among women, who, when saluted by the angel as 'full of grace,' immediately
replied, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to
thy word,' and in whose sacred womb the Word was instantly made flesh,--that
she, when informed by her dying Son that she was to become the
spiritual mother of another son, should repeat the same words with
humble obedience, and immediately adopt as her children all the
children of God, the brothers of Jesus Christ. These things are much
easier to feel by the grace of God than to be expressed in words. I
remember my celestial Spouse once saying to me, 'Everything is imprinted
in the hearts of those children of the Church who believe, hope, and
love.'



CHAPTER XLIV.

The Fear felt by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Fourth Word of Jesus on the Cross.



It was about half-past one o'clock when I was taken into Jerusalem to
see what was going on there. The inhabitants were perfectly overcome
with terror and anxiety; the streets dark and gloomy, and some persons
were feeling their way about, while others, seated on the ground with
their heads veiled, struck their breasts, or went up to the roofs of
their houses, looked at the sky, and burst forth in bitter
lamentations. Even the animals uttered mournful cries, and hid
themselves; the birds flew low, and fell to the ground. I saw Pilate