and in humbly adoring God.



CHAPTER LVIII.

A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday.



The faithful disciples of our Lord assembled together in the
Cenaculum, to keep the eve of the Sabbath. They were about twenty in
number, clothed in long white dresses, and with their waists girded.
The room was lighted up by a lamp; and after their repast they
separated, and for the most part returned home. They again assembled on
the following morning, and sat together reading and praying by turns;
and if a friend entered the room, they arose and saluted him cordially.

In that part of the house inhabited by the Blessed Virgin there was
a large room, divided into small compartments like cells, which were
used by the holy women for sleeping in at night. When they returned
from the sepulchre, one of their number lighted a lamp which was
hanging in the middle of the room, and they all assembled around the
Blessed Virgin, and commenced praying in a mournful but recollected
manner. A short time afterwards, Martha, Maroni, Dina, and Mara, who
were just come with Lazarus from Bethania, where they had passed the
Sabbath, entered the room. The Blessed Virgin and her companions gave
them a detailed account of the death and burial of our Lord,
accompanying each relation with many tears. The evening was advancing,
and Joseph of Arimathea came in with a few other disciples, to ask