JAMES ALPHEUS - APOSTLE & BISHOP

  

                 JAMES ALPHEUS - APOSTLE & BISHOP

                                BY

                         HARRIET SHIKOSKI

  

  

To my Readers;

     Many details included in this story of James, the son of Alpheus, originated in the visions of Ven. Anne Emmerick (1774-1824).  She was a German Augustinian nun who was told in vision that she was privileged to receive more visions than had any other person in history.  Her visions were recorded by Clemens Bretano, arranged and edited by the very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R. and translated from German into English.  In my turn I have also picked and arranged the material.

     How true are the details acquired in this fashion?  Even conceding that the private revelations to Sr. Anne Catherine were accurate portrayals, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human minds.  Bible references are included, not necessarily to prove the truth of these events, but to help you compare the two sources.

     Though the total accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story of James Alpheus captures his true character and helps us to understand the man who proclaimed the Christian Gospel to his fellow Jews.

                 JAMES ALPHEUS - APOSTLE & BISHOP

     James Alpheus, commonly known as James the Less, was the son of Alpheus and Mary Cleophas.  (She was the daughter of Cleophas and Mary Heli, who was the older sister of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.)  Although Mary Cleophas was a first cousin of Jesus, she was closer in age to Mary than to Jesus.  When Mary Cleophas married Alpheus, Alpheus was a widower with a son, Matthew, the child of his first wife.  In this second marriage Alpheus fathered James, Jude Thaddeus, and Simon, known as the Zeolot.

     Mary Cleophas and her family lived near Nazareth, not far from where Mary and Joseph lived.  Because Mary Cleophas and Jesus' Mother were closely related, James and his brothers were referred to as Jesus' brothers (Matt 13:55 & Gal 1:19)  Mary Cleophas and her family knew in general about the prophecies of Anna and Simeon at the time of Jesus' Presentation in the Temple, (Luke 2:29-38) but had not attached any importance to them, and had little faith in them.

     At the time of Joseph's death, Joses, the son of Mary Cleophas by her second husband Sabas, and her three sons by her first husband Alpheus, came to see Jesus again, and to comfort Him and Mary in their sorrow.  James, Thaddeus and Simon had at that time, already left their parental home and were earning their livelihood in business elsewhere.  They had had no close communication with Jesus since His childhood.  James and Simon were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee.  Simon was a clerk, a kind of magistrate.

     Soon after Joseph's death John the Baptist came preaching repentance, and these sons of Mary Cleophas began to follow him.

     Jesus left Capharnaum on a teaching journey.  His hearers were numerous.  He had with Him only three disciples.  The future Apostles who had heard Him in Capharnaum had, without exchanging words with Him, had again gone to sea.  He traveled down to Lower Galilee and kept the Sabbath in a school between Nazareth and Sephoris.  The place had only a few houses and the school.  Some women from Nazareth were present.

     Of the future Apostles, Peter, Andrew, James Alpheus and Philip, who were all disciples of John the Baptist, were present.  It was a common practice among the Jews to visit other places on the Sabbath, and these men had come here to celebrate the Sabbath.  Having been informed of Jesus' presence, they came to hear Him.  He had not yet spoken to any of them in particular.

     Mary Cleophas was a good-looking, distinguished appearing woman.  She spoke with Jesus about her five sons (James, Jude, Simon, Joses and Simeon).  She entreated Him to take them into His own service.  She also mentioned her step-son, Matthew, and wept bitterly when she spoke of him, for he was a publican.  Jesus consoled her, promising that all of her sons would follow Him.  About Matthew He comforted her, foretelling that he would one day be one of His best disciples.

     Some of the disciples gathered in Capharnaum to celebrate the Sabbath there.  They had an interview with Jesus' Mother, and then two of them went to Bethsaida for Peter and Andrew.  James Alpheus, Simon, Jude, John and James Zebedee were present.  Some disciples talked about the mildness, meekness and wisdom of Jesus, while the followers of John the Baptist proclaimed with enthusiasm the austere life of their master and declared that they had never before heard such an interpreter of the Law and the Prophets.

     The next day a bunch of these disciples traveled on the road to Tiberias on their way to go to John the Baptist.  Peter and Andrew especially distinguished themselves by the zest with which they spoke of the Baptist.  He was, they said, of a noble priestly race, he had been educated by the Essenians in the wilderness, and he would suffer no irregularity around him.  He was as rigorous as he was wise.  When Jesus' disciples mentioned the mildness and wisdom of their Master, the others retorted that many disorders arose from such condescension, and they cited instances of proof of what they said.  Jesus' disciples replied that their Master, too, had been educated by the Essenians, and that moreover He had only recently returned from travelling.

     James Alpheus, Simon, Jude, and Joses Barsabas (a son of Mary Cleophas by her second marriage with Sabas) were baptized by John at Ainon.  Andrew and Philip were also baptized by him.  Many of the disciples had already been baptized.

     A three days festival was celebrated at the stone of the Ark of the Covenant where John's teaching-tent had been erected.  John's disciples adorned the place with branches of trees, garlands, and flowers.  James Alpheus, Simon, Jude, Peter, Andrew and Philip were there as well as many of the future disciples of Jesus.  This spot had always been regarded as sacred by the devout among the Jews, but at this time it was rather dilapidated.  John had it repaired. (Josh 3:19-24)

     When Jesus with Andrew reached the neighborhood of Tarichaea, He put up near the lake at a house belonging to Peter's fishery.  Andrew had previously given orders for preparations to be made for Jesus' reception.  Jesus did not go into the city.  There was something dark and repulsive about the inhabitants, who were deeply engaged in usury and thought only of gain.  Simon, who had some employment here, had, with Jude and James, his brothers, gone for the feast to Gennabris, where James Zebedee and his brother John were.  Lazarus, Saturnin, and Simeon's son came here to meet Jesus.  Also present was the bridegroom of Cana who invited Jesus and all His company to his marriage.

     Mary and the holy women were not in Capharnaum itself, but at Mary's house in the valley outside the city and nearer the lake.  It was there that they celebrated the feast.  The sons of Mary Cleophas, John and his brother James, and Peter had already arrived from Gennabris with others of the future disciples.  Present were many relatives and friends of the Holy Family, who had been invited to Cana for the wedding.  They celebrated the Sabbath here because they had been notified that Jesus was expected.

     After the close of the Sabbath Jesus went with His disciples into a little vale near the synagogue.  The sons of Mary Cleophas and of Zebedee were with Him, as well as some others.  Andrew, full of zeal for his Master's interests rejoiced at the happy impression Jesus made upon the disciples.  Convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, he recounted again and again all that he had seen at Jesus' baptism, (Matt 3:13) and of the miracles He had wrought.  Jesus called on Heaven to witness that they should behold still greater things, and He spoke of His mission from His Heavenly Father.

     The nuptial ceremony at Cana (John 2:1-2) was performed by the priest in front of the synagogue.  The rings exchanged by the young pair had been presented to the bridegroom by Mary after Jesus had blessed them for her.

     After the wedding banquet the guests were assembled in the garden.  Various games were played.  Mary led the women's entertainment, while Jesus contrived a wonderful game for the men, who played for prizes of fruit.  The prize that fell to each of the players was significant of his own individual inclinations, faults and virtues.  Jesus explained this interior meaning to each when the prize he had won was assigned to him.  All were touched and animated by the words of Jesus.  What Jesus said about each prize was quite unintelligible to all that it did not concern.  It was received by the by-standers as only a pleasant, pointed remark.

     Nathanael, the bridegroom, won a remarkable piece of fruit.  There were two fruits on a single stem; one was like a fig, the other, which was hollow, more like a ribbed apple.  They were of a reddish color, the inside white and streaked with red.

     The by-standers were very much surprised when the bridegroom won that fruit, and that Jesus spoke of marriage and chastity.  He dwelt upon the hundredfold fruit of chastity.  In all that Jesus said on these subjects, there was nothing that could shock the Jewish ideas about marriage.  Some of the Essenian disciples who practiced continence, James Alpheus for instance, comprehended better than others the deep significance of His words.

     The guests wondered more over that prize than over any other.  Jesus said that those fruits could produce effects far greater than was the signification attached to them.  After the bridegroom had eaten the fruit he grew pale, and a dark vapor escaped from him after which he looked much brighter and purer.

     In each of the other disciples there awoke after eating his prize, his predominant passion.  It struggled a little for the mastery, and then either departed, or the possessor became by the combat strengthened against its assaults.

     Jesus taught in Jezrael and preformed many miracles before a great concourse of people.  All the disciples from Galilee were here assembled to meet Him.  Nathanael Chased, Nathanael the bridegroom, Peter, James Zebedee, and the sons of Mary Cleophas all were there.  Lazarus, Martha, Seraphia, and Johanna Chusa, who had come from Jerusalem, had visited Magdalen at the Castle of Magdalum, to persuade her to go with them to Jezrael, in order to see, if not hear, the wise, the admirable, the most eloquent and the most beautiful Jesus of whom the whole country was full.  Magdalen had yielded to the persuasions of the women and, surrounded by much vain display, accompanied them there.

     That night Jesus, with Andrew, Peter, the sons of Mary Cleophas and of Zebedee, was conducted by Nathanael Chased to Gennabris, his own dwelling place.  Nathanael had established there an inn for Jesus.  Jesus did not enter Nathanael's house which, however, He passed on the way to the city.  Nathanael the bridegroom and his wife also visited Capharnaum and Jezrael at this time.

     The place of baptism near Ono was guarded in turn by the inhabitants.  Jesus taught in Gennabris and cured some raging possessed.  A road for traffic ran through the city.  The inhabitants were not so docile as those nearer the lake.  Although they did not openly contradict Jesus, yet many received His teaching coldly.

     The people knew that Jesus was going to celebrate the Sabbath in Ulama.  Some of the disciples rejoined Him, among them were Peter's half-brother Jonathan.  They numbered twenty in all.  Peter, Andrew, John, James Alpheus, Nathanael Chased, and Nathanael the bridegroom had also come.  Jesus had directed them to come that they might hear His instructions and assist Him in His ministrations to the sick, rendered difficult by the turbulence of the multitude.  The people had found out which way Jesus was to come, and they went forth to welcome Him, carrying green branches and strewing leaves.  They had stretched long strips of material across the road which they lowered for Him to walk upon.  Shouts of joy proclaimed the advent of the Prophet.  The chief officers of the peace maintained order and formally saluted Jesus in the name of the city.  There were in Ulama many possessed, who clamored violently after Jesus and shouted His name.  But He commanded them to be silent.  Even at the inn they allowed Him no rest.  They ran about raging and screaming until He again ordered them to be silent and had them removed.

     Jesus, with Obed who served in the Temple, and with the other disciples of Jerusalem, went again to the Temple for the celebration of the Sabbath.  Jesus wore a white, woven robe with a girdle and a white mantle like those used by the Essenians.  He exchanged and prayed from the parchment rolls in turn with others.  There were some prayer-leaders present.

     Lazarus held a position in the Temple.  He went around with a box and took up a collection.  Jesus and His followers remained the whole afternoon in the Temple.  There were innumerable lamps and lights in the Temple on the Sabbath.

     Mary and the other holy women had now left Capharnaum to go to Jerusalem.  Their route lay toward Nazareth, passed Thabor from which district other women came to join them, and then passed through Samaria.  They were preceded by the disciples from Galilee and followed by servants with the baggage.  Among the disciples were Peter, Andrew, and their half-brother Jonathan, the sons of Zebedee, the sons of Mary Cleophas, Nathanael Chased, and Nathanael the bridegroom.

     On the fourth of Nisan, Jesus spent the whole morning in the Temple with about twenty disciples, after which He taught at Mary Mark's and had a light meal.  He afterward returned to Bethania and went with Lazarus to the home of Simon the Pharisee.  Already many of the lambs brought to the Temple had been rejected by the priests.  Jesus went again in the Temple in the morning, and in the afternoon taught at the home of Joseph of Arimathea which was not far from the home of John Mark, and near a stonecutter's yard.  It was in a retired quarter of the city and little frequented by Pharisees.  At this period no one feared to be seen in company with Jesus, for hatred against Him had not yet been manifested.

     Jesus continued to show Himself still more freely and boldly throughout Jerusalem and in the Temple.  He went in with Obed even to the place between the altar of sacrifice and the Temple, where an instruction was being delivered to the priests relative to the Pasch and its ceremonies.  The disciples remained back in the court of Israel.  The Pharisees were greatly annoyed at seeing Him present at that instruction.  Jesus also addressed the people on the streets.

     Jesus went from Ono with the disciples to the middle place of baptism, that above Bethabara and opposite Gilgal.  There He permitted Andrew, Saturnin, Peter and James Alpheus to baptize.  Immense crowds were coming and going, arousing fresh excitement among the Pharisees.  They dispatched letters to the Elders of all the synagogues throughout the country, directing them to deliver over Jesus wherever He might be found, to take the disciples into custody, to inquire into their teachings and to inflict punishment upon them.  But Jesus, accompanied by only a few disciples, left the place of baptism and journeyed through Samaria and Galilee on to the confines of Tyre. The rest of the disciples separated and returned to their homes.

     Jesus, with a few of His disciples, crossed the valley Esdrelon on His way to Samaria.  He had to endure great privations on this hurried trip.  Tyre was a very large city. (Matt 15:21)  Jesus did not enter the city but kept along the wall on the land side where there were not so many people.  He went here and there, but only to the houses built in the wall that belonged to the poor.

     James Alpheus, Peter, Andrew, Thaddeus, Nathanael Chased and all the disciples that had been with Jesus at the marriage feast in Cana had followed Him.  They traveled in separate bands and met Jesus in the Jewish meeting house situated in another quarter of Tyre, to which led a broad canal bordered with trees.  To this house, with which the school was connected, belonged a large bathing garden, which ran down even to the water that cut off this quarter of the city from the mainland.  The bathing garden was surrounded by a wall inside of which was a quickset hedge of bushes cut in figures.

     In the middle of the garden was an open portico containing numerous passages and little apartments, and around it was the spacious bathing cistern full of flowing water.  There was in the middle of it a pillar with steps and hand supports, by means of which one could descend into the water to any depth.  This place was inhabited by aged Jews, who were despised on account of their religion or origin, although they were good, pious men.

     It was touching to see Jesus greeting the disciples on their arrival.  He passed among them giving His hands first to one, then to another.  They were full of respectful confidence, for they regarded Him as an extraordinary, supernatural Being.  They were indescribably joyous at seeing Him again.  He delivered to them a long instruction, after which they told Him all that had happened to them.  They took a meal together consisting of bread, fruit, honey, and fish which the disciples had brought with them.

     These disciples, some when in Jerusalem, others in Gennabris, had been called to account by the Pharisees before large assemblies on the subject of Jesus, His doctrine and designs, and their own intercourse with Him.  They had been molested in many ways.

     Jesus exhorted them to constancy and told them to begin to free themselves more and more from their avocations, and to spread, as far as they could, His doctrine among the people of their district.  He added that He would soon be with them again, and that He would resume His public teaching when He should have rejoined them in Galilee.

     On the Sabbath He taught in the synagogue of Adama.  There was here also a party formed against Jesus.  They sent two Pharisees to where John was teaching in order to hear what he had to say about Jesus.  They went from there to Bethabara and Capharnaum to inform some of their friends that He was now going around among them baptizing and making disciples.  When these messengers returned, they spoke against Jesus and spread the calumnies they had heard, but their efforts gained no adherents to their own party.

     Once the magistrates of Adama interrogated Jesus as to what He thought of the Essenians.  They wanted to tempt Him, because they pretended to have remarked in His sentiments some similarity to those of that sect, and also because James Alpheus, His relative who was then with Him, was an Essenian.  They brought all kinds of accusation against them, condemning chiefly their retired life and their celibacy.

     Jesus answered in very general terms; one could, He said, find nothing to reproach in those people; if they were called to such a life, they deserved great praise.  Every one has his own vocation; were a cripple to aim at walking upright, he would hardly succeed.  When the magistrate objected that so few families were raised up by them, Jesus enumerated a great many Essensian families and spoke of their well-bred children.  He alluded to the married state, first of the good, then of the bad.  He neither took part with the Essenians, nor did He accuse them.  The people did not understand His thinking, though they saw that He had family connections among the Essenians and kept up intercourse with them.

     It was already dark and torches lighted when the meal was over.  Jesus blessed the multitude and left the mountain with the disciples, but soon separated from them.  They took a shorter route back to Bathsaida and Capharnaum, while He and two disciples went southward to a city lying off from Berotha, called Zedad, and spent the night at an inn outside the city.

     On the night between Monday and Tuesday, Jesus was in the mountains with His two disciples.  As He had walked alone in prayer, they questioned Him about it.  He spoke to them of prayer in general and especially of prayer in private, illustrating by the example of the serpent and scorpion; "Were a child to ask for a fish, the father would not give him a scorpion." (Matt 7:9-11 & Luke 11:11-12)  God will not give us what He knows would be harmful to us even though we pray for it.

     During these days He again visited in various little places among the shepherds, healing and exhorting, also in Gath-Opher, Jonas's birthplace, and where some of His own relatives lived.  He wrought cures in this latter place also, and then toward evening went as far as Capharnaum.

     How indefatigable was Jesus!  With what ardor He inspired the disciples and Apostles!  At first they were often overcome by fatigue; but now what a difference!  The disciples while travelling along the highways went forward to meet some and to hunt up others, to instruct them themselves or invite them to attend Jesus' instructions.

     During the evening several of the men and women began their preparations to go to Bethoron, where Jesus was to preach next day.  That night Jesus again retired secretly to the Mount of Olives and prayed with His whole heart and soul, after which He went with Lazarus and Saturnin to Bethoron, about six hours off.  It was then one hour past midnight.  They cut through the desert on their way.  When about two hours distant from Bethoron, they were met by the disciples whom Jesus had appointed to join Him there, and who had arrived at the inn near Bethoron the day before.  They were Peter, Andrew, their half-brother Jonathan, James Zebedee, John, James Alpheus, and Jude (who was with them now for the first time), Philip, Nathanael Chased, also the bridegroom of Cana, and one or two of the widows' sons.

     Jesus rested with them under a tree in the desert for a long time, and gave them an instruction.  He spoke again on the parable of the lord of the vineyard who had sent his son to the vine-dressers (Matt 21:33-41).  At the conclusion of the discourse, they proceeded to the inn and took something to eat.  Saturnin had received from the women a purse of money with which to procure provisions for the little party.

     Jesus with His disciples went to Peter's home in Bethsaida.  He had been urged to go there because Peter's mother-in-law was very sick with a raging fever, and they thought she was dying.  Jesus went to her, healed her and bid her to rise.

     At the meal that followed, she helped with the other women and, perfectly recovered, served at table (Matt 8:14-15).  After that Jesus, with Peter, Andrew, John, his brother James and several of the other disciples, went to Peter's fishery on the lake.  In the instruction He gave them, He spoke principally of the fact that they would soon give up their present occupations and follow Him.

     Peter became quite timid and anxious.  He fell on his knees before Jesus, begging Him to reflect upon his ignorance and weakness, and not insist on his undertaking anything so important, that he was entirely unworthy, and quite unable to instruct others. (Luke 5:8)  Jesus replied that His disciples should have no worldly solicitude, that He, who gave health to the sick, would provide for their subsistence and furnish them with ability for what they had to do.

     All were perfectly satisfied, excepting Peter who, in his humility and simplicity, could not comprehend how he was to be in the future, not a fisherman, but a teacher of men.  This however is not the call of the Apostle related in the Gospel. (Matt 4:18-20 & Mark 1:16-18)  That had not yet taken place.  Peter had nevertheless already given over a great part of his business to Zebedee.  After this walk by the lake, Jesus again went to Capharnaum and found an unusual number of sick around Peter's house outside the city.  He cured many, and taught again in the synagogue.

     Jesus was received cordially and hospitably in Betharan.  The morning after His arrival He cured many sick Jews, taught that evening in the synagogue and also on the next morning.  Abigail was held in esteem by the inhabitants of Betharan.  She sent down gifts from her castle to the Jews for a more honorable entertainment of Jesus and His disciples.  She was a repudiated wife of the Tetrach Philip.

     Jesus crossed the Jewish quarter of the city to visit the pagans.  Abigail begged Jesus to have an interview with her.  She sighed after instruction and conversion to a better life, but she did not know how to go about its attainment, for she was not allowed to act freely and was jealously watched by the wardens given her by Philip.  Jesus walked up and down with her instructing her and her companions.  He spoke of the fulfillment of the Prophecies, of the vocation of the gentiles, and of baptism.

     From all the places at which Jesus had been since He left Ainon, caravans of Jews and gentiles came to Ainon in uninterrupted succession to receive baptism from the disciples who had been left there for that purpose.  Andrew, James Alpheus, John and the disciples of John the Baptist were all busy administering baptism.  Messengers were constantly going and coming between them and the imprisoned Baptist.

     Jesus and many of His disciples spent the Sabbath in Dothain.  Issachar invited Jesus and all His followers to dine with him after the exercises at the synagogue and to stay all night at his house.  Jesus accepted the invitation and then went to preach in the synagogue.  Among Jesus' disciples present were Judas Iscariot, Bartholomew, Thomas, Nathanael and others.  James Alpheus had also come from Capharnaum for the Sabbath.

     The next day Judas Iscariot and many other disciples returned from Dothain to their own homes.  Jesus kept with Him only nine, among whom were Thomas, James Alpheus, Jude Barsabas, Simon, Jude, Little Cleophas, Manahem and Saturnin.

     After Jesus' departure, the Pharisees recommenced their mockery and insults.  They said to the people, "One can easily see who He is.  He has allowed himself to be sumptuously entertained by Issachar.  His disciples are a set of lazy vagrants whom He supports and feasts at the expense of others.  If He did right, He would stay at home and support His poor Mother.  His father was a poor carpenter, but that respectable calling does not suit Him, and so He goes wandering around disturbing the whole country."

     A great crowd of pagans had assembled.  Jesus instructed them and, as the throng was very great, He and some of His disciples went on board His little bark that Peter furnished for Him.  The rest of the disciples and the publicans went on Peter's boat.  From the bark Jesus instructed the heathens on the shore, making use of the parables of the sower and the tares in the field. (Matt 13:1-3 & 24-30)

     The instruction over, they struck out across the lake, the disciples in Peter's boat taking turns rowing.  Jesus' bark was fastened to Peter's boat and was towed by it.

     They landed at a point between the valley of Gerasa and Bethsaida-Julias.  A road ran from the shore to the houses of the publicans, and into it the four who were with Jesus turned.  Jesus meanwhile with the disciples continued along the shore to the right, thus passing Matthew's residence, though at a distance.  A side-path ran from this road to his custom-office, and along it Jesus bent His steps, the disciples timidly remaining behind.

       Servants and publicans were out in front of the custom house, busied with all kinds of merchandise.  When Matthew from the top of a little eminence beheld Jesus and the disciples coming toward him, He became confused and withdrew into his private office.  But Jesus continued to approach, and from the opposite side of the road called him.  Then Matthew came hurrying out, prostrated with his face on the ground before Jesus, protesting that he did not esteem himself worthy that Jesus should speak with him.

     But Jesus said, "Matthew, arise, and follow Me!"  Then Matthew, arose saying that he would instantly and joyfully abandon all things and follow Him. (Matt 9:9)  He accompanied Jesus back to where the disciples were standing, who saluted him and extended to him their hands.  Jude, Simon, and James Alpheus were particularly rejoiced at his coming.  They were half-brothers of Matthew.  Their father Alpheus, before his marriage with their mother Mary Cleophas, was a widower with a son, Matthew.  Matthew insisted upon all being his guests.  Jesus however assured him that they would return next morning, and then they continued on their way.

     As Jesus traveled with His disciples He cured many sick who had been brought out of the houses and laid on the road on which He was to pass.  The disciples scattered here and there on the road, assisting where needed, while Jesus went along teaching and healing.

     On the way to Cariathaim Jesus was met by some demoniacs who entreated Him to help them.  They told Him that the disciples had not been able to relieve them, and they thought He could do better than they.  Jesus replied that if the disciples had not relieved them it was not the fault of the disciples but of their own want of faith, and He commanded them to go to Cariathaim and remain fasting until He should deliver them.  He let them wait awhile and do penance.  Half an hour from Cariathaim, Jesus was received by the Levites of the place, the school teachers accompanied by their children and many of the good inhabitants.

     While in Cariathaim, Jesus put up at a rented inn which had been furnished with necessities out of the common stock of the community by a nephew of Joseph of Arimathea and Seraphia's son who had been sent on ahead.  The food was prepared at a house in the city, where cooking for the sick was also done.  The Levites ate with Jesus and the disciples.  Cariathaim was a Levitical city, and there were no Pharisees in it.  A couple of its families were related to Zachary.

     Jesus visited them and found them very much troubled on John's account.  He recalled to them the wonders that had preceded and accompanied John's birth, and spoke of his mission and wonderful life.  He reminded them likewise of many circumstances attendant on the birth of Mary's Son, showed them that John's fate lay in the hands of God, and that he would die when he had fulfilled his mission.  Jesus prepared them in this way for John's death.

     The possessed, whom He had sent to Cariathaim on the preceding day, and many other sick, accosted Him near the synagogue on the subject of their cure.  He healed several, but others He sent away to fulfil certain prescriptions of fasting, alms-giving, and prayer.  He did this here rather than elsewhere, because the people of this place were earnest in keeping the Law.  After He returned with the disciples to the garden in which He had been received, He taught and the disciples baptized.

     Encamped under tents in the neighborhood, were pagans awaiting Jesus' coming.  They had already been in Capharnaum where they had been told to come here.  There were in all about a hundred baptized.  They stood in the water around a basin.  Peter and James Alpheus baptized, while the others laid their hands on the neophytes.

     Leaving Cariathaim, Jesus went with the disciples toward the south.  He was as solemnly escorted on His departure by the Levites and school children, as He had been received on His entrance.  The people of Cariathaim were engaged in the transportation of goods and the manufacture of vestments for priests made out of the silk that they imported from afar.

     On the southern declivity of the opposite side of the valley, where lay a place called Naason, there was a sugarcane plantation whose products formed a staple of trade.  Jesus ascended that height, while the disciples scattered among some of the places more to the east of the valley.

     The Apostles and disciples whom Jesus had left near Cariathaim, came back again to the inn, as did also Andrew and Matthew.  Thomas and James Alpheus went in their place to Achzib in the tribe of Aser, between ten and twelve hours westward.

     While Jesus was teaching and healing, a deaf and dumb man was brought to Him to be cured.  He was a shepherd of that region, good and pious.  His friends brought him to Jesus and implored Him to lay His hand upon him.  Jesus commanded that he should be separated from the crowd.  His friends obeyed, but the Pharisees followed, so Jesus cured him in their presence that they might see that He healed by virtue of prayer and faith in His Heavenly Father, and not through the devil.

     The crowd became greater because a caravan had just arrived.  Jesus and His companions left the city.  They remained until night in a solitary place at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes.

     Before daybreak they again gathered about Jesus.  The Twelve stood around Him in a circle.  Then Jesus, as if resuming the discourse of the preceding night, asked, "Who do men say that I am?"  After the Apostles repeated various conjectures, Jesus asked, "And you, for whom do you take me?"  All were quiet except Peter, who, full of faith and zeal, took one step into the circle and proclaimed, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!"  Jesus answered, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of John, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father in Heaven!  And I say to you, you are a rock and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail upon it.  And I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, that whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever you shall loosen on earth shall be loosened also in Heaven!" (Matt 16:13-20)

     Jesus made this response in a manner both solemn and prophetic.  He appeared to be shining in light, and was raised some distance above the ground.  Peter received Jesus' words in their full significance, but the other Apostles appeared troubled.  They could not comprehend its meaning.  They still held earthly ideas of a worldly kingdom to be ruled by Jesus and His followers.

     Jesus then told the Apostles in plain words that He was the Messiah.  He applied to Himself all the passages to that effect found in the Prophets, and said that they must now go to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

     Very early in the morning Jesus sent the disciples and Apostles out on a mission.  Upon the Apostles as well as on the eldest disciples, He imposed hands, but the rest He merely blessed. By this ceremony He filled them with new strength and energy.  It was not, however, priestly ordination, but only an imparting of grace and vigor to the soul.  He likewise addressed to them many words on the value of obedience to superiors.

     Some of the Apostles and disciples did not remain with Jesus but received missions to different places. 

     Jesus now journeyed in a northwesterly direction.  With Him were five Apostles, each of whom had under him ten disciples.  Among those who remained with Him were James Alpheus, Jude, Saturnin, Nathanael, Barnabas, Azor, Mnason, and the youths from Cyprus.  They accomplished on the first day from six to eight hours.  Several cities lay to the right and left on their road, and, from time to time, some of the party would separate from their Master, in order to visit these cities.  Jesus passed Tyre on the seacoast to the left.  He had indicated to the Apostles and disciples a certain place where, in about thirty days, they were again to join Him.  He spent the night like He had the preceding one, under some trees with His companions.

     Ornithopolis was situated about three hours from the little place across the river where Jesus had spent the night, but from the settlement of the poor Jews, it was one and a half hours.  When Jesus went straight through this place to the port, Ornithopolis lay on His left.  The Jewish settlement was toward Sarepta, which received the rays of the rising sun, for on that side the mountains rose in a gentle slope.  On the north it was perfectly shady.  The situation was very fine.  Between Ornithopolis, the Jewish settlement, and the port, there lay so many solitary buildings, so many other little settlements, that looking down upon them from above, one might think that once upon a time they were all united.  Jesus had with Him now only James Alpheus, Barnabas, Mnason, Azor, Cyrinus' two sons, and the Cypriote youth who had been brought to Jesus by the others.  All the other Apostles and disciples were scattered throughout the country on missions.  Judas was the last to set out.  He went with his little troop to Cana the Greater.

     When Jesus reached the port He set sail for Cyprus, that He might teach and accept for baptism those living in the Jewish settlement in Salamis.  He was invited by Cyrinus, the Roman Commandant in Salamis, to his house to talk.  His dwelling was very spacious and built in pagan style.

     Later Jesus visited the home of an Essenian, the father of Jonas.  He was accompanied only by His disciples and some of the doctors (philosophers).  He was received with the usual courtesies, that is the washing of the feet.  The domestic arrangements were here much more simple, more like the country than those of the mansion at which Jesus had first been entertained.  The family was large and belonged to the sect of Essenians that married.  They lived in great purity, being pious and simple in their manners.

     The entertainment was held in a garden in which were long and densely shaded arbors.  An elevated green bank covered with a cloth served as a table.  The couches too consisted of similar grassy banks covered with mats.  The meal was made up of various kinds of pastry, broth, vegetables steeped in sauce, lamb's meat, fruit and little jugs of something, all very simple.

     The women ate at a separate table, though they seemed more at ease than other Jewish women.  When they served at table, they lowered their veils.  Sitting at some distance they listened attentively to the words of Jesus.  The little Essenian Community lived by agriculture, cattle-raising, weaving and spinning.

     From this place, Jesus went with His disciples to the newly constructed baptismal well, where He prepared many Jews for baptism by a discourse in which He exhorted them to penance, and blessed the baptismal water.  Around the central well, there were some salver-shaped basins on a level with the surrounding surface.  These basins were encircled by little ditches, into which the neophytes descended by a couple of steps.

     He who baptized stood on the edge of the basin and poured water on the head of the neophytes bowed over it.  The sponsors stood behind and imposed hands on them.  By the opening or pressing of a piece of machinery in the central well, the water could be introduced into the basins and ditches.  Barnabas, James, and Azor baptized, each by one of the three basins used.

     Before the ceremony Jesus, from a flat, leather vessel which they had brought with them from Judea, poured into the basins a little Jordan water which had been taken from His own place of baptism, and then blessed the water thus mixed with it.  After the baptism, not only was all this baptismal water poured again into the central well, but the basins were dried with a cloth which was then wrung out into the well.  The neophytes had little white mantles around their shoulders.

     After that Jesus went in a more westerly direction between gardens and walls, where there were awaiting Him several pagans who, prepared by their friend Cyrinus, were likewise desirous of Baptism.  He went aside with some of them and He further instructed them.  About thirty of them were baptized in the various bathing gardens around.  Water was introduced into the baths for that purpose, which water Jesus blessed.

     Jesus and His disciples, followed by many people, Jews and pagans, went to a Jewish bathing garden where the water was supplied by the Chytrus aqueducts.  There was a beautiful cistern in the garden and all around it were large basins for bathing, pleasant avenues and long shady bowers.  Everything necessary for administering baptism was already prepared here.  Crowds followed Jesus to an open place near the well fitted up for teaching.

     Jesus taught about the Fall, about the perversion of Adam and Eve, about the Promise, about the degeneracy of men into the wild state, about the separation of the less corrupt, about the guard set over marriage in order to transmit virtues and graces from father to son, and about the sanctification of marriage by the observance of the Divine Law, moderation, and continence.

     In this way, Jesus' discourse turned upon the bride and bridegroom.  To illustrate His meaning, He referred to a certain tree on the island, which could be pollinated by trees at a distance, yes, even across the sea, and He uttered the words, "In the same way, may hope, confidence in God, desire of salvation, humility, and chastity become in some manner, the mother for the fulfillment of the Promise."

     This led Jesus to touch upon the mysterious signification of marriage, in that it typifies the bond of union between the Consoler of Israel and His Church.  He called marriage a great mystery. (Eph 5:32)  His words on this subject were very beautiful, very elevated, and very inspiring to His hearers.  He afterward taught upon penance and baptism, which atones for, and wipes out, the crime of separation from God, and makes all who receives them worthy to participate in the alliance of salvation.

     Jesus went aside with some of the aspirants to baptism, heard their confession, forgave their sins, and imposed upon them certain mortifications and good works.  James Alpheus and Barnabas performed the ceremony of baptism.  The neophytes were principally aged men, a few pagans, and the three boys cured of blindness, who had not been baptized with their parents at Capharnaum.

     The Sabbath over, some of the philosophers started the following questions; whether it was necessary that God should have allowed the frightful deluge to pass over the earth; why He permitted mankind to await so long the coming of the Redeemer; could He not have employed other means for the same end, and send One who would restore all things?

     Jesus answered by explaining that that had not entered into the designs of God, that He had created angels having free will and superior faculties, and yet they had separated from Him through pride and had been precipitated into the kingdom of darkness, and that man, with free will, had been placed between the kingdom of darkness and that of light, but by eating the forbidden fruit he had approached nearer to the dark than to the light; that man was now obliged to cooperate with God in order to receive help from Him and to attract into himself the Kingdom of God, that God might give it to him.

     Man, by eating the forbidden fruit, had sought to become like unto God; that he might rise from his fallen state, it was necessary that the Father should allow His Divine Son to succor him and reconcile him again to Himself.  Man, in his entire being, had become so deformed that the great mercy and wonderful guidance of God were needed, to establish upon earth His Kingdom, which that of darkness had driven from the hearts of men.  Jesus added that this Kingdom consisted not in worldly dominion and magnificence, but in the regeneration, the reconciliation of man with the Father, and in the reunion of all the good people into one Body, one Church. (John 10:16 & Eph 4:4)

     At their arrival at Salamis, Jesus and His followers put in at the school in which, upon His coming to Cyprus, He had adjourned.  They entered from the northwest, the aqueduct lay to the right, the Jewish city to the left.  Their garments still girded, they sat in threes by the basin in the forecourt of the school.  The basin was surrounded by a little channel in which they were washing their feet.  Every three made use of a long, brown towel to dry their feet.  Jesus did not always allow His feet to be washed by others; generally each one performed that service for himself.

     Here their coming had been looked for, and food was at once offered them.  Here Jesus had a great number of devoted adherents, and in their midst He taught for fully two hours.  After that He had a long conference with the Roman Governor, who presented to Him two pagan youths desirous of instruction and baptism.  They confessed their sins with tears, and Jesus pardoned them.

     Toward evening, they were privately baptized by James Alpheus in the forecourt of the doctors' dwelling.  These youths were to follow the philosophers to Gessur.  The Cypriot converts of Jesus wished to migrate to Palestine.  Mnason arrived from Chytrus accompanied by a brother who also wished to follow Jesus to Palestine.

     Jesus left Cyprus and travelled to Damna in Galilee.  Outside the city He had a private inn over which a relative of Joseph's family presided.  Lazarus and two disciples belonging to Jerusalem were waiting for Him there.  Lazarus had already been eight days in those parts attending to the real estate in land and houses of the Magdalum property, for only the household goods and similar effects belonging to Magdalen had as yet been disposed of.  Jesus embraced Lazarus, a favor He was accustomed to extend only to him and the elder Apostles and disciples; to the others, He merely extended His hands.

     Jesus spoke of the Cypriotes, those that had accompanied Him and those that were to follow later, and made some remarks as to how they should be supported.  It was decided on this occasion that James Alpheus and Jude were to proceed to Gessur, in order to receive and accompany the seven pagan philosophers who were to arrive there.

     Jesus treated Lazarus with marked confidence.  On this occasion they walked alone together for a long time.  Lazarus was a tall man, grave, gentle and very self-possessed in manner.  Moderate in all things, even his familiar intercourse with others was stamped with a something that wore an air of distinction.

     Not long after Jesus' return to Capharnaum, there were gathered around Him almost thirty disciples.  Some had come from Judea with the news of the arrival at Joppa of ships bringing two hundred Cypriote Jews, who were to be received by Barnabas, Mnason, and his brother.  John, who was still at Hebron with the relatives of Zachary, was charged with providing suitable quarters for these emigrants.  The Essenians also occupied themselves with the same cares.  For a time the Cypriots were lodged in the grottos until proper destinations could be assigned them.  Lazarus and the Syrophoenician provided settlements near Ramoth-Gilead for the Jewish emigrants from the region of Ornithopolis.

     The disciples lately come to Capharnaum were put up, some at Peter's outside the city, some in Bethsaida, and some at the school in the city itself.  James Alpheus and Jude came from Gessur with three of the pagan philosophers, fine, handsome young men, who had received circumcision.  Andrew and Simon came also with several other disciples, and the welcome they received was most touching.

     Jesus, according to His custom, presented the newly  converted to His Mother.  There was a tacit understanding, an interior agreement between Jesus and Mary, that she should take the disciples into her heart, into her prayers, into her benedictions and, to a certain degree into her very being, as her own children and the brothers of Jesus, that she should be their spiritual Mother as she was His Mother by nature.  Mary did this with singular earnestness, while Jesus on such occasions treated her with great solemnity.  There was in this ceremony of adoption something very holy and very interior.

                                                                 

     On the way to Bethania Jesus, to continue His instructions for the benefit of the new disciples, explained to them the Our Father, spoke to them of fidelity in His service, and told them that He would now teach awhile in Jerusalem, after which He would soon return to His Heavenly Father.  He told them also that one would abandon Him, for treason was already in his heart.  All these new disciples remained faithful.

     On this journey, Jesus healed several lepers who had been brought out on the road.  One hour from Bethania, they entered the inn at which Jesus had taught so long before Lazarus's resurrection and to which Magdalen had come forth to meet Him (John 11:5-44).  The Blessed Virgin also was at the inn with other women, likewise five of the Apostles; Judas, Thomas, Simon, James Alpheus, Jude, John Marc and some others.  Lazarus was not there.  The Apostles came out a part of the way to meet the Lord at a well, where they saluted Him and washed His feet, after which He gave an instruction which was followed by a meal.  The women then went on to Bethania while Jesus remained at the inn with the rest of the party.

     Next day, instead of going straight to Bethania, He made a circuit around the adjacent country with the three silent disciples.  The rest of the Apostles and disciples separated into two bands, headed respectively by Jude and James Alpheus, and went around curing the sick.  They effected cures in many different ways, by the imposition of hands, by breathing upon or leaning over the sick person, or in the case of children, by taking them on their knees, resting them on their breast and breathing upon them.

     When the Apostles and disciples alone were standing around Jesus, He touched upon many things that would take place after His return to the Father.  To Peter He said that He would have much to suffer, but he should not fear, he should stand firm at the head of the Community (The Church), which would increase wonderfully.  For three years he should with John and James Alpheus remain with the Faithful in Jerusalem.  He spoke of the youth who was to be the first to shed his blood for Him, but without mentioning Stephen by name (Acts 7:59-60), and of the conversion of His persecutor, who would afterward do more in His service than many others.  Here too He did not give Paul's name (Acts 9:3-9).  Jesus' hearers could not readily comprehend His words.

     Jesus told the Apostles that the next morning would usher in the day of His entrance into Jerusalem and He directed all the absent Apostles to be summoned.  They came and He had a long interview with them.  They were very sad.  Toward the traitor Judas, Jesus was gracious in manner, and it was to him that He entrusted the commission to summon the disciples.

     Jesus began His instruction by speaking of Paradise, the fall of Adam and Eve, the Promise of a Redeemer, the progress of evil, and the small number of faithful laborers in the garden of God.

     The next morning Jesus sent Eremenzear and Silas to make the road He would take passable by opening the hedges and removing the barriers.  He told them where to find a she-ass with her foal and where to fasten her to the hedge. (Matt 21:1-3 & Luke 19:28-34)  Then they should remove every obstruction from the road leading to the Temple.

     Jesus arranged His procession.  The Apostles He ordered to proceed, two and two, before Him, saying that from this moment and after His death, they should everywhere head the Community (The Church).  Peter went first, followed by those that were to bear the Gospel to the most distant regions, while John and James Alpheus immediately preceded Jesus.  All carried palm branches.   As soon as the two disciples that were waiting near Bethphage spied the procession coming, they hurried forward to meet it, taking with them the two animals.  The she-ass was covered with trappings that hung to its feet, the head and tail alone being visible.

     Jesus now put on the beautiful festal robe of fine white wool which one of the disciples had brought with him for that purpose.  It was long and flowing with a train.  The broad girdle that confined it at the waist bore an inscription in letters.  He then put around His neck a wide stole that reached to the knees, on the two ends of which something like shields was embroidered in brown.  The two disciples assisted Jesus to mount the cross-seat on the ass.  The animal had no bridle, but around its neck was a narrow strip of material that hung down loose.  The riderless animal ran by the other's side.

     Eliud and Silas walked on either side of the Lord, and Eremenzear behind Him; then followed the disciples most recently received, some of whom He had brought back with Him from His last great journey, and others that had been received still later.  When the procession was ranged in order, the holy women, two and two, brought up the rear.  The Blessed Virgin, who up to this time had always stayed in the background, now went at their head.

     As the procession moved forward, all began to sing, and the people of Bethphage, who had gathered around the two disciples while they were awaiting Jesus' coming, followed after like a swarm.  Jesus reminded the disciples of what He had previously told them to notice, namely, those that would spread their garments in His path, those that would break off branches from the trees, and those that would render Him the double honor, for these last would devote themselves and their worldly goods to His service. (Matt 21:1-11 & Luke 19:28-38))

     Jesus gave directions to prepare for the Passover Supper.  He sent Peter and John to Jerusalem with directions and orders for many things.  They traversed the city in all directions and gave orders for many things.  They went to the outside door of a house north of Mount Calvary.  It was the inn, on the northwest side of the city, in which many of the disciples were staying.  This was the disciples' inn outside Jerusalem.  It was under the care of Seraphia.  From this inn they went to Seraphia's own house, for they had many directions to give her.  Seraphia's husband was a member of the Council.  He was generally away from home attending to his business, and when he was in the house, his wife saw little of him.  She was a woman of about the same age as the Blessed Virgin.  She had long known the Holy Family, for when the Boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem after the Feast, it was she who supplied Him with food.

     From Seraphia the two Apostles received all kinds of table service, which was carried by the disciples in covered baskets to the Last Supper House.  She also gave them the chalice which Jesus used in the institution of the Blessed Sacrament.  This chalice was a very wonderful and mysterious vessel that had lain in the Temple for a long time among other old and precious things, whose use and origin had been forgotten.

     Frequently at the Temple, ancient vessels and precious ornaments whose use was no longer known, were reset, made over anew, or sold.  It was in this way, and by God's permission, that that holy vessel (whose unknown material prevented its being melted down, although frequent attempts had been made to do so) had been found by the young priests in the treasury of the Temple.  It had been stored away in a chest along with other objects no longer of use, and when discovered was sold to some antiquaries.  The chalice and all the vessels belonging to it were afterward bought by Seraphia.  It had several times been made use of by Jesus in the celebration of festivals, and from today it became the exclusive possession of the holy Community of Jesus Christ.

     The chalice had not always been the same as it was when used at the Last Supper.  It, along with all that was necessary for the institution  of the Blessed Sacrament, was now put in one portable case.

     On a flat surface out of which a little board, or table, could be drawn, stood the large chalice surrounded by six small beakers.  The chalice itself contained another smaller vessel.  A little plate was laid upon the chalice, and over the whole was a convex cover.  In the foot of the chalice, was a place for keeping a spoon, which could be easily drawn out.  All these vessels in fine linen coverings were protected by a cap, or case of leather, which had a knob on top.  The large chalice consisted of the cup and the foot.  The foot had been added at a later period and was of a different material.  The cup was pear-shaped, and of a brownish, highly polished metal overlaid with gold.  It had two small handles, by which it could be raised when its contents rendered it moderately heavy.  The foot was elaborately wrought of dark virgin gold, the edge encircled by a serpent.  It was ornamented with a little bunch of grapes, and enriched with precious stones.  The small spoon was concealed in the foot.

     The large chalice was left to the Church of Jerusalem under the care of James Alpheus.  It is thought to be carefully preserved somewhere, and will some day come to light again.  The smaller cups that stood around it were distributed among the other Churches; one to Antioch, another to Ephesus.  These vessels enriched seven Churches.  The small beakers once belonged to the Patriarchs.

     The large chalice once belonged to Abraham.  Melchisedec brought it from the land of Semiramis, where it was lying neglected, to the land of Chanaan, where he began to mark off settlements on the site afterward occupied by Jerusalem.  Melchisedec had used it at the sacrifice of bread and wine offered in Abraham's presence, and he afterward gave it to him. (Gen 14:18-20 & Heb 7-1-3)  This same chalice was even in Noe's possession.  It stood in the upper part of the ark.  Moses also had it in his keeping.  The cup was massive like a bell.  It looked as if it had been shaped by nature, not formed by art.  Jesus alone knew of what it was made.

     At the Last Supper the table was narrow and only high enough to reach one-half foot above the knee of a man standing by it.  In form it was like a horseshoe; and opposite Jesus, in the inner part of the half-circle, there was a space left free for the serving of the dishes.  John, James Zebedee, and James Alpheus stood on Jesus' right; then came Bartholomew, still on the right, but more toward the narrow end of the table; and around the corner, at the inner side, stood Thomas and next to him Judas Iscariot.  On Jesus' left, were Peter, Andrew, and Jude; then, as on the opposite side, came Simon; and around at the inner side, Matthew and Philip.

     After the prayer, the master of the feast laid on the table in front of Jesus the knife for carving the Paschal lamb, placed a cup of wine before Him, and from a jug filled six others cups, each of which he set between two of the Apostles.  Jesus blessed the wine and drank, the Apostles drinking two and two from one cup.

     The Lord cut up the Paschal lamb.  The Apostles in turn reached their little loaves on some kind of an instrument that held them fast, and received each one a share.  They ate it in haste, separating the flesh from the bone with their ivory knives.  The bones were afterward burned.  They ate also, and that very quickly, the garlic and green herbs, first dipping them into the sauce.

     They ate the Paschal lamb standing, leaning a little on the back of the seats.  Jesus then broke one of the loaves of unleavened bread, covered up one part of it, and divided the other among the Apostles.  After that they ate the little loaves that had served as plates.  Another cup of wine was brought.  Jesus thanked, but drank not of it.  He said: "Take this wine and divide it among you, for I shall henceforth drink no more wine, until the Kingdom of God cometh." (Matt 26-29 & Luke 22:18)  After the Apostles had drunk, two and two, they chanted, and Jesus prayed and taught.

     While the Apostles were eating the herbs, Jesus continued to converse with them still quite lovingly, though afterward He became grave and sad.

     They rose from table and while putting on and arranging their robes, as was the custom before solemn prayer, the master of the feast with two servants came in to take away the table and put back the seats.  While this was being done, Jesus ordered some water to be brought Him in the anteroom, and the master again left the hall with his servants.

     Jesus, standing in the midst of the Apostles, spoke to them long and solemnly.  He spoke of His Kingdom, and of His going to His Father.  He told them that He would, before leaving them, give over to them all that He possessed.  Then He gave them instructions upon penance, the knowledge and confession of sin, contrition, and justification.  This bore some reference to the washing of the feet.  All, with the exception of Judas, acknowledged their sins with sorrow.

     This discourse was long and solemn.  When it was ended, Jesus sent John and James Alpheus to bring the water from the anteroom, and directed the others to place the seats in a half-circle.  Meantime, He Himself retired to the anteroom, to lay aside His mantle, gird up His robe, and tie around Him a towel, one end of which He allowed to hang.

     While these preparations were being made, the Apostles got into a dispute as to who among them should have the first place, for as the Lord had expressly announced that He was about to leave them and that His Kingdom was near, they were strengthened anew in their idea that somewhere He had a secret force in reserve, and that He would achieve some earthly triumph at the very last moment. (Luke 22:24-27)

     Jesus, still in the anteroom, commanded John to take a basin, and James Alpheus a leather bottle of water.  James carried the bottle before his breast, the spout resting on his arm.  After He had poured some water from the bottle into the basin, Jesus bade the two follow Him into the hall in the center of which the master of the feast had set another large, empty basin.

     Entering the hall, Jesus in a few words reproved the Apostles for the strife that had arisen among them.  He said among other things that He Himself was their servant, and that they should take their places on the seats for Him to wash their feet.  They obeyed, observing the same order as at table.  They sat on the backs of the seats, which were arranged in a half circle, and rested their naked feet upon the seat itself.

     Jesus went from one to another, and from the basin held under them by John, with His hand scooped up water over the feet presented to Him.  Then taking in both hands the long end of the towel with which He was girded, He passed it over the feet to dry them, and then moved on with James to the next.  John emptied the water after each one into the large basin in the center of the room, and then returned to the Lord with the empty one.  Then Jesus again poured water from the bottle held by James over the feet of the next, and so on.

     During the whole of the Paschal Supper, the Lord's demeanor was most touching and gracious, and at this humble washing of His Apostles' feet, He was full of love.  He did not perform it as if it were a mere ceremony, but like a sacred act of love springing straight from the heart.  By it He wanted to give expression to the love that burned within. (John 13:3-5)

     After the other Apostles had had their feet washed, Jesus then washed the feet of John and James; first James' while Peter held the water bottle; then John's for whom James held the basin.

     Jesus next delivered an instruction upon humiliation.  He told them that he who was the greatest among them should be the servant, and that for the future they should in humility wash one another's feet.  Many other things He said bearing reference to their dispute as to who should be the greatest. (John 13:12-16)  Jesus now resumed the garments that He had laid aside, and the Apostles let down theirs that had been girded up for the eating of the Paschal lamb.

     When Jesus instituted the Most Blessed Sacrament and distributed It to the Apostles, His movements were measured and solemn, preceded and followed by explanations and instructions. (Matt 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-24 & Luke 22:14-20)

     Jesus mixed ointment and oil and blessed it.  After that He anointed Peter and John, on whose hands at the institution of the Blessed Sacrament, He had poured the water that had flowed over His own, and who had drunk from the chalice in His hand.

     From the center of the table, where He was standing, Jesus stepped a little to one side and imposed hands upon Peter and John, first on their shoulders and then on their head.  During this action, they joined their hands and crossed their thumbs.  As they bowed low before Him, the Lord anointed the thumb and forefinger of each of their hands with Chrism, and made the sign of the Cross with it on their head.  He told them that this anointing would remain with them to the end of the world.

     James Alpheus, Andrew, James Zebedee, and Bartholomew, were likewise consecrated.  The Lord twisted crosswise over Peter's breast the narrow scarf that he wore around his neck, but the scarves on the others He drew across the breast over the right shoulder and under the left arm.

     After His Agony in the Garden, when Jesus with the three Apostles went out upon the road between Gethsemani and the Garden of Olives, there appeared at the entrance, about twenty paces ahead, Judas and the band of soldiers, between whom a quarrel had arisen. (Matt 26:47, Mark 14:43 & Luke 22:47)  Judas wanted to separate from the soldiers and go forward alone to Jesus, as if he were a friend returning after an absence.  They were to follow, and act in such a way as to make it appear that their coming was altogether unknown to him.  But they would not agree to his proposal.  They held him fast, exclaiming, "Not so, friend!  You shall not escape us, until we have the Galilean!"  When they caught sight of the eight Apostles who, at sound of the noise, came forth from the Garden of Gethsemani, they called up four of the archers to their assistance.  But this Judas by no means assented to, and a lively dispute arose between him and the soldiers.

     When Jesus and the three Apostles by the light of the torches distinguished the armed and wrangling band, Peter wished to repel them by force.  He exclaimed, "Lord, The Eight from Gethsemani are close at hand.  Let us make an attack on the archers!"  But Jesus told him to hold his peace; and took a few steps with them back on the road to a green plot. (Matt 47;51-52 & John 18:10-11)

     Judas, seeing his plans quite upset, was filled with rage and spite.  Just at this moment, four of the disciples issued from the Garden of Gethsemani and inquired what was going on.  These four new-comers were James Alpheus, Philip, Thomas, and Nathanael.  The last named, who was a son of the aged Simeon, had along with several others been sent by Jesus' friends to the eight Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemani to find out what was going on.  They were motivated by anxiety and by curiosity.  With the exception of these four, all the disciples were straggling around in the distance, furtively on the look out to discover what they could.

     After His resurrection Jesus appeared in many places, and lastly in a large school in the region of Sichar in Galilee.  Many people were standing together, speaking about Him and expressing their doubts about the report of His resurrection.  He appeared to them, and vanished again after He had spoken to them (Matt 28:16-17)

     The Apostles very quickly returned to Jerusalem from Galilee.  They sent a messenger on ahead to Bethania, to announce their return and to direct several of the disciples to go to Jerusalem for the Sabbath.  Others were commanded to celebrate it in Bethania, for they already had a certain law and order.  The Apostles passed through the different places on the road without stopping.  Jude, James Alpheus, and Eliud went in their travelling dress, and ahead of the rest, to see the Blessed Virgin and Mary Cleophas at John Mark's.

     As they had not seen the newcomers for a considerable time the holy women were very much rejoiced.  James carried on his arm a priestly vestment, a mantle which the holy women in Bethania had made for Peter, and which he was taking to the house of the Last Supper.

     It was so late when the Apostles assembled in the house of the Last Supper, that they could not partake of the meal prepared for them.  They had to begin the Sabbath solemnities.  They at once put on their robes of ceremony, preceded by the customary foot washing.  The lamps were lit.  Already the Apostles observed some departure from the Jewish Sabbatical ceremonies.  First, the curtains were opened in front of the Holy of Holies and the seat upon which Jesus had reclined at table at the institution of the Holy Eucharist, was placed before it.  They spread a cover over it, and laid upon it their prayer rolls.

     Peter knelt before it, John and James Alpheus a little in the rear, the rest of the Apostles behind them, and then came the disciples.  When they knelt they bowed their head to the ground, burying their face in their hands.  The cover was removed from the chalice, but the white linen cloth was still left hanging over it.  Present were only those disciples who were already been initiated into the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament.  Most of them had been taken on the journey to Sichar.  They had seen the Lord after His resurrection and could attest to that fact.

     Peter with John and James at his side delivered a meditation, or prayer, in which the holy Institution of the Holy Eucharist and His Passion were considered, and an interior sacrifice of prayer was offered.  After that, standing under the lamp, they began the usual ceremonies of the Sabbath.  When all was over, they took a repast in the outer hall.  In the Supper Hall itself, no more eating occurred after the institution of the Holy Eucharist, except the taking of bread and wine.

     On the occasion of His apparition through the closed doors, Jesus had taught the Apostles that addition to the service of the Sabbath which relates to the Blessed Sacrament.

     After the close of the Sabbath, the Apostles having laid aside their robes of ceremony, a great meal was spread in the outer hall.  It was a love-feast, such as had taken place on the preceding Sunday.  Thomas had celebrated the Sabbath somewhere else in the neighborhood, and did not come in until after the Apostles had eaten and had again returned to the Supper Room.  It was still early in the evening, the lamps were not yet lit.  Several of the Apostles and disciples were in the hall, and others were entering.  They robed themselves again in long white garments, and prepared for prayer as on the preceding occasion.  Peter, John and James Alpheus again put on the vestments that distinguished them as priests.

     While these preparations were being made, Thomas entered the Supper Room.  He passed through the Apostles who were already robed, and put on his own long, white garment.  As he went along, the Apostles accosted him.  Some caught him by the sleeve, others gesticulated with the right hand as they spoke, as if emphatically protesting against him.  But he behaved like one in a hurry to vest, and as if he could not believe the account given him of the wonderful things which had happened in that place.

     While all this was going on, a servant entered the hall.  He wore an apron and had in one hand a little lit lamp, in the other a rod terminating in a hook.  With the rod he drew down the lamp that was suspended from the center of the ceiling, lighted it, and again pushed it up.  Then he left the hall.

     The Blessed Virgin and Magdalen entered the hall, Peter and John going to meet them.  The entrance hall and some of the side walls were opened up into the Supper Room.  The exterior doors leading into the courtyard as well as those of the court itself, were shut.  A great many disciples were gathered in the side halls.

     As soon as Mary and Magdalen entered, the doors were closed and all ranged for prayer.  The holy women remained reverently standing on either side of the door, their arms crossed upon their breast.  The Apostles kneeling before the Holy of Holies, prayed again as before; then standing under the lamp, they sang Psalms choir and choir.  Peter stood before the lamp, his face toward the Holy of Holies, John and James Alpheus at his side.  Right and left of the lamp were the other Apostles.  The side toward the Holy of Holies was left free.  Peter stood between the two, his back to the door, so that the two holy women were standing behind him at some distance.

     After some time there was a pause in the assembly, an intermission of prayer, or as if prayer was at an end, and they began to speak of going to the Sea of Tiberias and of how they would disperse.

     Jesus first words were, "Peace be to you!"  Then He spoke with Peter and John, and rebuked them for having departed a little from His directions, in order to follow their own ideas about something; consequently they had not met with success.  It was related to some of the cures they had sought to effect on their return from Sichar and Thanath-Silo.  They had not followed Jesus' directions to the letter, and therefore had not been entirely successful  They had done something according to their own ideas.  Jesus told them that if it happened again, they should act otherwise.

     Jesus now stepped under the lamp, and the Apostles closed around Him.  Thomas, very much frightened at the sight of the Lord, timidly drew back.  But Jesus, grasping his right hand in His own right hand, took the forefinger and laid the tip of it in the wound of His left hand; then taking the left hand in His own left, he placed the forefinger in the wound of His right hand; lastly, taking again Thomas's right hand in His own right, He put it, without uncovering His breast under His garment, and laid the fore and middle fingers in the wound of His right side.  He spoke some words as He did this.  With the exclamation, "My Lord, and my God!" Thomas sank down like one unconscious, Jesus still holding his hand.  The nearest of the Apostles supported him, and Jesus raised him by the hand. (John 20:19-29)

     Jesus then told them why He stood in the midst of them, although they had abandoned Him, and why He did not place Himself nearer to those that had remained faithful to Him.  He told them also that He had commissioned Peter to confirm his brethren and explained why He had given him that charge.  Then turning to them all, He told them why He wished to give them Peter for a leader, although he had so recently denied Him.  He must, He said, be the shepherd of the flock, and He enlarged upon Peter's zeal.

     John brought on his arm from the Holy of Holies the large, colored, embroidered mantle, which James Alpheus had received from Mary and on which, in those last days, the holy women had worked at Bethania.  He also brought a hollow, slender staff, high and bent at the top like a shepherd's crook.  It was shining and looked like a long pipe.  The mantle was white with broad red stripes, and on it were embroidered in colors wheat, grapes, a lamb, and other symbols.  It was wide and long enough to reach to the feet.  It was fastened over the breast with a little four-cornered metal shield and bordered down the front with red stripes which were crossed by shorter ones on which were letters.  It had a collar and a kind of hood, of sky-blue color, which could be drawn up over the neck and head.

     Peter next knelt down before Jesus.  Jesus laid his hands on him, gave him a special kind of strength, and invested him with chief power over the others.  Then He placed upon him the mantle that John, who was standing next to Him, was holding on his arm, and put the staff into his hand.  While performing this action, Jesus said that the mantle would preserve in him all the strength and virtue that He had just imparted to him, and that he should wear it whenever he had to make use of the power with which he had been endued. (Matt 16:19)

     Peter, with the other Apostles, the disciples, and many of the people, went westward to an elevated region which had on the north an extraordinarily fertile valley.  Even in the depth of winter, it was covered with beautiful, tall grass, for there was a brook running through it; but in hot weather it was parched.  Sometimes the whole valley was inundated by the rains that flowed down the mountains in streams.  Up on this plateau they came to a hill around which lay houses with gardens behind them extending up its sides.  The hill was not much higher than the houses themselves.

     Five pathways planted with hedges and trees ran up the hill, whose summit afforded ample space for about a hundred people to walk about freely.  From it the view extended far around the country and over the Galilean sea.  It was a very beautiful scene.  At no great distance arose the mountain of the multiplication of the loaves, and it was in this region that Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount.  The well of Capharnaum was at the base of this elevated plateau.

     The rest of the Apostles, many of the disciples, and all the holy women were here, besides the Mother of God and Seraphia.  Peter's wife and daughter, and the wives of Andrew and Matthew had come down from Bethsaida, along with many others.  The Apostles and disciples knew that they were all to meet here.  They scattered around, some under sheds, some in the open air.  Peter related to the Apostles and the women the miraculous draught of fishes (John 21:4-11), and then went with them up the mountain, upon which the people had already been ranged by some of the disciples.

     Jesus approached by the same route that Peter had come.  He went up the mountain.  The holy women, who were standing on one of the paths, prostrated before Him, and He spoke to them as He passed.  When, resplendent with light, He stepped in through the crowd, many shuddered and became alarmed.  These did not remain faithful.

     Then Jesus went to the pillar on which Peter was standing.  Peter resigned his place and took up a position opposite Jesus, who now addressed the multitude.  Jesus spoke of abandoning one's relatives, of following Him, and of the persecution that they would have to endure.  About two hundred of His hearers withdrew when they heard Him talking of such things.  He had spoken to them mildly in order not to scandalize the weak.  He uttered some very grave words upon the sufferings and persecution of those that would follow Him upon earth, and He alluded to their eternal reward.

     He addressed these remarks to the Apostles and disciples, as He had done once before in His last instruction in the Temple.  He told them that they should at first remain in Jerusalem.  When He should have sent them the Spirit, they should baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and should at once establish a Community.  Then He told them how they should disperse, form distant Communities, meet together once more, again separate for far off countries, and receive at last the baptism of blood. (Matt 28:16-20)

     While Jesus was speaking, the spirits of the ancient Patriarchs encircled the whole assembly, though invisibly.  Jesus vanished.  His disappearance was like a light suddenly extinguished in their midst.  Many fell prostrate on their face.  Peter again taught and prayed.  This was Jesus' principal apparition in Galilee, where He taught and gave proof to all of His resurrection.  The other apparitions were more secret.

     Peter, Jude, Andrew, and James Alpheus left this scene of Jesus' major appearance to return to the region of Sichar, where before they had failed to heal many sick.  Their fault had been that, wishing to imitate the great dignity and reserve of Jesus in His demeanor, they did something extraordinary; they had assumed an air of importance.  They had not given humbly what they had received, but gave it as coming from themselves, therefore success was not theirs.  When they returned they humbled themselves, knelt down by the sick, and begged their pardon for failing to assist them.  The sick were all cured.  There were people even from Cedar among them.  The cured went with the Apostles to Bethania for the Sabbath.

     A luminous cloud descended low over the house of the Last Supper, and with the increasing sound, the light became brighter, the house and its surroundings became more clear, while the Apostles, the disciples, and the women became more and more deeply recollected.  Afterward there shot from the rushing cloud streams of white light down upon the house and its surroundings.  The streams intersected one another in sevenfold rays, and below each intersection resolved into fine threads of light and fiery drops.  The point at which the seven streams intersected was surrounded by a rainbow light, in which floated a luminous figure with outstretched wings, or rays of light that looked like wings, attached to the shoulders.

     In that same instant the whole house and its surroundings were penetrated through and through with light.  The five branched lamp no longer shone.  The assembled Faithful were ravished in ecstasy.  Each involuntarily threw back his head and raised his eyes eagerly on high, while into the mouth of every one there flowed a stream of light like a burning tongue of fire.  It looked as if they were breathing, as if they were eagerly drinking in the fire, and as if their ardent desire flamed forth from their mouth to meet the entering flame.  (Acts 2:1-4)

     An extraordinary movement pervaded all nature.  Good people were roused interiorly, while the wicked became timid, uneasy, and still more stiff necked.  Most of these strangers had been encamped here since the Pasch, because the distance from their homes rendered a journey to and from between that feast and Pentecost altogether impracticable.  They had become, by all that they had seen and heard, quite intimate and kindly disposed toward the disciples, so that the latter, intoxicated with joy, announced to them the Promise of the Holy Spirit as fulfilled.  They become conscious of a change within their own soul and, at the summons of the disciples, they gathered around the Pool of Bethsaida.

     In the house of the Last Supper, Peter imposed hands on five of the Apostles who were to help to teach and baptize at the Pool of Bethsaida.  They were James Alpheus, Bartholomew, Matthias, Thomas, and Jude Thaddeus.  The last named had a vision during ordination.  It seemed to him that he was clasping to his breast the Body of the Lord.

     Before departing for the Pool of Bethsaida to consecrate the water and administer baptism, they received on their knees the benediction of the Blessed Virgin.

     Baptism at the Pool of Bethsaida had been arranged by Jesus Himself for this day's feast, and the disciples had, in consequence, made all kinds of preparations at the pool, as well as in the old synagogue that they had appropriated for their own use.  The walls of the synagogue were hung with tapestry, and from the building down to the pool a covered tent-way was erected.

     The Apostles and disciples went in solemn procession, two by two, from the house of the Last Supper to the Pool.  Some of the disciples carried a leather bottle of holy water and an asperges.  The five Apostles upon whom Peter had imposed hands separated, each taking one of the five entrances to the pool.  They addressed the people with great enthusiasm.  Peter stepped upon the teacher's chair that had been prepared for him in the third circle of the Pool, counting from the outside one.  This terrace was the broadest.  The hearers filled all the terraces of the pool.

     When the Apostles spoke, the multitude harkened in amazement, for every one listened to what sounded to him like his own language.  It was owing to this astonishment of the people that Peter lifted up his voice as is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. (Act 2:14-40)  As there were many who presented themselves for baptism, Peter, assisted by John and James Alpheus, solemnly blessed the water.  The holy water, which they had brought in a leather bottle from the house of the Last Supper, Peter sprinkled in fine streams far over the pool with an asperges.

     The preparations for baptism and the baptism itself occupied the whole day.  The neophytes approached Peter's chair in bands and by turns, the other Apostles preaching and baptizing at the entrances.  The Blessed Virgin and the holy women were busy in the synagogue near the pool, distributing the white garments to the neophytes.  The sleeves of these garments were bound over the hands with black bands, which were taken off after baptism and laid together in a pile.

     The neophytes leaned upon a railing.  The water was scooped up in a basin and then with the hand poured three times over the head.  It flowed again through a channel into the pool below.  One basin held enough water for about ten couples.  Every two baptized gave place to two neophytes upon whom they laid their hands as sponsors.  Those baptized there that day were they that had received only John's baptism.  The holy women were also baptized.  The people added to the Community today amounted to three thousand. (Acts 2:41)

     That evening the Apostles and disciples returned to the house of the Last Supper where they took a repast and distributed blessed bread.  Then came the evening prayer.

     The sheep pool lay to the north of the Temple near the cattle market, and was entirely enclosed by a wall.  From the house of the Last Supper, which stood on the eastern height of Mount Sion, the way led to the Pool of Bethsaida first to the east around the height of Sion, then wound in a half-circle to the north, then turned to the west, and lastly eastward again down into a curve.  The whole of this quarter of Sion as far as the pool and across down into the Valley of Josaphat, presented an appearance of desolation.  In the dilapidated buildings were some dwellings for the poor, on the slopes grew groves of juniper-trees, and the hollows were covered with high grass and reeds.  The Jews shunned this locality, so the new converts now began to settle in it.

     The Pool of Bethsaida was oval in form and surrounded by five terraces like an amphitheater. (John 5:2)  Five flights of steps led down to the pool from these terraces to the little trough-like skiffs in which the sick who were seeking a cure were laid when waiting to be sprinkled by the bubbling waters.

     There was also in the pool a copper pump, which arose to nearly the height of a man above the surface of the water and was about as large around as a churn.  A little wooden bridge with a railing led to it.  By the bridge was a tube and piston, which were connected with the pump.  When the piston was forced down, a valve was opened and a stream of water squirted out of the pump.  By changes made in the opening, the stream could be increased or diminished, and made to flow in different directions.  The top of the pump could be closed also, and from side-jets the streams could be made to spurt all around like water from a watering-pot.

     The sick in skiffs rowed up to the pump to receive the streams over them.  The entrance to the Pool was usually closed.  It was opened for the sick only.  On the Feast of Pentecost this pump was out of use and was not repaired until a few days later.  The terrace walls contained little vaulted halls in which were stone benches hollowed out in the form of a trough.  They were for the accommodation of the sick.  They could look down upon the pool from all sides, to see whether the waters were being stirred or not.

     The lowest terrace, the one nearest the pool was provided with little parapets, or bars.  The bottom of the pool was covered with shining white sand, through which three springs bubbled up and sometimes jetted above the surface of the water.  The blood of animals offered in sacrifice flowed through pipes under the altar in the Temple down into the Pool.

     With its surroundings and the old buildings in its vicinity, the pool covered a very large area.  Before reaching it, one had to pass a wall through which there were only three openings.  To the east of the pool, the valley made a steep descent, but westward, back of the pool, it was less deep and was spanned by a little bridge.  The north side too was steep and overgrown, and on the northeast was a road conducting to the Temple, but it was now gone to ruin and altogether impracticable.  Little footpaths however led into the city, so that one did not have to go by the public gates.  Jesus had often made use of these paths.

     The whole pool had hitherto been out of use, for it, as well as its surroundings, had been allowed to fall into decay.  It was very much neglected.  Only some poor people with lively faith still held it in veneration and visited it.  After the healing of the paralytic by Jesus, (John 5:2-16) the pool was again more frequented, though all the more hateful to the Pharisees.  The outer walls were in some places very much in ruins, and many parts of the terraces were in a dilapidated condition.  But now all was repaired.  The fallen walls were partly replaced by movable screens, and a covered tent-way was raised from the pool to the synagogue.

     The old synagogue, which was now rebuilt into a church, was less hemmed in by buildings than the house of the Last Supper, whose court on one side adjoined a row of houses.  After the feast of Pentecost the Apostles and disciples worked continually at the interior arrangements of the church.  Peter, John, Andrew, and James Alpheus took turns in preaching at the three different places around the pool and on the third terrace upon which was Peter's chair of instruction.  A great many of the Faithful were always in attendance, and often prostrated on the ground in ardent prayer.  Activity prevailed throughout the whole Community at all times.  Weaving, plaiting, and every kind of work for the new church and for the poor were carried on.

     On the eighth day after Pentecost, the Apostles were busily praying the whole night in the house of the Last Supper.  At daybreak they went with many of the disciples into the Temple to which the Blessed Virgin and the holy women had preceded them.  There appeared to be a feast going on, for in front of the entrance a triumphal arch had been erected upon which stood a figure holding a conqueror's sword.  Beneath this arch Peter addressed a great crowd of people in powerful language.  He told them openly that no punishment, neither scourging nor crucifixion, should deter them from publicly proclaiming Jesus Christ.  He then entered the Temple and preached from the teacher's chair, the one that Jesus had so often occupied.  At times all the Apostles and disciples interrupted Peter's discourse with a loud "Yes," as if in confirmation of his words.  Afterward, when they were engaged in prayer, a cloud of light hovered over the Temple, with such brilliant rays streaming down upon them, that the tiny flames of the lamps looked quite dim and red compared with them.

     Toward eight o'clock that morning, they left the Temple.  In the court of the heathens they formed in a long procession, two by two, first the Apostles after them the disciples, then the baptized and the newly converted.  They proceeded across the cattle market to the sheep gate, out into the Valley of Josaphat, and thence up Sion to the house of the Last Supper.

     The Blessed Virgin and the other women had left the Temple some time previously, in order to kneel alone before the Blessed Sacrament and pray.  Magdalen prayed in the entrance hall sometimes standing, sometimes kneeling, or again prostrate on the ground, her arms outstretched.  The other women had retired into their cells adjoining the church of Bethsaida.  There they dwelt two together, occupying their time in washing and preparing the baptismal garments for the neophytes, and with the arrangement of such things for distribution.

     When the procession reached the court of the Last Supper house, the new converts were ranged in order by the Apostles outside the entrance hall.  Peter and John went into the house and escorted the Blessed Virgin to the door of the entrance hall.  She was clothed in robes of ceremony.  She wore a long white mantle with the embroidered facing down the sides, and over her veil the narrow scarf that hung down on either side and was kept in place by a wreath.  Peter addressed the new converts and presented them to the Blessed Virgin as to their common Mother.  He led them forward in bands of about twenty, one after another, and they received the benediction of the Blessed Virgin.

     Afterwards solemn service was celebrated in the Last Supper room, into which the side halls and entrance hall were thrown open.  In the sanctuary over the altar hung a festal wreath of green leaves and flowers.  On either side of the chalice, that used at the Last Supper, were lighted lamps.  The chalice was raised on a stand and concealed under a little white cover.  There was also on the altar a smaller chalice and some bread, both covered, and behind them a plate upon which stood two vessels, one for water, the other for wine.  The plate was put aside; then the water vessel was placed at one end of the altar, the wine vessel at the other.

     Peter, vested in his episcopal mantle, celebrated holy Mass.  John and James Alpheus served him.  All the ceremonies were performed just as Jesus had performed them at the institution of the Holy Eucharist: the Offertory, the pouring of wine into the chalice, the washing of the fingers, and the Consecration.  Wine and water were poured at different sides of the altar, on one end of which were lying the rolls of Scripture.  After Peter had communicated, he handed his two assistants the Sacrament, the Bread and the Chalice.  Then John handed the Sacrament first to the Blessed Virgin, then to the Apostles, and then to the six disciples, who afterward received priestly ordination, and after that to many others.  The communicants were kneeling, before them a narrow linen cloth, which two held on either side.  The Faithful did not partake of the chalice.

     The six disciples who now received ordination were thereby advanced to a rank above the disciples, but below that of the Apostles.  Mary brought the vestments for them and laid them on the altar.  The disciples ordained were Zacheus, Nathanael, Joses Barsabas, Barnabas, John Mark, and Eliud, a son of the aged Simeon.  They knelt, two by two, before Peter, who addressed them and read prayers from a little roll.  John and James held lights in one hand and laid the other on their shoulders, while Peter imposed his on their head.  Peter cut some hair from their head and placed it on the altar in the little plate, then he anointed their head and fingers from a box that John was holding.  The vestments were next put on, the stole being crossed first under the arm and then in front over the breast.  At the close of the solemnity, Peter blessed the Faithful with the large chalice of the Last Supper in which reposed the Blessed Sacrament.

     After that Mary and the other women went to the church near the pool of Bethsaida.  The Apostles, disciples, and the neophytes also went there singing in procession.  Mary prayed kneeling before the altar in the choir.  Peter gave an instruction from the pulpit in reference to the order to be observed in the new Community.  No one, he said, was to have more than the others.  All must share what they had and provide for the poor newcomers.  His discourse moreover embodied thanks for the Savior's graces, and blessings upon the Community.

     Peter wrought more miracles than all the others.  He drove out devils and he raised the dead, an angel went before him telling the people that they should do penance and ask Peter for help.

     A lame man accosted Peter and John, petitioning them for alms.  Peter said to him, "Look up!" and when the man obeyed, he continued, "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you!  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk!"  Peter raised him by the right hand, while John grasped him under the shoulder.  The man, full of joy and vigor, stood upon his feet, leaped about cured, and ran with shouts of triumph through the halls of the Temple. (Acts 3:1-10)

     Twelve Jewish priests who were there seated on their chairs, looked with outstretched neck in the direction of the tumult, and as the crowd around the cured man increased at every moment, they left their seats and withdrew.

     After dark Peter, John and the cured man were arrested by the soldiers.  The next day, with much ill usage, they were taken up the same flight of steps upon which Jesus had stood.  There they were tried by Caiaphas and the other priests.  Peter spoke with great warmth after which they were set free.

     The rest of the Apostles had passed the night in the house of the Last Supper in continual prayer for the prisoners.  When Peter and John returned and told them all that had taken place, their joy burst out into a loud act of thanksgiving, and the whole house shook, as if the Lord wanted to remind them thereby that He was still among them and had heard their prayer. (Acts:4:1-12)  Then James Alpheus said that Jesus, when He appeared to him alone on the mountain in Galilee, had told him that, after Peter and John upon going up to the Temple would be imprisoned and then set free, they should keep themselves somewhat retired for awhile.

     On this news, the Apostles shut up everything.  Peter, with the Blessed Sacrament suspended around his neck in a bag, went with the others to Bethania.  They made the journey in three bands.  The Mother of God and other women went also.  While in Bethania, the Apostles preached enthusiastically at the disciples' inn, at Simon's and at Lazarus's.  When they again returned to Jerusalem, they were more enthusiastic, more determined than ever.  Peter, when teaching in the house of the Last Supper and in the church at the Pool of Bethsaida, declared that now was the time to discover who had preserved the Spirit sent by Jesus, now was the time to labor, to suffer persecution, and to give up all things.  Whoever did not feel himself strong enough for this should depart.  About a hundred of those that had most recently joined the Community withdrew from the great crowd in the Bethsaida church.

     When Peter, accompanied by John and seven other Apostles, went again to teach in the Temple, he found numbers of sick lying on litters under tents in the Valley of Josaphat.  Many others were lying around the Temple in the court of the heathens and even up as far as the steps.  Peter performed most of the cures.  The others did indeed effect some, but they helped Peter more than they cured.  Peter cured only those that believed and were desirous of joining the Community.  In those places in which the sick lay in two rows opposite each other, Peter willing it, those sick upon whom his shadow fell, were cured while he was busy with the opposite row. (Acts 5:14-16)

     About a year after the Crucifixion of Our Lord, Stephen was stoned. (Acts 7:54-60)  Although no further persecution of the Apostles took place at that time, the rising settlement of new converts around Jerusalem was dissolved, and the Christians dispersed.  Peter, John and James Alpheus remained with the faithful in Jerusalem. (Gal 2:9)  Some of the Apostles with some disciples traveled throughout Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Gilead and Gessure.

     About three years after the Crucifixion all the Apostles met in Jerusalem to exchange information, receive Peter's guidance and make plans for the spreading of their mission.

     A storm arose against the Christians.  It was then that the Blessed Virgin allowed herself to be conducted by John to the region of Ephesus where the Christians had already made settlements.  Lazarus and his sisters were imprisoned by the Jewish magistrates and were then sent out over the sea.

     After Mary had lived about three years in the settlement near Ephesus she conceived a great desire to visit Jerusalem, so John and Peter escorted her back to those familiar places.  The Apostles in Jerusalem gathered in a council, and Mary assisted them with her advice.  It was at this council that the Apostles drew up the creed that is credited to them, and organized the Church into dioceses.  James Zebedee left Jerusalem and started for Spain.  James Alpheus became the first Bishop of Jerusalem.  The church near the Pool of Bethsaida which had been reconstructed from a dilapidated, abandoned synagogue, became the first Christian church and was administered by the Bishop of Jerusalem.

     When Mary had met Jesus during His Way of the Cross, John and her women companions had led her away, and she had sunk to her knees, landing on a green-veined stone which happened to be there.  Where Mary's knees and hands had touched the stone, shallow impressions of them remained.  Under Bishop James this stone was removed and taken to the Bethsaida church as an honored relic.

     A new storm arose against the Christians.  James Zebedee, who had come back from Spain, was seized and beheaded by the sword.  When Herod saw that this pleased the Jewish rulers, he seized Peter and put him in prison.  He was doubly bound with two chains, guarded by two soldiers, one on each side, and kept behind a door defended by two sentries.  The very night before Herod was to bring Peter out an angel of the Lord appeared and conducted him past the guards, through the doors and gates which opened by themselves.  When Peter realized he was free he hastened to the home of Mary Mark.  To those who had gathered there he explained his escape from prison and told them to tell this news to James and to the other Christians. (Acts 12:1-17)  Peter had left the guidance of the Jerusalem Christian Community to Bishop James, and was careful to keep him informed.

     James, as bishop, became the leader of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  His ascetic manner had developed while he was a practicing Essenian.  He firmly believed that Christ's followers should keep the Jewish Law in its entirety.  Children were circumcised, rules of ritual purification were observed, the Sabbath was kept as a day of rest and Christians went to the Temple for morning and afternoon prayers.  In his letter to the Christians outside of Jerusalem, James wrote, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point, has become guilty of them all."  (James 2:10)

     When James heard that Paul had accepted uncircumcised pagans into the Christian community, he strongly objected.  He sent some men from Judea to Antioch with the message that unless men were circumcised according to the custom of Moses, they could not be saved.  A great argument broke out between the men James had sent and Paul, Barnabas and some others.  A delegation including Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to settle the dispute.

     At the Council in Jerusalem, Peter spoke asking why they wanted to put a yoke upon the converts stating, "We believe that we shall be saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus just as they will."  It was decided to send Silas and Judas Barsabas to Antioch, Syria and Cilicia to tell them that, "It seems good to the Holy Spirit and to Us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: to abstain from what has been offered to idols and from what is strangled, and from unchastity." (Acts 15:1-35)

     James accepted the ruling of the Jerusalem Council and of Peter that pagan converts to Christianity did not need to practice the Jewish Law, but he continued his zeal for the Law.  With this zeal he was able to convert great numbers of Jews to Christianity.  Circumcision and ritual purification were not essential for salvation, but these practices were so deeply imbedded in many Jews that their abandonment would have become a hopeless stumbling block to their conversion.  James followed the same principle used by Paul, "to be all things to all people." (Acts 21:17-26)

     James ruled as Bishop of Jerusalem for about thirty years.  He was greatly respected by Jews and Christians alike.  He was sometimes called "James the Righteous" or "James the Just" because of his strict practice of the Jewish Law as well as of Christian morals.  He converted many, even some from the ruling class in Jerusalem.

     The Sanhedrin summoned James.  All the members of the Council knew that James was an ardent defender of the Law.  They knew he was sympathetic to the Christians, but they also knew that there had been friction between him and other Christian leaders over the Law. (Gal 2:11-16)  They thought that surely James would not go for the idiotic idea that Jesus was the Messiah!  No Jew as devout as James was, could believe such a thing!  The Scribes and the Pharisees demanded that James gather together the Christian Community and to make the true facts about Jesus clear to all.  On Passover the courts of the Temple were crowded with Jews and Christians alike.  Members of the Sanhedrin were present.  James took his stand on a walkway above one of the colonnades of the Temple so he could be seen and heard by the crowd, but what James proclaimed was not what the Scribes and the Pharisees expected.  They had expected him to deny Jesus' Messiahship.  When they called upon him to tell the truth about Jesus, James answered them, "Why do you question me about the Son of Man?  I tell you, He is sitting in Heaven at the right hand of the Great Power, and He will come on the clouds of Heaven!"  The crowd cheered, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"

     Insane with fury some members of the Sanhedrin rushed to where he was speaking and threw him down on the pavement below.  As James lay on the ground they began to stone him.  He asked God to forgive them for "they know not what they are doing."  Some cried out, "Stop!  The Righteous One is praying for you."  But one clubbed his head, killing him instantly.

     News of James' murder shocked Jews, Christians and pagans alike.  When Jerusalem was destroyed several years later, some declared that it was because of God's wrath over the murder of "The Righteous One."  After James' death Jewish Christians who persisted in keeping the entire Jewish Law began to fade into oblivion.  Christians were not welcome in the Temple or Jewish synagogues.  They maintained their own churches or worshiped in their homes.

     In his Epistle James wrote, "Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)  James Alpheus had stood the test and received his crown.