of the
dreadful scene he had just witnessed, she, as also Magdalen and some of
the other holy women, begged to be taken to the place where Jesus was
suffering. John, who had only left our Saviour in order to console her
whom he loved best next to his Divine Master, instantly acceded to
their request, and conducted them through the streets, which were
lighted up by the moon alone, and crowded with persons hastening to
their home. The holy women were closely veiled; but the sobs which they
could not restrain made many who passed by observe them, and their
feelings were harrowed by the abusive epithets they overheard bestowed
upon Jesus by those who were conversing on the subject of his arrest.
The Blessed Virgin, who ever beheld in spirit the opprobrious treatment
which her dear Son was receiving, continued 'to lay up all these things
in her heart;' like him she suffered in silence; but more than once she
became totally unconscious. Some disciples of Jesus, who were returning
from the hall of Caiphas, saw her fainting in the arms of the holy
women, and, touched with pity, stopped to look at her compassionately,
and saluted her in these words: 'Hail! Unhappy Mother--hail, Mother of the
Most Holy One of Israel, the most afflicted of all mothers!' Mary raised
her head, thanked them gratefully, and continued her sad journey.

When in the vicinity of Caiphas's house, their grief was renewed by
the sight of a group of men who were busily occupied under a tent,
making the cross ready for our Lord's crucifixion. The enemies of Jesus
had given orders that the cross should be prepared directly after his
arrest, that they might without delay execute the sentence which they
hoped to persuade Pilate to pass on him. The Romans had already
prepared the crosses of the two thieves, and the workmen who were
making that of Jesus were much annoyed at being obliged to labour at it
during the night; they did not attempt to conceal their anger at this,
and uttered the most frightful oaths and curses, which pierced the
heart of the tender Mother of Jesus through and through; but she prayed
for these blind creatures who thus unknowingly blasphemed the Saviour
who was about to die for their salvation, and prepared the cross for
his cruel execution.

Mary, John, and the holy women traversed the outer court attached to
Caiphas's house. They stopped under the archway of a door which opened
into the inner court. Mary's heart was with her Divine Son,