JOHN - THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

                   JOHN - THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

                                BY

                         HARRIET SHIKOSKI

  

To my Readers;

     Many details included in this story of John Zebedee originated in the visions of Ven. Anne catherine 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 Brentano, 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, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human hands.

     Though the accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story of St. John the Evangelist captures his true character and helps us to understand the man known as Jesus' Beloved Disciple.

     Biblical references are included that you, the reader, might compare the two sources of information.

     This is the story of John, the Beloved Disciple, but his life was so entwined with the life of Jesus that to understand John, we must also consider the effect Jesus had on him.  This story, therefore, is an account, not of Jesus' life, but of the life of John and of the influence Jesus had on him.

    

                    JOHN, THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

                                

     John and his brother James were the sons of Zebedee (Matt 4:21) and Mary Salome.  Mary Salome was the great granddaughter of Emorun and Stolanus, the granddaughter of Ismeria & Eliud a Levite, and the daughter of Sobe and Solomon.  Sobe was a sister of Anne, the grandmother of Jesus.  Thus John and James were second cousins of Jesus through their mothers.

     Zebedee and Mary Salome lived at a little place called Ophna about an hour's journey from Nazareth toward Sephoris.  During Jesus' boyhood the Holy Family associated with Zebedee's family.  Jesus, who was older than John, knew and loved him even when John was a child.  Friendly social contact between the two families was broken when John's family moved away from Ophna to Bethsaida, and Zebedee developed a fishing industry on the Sea of Galilee.  John and his brother James helped their father in his fishery.

     After Joseph's death and shortly before Jesus began His public ministry, the Blessed Virgin moved to a little village of only a few houses between Capharnaum and Bethsaida.  Jesus also moved the center of His activity to Capharnaum.  At that time John and James with their father, Zebedee, owned a large ship with several small boats.  Simon (Peter) owned a large fishing business.  Simon's brother, Andrew, also owned a fishing boat.

     Capharnaum was on a caravan route which ran from the east, crossed the Jordan River above the Sea of Galilee, continued down through Jewish regions west of the Jordan, and on to Egypt.  Caravan travelers needed food, so there was a great market in this area for the fish that came from the Sea of Galilee.

     John Zebedee was a distant cousin of John the Baptist.  Though he was younger than the Baptist, he must have heard, through the years, talk about the man who lived in the wilderness, who wore a camel skin, and who occasionally came to visit relatives or friends.  About the time that Jesus and Mary moved near Capharnaum, John the Baptist came out of the desert preaching repentance to all who would listen.  His fiery exhortations excited the whole country, becoming the main topic of the people.  Many looked upon John as the Messiah, but others spoke of another whom John's words seemed to designate.

     Jesus went along the shore speaking with Andrew and other fishermen.  They did not know Him as yet, but Andrew was already a disciple of John the Baptist. 

     Gathering at the fishery near Capharnaum were Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew, James Alpheus, Simon Zelotes, Thaddeus, John Zebedee, John's brother James, and others.  Some of them spoke of the mildness, meekness, and wisdom of Jesus, while the followers of John the Baptist enthusiastically proclaimed the austere life of the their master, and declared they had never before heard such an interpreter of the law and of the prophets.  Even John spoke enthusiastically of the Baptist although he already knew Jesus.

     Simon (Peter) and Andrew spoke of the Baptist with zeal.  He was, they said, of a noble priestly race (Luke 1:5), he had been educated by the Essenians in the wilderness, he would suffer no irregularity around him, he was as scrupulously accurate as he was wise.  Jesus' disciples brought out the mildness and wisdom of their Master to which the others retorted that many disorders arise from condescension and 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 but lately returned from traveling.  John did not enter into this discussion, but remained quiet about the subject.

     Andrew and John Zebedee went to Ainon where John was baptizing and received baptism from him.

     The multitude gathered at Ainon was very great.  John had not baptized for several days, being engaged in passionate preaching.  Many of the disciples and most of the future Apostles were there, excepting Simon (Peter) who had already returned to his fishery after being baptized, and Judas.  Judas however had been at the fisheries around Bethsaida asking about Jesus, John the Baptist and their preachings.  The sons of Mary Cleophas (Simon Zelotes, James Alpheus, Thaddeus, and Joses Barsabas), and Philip were baptized.  The other Apostles and many disciples had already been baptized.  The future Apostles returned to their own part of the country and told what they knew of the Baptist.  Because of their advanced information and enthusiastic reports, people later listened more favorably to Jesus.

     Simon (Peter) and John Zebedee were in the area of Tiberias on some business connected with their fisheries.  They intended to go direct to Gennabris when Simon's brother, Andrew, persuaded them to go first to meet Jesus.  When Andrew introduced his brother to Him, Jesus said, "You are Simon, the son of Jonas (John), You shall be called Cephas (Peter)!"  This was said at the first salutation.  To John who already knew Him, Jesus addressed some words relative to their next meeting.  Then Simon, later called Peter, and John went on to Gennabris while Andrew accompanied Jesus into the area around Tarichaea.

     When Jesus with Andrew reached the vicinity of Tarichaea, Jesus did not go into the city.  The reason He passed several days in the area around Tarichaea was that He desired to give the future Apostles and disciples time to communicate to one another the reports that circulated about Himself, especially what Andrew and Saturnin had to relate.  He desired that by more frequent communication they could better understand one another.

     Andrew sent messages to Simon Peter and the others at Gennabris that Jesus would go to Capharnaum for the Sabbath and asked them to meet Him there.

     His teaching was entirely novel to His friends and relatives.  He spoke of the nearness of the Kingdom of God, of the light that should not be hidden under a bushel, of sowing and of faith like a mustard seed.

     Toward noon Jesus and His disciples passed between Bethsaida and the spot where the Upper Jordan flowed into the Sea of Galilee.  They saw Peter, John and James in their boats.  When the disciples saw their friends on the lake they wanted to go down and call to them but Jesus would not allow it.  They asked, "How can those men down there still go around fishing after seeing what You have done and heard Your teaching?"  Jesus answered, "I have not yet called them.  They, and especially Peter, carry on a large business upon which many depend for support.  I have told them to continue it, and in the meantime hold themselves in readiness for My call."

     Though the fishermen had not yet been formally called to be Apostles, yet whenever they could they followed Jesus, helping Him as much as possible, whenever their business allowed it.

     In the beginning the disciples were very weak and human.  If they were questioned about the meaning of Jesus' instructions, they shook their heads as if they had not understood what He really meant.  Nor were they satisfied with conditions.  They thought to themselves, "Now we have left all things and what do we have for it but this tumult and embarrassment?  What kind of kingdom is He always talking about?  Will He really gain it?"  They kept these thoughts concealed in their own breast though often showing discouragement in their faces.  John alone acted with the simplicity of a child.  He was perfectly obedient and free from constraint.

     One night while returning from a journey with Jesus, Peter spoke of his household affairs; he had neglected his fishery from which he had been absent; he had to provide for his wife, his children, his mother-in-law.  John replied that he and James had to take care of their parents and that was more important than a mother-in-law.  They exchanged words freely and jokingly.  Jesus observed that the time would soon come when they would give up their present fishing in order to catch fish of another kind.  John was much more childlike and familiar with Jesus than the others.  He was so affectionate, so submissive in all things without care or contradiction.

     John was with Jesus one evening when He left the synagogue.  A great crowd of sick were waiting for Him.  Jesus, followed by His disciples, went from one to another, curing them.  Jesus healed all by the imposition of hands, though His manner and touch were different in different cases.  But there were so many Jesus could not heal them all.  At last He laid His hands on the heads of John, of Andrew, and of Judas Barsabas, took their hands into His own and commanded them to go, and in His name do to some sick as He had done.  They instantly obeyed and cured many.

     As Jesus was curing some sick before the Synagogue, Jairus, the Chief of the Synagogue, cast himself at His feet, begging Him to cure his daughter.  Jesus started to go with Jairus when Messengers arrived to tell him that his daughter had already died.  Jesus said to Jairus, "Fear not.  Trust in Me and you shall receive help."  As they neared his home a multitude of minstrels and female mourners were already assembled in the courtyard.  Jesus entered taking with Him only Peter, James and John.  In passing through the courtyard Jesus said to the mourners, "Why do you lament and weep?  Go your way!  The girl is not dead but only sleeping."  The crowd laughed but Jesus insisted on their leaving even from the courtyard which He ordered to be locked.

     The grief stricken mother and her maid were busy preparing the winding sheet.  Jesus stepped toward the couch, the parents standing behind Him, the three disciples to the right at the foot of the bed.  The mother was cold and wanting in confidence.  The father was not a warm friend of Jesus, and had a double motive.  He would not willingly have done anything to displease the Pharisees.  If Jesus cured his child she would be restored to him.  If not he would have prepared a triumph for the Pharisees.

     The little daughter was not tall, about eleven years old but small for her age and very much wasted.  Jesus raised her lightly in his arms, held her on his breast and breathed on her.  Near the right side of the corpse was a luminous figure in a sphere of light.  When Jesus breathed upon her that figure entered her mouth as a tiny human form of light.  Then He laid the body down on the couch, grasped one of the wrists and said, "Damsel! Arise!"  The girl sat up in her bed.  Jesus still held her by the hand.  Then she stood up, opened her eyes and supported by the hand of Jesus, stepped from the couch to the floor.  Jesus led her weak and trembling to the arms of the parents.  They had watched the event at first coldly, then agitated, and then they were out of themselves for very joy.  Jesus bade them to give her something to eat and to make no unnecessary noise over the affair. (Mark 5:22-23,35-43 & Luke 8:41-42,51-56)

     On the way back Jesus spoke with the three disciples about this miracle.  He said the father and mother had neither real faith nor an upright intention.  If the daughter was raised from the dead it was for her own sake and for the glory of God's Kingdom.  The death of the body was a guiltless one, but from the death of the soul she must now preserve herself.

     Jairus, the Chief of the Synagogue, was very sad and full of remorse.  His daughter was again near death, a truly frightful death, as it had fallen upon her in punishment for her own and her parents' sins.  The mother, her sister, and Jairus' mother as well as the daughter, who all lived together, had taken Jesus' miraculous healing in a very frivolous way without gratitude and without in any way altering their life.  Jairus, weak and yielding, entirely under the control of his vain and beautiful wife, let the women have their own way.  The latest pagan styles of finery were used for their adornment.  When the girl was well again the women laughed at Jesus and ridiculed Him.  The child followed their example and so lost her innocence.  A violent fever seized her.  The burning and thirst she endured was extraordinary.  She had constant delirium and lay near death.

     The parents suspected it was punishment for their frivolity though they did not acknowledge it.  At last the mother became so ashamed and so frightened she asked Jairus, "Will Jesus again have pity on us?"  Jairus was ashamed to appear before the Lord.  He was too ashamed to be seen by the people asking again for help.  He waited until the Sabbath instructions were over.  He had full faith that Jesus could help him at any time, if He would.  He threw himself at Jesus' feet and begged Him to again have pity on his daughter.

     Jesus accompanied Jairus to his home.  Peter, James, John, Saturnin and Matthew were with Him.  Jesus called for a little branch from the garden and a basin of water which He blessed.  The corpse was stiff and cold.  It did not present so agreeable appearance as before.  There was no sphere of light to guide the soul near the body.  With the branch Jesus sprinkled her with blessed water, prayed, took her by the hand and said, "Little maid, I say to you arise!"  As Jesus was praying a dark globe approached her mouth and entered in it.  She suddenly opened her eyes, obeyed the touch of Jesus' hand, arose and stepped from her couch.  Jesus led her to her parents who received her with hot tears and choking sobs.  They sank at Jesus' feet.  He ordered them to give her something to eat, some bread and grapes.  The girl ate and began to speak.

     Then Jesus earnestly exhorted the parents to receive the mercy of God thankfully, to turn away from vanity and worldly pleasure, to embrace the penance preached to them, and to beware of again compromising their daughter's life now restored for a second time.  He reproached them with their whole manner of living, with the levity they had exhibited at the reception of the first favor bestowed upon them and their conduct afterward.  While the girl ate the grapes and bread that He blessed, He told her that for the future she should no longer live according to the flesh, but that she should eat the Bread of Life, the Word of God, should do penance, believe, pray, and perform works of mercy.  The parents were very much moved and completely transformed.

     The first miracle here was performed in clear daylight, that of the second was done by the light of lamps.  Jesus commanded silence on the affair, that the cured should enter into themselves instead of running and again falling into sin.  He also wanted to impress upon the disciples the necessity of avoiding vain glory and of performing the good they did through love and for God alone.  Jesus and His five disciples left Jairus' house by the rear, in order to escape the crowd that pressed around the door.

     Later Jesus, accompanied by some of His disciples, visited Jairus' family whom He consoled and exhorted to the practice of good.  They were very humble and entirely changed.  They had divided their wealth into three parts, one for the poor, one for the Community, and the third for themselves.  The daughter did not make her appearance until called, and then came forward veiled, her whole deportment breathing humility.  She had grown taller and appeared in perfect health.

     Jesus had at an earlier period informally called the fishermen from their occupations, but with His consent they had always returned to them.  So long as they themselves were not engaged in teaching it was not necessary for them to follow Him constantly.  Their means of navigation and their communication with the pagan caravans were very advantageous to Jesus while He was at Capharnaum.  As Jesus taught along the shores of the Sea of Galilee near Peter's fishery it was easy for them to combine fishing and assisting Jesus.  Andrew had followed the Lord longer, and he was already more detached from worldly affairs than his brother Peter.  John and his brother James up to this period were accustomed to return at intervals to their parents.

     Capharnaum was much more lively now than it had been formerly.  Crowds of strangers were streaming in on account of Jesus, some of them His friends, others His enemies, and most of them pagans.  It was time for Jesus to call His Apostles together and expand His teaching to more distant places.  In the morning Jesus went to the lake.  Peter and Andrew were about to launch out on the deep to let down their nets.  Jesus called to them, "Come and follow Me!  I will make you fishers of men!"  they instantly abandoned their work, hauled in their boat and came ashore.  Jesus went on a little farther up the shore to the ship of Zebedee who with John and James were mending their nets on the ship.  Jesus called the two sons to Him.  They obeyed immediately and came to Him, while Zebedee remained on the ship with his servants.  Now their call to be Jesus' Apostles was complete. (Matt 4:18-22 & Mark 1:16-20)

     Then Jesus sent Peter and Andrew, James and John into the mountains where the heathens were encamped, with orders to baptize all that desired it.  He Himself had prepared the people to receive it during the two preceding days.  With Saturnin and the other disciples Jesus went in another direction.  All were to meet again that evening at Matthew's.  While He was calling the four disciples, the others had waited for Him at a little distance up the road, but when He commissioned those four to go and baptize they were all together.

     Peter, Andrew, John and James went to the pagan encampment and there Andrew baptized.  Water was brought from the brook in a large basin.  The neophytes knelt in a circle, their hands crossed upon their breast.  Peter held the basin and Andrew, scooping up the water with his hand three different times sprinkled the heads of the neophytes three at a time and repeated the words of baptism.  The other disciples went around outside the circle, laying their hands on those being baptized.  Those just baptized then withdrew and their places were immediately filled by others.  The ceremony was discontinued at intervals and then the disciples related the parables they had learned from their Master.  They spoke of Jesus, His doctrine and His miracles.  They explained the Law and the Promises of God to the pagans, who were ignorant of them.  John spoke very beautifully about these things.  Meanwhile Jesus was teaching in another valley.  With Him was Saturnin baptizing.

     That evening all assembled again at Matthew's.  Because the crowd was very great and pressed around Jesus, He took the twelve Apostles and Saturnin on Peter's boat and commanded them to row toward Tiberias.

     In the intervals of His public teaching and curing, Jesus, whenever He found Himself alone with His Apostles and disciples, prepared them for their mission.  One day He led the Twelve to a retired spot near the lake and conferred upon them the power of healing and of casting out devils.  To the other disciples He gave only the power to baptize and impose hands.  The power to heal and to drive out devils Jesus bestowed in the form of a blessing.

     Jesus would no longer remain in Capharnaum, the crowd was too great and too excited.  Accompanied by the Twelve and thirty disciples, He journeyed northward.  He ascended a teacher's chair from which He instructed the Apostles and disciples upon their vocation.  They should proclaim the advent of the Kingdom, that the last chance of doing penance had arrived, that the end of the Baptist's life was very near.  They should baptize, impose hands and dispel demons.  He taught them how they should conduct themselves in discussions, how to recognize true from false friends and how to refute the latter.  He told them none should be greater than the others.  In the various places to which their mission called them, they should go among the pious, live poorly and humbly and not be burdensome to anyone.

     After that the Apostles knelt down in a circle around Jesus as He prayed and laid His hands upon the head of each.  The disciples He only blessed.  Then they embraced and separated.

     Jesus indicated to them the time and place at which they should again join Him, in order to bring Him news and exchange places with the disciples who remained with Him.  Peter, James Alpheus, John, Philip, Thomas and Judas remained with Jesus.  All shed tears on separating.

     Again Jesus gathered the Apostles and disciples around Him in a sequestered spot.  After instructions He sent all of them out, two and two, with the exception of Peter, John and some of the disciples who were to remain with Him.  Jesus blessed them before their departure and gave them further instructions upon curing the sick and driving out demons.  He blessed the oil that was to be used for the sick.

     Jesus with Peter and John journeyed rapidly the whole day and night through the plain of Esdrelon.  They seldom paused to rest.  Jesus told them that the Baptist's end was approaching and after that His enemies would begin their pursuit of Himself.  They were going to Hebron to console John's relatives and prevent any imprudent public demonstration.

     Jesus, Peter and John stopped to see Lazarus.  Jesus spoke with no one excepting the members of the family and of the holy family.  Only to His Mother Mary did Jesus speak of John's death for she knew it by interior revelation.

     Jesus with His companions went to Juttah, the Baptist's birthplace.  Mary, accompanied with some women, also journeyed to Juttah.  At the family meal Jesus taught, the women seated apart.

     After the meal the Blessed Virgin went with Jesus, Peter, John, and the Baptist's three disciples, James, Heliacim, and Sadock (the three sons of Mary's sister, Mary Heli), into the room in which John was born.  Jesus spoke to them of the Baptist's holiness and of his career.  Then He disclosed that John had been put to death by Herod.  Deep grief seized them all.  They watered the rug with their tears, especially the Apostle John who threw himself weeping on the floor.  Jesus consoled them with earnest words and prepared them for a still more cruel blow.  He commanded silence on the matter since, with the exception of themselves, it was at present known only to those who had carried it out.

     Jesus taught in the Synagogue at Hebron where some of John the Baptist's relatives attended.  On leaving the Synagogue Jesus and the disciples went to the home of Elizabeth's niece.  In a retired room were Jesus, Peter, John, James Cleophas, Heliacim, Sadock, Zachary (a cousin of the Baptist), Elizabeth's niece and her husband.  The door was locked.  Jesus spoke most feelingly but in consoling terms of John's death.  Jesus wept with his sorrowful listeners. (Mark 6:24-28)

     Jesus and the two Apostles traveling with Him returned to Bethsaida.  All the following day the Twelve Apostles spent at Peter's home healing the sick.  Jesus remained in the house and called before Him the Apostles and disciples, two and two, as they had been sent forth, and received from them an account of what had happened to them during their mission.  As the crowd around the house became greater and greater, Jesus and His followers slipped away secretly.

     Jesus, the twelve Apostles and the seventy-two disciples retired higher up the mountain to a shady solitary spot.  Jesus gave them some general instructions, called them salt of the earth and spoke of the light that must not be placed under a bushel.  Still He did not inform them of the full measure of persecution awaiting them.

     Jesus drew a definitive line between the Apostles and the disciples, setting the former over the latter.  He said the Apostles should send and call the disciples just as He Himself had sent and called them, namely, the Apostles.  Among the disciples Jesus likewise formed several classes, setting the eldest and best instructed over the younger and more recently received.  He arranged them in the following manner; the Apostles two and two headed by Peter and John; the elder disciples formed a circle around them; and back of these the younger according to the rank He had assigned them.  Then He addressed to them words of earnest and touching instruction, and imposed hands upon the Apostles as a ratification of the dignity to which He had raised them; the disciples He merely blessed.  When He had finished it was evening.  Jesus took John, Andrew, Philip, and James Alpheus with Him and plunged deeper into the mountains where they spent the night in prayer.

     As Jesus with the Apostles and disciples were on a journey from Capharnaum to Cana and Cydessa, He again placed the Twelve in three separate rows and revealed to each his own peculiar disposition and character.  Peter, Andrew, John, James Zebedee and Matthew stood in the first row; Jude Thaddeus, Bartholomew, James Alpheus, and the disciple Barsabas in the second; Thomas, Simon Zelotes, Philip and Judas Iscariot in the third.  Each heard his own thoughts and hopes revealed to him by Jesus, and all were strongly affected.  Jesus delivered a lengthy discourse upon the hardships and sufferings that awaited them, and on this occasion He again made use of the expression, "Among you there is a devil."

     These three rows established no subordination among the Apostles.  The Twelve were classed merely according to their disposition and character.

     On this journey Jesus further instructed the Twelve and the disciples exactly how to proceed in the future when healing the sick and exorcising the possessed.  He imparted to them the power and courage always to effect, by imposition of hands and anointing by oil, what He Himself could do.  This communication of power took place without the imposition of hands though not without a substantial transmission.  They stood around Jesus and rays darted toward them of different colors, according to the nature of the gifts received and the peculiar disposition of each recipient.  They exclaimed, "Lord, we feel ourselves imbued with strength!  Your words are truth and life!"  Then each one knew just what he had to do in every case in order to effect a cure.  There was no room left for either choice or reflection.

     On the way Jesus instructed His followers on prayer.  He explained the "Our Father".  He told them that in the past they had not prayed worthily, but like Esau had asked for the fat of the earth, but now like Jacob they should petition for the dew of heaven, for spiritual gifts, for the blessing of spiritual illumination, for the Kingdom according to the will of God, and not for one in accordance with their own ideas.  He reminded them that even the heathens themselves did not petition for temporal goods alone, but also for those of a spiritual nature.

     The next morning Jesus and His followers ascended a high mountain one hour to the northeast of Little Corozain and beyond that mountain  upon which the first multiplication of the five loaves and two fish had taken place. (Matt 14:15-21)  Here it was that Jesus concluded the Eight Beatitudes and delivered a sermon similar to the "Sermon on the Mount."  His words on this occasion were more than ordinarily forcible and impressive.  Crowds of strangers and pagans were present, the whole multitude, exclusive of women and children, numbering about four thousand.  Toward evening Jesus paused in His teaching and said to John, "I have compassion on the multitudes because they continued with Me now three days and have nothing to eat, but I will not send them away fasting lest they faint on the way."  John replied, "We are far in the desert, and to bring bread this distance would be hard.  Shall we gather for them the fruits and berries that are still on the trees around here?"  Jesus answered by telling him to ask the other Apostles how many loaves they had.  He answered, "Seven loaves and seven little fish."  The fish however were an arm in length.  Upon receiving this answer, Jesus directed that the empty bread baskets which the people had brought with them, along with the loaves and fish, should be laid upon the rocky ledge, after which He continued to teach a good half hour. (Matt 15:32-38)

     He spoke plainly of His being the Messiah, of the persecutions that awaited Him and His approaching imprisonment.  On that day, He said, those mountains would quake and that rock (here He pointed to the stone ledge), that rock upon which He had announced the truth that they had refused to receive, would split asunder.  Then He cried woe to Capharnaum, to Corozain, and to many other places of that region.  On the day of His arrest they should all become conscious of having rejected salvation. (Matt 11:20-24)  He spoke of the happiness of this region to which He had broken the Bread of Life, but added that the strangers passing through had carried away with them that happiness.  The children of the house threw that Bread under the table while the strangers, the little whelps, gathered the crumbs which were sufficient to vivify and enliven whole towns and districts.  Jesus implored them once more to do penance and amend their life.  He informed them that this was the last time He would teach in these parts.  The people wept.  They were full of admiration at His words, although they did not understand them all.

     After that Jesus commanded them to take their places on the slope around the mountain as on the preceding occasion.  The Apostles and disciples were directed to range them in order.  Jesus divided the bread and fish as before and the disciples carried the portions around in baskets to the people on both sides of the mount.  When all was over, seven baskets of scraps were gathered and distributed to poor travelers. (Matt 15:37)

     As Jesus' followers were rowing Him across the Sea of Galilee, He spoke to them of His Passion and said in terms more significant than ever that He was the Christ, the Messiah.  They believed His words but could not make them square with their simple human way of comprehending things.  When they arrived at Bethsaida they went to Andrew's to refresh themselves.  On their way to the mount and until Jesus retired to pray, the Apostles and disciples that had last returned from their several missions gave their Master a full account of all that had happened to them.

     Before daybreak they again gathered about Jesus.  Jesus asked them, "Who do men say that I am?"  After receiving some answers Jesus asked, "And you, for whom do you take Me?"  No one felt impelled to answer except Peter who exclaimed, "You are Christ, the Son of the Living God!"  It was then that Jesus declared that Peter was the Rock upon which His Church would be built, and promised Peter the keys to His Kingdom.  The other Apostles appeared troubled.  They glanced from Jesus to Peter.  Even John allowed his anxiety to become so evident that Jesus afterward, when walking along the road with him alone, reproved him gravely for his expression of surprise. (Matt 16:16-20)

     Jesus now told His Apostles in plain terms that He was the promised Messiah and began to enlighten them about what was in store for them.  He told them He would be maltreated, scourged, mocked and shamefully put to death. (Matt 16:21)

     In the afternoon Jesus sent His disciples right and left around the mountain to teach and to cure.  Then taking with Him Peter, John and James Zebedee He proceeded up the mountain by a foot path.  Jesus paused frequently, explaining to them manifold mysteries and united with them in prayer.  They had no provisions; Jesus had forbidden them to bring any, saying they should be satiated to overflowing.  The view from the summit of Mount Tabor extended far and wide.  On it was a large open place surrounded by a wall and shade trees.  The ground was covered with aromatic herbs and sweet scented flowers.  Hidden in a rock was a reservoir, which upon turning a spigot, poured forth water sparkling and very cold.  The Apostles washed Jesus' feet and then their own and refreshed themselves.  Then Jesus withdrew from them into a deep grotto behind a rock.  It was like the grotto on the Mount of Olives to which Jesus so often retired to pray.  Jesus knelt opposite leaning on a projecting rock, the Apostles half-kneeling, half sitting around Him in a semi-circle.  Here Jesus continued His instructions between prayers.

     He spoke wonderfully profound and sweet upon the mysteries of Creation and Redemption.  His words were extraordinarily loving like those of one inspired.  He said that He would show them who He was.  They should see Him glorified that they might not waver in faith when His enemies would mock and mistreat Him, when they should see Him in death shorn of all glory.

     The sun had set and it was dark but the Apostles had not noticed it, so entrancing were Jesus' words and bearing.  He became brighter and brighter, and apparitions of angelic spirits hovered around Him.  Alternate streams of delicious perfumes, of celestial delight and contentment flowed over the Apostles.  They were so penetrated, so ravished that when the light reached a certain degree they covered their heads, prostrated on the ground, and remained there lying.  They were in ecstasy.  Two shining figures approached Jesus in the light.  Their coming appeared perfectly natural like that of one who steps from the darkness of night into a place brilliantly lighted.  They were Moses and Elias.

     The two prophets greeted Jesus Who told them of His Passion and Redemption.  They did not look aged or decrepit as when they left earth but in the bloom of youth.  Moses was taller, graver, and more majestic than Elias, and had on his head two projecting bumps.  He was clothed in a long garment.  He told Jesus how rejoiced he was to see Him Who had led himself and his people out of Egypt, and Who was now once more about to redeem them.  Elias was quite the opposite of Moses.  He appeared to be more refined, more lovable, of a sweeter disposition.

     Jesus spoke to them of all the sufferings He had endured up to the present and of all that awaited Him.  Elias and Moses frequently expressed their emotion and joy.  Their words were full of sympathy and consolation, of reverence for the Savior, and of the uninterrupted praises of God, and praised God for having from all eternity dealt in mercy toward His people.  The Apostles raised their heads, gazed long upon the glory of Jesus and gazed at Moses and Elias.

     When they returned to their usual waking state a white light descended upon them, like the morning dew floating over the meadows.  The heavens opened above Jesus and a vision of the Most Holy Trinity appeared.  God the Father seated on a throne looked like an aged priest.  At His feet were crowds of angels and celestial figures.  A stream of light descended upon Jesus and the Apostles heard above them, like a sweet, gentle sighing, a voice saying, "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.  Hear ye Him!"  Fear and trembling fell upon the Apostles.  Overcome by a sense of their own human weakness and the glory they beheld, they cast themselves face downward on the earth.

     Jesus went to them, touched them, and said, "Arise and fear not!"  They arose and saw Jesus alone.  The gray dawn glimmered.  The Apostles were silent and intimidated.  Jesus told them He allowed them to see the Transfiguration of the Son of Man that their faith might be strengthened, that they might not waver when they saw Him delivered for the sins of the world into the hands of evil doers, that they might not be scandalized when they witnessed His humiliation, and that they might at that time strengthen their weaker brethren.  They again united in prayer.

     While going down the mountain Jesus talked about what had taken place, and impressed on the Apostles that they should tell no one of the vision they had seen until the Son of Man should have risen from the dead.  This command struck them and they discussed their surprise at the expression, "Until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."  What did that mean? they asked each other, though they did not question Jesus about it. (Matt 17:1-9 & Mark 9:1-9 & Luke 9:28-36 & John 1:14))

     New disciples had joined Jesus, Who had taught them with admirable patience.  He then sent them out two and two with the words, "I send you out like sheep among wolves."  He kept with Himself only the Apostles Peter, James, John, Matthew and some of the disciples.

     Two brothers came to Jesus.  They could not agree on the subject of their inheritance.  One wanted to stay, the other desired to go away.  They asked Jesus to divide the inheritance between them.  Jesus refused saying it was not His business.  Even when John remarked to Him that it was good work and Peter agreed.  Jesus replied that He was not come to distribute earthly goods, but only heavenly ones.  He delivered a long exhortation but the disciples did not understand Him.  They had not yet received the Holy Spirit and so they kept on expecting an earthly kingdom.

     Before daybreak Jesus accompanied by John and Matthew started from Bethania for Jerusalem.  They reached the house in which later the Last Supper was celebrated.  They remained quietly the whole day and the next night, Jesus instructing and strengthening His friends.  Mary Marcus, Veronica and fully a dozen men were there.  Nicodemus, to whom the house belonged, and who had gladly resigned it for the use of Jesus' friends, was not there.

     After the news was circulated that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, (John 11:38-44) the Pharisees and High Priests gathered to discuss Jesus and Lazarus.  They feared that Jesus would raise all the dead, and then what confusion would ensue!  At noon that day a great tumult arose in Bethania.  If Jesus had been there they would have stoned Him.  Lazarus hid.  Those Apostles who had been present slipped away in all directions.  Other friends of Jesus were also forced to lie in concealment.  Jesus passed the night in the house on Mount Zion.  Before daybreak He left Jerusalem with Matthew and John and fled across the Jordan.  That night the Apostles from Bethania joined Him and they spent the night under a great tree.

     To escape a confrontation with His enemies, Jesus went on a long trip to absent Himself from His usual haunts.  When returning He traveled more by night in order that His return to Judea might not be the occasion of a sudden uprising among the people.  At Jacob's well (John 4:6-7) He met the Apostles, Peter, Andrew, John, James and Philip.  They wept for joy at seeing Him again.  Jesus was very grave.  He spoke about the approach of His Passion, of the ingratitude of some of the Jews, and the judgement in store for them.

     Jesus, with some of His followers, journeyed to Sichem.  After their feet were washed the Sabbath began.  The lamps were lighted.  Jesus and His companions put on long white garments and girdles.  After prayers they went to the school.  Neither in the school nor at table did Jesus make Himself known, but rather wished to be confounded with the Apostles.  The meal over, Jesus demanded that the synagogue be opened for Him.  He had, He said, listened to their teaching, but now He too would teach.  He spoke of signs and miracles which are of no avail when in spite of them people forget their own sinfulness and want of love for God.  Even before the meal the Apostles had asked Jesus to express Himself more clearly, to go to Nazareth to show forth His power and by miracles proclaim His mission.  Jesus replied that miracles were useless if people were not converted, if after witnessing them, they remained what they were before.  What, He demanded, had He gained by signs and miracles, by the feeding of the five thousand, by the raising of Lazarus, since they themselves were hankering after more.  Peter and John were of one mind with their Master, but the others were not satisfied.  To His newest disciples Jesus explained why He had not performed any signs or wonders.  It was, He said, because the Apostles and disciples should confirm His doctrine by miracles, and that they would perform even more than He Himself had done.

     The Pharisees of Sichem sent messages to Jerusalem that Jesus had again appeared.  They threatened to seize Jesus and deliver Him to Jerusalem, but Jesus replied that His time had not yet come, that He would Himself go to Jerusalem.  He said He had spoken in the synagogue, not for their benefit, but for those of His followers.  Jesus than dismissed the Apostles and disciples to different places.

     Jesus would send out His followers to spread His teachings and then gather them together again to report to Him and receive more instruction.  They met again in Jerusalem.  After the Pharisees left the Temple, Jesus began to teach in it openly and very earnestly.  All the Apostles were in Jerusalem but they went to the Temple separately and by different directions.  When Jesus went to the Temple He was accompanied by Peter, John and James his brother.  The others came singly.  A very great crowd of people were gathered.

     The next day Jesus taught in the Temple from morning until noon, the Parisees being present.  The next Sabbath Jesus taught in the Temple all day, part of the time in a withdrawn apartment with only the Apostles and disciples present, and another part of the time in the lecture hall where lurking Pharisees and other Jews could hear Him.  He alluded to the Last Supper without naming it particularly.  He told of many things that would take place after His return to His Father.  He gave advice and courage to those who would carry on His work.  He predicted the persecutions against Lazarus and others.

     When Jesus left the Temple after this discourse, the enraged Pharisees lay in wait for Him both at the gate and on the way, for they intended to stone Him, but Jesus avoided them and for three days did not go back to the Temple.  Jesus instructions had caused great anxiety among the scribes and Pharisees.  They issued a prohibition against anyone sheltering Him and His disciples.  They set spies at the gates to look for Him, but He remained concealed in Bethania with Lazarus.

     Jesus was with Peter, John, James and Lazarus in a large hall.  Jesus told them that the next day He would enter Jerusalem.  The other Apostles were summoned and Jesus had a long interview with them.

     The next day Jesus arranged His procession.  The Apostles were ordered to proceed two and two before Him.  Peter and James Zebedee went first, followed by those who were to bear the Gospel to the most distant places.  John and James Alpheus immediately preceded Jesus.  All carried palm branches.  The she-ass was covered with trappings that hung to its feet, the head and tail alone being visible.  Jesus put on a beautiful festal robe of white wool.  It was long and flowing with a train.  Around His neck was a wide stole that reached to His knees.  Two disciples assisted Jesus to mount the cross seat.  The animal had no bridle but around its neck was a narrow strip.  The disciples followed.  Behind them came the holy women two by two led by the Blessed Virgin.

     In Jerusalem the people who had been told to clear the Temple because the Lord was coming, began to adorn the road with branches and arches.  There were many strangers in Jerusalem.  They had heard of the raising of Lazarus and wanted to see Jesus.  When the news spread that He was approaching, they too went out to meet Him. (Matt 21:1-11 & John 12:9-23)

     After the triumphal procession into Jerusalem, Jesus again went to Lazarus' with the holy women and the Twelve.

     The next day Jesus again went into Jerusalem to teach.  When Jesus taught, the disciples threw around Him a white mantle of ceremony which they always carried with them.  When He left the teacher's chair they took it off so He could more easily escape the notice of the crowd.  It was still bright daylight when Jesus and His followers reached the neighborhood of John Mark's house.

     He spoke to the Apostles to prepare them for the days ahead.  He spoke also of His own union with them which would be accomplished at the Last Supper, and which could not be dissolved by anything.  He spoke about the end of the world and of the signs that would precede it.  A man enlightened by God would have visions on that subject.  By these words Jesus referred to John's Revelations.

     Jesus with the Apostles went back to Bethania to the public-house of Simon, who had been healed of leprosy, for the Sabbath.  While He was teaching in the Temple the Jews had been ordered to keep their houses closed.  It was forbidden to offer Him or His disciples any refreshment.

     As the Apostles and disciples did not comprehend all that He said, Jesus directed them to write down what they failed to understand.  He said that when He would send His Spirit to them, they would recall those points and be able to seize their meaning.  John and James Alpheus were among those making signs from time to time on a little tablet that they held before them, resting the tablets on a support.  They wrote upon little rolls of parchment with a colored liquid which they carried with them in a kind of horn.  They drew the little rolls out of their breast pocket and wrote only in the beginning of the instruction.

     Before the break of day Jesus called Peter and John and spoke at some length about what preparations they should make in Jerusalem for the eating of the Paschal lamb.  Jesus told them that when they would ascend Mount Sion they would meet a man carrying a water pitcher.  They were to tell him that the Master wished to celebrate the Pasch at his house.

     The two Apostles went into Jerusalem.  On reaching a point on Sion higher than the Temple mount they met the man about whom Jesus had told them.  They followed him and when near the house delivered Jesus' message.  They knew him because he was Heli, the same man who had prepared the Pascal meal for them the year before at Bethania.  He showed great pleasure at seeing them and learning of their errand.  He had already prepared a supper though he had not yet invited anyone.  Heli went every year to the feast, rented a supper room and prepared the Paschal meal for people who had no friends in the city.  On this occasion he had rented the dining hall of a spacious old house belonging to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.  It stood on the south side of Mount Sion in an open court surrounded by courtyards with massive walls and between rows of shade trees.

     This building had been used by Nicodemus and Joseph for storing blocks of stone used in their business.  For eight days people had been busy removing this stone from the vicinity of the supper hall and storing it in a side building.  Even while Peter and John were talking with Heli, Nicodemus was in one of the buildings in the courtyard where the stone had been taken.

     Peter and John left Heli and went to a row of houses south of the Temple to the house of old Simeon.  It was now occupied by his sons who were disciples in secret.  They spoke with Obed, the elder, who served in the Temple.  Together they went to the cattle market north of the Temple.  There Simeon's son entered one of the enclosures, the lambs leaping about and butting him as if they recognized him.  He singled out four lambs which he took with him to the Cenacle.  That afternoon he took part in the preparations of the Paschal lambs.

     Peter and John went to the disciple's inn which was under the care of Veronica and received from her all kinds of table service.  She gave them the chalice which Jesus used in the institution of the Blessed sacrament.  All was packed in covered baskets and taken by the two Apostles to the Cenacle.

     While they were in Jerusalem taking care of the preparations for the feast, Jesus was in Bethania taking an affecting leave of the holy women, Lazarus, and His Mother.  He had, He said, sent Peter the Believing and John the Loving to Jerusalem in order to prepare for the Pasch. (Matt 26:17-19 & Mark 14:12-16 & Luke 22:7-12)

     Jesus and His followers ate the Paschal lamb in three separate groups of twelve, each presided over by one who acted as host.  Jesus and the twelve Apostles sat in the hall itself; Nathaniel with twelve of the oldest disciples sat in one of the side rooms; and in the other side room with twelve more sat Eliachim, who was the son of Cleophas and Mary Heli and also the brother of Mary Cleophas.  In one of the side buildings near the entrance into the court of the Cenacle the holy women took their meal with the Blessed Mother acting as hostess.

     Jesus gave the Apostles an instruction upon the Paschal lamb and the fulfillment of what it symbolized.  Then they put on the traveling dress of ceremony which were in the anteroom.  Each took a staff in his hand, and then they walked in pairs to their table.

     The table was narrow and only high enough to reach a few inches above the knee.  In form it was like a horseshoe.  Opposite Jesus in the inner part of the half circle there was a space left free for serving the dishes.  John, James Zebedee and James Alpheus stood on Jesus' right, then came Bartholomew and around the corner stood Thomas and next to him Judas Iscariot.  On Jesus' left stood Peter, Andrew and Thaddeus, then Simon Zelotes, and around the corner Matthew and Philip.

     In the center of the table lay the Paschal lamb on a dish, its head resting on its crossed forefeet, the hind feet stretched out at full length.  All around the edge of the dish were little bunches of garlic.  Near by was another dish with the Paschal roast meat, and on either side a plate of green herbs.  There was another plate with little bunches of bitter herbs.  Directly in front of Jesus' place stood a bowl of yellowish green herbs and another with some kind of brownish sauce.  Small round loaves served the guests as plates; they made use of bone knives.

     After the prayer the master of the feast laid on the table before Jesus the knife for carving the Paschal lamb.  He placed a cup of wine before Him, and from a jug He filled six other cups each of which he set between two 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 each received a share on their little loaves.  They ate it in haste, separating the flesh from the bone with their ivory knives.  The bones were afterward burned.  They ate the Paschal lamb while standing and quickly ate the garlic and green herbs, first dipping them in sauce.

     Jesus again prayed and taught.  After that they again washed their hands and then reclined on the seats.  While the Apostles were eating herbs Jesus continued to speak quite lovingly though He afterward became grave and sad.  He said, "One among you will betray Me."  At these words the Apostles became very much troubled, and asked in turn, "Lord, is it I?" for all knew that they did not understand Him perfectly.  Peter, having so often received reproofs from Jesus, was anxious that it might be himself, leaned behind Jesus toward John, and motioned to him to ask the Lord who it was.  John was reclining at Jesus' right, and as all of them were leaning on their left arm in order to eat with their right hand, John lay with his head close to Jesus' breast.  At the sign from Peter, John leaned on Jesus' breast and asked, "Lord, who is it?"  When Jesus, having dipped into the sauce the morsel of bread folded in lettuce, offered it to Judas, John was interiorly enlightened that it was Judas.  John set Peter's mind at rest with a glance. (John 13:21-26 & Mark 14:18-20)

     They rose from the table and while putting on and arranging their robes as was the custom before solemn prayer, the master of the feast and 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 to Him in the anteroom.  After the master brought the water he again left the hall with his servants.

     Jesus spoke of His Kingdom.  He gave them instructions upon penance, the knowledge and confession of sin, contrition and justification.  It bore reference to the washing of feet.  All except Judas acknowledged their sins with sorrow.  This instruction was long and solemn.  When it ended Jesus sent John and James Alpheus to bring the water from the anteroom and directed the others to place their seats in a half circle.  He Himself laid aside His mantle, gird up His robe and tied around Him a towel, one end of which He allowed to hang.

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

     The Apostles sat on the backs of the seats, and rested their bare feet upon the seats.  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, He dried them, and then moved on to the next.  John emptied the water from 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. (John 13:4-10)

     Jesus next delivered an instruction upon humiliation.  He told them that he who was the greatest among them should be the servant of all and that for the future they should wash each other's feet.  Jesus then resumed the garments He had laid aside and the Apostles let down theirs that had been girded up for eating the Paschal lamb.

     At the command of Jesus the master of the feast again set out the table which he raised higher.  It was covered with a cloth over which two others were spread, one red, the other one white and transparent.  Then the master set two jugs, one of water the other of wine, under the table.

     From the Paschal hearth in the back part of the hall, Peter and John now brought out the chalice they had brought from Veronica's house.  They carried it between them in its case, holding it on their hands.  It looked as if they were carrying a tabernacle.  They placed it on the table before Jesus.  The plate with the ribbed Paschal loaves, thin and whitish, stood near under a cover.  There was a wine and a water vessel, also three boxes, one with thick oil, another with liquid oil, and a third one empty.  A flat knife lay near.

     The breaking and distributing of bread and drinking out of the same cup were customary at feasts of welcome and farewell.  They were used as signs of brotherly love and friendship.  That day Jesus elevated this custom to the dignity of the Most Holy Sacrament, for until that time it was only a typical ceremony.

     Jesus' place was between Peter and John.  The doors were closed for everything was conducted with secrecy and solemnity.  Jesus prayed and uttered some very solemn words, explaining the Last Supper to the Apostles--like a priest teaching others the Holy Mass.

     Jesus drew the chalice closer to Him, setting to the right and left the six smaller vessels that stood around it.  He blessed the loaves, elevated the plate of bread with both hands, raised His eyes to heaven, prayed, offered, set it down on the table and again covered it.  Then taking the chalice, He received into it wine poured by Peter and water poured by John.  He blessed the chalice, raised it on high, praying and offering, and set it down again.

     Jesus held His hands over a dish.  At His bidding Peter and John poured water over them.  Then with a spoon He scooped up some of the water that had flowed over His hands and poured it over theirs.  Then the dish was passed around and all the Apostles washed their hands in it.  During all this time Jesus was becoming more and more recollected.  He told the Apostles that He was now about to give them all He possessed, even His very Self.  He seemed to be pouring out His Whole Being in love, and He became perfectly transparent.  He looked like a luminous apparition.

     Again Jesus taught and prayed.  His words were luminous as also the bread, which as a body of light entered the mouth of all the Apostles except Judas.  It was as if Jesus Himself flowed into them.  All of them were penetrated with light, bathed in light.  Judas alone was in darkness.  Jesus presented the Bread first to Peter, then to John, then to the other Apostles.

     Jesus next raised the chalice by its two handles to a level with His face, and pronounced into it the words of consecration.  While doing so He was wholly transfigured and as it were transparent.  He was as if passing over into what He was giving.  He caused Peter and John to drink from the chalice while yet in His hands.  Then He set it down.  With the little spoon John removed some of the Sacred Blood from the chalice to the small cups which Peter handed to the Apostles who, two by two, drank from the same cup.  Judas left. (Matt 26:26-28 & Mark 14:22-24 & Luke 22:19-20)

     Holding His fingers over the chalice, Jesus had Peter and John pour water and wine over them.  This ablution He gave to the two to drink from the chalice.  He poured what remained into the smaller cups and passed it down to the rest of the Apostles.

     Jesus movements during the institution of the Most Blessed Sacrament were measured and solemn, preceded by explanations and instructions.  Some of the Apostles wrote down some things in the little parchment rolls that they carried with them.  He told them how they were to preserve the Blessed Sacrament in memory of Him until the end of the world.  He told them when they were to receive what remained of the consecrated Species, when to give some to the Blessed Virgin and how to consecrate It themselves after He should send them the Comforter.  He instructed them on the priesthood, the sacred unction and the preparation of the Chrism and Holy Oils.

     After instructions Jesus 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 heads.  During this action they joined their hands and crossed their thumbs.  As they knelt before Him the Lord anointed the thumb and forefingers of each of their hands and made the sign of the cross 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 also consecrated.  The Lord twisted crosswise over Peter's breast the narrow scarf that he wore around his neck, but the others He drew it across the breast over the right shoulder and under the left arm.  At this anointing Jesus communicated to the Apostles something essential, something supernatural.  Jesus told them that after they received the Holy Spirit they were to consecrate bread and wine for the first time and anoint the other Apostles.

     The Lord blessed fire in a brass vessel.  When these holy ceremonies were concluded the chalice was again covered.  The Blessed Sacrament was carried by Peter and John into the back part of the room.  This portion of the hall was shut off from the rest by a curtain that opened in the middle, and it now became the Holy of Holies.  The Blessed Sacrament was deposited back of and a little above the Paschal oven.  The fire kept burning even during the long absence of the Apostles.  It was kept near the spot in which the Blessed Sacrament was deposited in one of the divisions of the ancient Paschal hearth, from where It was removed for religious purposes.  Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus always took care of the sanctuary and Cenacle during the Apostles' long absences.

     Jesus again gave a long instruction and prayed with deep recollection.  The Apostles were full of joy and zeal, inspired by the reception of the Most Holy Sacrament.  Jesus, in reference to some of His earlier instruction, addressed some words in private to Peter and John.  They were to communicate these instructions to the other Apostles according to the capacity of each for such knowledge.  He spoke for some time to John alone.  Jesus told him that his life would be longer than those of the other Apostles.  He revealed certain knowledge and mentioned seven churches, crowns, angels, and significant symbols by which He designated certain epochs.  The other Apostles felt slightly jealous at this special communication to John.

     When Jesus finished His teaching they recited a hymn of thanksgiving, put aside the table and went into the anteroom.  Here Jesus met His Mother, Mary Cleophas and Mary Magdalen.  Jesus comforted them in a few words and left with His Apostles for the Mount of Olives.

     All that Jesus did at the institution of the Blessed Eucharist and the anointing of the Apostles was done very secretly, and was later taught as a Mystery.  It has to this day remained essentially the same in the Church, though She has, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, developed it according to Her needs.

     When they reached Gethsemani darkness had fallen upon the earth, but the moon was lighting up the sky.  Jesus became very sad.  He told the Apostles that danger was approaching and they became uneasy.  He took Peter, John and James Zebedee with Him until He reached the Garden of Olives farther up the mountain.  He was inexpressibly sad for He felt His approaching agony and temptation.  John asked Him how He, Who had always consoled them, could now be so dejected.  He replied, "My soul is sorrowful even unto death."  He glanced around Him and on all sides saw anguish and temptation gathering around Him like dense clouds filled with frightful pictures.  He said to the three Apostles, "Remain here and watch with Me.  Pray lest you enter into temptation!"  The Apostles remained in a hollow.  Jesus concealed Himself in a grotto about six feet deep.  It was a place into which no eye could penetrate.

     The sins, the wickedness, the vices, the torments, the ingratitude of men tortured and crushed Him.  They pressed around Him and assailed Him under the form of the most hideous specters.  Wringing His hands, He swayed from side to side, and the sweat of agony covered Him.  He trembled and shuddered.  He arose, but His trembling knees could scarcely support Him.  His face was disfigured and almost unrecognizable.  He staggered to His feet and bathed in sweat and often falling, He ascended to where the Apostles were resting.  Exhausted with fatigue, sorrow and anxiety, they had yielded under temptation, and had fallen asleep.  The frightful forms never left Him.  He clasped His hands and sinking down by them from grief and exhaustion He said, "Simon, you sleep?"  At these words they woke and raised Him up.  In His spiritual dereliction He said, "What! Could you not watch one hour with Me?"  When they found Him so terrified and disfigured, so pale, trembling and saturated with sweat, shuddering and shaking, His voice so feeble and stammering, they knew not what to think.  Had He not been surrounded by the light so well known to them, they would not have recognized Him as Jesus.

     John said to Him, "Master! What has befallen You?  Shall I call the other Apostles?  Shall we take to flight?"  Jesus answered, "Do not call the Eight.  I have left them there because they could not see Me in this state without being scandalized at Me.  But you who have seen the Son of Man transfigured, may also see Him in this hour of darkness and complete dereliction of soul.  Nevertheless, watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation, for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

     Jesus returned to the grotto.  His anguish on the increase.  He cast Himself face downward on the ground, His arms extended, and prayed to His Heavenly Father.

     In His extreme distress Jesus raised His voice in loud cries of anguish.  The three Apostles sprang up in fright.  They listened to Jesus' cries and were on the point of hastening to Him when Peter stopped John and James, saying that he would go to Him, but he stopped in terror at the sight of Jesus bathed in blood and trembling in fear.  Jesus made no answer and appeared not to notice Peter.  When Peter reported that Jesus answered only by sighs and groans, the sorrow and anxiety of the Apostles was increased.

     After more horrible visions Jesus fled out of the grotto and went again to His Apostles.  He walked like one tottering under a great burden.  The three had sunk back on their knees with covered head as they were in the habit of doing when in prayer.  Worn out with grief, anxiety and fatigue they had fallen asleep in that position.  When Jesus approached trembling and groaning they awoke.  At first they did not recognize Him.  His breast sunken, His form bent, His face pale and blood-stained, His hair in disorder and His arms stretched out to them.  The Apostles sprang up, grasped Him under the arms and supported Him tenderly.  He spoke to them in deep affliction.  In another hour His enemies would seize Him, drag Him before the courts of justice, abuse Him, deride Him, scourge Him, and put Him to death.  He begged them to console His Mother, to comfort His Mother and Magdalen.  The Apostles were so filled with grief and consternation that they did not know what to say.  They thought His mind was wandering.  When He wanted to return to the grotto, He had no power to do so.  John and James had to lead Him.  When He entered it the Apostles left Him and went back to their own place.

     Jesus had now voluntarily accepted the chalice of His Passion, exclaiming "Not My will be done but Yours, Father," and He received new strength.  He remained in the grotto for a few minutes longer, absorbed in prayer and thanksgiving.  He was still under the pressure of mental suffering, but supernaturally strengthened to such a degree that, without fear or anxiety, He was able to walk with a firm step to the Apostles.  Though pale and exhausted, His bearing was erect and resolute.  He had wiped His face with a linen cloth and with it had smoothed down His hair which, moist with the blood and sweat of His agony, hung down in matted strands.

     When Jesus returned to the Apostles He found them asleep as at first, lying on their side, their head covered.  The Lord said to them, "This is not the time to sleep.  You should arise and pray for behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Arise, let us go!  Behold the traitor is approaching!"

     Jesus again exhorted them to console His Mother and said, "Let us go to meet them!  I shall deliver myself without resistance into the hands of My enemies."  With these words He left the Garden of Olives with the three Apostles and went out to meet those who sought Him on the road that separated the Garden of Olives from the Garden of Gethsemani. (Matt 26:36-45 & Mark 14:32-41 & Luke 22:39-46)

     The soldiers approached the Lord and His Apostles but awaited the traitor's kiss.  Peter and His other followers gathered around Judas calling him a thief and a traitor.  Judas tried to free himself by all kinds of excuses, but some of the soldiers came close with offers of protection, thus openly witnessing against him.  Peter, more impetuous than the others, seized his sword and struck Malchus, the servant of the High Priest.  Malchus fell to the ground increasing the confusion.  Jesus told Peter to put up his sword, then healed Malchus.  The guards, the executioners and the officers surrounded Jesus.  Several more torches were lit and the pitiable procession set in motion. (John 18:10)

     His followers were still straying about wailing and lamenting as if bereft of their senses.  John however followed rather closely behind the last of the guards.  The Pharisees, seeing him, ordered him to be seized.  At this command some of the guard turned and hurried after him, but he fled from them.  When they grabbed the linen scarf he wore around his neck, he loosened it quickly and thus made his escape.  He had already previously laid aside his mantle that he might be able to flee more easily, retaining only a short sleeveless undergarment.(Mark 14:51-52)

     After Mary heard about Jesus' arrest she was speechless with grief.  She reached the house of Mary Marcus, but did not speak until John arrived.  John told her all that he had seen happen.   A little later she was conducted to Martha's house.  They led her along unfrequented routes in order to shun those by which Jesus was being dragged.

     Peter and John who had followed the procession at some distance ran hurriedly when it reach the city.  John spoke with Mary, then ran to some good acquaintances of his, who were among the servants of the High Priests, to find some way of entering the judgement hall.  These acquaintances of John were messengers of the high court.  They had been sent to scour the whole town in order to awake the ancients of different ranks and many other personages to call them to the council.  These messengers supplied John and Peter with mantles such as they themselves wore.  They let the Apostles assist in calling the members of the council.  Thus the Apostles were able to deliver summons to Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea and other individuals well disposed to Jesus and belonging to the Council, people whose names had been deliberately omitted from the Pharisee's list of people to be called.

     This Council was the Sanhedrin (literally "session") which had the authority to decide ecclesiastical and/or civil cases.  It was a Great Council of the Jews which met in Jerusalem and was presided over by the High Priest.  Full membership was 72 consisting of 24 priests, 24 scribes (lawyers) and 24 elders (leaders or rulers of a tribe).

     Shortly before the arrival of the procession with Jesus, Peter and John, still enveloped in the messenger mantles, entered the outer court of the house.  John was fortunate through the influence of one of the servants known to him to make his way through the gate of the inner court.  Peter, who had been kept back by the crowd, reached the closed gate and the maid servant would not let him enter.  John interposed, but Peter would not have gotten in had not Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who just then entered, had not said a good word for Peter. (John 18:15-16)

     Jesus was led into the atrium.  When Jesus passed Peter and John, He glanced at them lovingly, though without turning His head for fear of betraying them.

     Witnesses against Jesus charged Him with: performing cures and driving out devils through the devil himself; violating the Sabbath; not keeping the prescribed fasts; allowing His disciples to eat with unwashed hands; inciting the people by calling the Pharisees a brood of vipers and an adulterous generation; predicting the destruction of Jerusalem; associating with heathens, publicans, sinners, and women of ill repute; going around with a great crowd of followers; giving Himself out as a king, a prophet, even as the Son of God; constantly talking about His Kingdom; attacking the liberty of divorce; crying woe upon Jerusalem; and calling Himself the Bread of Life.  His words, His instructions and His parables were misrepresented and perverted, mixed up with words of abuse and outrage, and attributed to Him as crimes.  The witnesses however contradicted and confused one another.  They were unable to prove any one of their charges.

     Some said that Jesus, contrary to the law, had eaten the Pascal lamb on the previous day.  Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were then called upon to explain how it happened that they had allowed Jesus to eat the Pasch in a supper room belonging to Nicodemus.  Having taken their places before Caiaphas, they proved from written documents that the Galileans according to ancient custom were permitted to eat the Pasch one day earlier than other Jews.  This last assertion greatly puzzled the witnesses, and the enemies of Jesus were particularly exasperated that Nicodemus had sent for the writings and pointed out to the Council the passages containing this right of the Galileans.  Reasons for this privilege were that huge crowds congregated at the same time for the same purpose in the Temple and that if all were to return home at the same time the roads would be so thronged as to make them impassable.

     Caiaphas, infuriated by the wrangling of the witnesses, rose from his seat.  Angrily he raised his hands and said in a tone full of rage, "I entreat You by the living God that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Most Blessed God."

     A silence fell.  Jesus, strengthened by God, said in a majestic voice, "I am He!  You say it!  And I say to you, soon you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven!"

     When Jesus solemnly uttered the words, "I am He!"  Caiaphas, as if inspired by hell, seized the hem of his magnificent mantle, clipped it with a knife and, with a whizzing noise, tore it as he exclaimed with a loud voice, "He has blasphemed!  What need have we of further witnesses?  Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy, what think you?"  At these words the whole assembly rose and cried out in a horrid voice, "He is guilty of death!  He is guilty of death!" (Matt 26:63-66 & Mark 14:61-64 & Luke 22:66-71)

     John in his deep affection thought only of the Blessed Mother.  He feared that some enemy might give her the dreadful news with malicious satisfaction.  Casting a look at Jesus that said, "Master, you know very well why I am going."  He hurried from the judgement hall to seek the Blessed Mother as if sent to her by Jesus Himself.  John hurried to Martha's where Mary was staying.

     The Blessed Mother, united in constant, interior compassion with Jesus, knew and experienced in her soul all that happened to Him.  Like Him she was absorbed in continual prayer for His executioners, but at the same time her mother heart cried uninterruptedly to God that He might not suffer these crimes to be enacted.  When John came, he confirmed what she already knew from interior contemplation.  She ardently desired to be conducted with Magdalen (who was almost crazed with grief) and some other holy women to be near her suffering Jesus.  John, who had left Jesus only to console her, accompanied her and the other holy women from the house.  The women were veiled, but their little party closely clinging to each other, their sobs and expressions of grief, drew the notice of passers-by, many of whom were Jesus' enemies.  The bitter, abusive words which they heard uttered against Jesus added to their pain.

     When John and the holy women reach the outer court of Caiaphas' house, they withdrew into a corner under the gateway leading to the inner court.  Mary sighed for the door to be opened, and hoped through John's intervention to be allowed admittance.  She felt this door alone separated her from her Son Who, at the second crowing of the cock, was led out of the house and into the prison below.  At last the door opened and Peter, weeping bitterly, his head covered and his hands outstretched, rushed out.  The glare of torches added to the light of the moon enabled him at once to recognize John and the Blessed Virgin.  His conscience pierced Peter, and he quivered when Mary asked him, "O Simon, what about my Son?  What about Jesus?"  Unable to speak or bear the look in Mary's eyes, Peter turned away wringing his hands.  She approached him and said in a voice full of emotion, "O Simon, Son of Cephas, do you not answer me?"  In deepest woe Peter exclaimed, "O Mother, speak not to me!  Your Son is suffering cruelly.  Speak not to me!  They have condemned Him to death, and I have shamefully denied Him three times!"  When John drew near to speak to him, Peter, crazed with grief, hurried out of the court and fled from the city. (Luke 22:60-62 & John 18:27-28)

     The Blessed Mother, sympathized with Jesus in this new pain of being denied by the disciple who had been the first to acknowledge Him the Son of the Living God.  At these words of Peter she sank down on the stone pavement upon which she was standing by the pillar of the gateway.  The crowd had dispersed after Jesus was imprisoned and the gate of the courtyard was standing open.  Rising from where she had fallen she longed to be near her beloved Son.  John conducted her and the holy women to the front of the Lord's prison.  Mary indeed was with Jesus in spirit and knew all that was happening to Him, but this most faithful Mother wished to be near Him.  In this place where Jesus had declared that He was the Son of God and where the brood of Satan had cried out, "He is guilty of death!" the most afflicted Mother's anguish was so great that she appeared more like a dying than a living person.  John and the holy women led her away from the spot.

     The little party proceeded along a way that ran back of the house and passed that mournful spot upon which the cross was being prepared.

     After Mary's midnight visit to Caiaphas' tribunal, her love gave her no rest.  Scarcely had Jesus been led forth from prison and taken to Pilate for the morning trial, than she arose.  Enveloped in mantle and veil, and taking the lead of John and Magdalen, she said, "Let us follow My Son to Pilate.  My eyes must again see Him."  Taking a by-path, they got in advance of the procession, and here they stood and waited and watched.

     As He approached, disfigured, with only His undergarment on, covered with dirt, she lamented, "Alas! Is this my Son?  Ah! this is my Son!  O Jesus, my Jesus!"  The procession hurried by.  Jesus cast upon His Mother a side glance full of emotion.  She became unconscious of all around, and John and Magdalen bore her away.  But scarcely had she recovered herself when she requested John to accompany her again to Pilate's palace.

     John stood with the Blessed Mother and Magdalen in a corner of the forum hall.  They beheld the whole dreadful scene where Jesus' accusers, furious because Pilate was sending Him to Herod without condemning Him, vented their rage upon Him.  With renewed fury they surrounded Him, bound Him anew and drove Him in furious haste with cuffs and blows.

     Now when Jesus was taken to Herod, she begged to be conducted by John and Magdalen back over the way of suffering trodden by her Divine Son since His arrest.  They went over the whole route.  On many places where Jesus had suffered outrage and injury they paused in heartfelt grief and compassion, and wherever He had fallen to the ground the Blessed Mother fell on her knees and kissed the earth.  Magdalen wrung her hands, while John in tears assisted the afflicted Mother to rise and led her farther.  This was the origin of the devotion of the Church, the Holy Way of the Cross.

     Magdalen in her grief was like an insane person.  She saw and felt the ingratitude, the capital crime of her nation in delivering its Savior to the ignominious death of the cross.  All this was expressed in her whole appearance, in her words and gestures.  John suffered and loved not less than Magdalen, but the untroubled innocence of his pure heart lent a highter degree of peace to his soul.  When the maltreated Jesus again crossed the forum from Herod's to Pilate's palace, the crowd was very great.  The Blessed Mother, her elder sister Mary Heli, Mary Heli's daughter Mary Cleophas, Magdalen, and several other holy women, were standing in a hall from which they could hear everything.  John was with them in the beginning.  Jesus was led again up the steps to the elevated platform.

     When the people called for Barabbas, Mary, Magdalen, John and the holy women, trembling and weeping, were standing in the corner of the hall.  Although the Mother of Jesus knew that there was no help for mankind excepting by His death, yet she was, as the Mother of the most holy Son, full of anxiety, full of longing for the preservation of His life.  Jesus had become man voluntarily to undergo crucifixion.  Though innocent in death, He suffered all the pangs and torments of His frightful ill-treatment, just as any human being would have suffered.  And in the same way did Mary suffer all the affliction and anguish of an ordinary mother whose innocent child should have to endure such things from the thankless multitude.  She trembled, she shuddered in fear and still she hoped.  John went frequently to a little distance in the hope of being able to bring back some good news.  Mary prayed like Jesus on Mount Olivet, "If it be possible, let this chalice pass!"  The loving Mother continued to hope, for while the words and efforts of the Pharisees to stir up the people ran from mouth to mouth, the rumor also reached her that Pilate was trying to release Jesus.  Not far from her stood a group from Capharnaum, among them many whom Jesus had healed and taught.  They pretended not to recognize Mary or John.  Mary, like her companions, thought that they would surely not choose Barabbas in preference to their Benefactor and Savior.

     When Mary heard Pilate speak the words, "I also condemn Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, to be nailed to the cross." she became like one in a dying state, for now the cruel, frightful, ignominious death of the holy and beloved Son and Savior was certain.  John and the holy women took her away from the scene.  But Mary could not rest.  She longed to visit every spot marked by Jesus' sufferings.  John and her other companions once again accompanied her from place to place wherever the Redeemer had suffered for the sins of mankind.

     The Blessed Mother of Jesus who shared every suffering of her Son had left the forum with John and the holy women to venerate the places consecrated by His cruel Passion about an hour previously, when the running crowd, the sounding trumpets and the approach of the soldiers and Pirate's cavalcade announced the commencement of the bitter Way of the Cross.  Mary could no longer stay at a distance.  She begged John to take her to some place that Jesus would pass.  They left the vicinity of Sion, passed the judgement seat through gates and walks with people streaming hither and yon to the western side of the residence of Caiaphas.  From a compassionate porter, a servant of Caiaphas, John obtained the privilege of passing through Caiphas' gardens and of opening the opposite gate.  The Blessed Mother was pale, her eyes red with weeping, trembling and shuddering.  Passing through with her and the holy women were John and a nephew of Joseph of Arimathea.  When the servant opened the gate the noise became more distinct and alarming.  Mary was in prayer.  She asked John, "Shall I stay to behold it, or shall I hurry away?  Oh, how shall I endure it?"  John replied, "If you do not remain it will always be to you a cruel regret."

     They stepped out under the gateway and looked down the street.  The procession was about eighty paces distant from them.  The rabble did not precede it though they followed on the side and in the rear.  Wringing her hands she gazed upon Jesus and in her anguish leaned against one of the pillars of the gate for support.  She was pale as a corpse, her lips livid.  She saw the Son of God, her own Son, the Holy One, the Redeemer!  Tottering, bowed down, His thorn-crowned head painfully bent over one shoulder on account of the heavy cross He was carrying, Jesus staggered on.  The executioner pulled Him forward with the ropes.  His face was pale, wounded and blood stained; His beard pointed and matted with blood; His sunken eyes full of blood.  He cast, from under the tangled and twisted thorns of His crown, frightful to behold, a look full of earnest tenderness upon His afflicted Mother, and for the second time tottered under the weight of the cross and sank on His hands and knees to the ground.  Wringing her hands, she sprang over the couple of steps between the gateway and the executioners in advance, and rushing to Jesus fell on her knees with her arms around Him.

     The executioners insulted and mocked her.  Some of the soldiers were touched.  They made the Blessed Mother withdraw but not one of them laid a finger on her.  John and the women led her away, and she sank on one of the cornerstones that supported the wall near the gateway.

     When the soldiers flanking the procession drove it forward with their lances, John took the Blessed Mother in through the gate which was then closed.

     John conducted Mary to a house in the vicinity of the corner gate.  With them were Johanna Chusa, Susanna and Salome.  In tears and lamentations they gathered around Magdalen and Martha.  They then went all together across the forum where they kissed the spot upon which Jesus had taken up the burden of the cross and proceeded along the sorrowful way.  Mary saw and recognized the footprints of her Divine Son and numbered His steps, pointed out the places consecrated by His sufferings, regulated their halting and going forward on the Way of the Cross which with all its details was deeply imprinted in her soul.

     The holy band of mourners arrived at Veronica's house.  Here with tears and expressions of sorrow they gazed upon the face of Jesus impressed upon Veronica's veil, and glorified His goodness toward His faithful friend.

     They continued their sorrowful way to Jesus.  They went up the hill by the gently sloping western side and stood in three groups, one behind the other, outside the wall enclosing the circle where the crucifixion took place.  The Mother of Jesus, her niece Mary Cleophas, Salome and John stood close to the circle.  Martha, Mary Heli, Veronica, Johanna Chusa, Susanna and Mary Marcus stood a little distance back surrounding Magdalen who could no longer restrain herself.  Still farther back were the others.  The five entrances into the circle were guarded by Roman soldiers.

     The Blessed Mother endured all the torture with Jesus.  The Pharisees were mocking and jesting at the side of the low wall by which she was standing.  John led her and the other holy women at a still greater distance from the circle.  Magdalen was like one out of her mind.  She tore her face with her finger nails; her eyes and cheeks were covered with blood.

     The Pharisees had in vain requested Pilate to change the inscription for the title of the cross.  They were furious for Pilate would not even allow them to appear in his presence.  They rode around the circle and drove away the Blessed Mother, calling her a dissolute woman!  John took her to the women who standing back.(John 19:19-22)

     Jesus, raising His head a little exclaimed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!"  When Mary heard the voice of her Child she could no longer be restrained, but pressed forward into the circle, followed by John, Salome and Mary Cleophas.  The captain of the guard did not prevent her.  She felt herself strengthened by that prayer of Jesus.(Luke 23:34)

     The sky became perfectly dark, and the stars shown out with a reddish gleam.  Terror seized man and beast.  The cattle bellowed and ran wildly about; the birds sought their hiding places.  All eyes were raised to the sky.  Many beat their breast, wrung their hands and cried, "His blood be upon His murderers!"  While the darkness was on the increase the cross was deserted by all excepting Jesus' Mother and His friends.

     The Mother of Jesus, Mary Cleophas, Mary Magdalen and John were standing around Jesus' cross looking up at the Lord.  The Blessed Mother overcome by maternal love, was in her heart fervently imploring Jesus to let her die with Him.  At that moment the Lord cast an earnest and compassionate glance down at His Mother and turning His eyes toward John, said to her, "Woman, behold, this is your son!  He will be your son more truly than if you had given him birth."  Then He praised John and said, "He has always been innocent and full of simple faith.  He was never scandalized, excepting when his mother wanted to have him elevated to a high position."  To John He said, "Behold, this is your Mother!" and John reverently and like a filial son, embraced beneath the cross of the dying Redeemer Jesus' Mother who had now become his mother also. (John 19:25-27)

     After this the holy women supporting Mary in their arms seated her for a few moments on the earthen rampart opposite the cross, then took her farther away.

     When Jesus cried out, "My God! My God!  Why have You forsaken Me!" His clear cry broke the fearful stillness.  The scoffers turned toward the cross and said, "He is calling Elias," and another, "Let us see whether Elias will come to deliver Him."  When the most afflicted Mother heard the voice of her Son, she could no longer restrain herself.  She again pressed forward to the cross followed by John, Mary Cleophas, Magdalen and Salome. (Matt 27:46-47 & Mark 15:34-40)

     The hour of the Lord was now come.  Cold sweat burst out on every limb of Jesus.  John was standing by the cross and wiping His feet with a cloth.  Magdalen utterly crushed with grief was leaning at the back of the cross.  The Blessed Mother, supported in the arms of Mary Cleophas and Salome, was standing between Jesus and the cross of the good thief, her gaze fixed upon her dying Son.  Jesus spoke, "It is consummated!" and raising His head he cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit."  He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.  John and the holy women sank face downward prostate on the earth.  Terror fell upon all at the sound of Jesus death cry.  The earth quaked!  The rock beneath the cross was split asunder!  A feeling of dread pervaded the whole universe.  Numbers of those present were converted.  Many struck their breast, wept and returned home.  Others rent their garments and sprinkled their head with dust.  All were filled with fear and dread.  The individuals that on the preceding night had given John and Peter entrance to Caiaphas' tribunal were converted.  They fled to the caves in which the disciples were concealed. (Matt 27:50-53 & Luke 23:44-49)

     John at last rose.  Some of the holy women who until then were standing at a distance, now pressed into the circle, raised the Mother of Jesus and her companions and led them farther away.

     When Jesus' hands became stiff, His Mother's eyes grew dim, her face paled, her feet tottered and she sank to the earth.  John, Magdalen and the others also fell.  All was lonely, still and sad.

     All was silent and mournful on Golgotha.  The crowd timidly dispersed to their homes.  The Mother of Jesus, John, Magdalen, Mary Cleophas and Salome were standing or sitting with veiled head and in deep sadness opposite the cross.

     The six executioners came up the mount.  The friends of Jesus drew back.  John, at the entreaty of the Blessed Mother, turned to the soldiers to draw them off for a while from the body of the Lord.  Cassius, the subaltern officer, drove his horse up to the narrow space between Jesus and the good thief and thrust his lance into Jesus heart.  The Blessed Mother, John and the holy women witnessed with terror this sudden action.  Meanwhile the executioners had received Pilate's order not to touch the body of Jesus as he had given it to Joseph of Arimathea for burial. (John 19:32-42)

     John and the holy women returned to the city that the Blessed Mother might take a little rest.  They also wanted to get some things necessary for the burial.

     It was still cloudy and foggy when Joseph and Nicodemus arrived.  As soon as the Centurion Abenadar arrived they began taking down the Body from the cross and preparing It for burial.

     Having returned, the Blessed Mother was seated upon a large cover on the ground, her right knee raised a little and her back supported by mantles rolled together.  The men laid the sacred Body on a sheet spread upon the Mother's lap.  The head of Jesus rested upon her slightly raised knee.  Love and grief struggled in her breast.  She pressed her lips to His blood stained cheeks while Magdalen knelt with her face bowed upon His feet.

     The holy women helped in various ways, handing the men vessels of water, sponges, towels, ointments and spices.  Among them were Mary Cleophas, Salome and Veronica, but Magdalen was always busied around the holy Body.  Mary Heli, the Blessed Mother's elder sister, who was already an aged matron, was sitting apart on the earth wall of the circle, silently watching.  John lent constant assistance to the Blessed Mother.  He went to and fro between the women and the men, now helping the former in their task of love and afterward assisting the latter in every way to prepare all things for the burial.

     Joseph and Nicodemus had already been standing awhile at some distance waiting, when John drew near to the Blessed Mother with the request that she permit them to take the body of Jesus as the Sabbath was drawing near.  The men anointed the wounds with oil, scattered sweet spices and herbs on the body and bound the whole in linen.

     John once more conducted the Blessed Virgin and the other holy women to the sacred remains of Jesus.  While all were kneeling around the Lord's body taking leave of it with many tears, a touching miracle took place before their eyes--the entire form of Jesus' sacred body with all its wounds appeared as if drawn in brown and reddish colors on the cloth that covered it.  It was as if He wished gratefully to acknowledge their sorrow, and leave to them an image of Himself.  Their astonishment was so great that they opened the outside wrapping, and it became still greater when they found all the linen bands around the sacred body white as before and only the uppermost cloth marked with the Lord's figure!  The picture was not a mere impression formed by bleeding wounds.  It was a miraculous picture, a witness to the creative Godhead in the body of Jesus.

     The men laid the sacred body on a leathern litter, placed over it a brown cover and ran two poles along the sides.  Nicodemus and Joseph carried the front ends on their shoulders; Abenadar and John the other ends.  Then followed the Blessed Mother, her elder sister Mary Heli, Magdalen and Mary Cleophas.  Then came those women who had remained at a greater distance; Veronica, Johanna Chusa, Mary Marcus, Susanna, and Anna a niece of St. Joseph.  Cassius and his soldiers closed the procession.  Maroni of Naim, Dina the Samaritan, and Mary the Suphanite were at the time with Martha and Lazarus in Bethania.

     Two soldiers with twisted torches walked on ahead, for light was needed in the grotto of the sepulchre.  The procession moved on singing psalms in a low plaintive tone through the valley to the garden of the tomb.  James Zebedee, brother of John, was on a hill on the other side of the valley looking at the procession and then went off to tell the other disciples who were hiding in caves.

     The grotto, which was perfectly new, had been cleaned out and fumigated by Nicodemus' servants.  The four men carried the Lord's body down into it, then left the cave.  The Blessed Mother went in and bent over her Child weeping.  When she left Magdalen entered.  When the men outside gave warning that it was time to close the doors she left.  They closed the doors which were held together by a perpendicular bar on the outside crossed by a transverse one.  It looked like a cross.  By means of poles brought from the garden, the men rolled the heavy stone before the closed doors.  This all took place by torchlight for it was dark there.  It was now the hour at which the Sabbath began.  The holy women retired to the apartment occupied by the Blessed Mother near the Cenacle. (Matt 27:55-61 & Mark 15:40-47 & Luke 23:47-53)

     Most of the Apostles and some of the disciples gathered at the Cenacle.  They changed their garments and stood under the lamp celebrating the Sabbath.  They ate lambs at the different tables, but without any ceremony.  It was not the Paschal lamb.  They had already eaten that the evening before.  All were in great trouble and sadness.  The holy women also prayed with Mary under a lamp.

     John and some of the disciples knocked on the door of the women's hall.  The holy women at once enveloped themselves in their mantles, and along with the Blessed Mary, followed them to the Temple.  It was customary among the Jews to visit the Temple at daybreak after eating the Paschal lamb.  It was about three in the morning when the Blessed Virgin and her friends wanted to take leave of it.  Simeon's sons and Joseph of Arimathea's nephews, who had care of the Temple, welcomed the Blessed Virgin and her companions, and conducted them everywhere.  Silently they gazed with mixed feelings of awe and adoration at the work of destruction, the visible marks of God's anger.  Only here and there were a few words spoken. (Mark 27:40)

     They returned to the Cenacle on Zion at daybreak.  The Blessed Virgin with her companions retired to her own dwelling at the right of the courtyard.  At the entrance John left them and joined the men in the Cenacle.  They spent the whole Sabbath in the Supper Room mourning the death of their Master.  Occasionally and very cautiously they admitted new comers and conferred with them in tears.  All experienced an inward reverence for John and a feeling of confusion in his presence since he had been at the death of the Lord.  But John was full of love and sympathy toward them.  Simple and ingenuous as a child, he gave place to everyone.  They were safe from attack for the house belonged to Nicodemus and they had hired it for the Paschal celebrations.  At the close of the Sabbath, John, Peter and James Zebedee visited the holy women, to mourn with them and to console them.

     In the morning on the first day of the week Magdalen reached the Cenacle like one beside herself, and knocked violently at the door.  Peter and John opened the door.  Magdalen without entering merely uttered, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb!  We know not where," and ran back in great haste to the garden of the sepulchre.  Peter and John followed her, John outstripping Peter.  John stood outside the entrance of the grotto and stooped down to look.  He saw the linens lying.  Then came Peter.  John followed Peter into the tomb, and believed in the resurrection.  All that the Lord had said, all that was written in the Scriptures, was now clear to him.  He had had only an imperfect comprehension of it before.  Peter took the linens with him under his mantle.  Both went back to the Cenacle.  Meanwhile Magdalen reached the holy women and told them.  The disciples at first would not believe Magdalen's report, and, until the return of John and Peter, they looked upon the whole affair as the effect of women's imagination. (John 20:1-9 & Luke 24:1-12)

     Even after Jesus had appeared to Peter, John and James, yet the greatest number of Apostles and disciples would not fully believe in His resurrection.  They still felt uneasy as if His apparition was not a real and corporeal one, only a vision, a phantom, similar to those the prophets had.  All had again ranged for prayer after Peter's instruction, when Luke and Cleophas, hurrying back from Emmaus, knocked at the closed doors of the courtyard and received admittance.  The joyful news they related somewhat interrupted the prayer.  But scarcely was it again continued when Jesus came through the closed doors.  He showed them his hands and feet, and opening His garment, disclosed the wound in His side.  He spoke to them, and seeing that they were very much terrified, He asked for something to eat.  Peter brought Him some fish and honey.  Jesus instructed them, explaining several points of Holy Scripture relative to Himself and the Blessed Sacrament.  He imparted strength to the ten Apostles who formed the inner most circle around Him.  Thomas was not there.  Jesus also spoke of the mystery contained in the Ark of the Covenant.  He said that the mystery was now His Body and Blood which He gave to them forever in the Sacrament.  After He vanished the Apostles and disciples assembled again under the lamp to sing canticles of praise and thanksgiving. (Luke 24:13-48)

     Peter and John conducted a second agape.  Peter stood before the lamp.  John and James Alpheus at his sides.  Jesus walked quickly through the hall into the Supper Room and stepped between Peter and John who fell back on either side.  Jesus first words were, "Peace be with you."  Jesus 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 place the forefinger in the wound of His right hand; lastly taking again Thomas' 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.  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 up by the hand. (John 20:24-29)

     John brought out on his arm the large colored embroidered mantle which James Alpheus had received from Mary.  It was white with broad red stripes and on it were embroidered in colors wheat, grapes, a lamb and other symbols.  The holy women had worked on it at Bethania.  John also brought a hollow slender staff, high and bent at the top like a shepherd's crook.

     Peter knelt down before Jesus.  Strength and vigor poured into Peter's soul when Jesus breathed upon him.  Jesus laid His hands on Peter and invested him with chief power over the others.  Then He placed upon him the mantle that John had brought and put the staff in his hand.  Jesus said that the mantle would preserve in him all the strength and virtue that He had just imparted to him, and he should wear it whenever he had to use the power with which he had just been endued.

     Before going to the sea, the holy Apostles went over the Way of the Cross to Mount Calvary and thence to Bethania.  Taking some disciples with them, they went by different routes and in several groups to the Sea of Galilee.  John went with his brother James, Peter, Thaddeus, Nathanial, John Mark and Silas to a fishery outside Tiberias.  They went aboard two ships, John, James, John Mark and Silas were in one boat; Peter with others were in the larger boat.  They sailed the whole night with torches, casting the nets here and there, always coming up empty.  At intervals they prayed and sang psalms.  When day was beginning to dawn, the ships approached the eastern shore of the sea.  The Apostles were worn out and wanted to cast anchor.  They saw a figure standing behind the reeds on the shore.  It was Jesus.  He cried out, "Children, do you have any meat?"  They answered, "no!"  Then He cried out again, telling them to cast the net to the west of Peter's ship.  The net became so heavily filled that John recognized Jesus and called, "It is the Lord!"  John pushed on in a boat, very light and narrow, which was fastened to his ship.  Those left on board began to cry to them for help to draw in the net.  In it were one hundred fifty three different kinds of fishes.  Jesus had a fire and fish were cooking.  He invited the Apostles to come and eat.  Bread and honey cakes were also ready. (John 21:4-14)

     After the meal Jesus and the Apostles walked up and down the shore.  Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him.  The third time He asked, Peter grew troubled at the thought that Jesus asked him so often as if He doubted his love.  John was thinking, "Oh what love Jesus must have and what ought a shepherd to have, since He thrice questions Peter, to whom He confides His flock, concerning his love." (John 21:15-17)

     Jesus turned again to go on.  John walked with Him, for Jesus was saying something to John alone.  Peter noticing this glanced at John wondering, "Shall not this man whom Jesus loves so dearly be crucified like Him?"  Putting the question to Jesus he asked the Lord while pointing to John, "Lord, what will become of this man?"  Jesus, to rebuke his curiosity, answered, "So, if I will to have him remain until I come, what is that to You?  You follow Me!"  And Jesus turning again, they went forward.  Jesus instructed them upon their future conduct.  He then vanished before them. (John 21:20-23)

     Jesus' prediction on the seashore respecting Peter's death and John's future at the command, "Feed My lambs," foreshadowed their different roles.  Peter in his successors was forever to provide for the guiding and feeding of the flocks, while John should stand ever at the source of the water that was to refresh and irrigate the meadow and quicken the sheep.  Peter's influence belonged more to time, more to the exterior condition, and therefore it was divided among his successors; but that of John's was more interior, that it consisted more in inspiration, in the sending abroad of inspired messengers.  Peter was more like the rock, the edifice; John was more like the wind, a cloud, a thunderstorm, a son of thunder, a voice-sender.  Peter was more like the frame, the cords, the tone of a harp; John was the sighing of the breeze through its strings.

     About fifty soldiers came from Jerusalem to Bethania.  They were guards belonging to the Temple and the High Priests.  Also some deputies of the Sanhedrin made their appearance at the Council House in Bethania, and summoned the Apostles before them.  Peter, John and Thomas presented themselves and replied boldly and openly to the charges against them that they convened assemblies and caused disturbances among the people.  The magistrates of Bethania opposed the deputies, saying that if they knew anything against those men, they ought to take them into custody, but that they must not disturb the peace of the place by the presence of soldiers.  Peter, in order to avoid giving offence, dismissed one hundred twenty-three of the assembled faithful.  Fifty women also withdrew from Bethania and lived together in separate abodes.  Peter gave orders for all to return to Bethania on the day before Christ's ascension.  The Blessed Virgin and John resided in a little dwelling on the same ground as the Supper Room.

     In those last days Jesus communicated with the Apostles quite naturally.  He ate and prayed with them, walked with them in many directions and repeated all that He had told them before.  When Jesus walked with the Apostles around Jerusalem some of the Pharisees and Sadducees, aware of His apparition, were terrified.  Even the Apostles and disciples who accompanied Him had a certain degree of timidity, for there was in Him something too spiritual for them.  He scattered blessings everywhere, and they that saw Him believed and joined the Apostles and disciples.

     On the second to last day before the ascension, Jesus with five Apostles approached Bethania.  The Blessed Virgin with other holy women came from Jerusalem.  Many of the Faithful knowing that Jesus would soon leave them, gathered around Lazarus'.  They wanted to see Him once more and bid Him good bye.

     Jesus took a touching leave of Lazarus, who generally remained hidden in his house and did not accompany the disciples.  Jesus and His followers took the Psalm Sunday route on their way to the Supper Room.  They went in separate companies allowing considerable distances between them.  The Eleven went on with Jesus, the holy women followed last.  All were anxious and greatly depressed.  Some were in tears.  Some did not want to think that He would really leave them.  Peter and John alone appeared more calm, as if they understood the Lord better.  Jesus often spoke to them interiorly and explained to them many things.

     The sun had set and it was beginning to grow dark when Jesus drew near with the Apostles.  Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea received Him at the gate.  The Apostles reclined on cross seats, but Jesus stood.  At His side reclined John who was more cheerful than the rest.  He was just like a child in disposition, now quickly troubled, and again full of consolation and joy.  The lamp over the table was lighted.  Nicodemus and Joseph served a meal.  Jesus blessed the cup, drank from it, and then passed it around.  This however was not a consecration.

     The love feast over, all assembled outside the hall under the trees.  Jesus gave a long instruction, and ended by giving them His blessing.

     Toward morning, matins where solemnly recited as usual under the lamp.  Jesus again imparted to Peter jurisdiction over the others.  Before leaving the house, Jesus presented the Blessed Virgin to the Apostles and disciples as their Mother, their Mediatrix, and their Advocate, and she bestowed upon Peter and all the rest her blessing which they received bowing very low.

     At dawn of day, Jesus left the house of the Last Supper with the Eleven.  The Blessed Virgin followed closely, the disciples at a little distance.  Just before the gate that led out to Mount Calvary, they turned aside from the road to a delightful tree-shaded spot.  Jesus paused to teach and comfort the little flock.  When they continued He at each instant shone more brightly and His motions became more rapid.  His followers hastened after Him but it was impossible to overtake Him.  When He reached the top of the summit, He was resplendent as a beam of white sunlight.  A shining circle glancing in all the colors of the rainbow, fell from heaven around Him.  Jesus Himself shone more brightly than the glory around Him.  He laid the left hand on His breast and raising the right turned slowly around blessing the whole world.  Jesus did not impart it with the flat open hand like the rabbis, but like the Christian Bishops.

     The rays of light from above united with the glory emanating from Jesus, and He disappeared, dissolving as it were in the light of heaven, vanishing as He rose.

     They stood for some time recovering themselves, talking together and gazing upward.  At last the Apostles and disciples went back to the house of the Last Supper and the Blessed Virgin followed.  Some were weeping like children who refuse to be comforted, others were lost in thought.  The Blessed Virgin, Peter and John were very calm and full of consolation.

     It was past noon before the crowd entirely dispersed.  The Apostles and disciples now felt themselves alone.  They were at first restless and like people forsaken.  But by the soothing presence of the Blessed Virgin, they were comforted.

     The Apostles kept themselves very much aloof.  They guarded more closely against persecution from the priests and gave themselves up to more earnest and well regulated prayer.  They were always together, the Blessed Virgin with them, in the house of the Last Supper.(Acts 1:2-14)

     On the eve of Pentecost the whole interior of the Last Supper room was ornamented with green bushes and vases of flowers.  Peter in his episcopal robe stood at a table which was covered with red and white cloths and under the lamp.  On the table lay rolls of writing.  Opposite him in the doorway leading from the entrance hall stood the Blessed Virgin, her face veiled.  Behind her in the entrance hall stood the holy women.  The Apostles, facing Peter, stood in two rows along either side of the hall.  From the side halls the disciples ranged behind the Apostles.  Besides the holy women there were in the house of the Last Supper and its dependant surroundings, one hundred and twenty of Jesus' followers.

     A luminous cloud descended low over the house and with increasing sound the light became brighter.  There shot from the rushing cloud streams of white light.  The streams intersected one with another in seven-fold rays and below each intersection they resolved into fine threads of light and fiery drops.  Each of the faithful threw back his head and raised his eyes eagerly on high, while into the mouth of everyone there flowed a stream of light like a burning tongue of fire.  It looked as if they were eagerly drinking in the fire.  The sacred fire was poured forth also upon the disciples and women present in the antechamber.  The flames descended on each in different colors and in different degrees of intensity.  A joyous courage pervaded the assembly.  All were full of emotion and as if intoxicated with joy and confidence.  They ranged for prayer, gave thanks and praised God with great emotion. (Acts 2:1-15)

     After receiving the Holy Spirit, they then departed for the Pool of Bethsaida to consecrate the water and administer baptism.  The baptism at the Pool of Bethsaida had been arranged by Jesus Himself for this day's feast.  Peter, assisted by John and James Alpheus, solemnly blessed the water.  The preparations for baptism and the baptism itself occupied the whole day.

     The Apostles and disciples after the feast of Pentecost worked continually at the interior arrangements of the Church.  Peter, John, Andrew and James Alpheus took turns preaching at 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. (Acts 2:37-41)

     In the Church near the Pool of Bethsaida, 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.  He gave thanks for the Savior's graces and blessings upon the Community.

     Before choosing the seven deacons, the Apostles gathered around Peter in the Cenacle.  John laid upon Peter the mantle, another placed the miter on his head, and another put the crosier into his hand.  After all had received communion from Peter, he addressed the large crowd of disciples and new converts.  He said that it was not becoming for the Word of God to be neglected for the care of clothing and nourishment.  Lazarus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who had been taking care of the temporal needs of the Community had become priests.  They should be released from their earthly duties, using their power and strength instead for spiritual good.  Seven men stepped forward to offer himself to serve.  Peter prayed over them, laid his hands upon them, and crossed stoles under their arms.  The treasures and goods of the Community were delivered over to the seven deacons.  Also assigned to them for their accommodation was the house of Joseph of Arimathea. (Acts 6:1-5)

     This was an early General Council of the Community convened by Peter.  On the day following the giving over of Joseph of Arimathea's house to the deacons, the Apostles dispersed into Judea.

     It was about three hours after noon when Peter and John went up to the Temple with several disciples.  Standing under an awning on the south side of the Temple, Peter addressed the people in fiery speech.  During his instruction, soldiers and priests conferred together.  As Peter and John turned again toward the Temple, they were accosted by a lame man who petitioned them for alms.  He was lying outside the door, a perfect cripple, leaning on the left elbow while vainly trying to raise something up with the crutch in his right hand.  Peter said to him, "Look up!" and when the man obeyed he continued, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have, I give to you!  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk!"  Peter raised him up by the right hand while John grasped him under the shoulder.  The man, full of joy and vigor, stood upon his feet.  He leaped about cured and ran with shouts of triumph through the halls of the temple. (Acts 3:1-9)

     Twelve Jewish priests, seated on their chairs, looked with outstretched neck in the direction of the uproar.  As the crowd around the cured man increased they left their seats and withdrew.  Peter mounted the teacher's chair and preached long and in words full of inspiration.  It was already dark when Peter, John and the cured man was seized by Temple soldiers and thrown into a prison near the judgement hall in which Peter had denied the Lord.  The next day all three were taken by the soldiers with much ill-usage up the same flight of stairs upon which Jesus had stood and there 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 Cenacle in continued prayer for the prisoners.  When Peter and John returned and told them what 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 that He was still among them and had heard their prayer. (Acts 4:1-24)

     Then James Alpheus said that Jesus had told him that, after Peter and John upon going up to the Temple, being  imprisoned, and then set free, they should keep themselves somewhat retired for awhile.  They withdrew to Bethania.  The Apostles shut up everything.  Peter carried the Blessed Sacrament in a bag suspended around his neck.  They traveled in small bands.  Mary and the other holy women went with them.  When they again returned to Jerusalem, they were more enthusiastic, more determined than ever.

     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.  Peter cured only those that believed and were desirous of joining the Community.

     About a year after the crucifixion of Our Lord, Stephen was stoned. (Acts 7:54-60)  The rising settlement of new converts around Jerusalem was dissolved, the Christians dispersed, and some were murdered.  A few years later, a new storm arose against them.  It was then that the Blessed Virgin allowed herself to be conducted by John to the region of Ephesus, where Christians had already made settlements.  Until that time she had lived in the small house near the Cenacle.  This happened a short time after the imprisonment of Lazarus and his sisters, and their subsequent setting out over the sea.  John returned again to Jerusalem where the other Apostles were.  Before John brought the Blessed Virgin to the settlement near Ephesus, he had had built for her a dwelling of stone very similar to her own home at Nazareth.  In a niche in the wall was a kind of closet which, like a certain kind of tabernacle, could be made to open and close by revolving.  In it was a Crucifix about the length of one's arm.  This very simple, carved Crucifix was made by the Blessed Mother herself and John.

     At Ephesus Mary lived alone with her maid.  Only at times was she visited by John or some other travelling Apostle or disciple.  One day when John came he looked older, his long white garment tucked up from traveling.  He laid it aside and taking another out from under his mantle put it on instead.  He laid a maniple on his arm.  Mary's maid conducted her to John.  She was enveloped in a white robe and looked very weak.  Her face looked transparent and white as snow.  She retired with John to her oratory, pulled a strap which revolved a tabernacle-like niche and disclosed her crucifix.  After Mary and John had prayed long on their knees before it, John arose.  From a metal box he took out the Holy Sacrament and administered It to Mary.

     Near her dwelling place the Blessed Virgin erected the Stations of the Holy Way.  She went along measuring off all the special points of His bitter Passion according to the number of steps which, after the death of her Son, she had so often counted.  At the end of each definite number she raised a memorial stone.  The Way led to a grove, and there was a cave in the side of a hill representing the Holy Sepulchre.  John gave orders for regular monuments to be set up.  He had the cave representing the Sepulchre cleaned out and made more suitable for prayer.  The memorial stones lay in hollows.  They were of polished white marble.  The faithful when performing this devotion carried a cross about a foot in length.  It had a support which they placed in the little hollow on the upper surface of the stone for the particular station at which they were meditating, either kneeling or prostate on their face.  There were twelve stations.

     About three years after Mary had lived near Ephesus she had a great desire to visit Jerusalem.  John and Peter escorted her there.  On her arrival in the evening twilight, before she entered Jerusalem, she visited the Mount of Olives, Mount Calvary, the Holy Sepulchre and all the holy places around Jerusalem.  The Blessed Mother was so sad, so moved by compassion that she could scarcely walk.  Peter and John supported her under the arms.

     At this time some of the Apostles had assembled in Jerusalem and again met in Council.  Mary assisted them with her advice.  At this Council the Apostles drew up what later became known as "The Apostles' Creed."  They drew up other rules and regulations for the Community (Church).  The Apostles relinquished all they possessed, distributed alms to the poor and divided the Church into Dioceses.  James Alpheus became the Bishop of Jerusalem and John became Bishop of the Churches of Asia Minor.

     John continued his ministry mostly among the cities near the western coast of Asia Minor, visiting Mary when he could, and providing for her needs.

     A year and a half before her death, Mary made one more journey with John from Ephesus to Jerusalem.  She again visited the Holy places.  She was unspeakably sorrowful, and she continually sighed, "Oh my Son!"  When she came to the back gate to that palace where she had first seen Jesus passing with the cross and where He fell, she was so agitated by the painful remembrance that she too sank to the ground.  Her companions thought her dying.  They removed her to Zion upon which the Cenacle was still standing, and in one of the buildings she took up her abode.  For several days she appeared to be so weak and so near death that her friends began to think of preparing her a tomb.  She herself made choice of a cave on Mount Olivet, and the Apostles had a beautiful tomb built there by a Christian stone cutter.  Many were of the opinion that she would really die; and so the report of her death was spread abroad.  But she recovered sufficient strength to journey back to Ephesus where a year and a half later she did indeed die.  The tomb prepared for her on Mount Olivet was ever after held in reverence, and at a later period a church was built over it.

     As the Blessed Mother felt her end approaching she called the Apostles to her by prayer.  Through angels the Apostles received her request to gather in Ephesus.

     Peter, Andrew and Thaddeus arrived together.  John was already there.  John had shortly before been in Jerico, for he often traveled to Palestine.  He usually abode in Ephesus however, and in the country around.  Paul was not summoned.  Only those who were related or acquainted with the Holy Family were called to her bedside.  John's brother, James had already been martyred before Mary's death. (Acts 12:2)

     When the Apostles had gathered they went all together into Mary's little sleeping chamber to take leave of her.  Mary sat upright, the Apostles knelt in turn at the side of her couch.  She prayed over each and blessed him.  Mary then addressed them in a body.  She told John what to do with her remains.

     Then the altar with its covers, one red the other white, was placed in front of the crucifix of the Blessed Mother's own oratory.  Peter celebrated Holy Mass.  Tapers, not lamps, were burning on the altar.  Peter gave the Blessed Sacrament to all present.  Thaddeus then brought forward a little incense basin and Peter gave the Blessed Mother the last anointing.  Peter bore the Blessed Sacrament to Mary in the cross hanging on his breast, and she received It sitting up without support.  Then she sank back again on her pillow and after the Apostles had offered a short prayer, she received the Chalice from John, but not then in so upright a posture.

     After Communion Mary spoke no more.  A figure of light appeared to issue from her.  Peter and John must have seen the glory of Mary's blessed soul, for their faces were turned upward, but the other Apostles continued kneeling bowed to the ground.

     At last the women covered the blessed remains with a sheet, they veiled themselves and prayed.  The Apostles too enveloped their heads with the scarf they wore around their shoulders and ranged in order for prayer.  They took turns, two at a time, to kneel and pray at the head and feet of the blessed remains.

     Andrew and Matthias were busy preparing the place of burial which was the grotto that John and Mary had arranged at the end of the Way of the Cross they had made for Mary's use.  It represented the Holy sepulchre of Christ.

     Peter celebrated the Unbloody Sacrifice on the altar of the oratory and gave Holy Communion to the other Apostles.  After that Peter and John approached the body in their mantles of ceremony.  John carried a vessel of oil with which Peter anointed in the form of a cross and with accompanying prayers the forehead, hands and feet of the holy body.  The holy body was laid in a coffin of snow white wood with a tightly fitted arched cover which was fastened down with gray straps.  The coffin was then laid on a litter.  The sorrow of the mourners was more human and more openly expressed than at Jesus' burial, at which holy awe and reverence predominated.

     Peter and John raised the coffin from the litter and carried it in their hands through the door of the house to the outside where it was again laid on the litter which Peter and John then raised upon their shoulders.  Six of the Apostles thus took turns carrying it.

     Before reaching the grotto, the litter was set down.  Four of the Apostles bore the coffin in and placed it in the hollow of the tomb.  All went, one by one, into the grotto where they knelt in prayer and took leave of it.  The tomb was shut in by a wicker screen.  Before the entrance of the grotto they made a trench which they planted so thickly with blooming flowers and bushes covered with berries that one could gain access to it only from the side by making his way through underbrush.

     The next day when the Apostles were engaged in choir service, Thomas made his appearance.  He was greatly grieved when he heard that the Blessed Mother was already buried.  He wept bitterly.  The Apostles gathered around him, raised him up, embraced him and gave him bread, honey and a beverage.  They accompanied him to the tomb.  Two disciples bent the shrubbery to one side.  Thomas, Eleasar and John went in and prayed before the coffin.  Then John loosened the straps that bound it.  They stood the lid of the coffin on one side, and to their intense astonishment beheld only the empty winding sheets lying like a husk, or shell, in perfect order.  The Apostles gazed in astonishment.  John cried out, "She is no longer here!"  The others came in quickly, wept, prayed, looked upward with raised arms and finally cast themselves on the ground, remembering the radiant cloud of the preceding night.  Then rising they took the winding sheet just as it was, all the grave linens and the coffin to keep as relics and returned to the house praying and singing psalms.  When they returned to the house John laid the folded linens on a little flap-table before the altar.

     Before the Apostles left Mary's house to journey again into distant parts they rendered the tomb wholly inaccessible by raising the embankment of earth before the entrance.  Above the grotto they built a chapel of wood and wickerwood and hung it with mats and tapestry.

     The apartment of the house where Mary had her oratory and sleeping room was converted into a little church.  The Apostles with tears and embraces took leave of one another after they had once more celebrated solemn service in Mary's house.  An Apostle or disciple often returned at different times to pray there.  Out of devotion and in reverence for the Blessed Mother churches were built by the Faithful in the same style as her house.  Her Way of the Cross and her tomb were for a long time devotedly visited by the Christians.

     Her death, her assumption into heaven, and the site of her tomb God allowed to be subjects of uncertainty that the pagan sentiments of the time might not penetrate Christianity, for the Blessed Mother might otherwise have been adored as a goddess.

     During Jesus' public ministry and the earliest years of the Apostles, persecution of them came from the Pharisees and Scribes, the Jewish leaders, who were religiously and politically afraid of the new movement.  They feared that the teachings of Jesus, if widely accepted, would counteract their authority and established customs, threatening their position, honor, and influence.  They were also afraid that His statements about His Kingdom would cause the Roman authorities to suspect a rebellion and further crush the Jews.

     Their fears were justified, for in 70 A.D. to suppress a major revolt, Roman troops poured into Palestine, burned Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and slaughtered many thousands of inhabitants.  After that violent breakup the Sanhedrin was no longer a major force in the politics of the country or in the persecution of the Church.  Before the destruction of the Temple, Nero had martyred Peter and Paul, but his purpose was not only to contain Christianity but to use the Apostles as a scapegoat, to deflect the wrath of Roman citizens away from himself.  After the collapse of the civic authority of the Sanhedrin, persecution of the Christians shifted from those Jewish leaders to Roman authorities who feared a retaliation by their gods because Christians would not honor or worship the Roman gods.

     The next great persecution of the Church came about through the Emperor Domitian.  Like Nero he lived in mortal fear of revolution, and did not hesitate to eliminate anyone whom he saw as a potential threat.  Under Domitian the Apostle John was arrested for his Christian faith, and exiled from Ephesus to a prison colony on the rocky island of Patmos.  While in prison John wrote letters of love and encouragement to those he was unable to visit.  Three of these epistles survived and are included in the Bible.

     In 95 A.D. Domitian (reigned 81-96 A.D.) called off his persecution of Christians.  John, then ninety two, was released from captivity and allowed to return to Ephesus where he lived the five years remaining to his life.

     John's last years were very productive.  Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna studied under him.  He wrote his gospel at the request of the Elders of the Church.  When they asked him to write it he answered that he would do so, if, by ordering a common fast, they would all offer to the Almighty God their prayers for this intention.  He wrote his Gospel "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

     During his imprisonment or shortly afterward he also wrote the Apocalypse (Revelations).  This was resistance literature written to meet a crisis, the ruthless persecution of the Church by the Roman authorities.  Written in symbolic words, it is an exhortation and admonition to stand firm in the faith, and to avoid compromise with paganism despite the threat of adversity and martyrdom.  The reader is to wait patiently for the fulfillment of God's mighty promises.  The Apocalypse had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid for Christians of all time.  In the face of evils from within and without the Christian can confidently trust in God's promise to be with the Church forever.

     John had a childlike simplicity in his tastes and in his thoughts.  His life was dominated by a divine love and charity.  He lived that love demonstrated by his support of Jesus even through the horror and danger of His death on the cross.  His love was not confined to Jesus alone, but was shown as well to Mary, to the other Apostles and disciples, and to all who came in contact with him.

     John wrote "Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God: everyone who loves is begotten of God and has knowlege of God."  (1 John 4:7)

     John loved ardently until his life came to the end.  He is aptly called "The Beloved Disciple."