their seal upon the sepulchre. The aspect of things in the Temple was,
however, very different from what was usually the case at such times,
for the sacrifices were stopped, and the place was empty and desolate,
as everyone had left on account of the events on the previous day which
had rendered it impure. The Blessed Virgin appeared to me to visit it
for the sole purpose of taking leave of the place where she had passed
her youth.

The Temple was, however, open; the lamps lighted, and the people at
liberty to enter the vestibule of the priests, which was the customary
privilege of this day, as well as of that which followed the Paschal
supper. The Temple was, as I said before, quite empty, with the
exception of a chance priest or server who might be seen wandering
about; and every part bore the marks of the confusion into which all
was thrown on the previous day by the extraordinary and frightful
events that had taken place; besides which it had been defiled by the
presence of the dead, and I reflected and wondered in my own mind
whether it would be possible ever to purify if again.

The sons of Simeon, and the nephew of Joseph of Arimathea, were much
grieved when they heard of the arrest of their uncle, but they welcomed
the Blessed Virgin and her companions, and conducted them all over the
Temple, which they did without difficulty, as they held the offices of
inspectors of the Temple. The holy women stood in silence and
contemplated all the terrible and visible marks of the anger of God
with feelings of deep awe, and then listened with interest to the many
stupendous details recounted by their guides. The effects of the
earthquake were still visible, as little had been done towards
repairing the numerous rents and cracks in the floor, and in the walls.
In that part of the Temple where the vestibule joined the sanctuary,