give some consolation, but could not restrain
his own tears, and only remained a short time with them. They had
likewise a short visit from Peter and James the Greater, after which
they retired to their cells, and gave free vent to grief, sitting upon
ashes, and veiling themselves even more closely.

The prayer of the Blessed Virgin was unceasing. She ever kept her
eyes fixed interiorly on Jesus, and was perfectly consumed by her
ardent desire of once more beholding him whom she loved with such
inexpressible love. Suddenly an angel stood by her side, and bade her
arise and go to the door of the dwelling of Nicodemus, for that the
Lord was very near. The heart of the Blessed Virgin leaped for joy. She
hastily wrapped her cloak about her, and left the holy women, without
informing them where she was going. I saw her walk quickly to a small
entrance which was cut in the town wall, the identical one through
which she had entered when returning with her companions from the
sepulchre.

It was about nine o'clock at night, and the Blessed Virgin had almost
reached the entrance, when I saw her stop suddenly in a very solitary
spot, and look upwards in an ecstasy of delight, for on the top of the
town wall she beheld the soul of our Lord, resplendent with light,
without the appearance of a wound, and surrounded by patriarchs. He
descended towards her, turned to his companions, and presenting her to
them, said, 'Behold Mary, behold my Mother.' He appeared to me to salute
her with a kiss, and he then disappeared. The Blessed Virgin knelt
down, and most reverently kissed the ground on which he had stood, and
the impression of her hands and knees remained imprinted upon the
stones. The sight filled her with inexpressible joy, and she
immediately rejoined the holy women, who were busily employed in
preparing the perfumes and spices. She did not tell them what she had
seen, but her firmness and strength of mind was restored. She was
perfectly renovated, and therefore comforted all the rest, and
endeavoured to strengthen their faith.

All the holy women were sitting by a long table, the cover of which
hung down to the floor, when Mary returned; bundles of herbs were
heaped around them, and these they mixed together and arranged; small
flasks, containing sweet unctions and water of spikenard, were standing
near, as also bunches of natural flowers, among which I remarked one in
particular, which was like a streaked iris or a lily. Mag