehead and temples4 ,his hair was not in itself the source of his strength1 but only as the witness to the vow which he had made to let it grow in ,god's honour4 ,the powers which depended upon these seven tresses were the seven gifts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,he must have already broken his vows and lost many graces1 when he allowed this sign of being a ,nazarene to be cut off4 ,i did not see ,dalila cut off all his hair1 and ,i think one lock remained on his forehead4 ,he retained the grace to do penance and of that repentance by which he recovered strength sufficient to destroy his enemies4 ,the life of ,samson is figurative and prophetic4' #ah ,this refers to a custom of the ,diocese of ,munster4 ,during ,lent there was hung up in the churches a curtain1 embroidered in open work1 representing the ,five ,wounds1 the instruments of the ,passion1 etc4 #ai ,apparently ,sister ,emmerich here spoke of the ancient cases in which her poor countrymen keep their clothes4 ,the lower part of these cases is smaller than the upper1 and this gives them some likeness to a tomb4 ,she had one of these cases1 which she called her chest4 ,she often described the stone by this comparison1 but her descriptions have not1 nevertheless1 given us a very clear idea of its shape4 #bj ,the above relation was given later1 and it is impossible to say whether it relates to the day of the ,resurrection or to the following ,sunday4