Catherine Emmerich: At Simon’s house Jesus taught during the whole meal. It was nearing the close of His discourse; the Apostles were stretched forward in breathless attention.
Carrying ointment in a fold of her mantle, Mary Magdalen cast herself down before Jesus, weeping bitterly. She anointed his feet. Then drawing her flowing hair from beneath her veil, she wiped the Lord’s anointed feet.
Jesus had observed her approach, but the others were taken by surprise. Jesus said: “Be not scandalized at this woman!” and then addressed some words softly to her. Magdalen, weeping and veiled, withdrew. When she passed before Judas, he indignantly addressed to her some words on her extravagance, saying that the purchase money might have been given to the poor. Magdalen made no reply. She was weeping bitterly. Then Jesus spoke, bidding the guests to let her pass, and saying that she had anointed Him for His death, for later she would not be able to do it, and that wherever this Gospel would be preached, her action would be recounted.
Mary of Agreda: So far Judas had committed only venial sins and had not lost sanctifying grace; but he was envious and harsh in judging the faults of his brethren. His charity toward God and men grew cold, and his interior light was lost. The most prudent Lady, perceiving the growth of this defection in Judas, exhorted him as her beloved child and with extreme sweetness and force of reasoning. But he rejected her kindness and he closed against himself the gates of mercy and of his only salvation. His disgust with the sweetest Mother soon engendered in him an abhorrence of his Master.
At this time the Lord resolved to appoint one of the disciples to take charge of the alms received; thus to supply the common needs and pay the imperial tribute. Jesus made known His wishes to all indiscriminately without addressing Himself to anyone in particular. Judas’ heart of was corrupted with avarice. Hypocritically, he approached Jesus , saying: “Master, I wish to fulfill thy wishes and serve Thee as thy purser, I will look to the interests of the poor, fulfilling thy doctrine that we should do unto others as we wish them to do unto us, and I will see to it that alms are distributed according to thy wishes, more profitably and orderly than hitherto.”
Jesus knew what was in his heart and replied: “Dost thou know, Judas, what thou seekest and what thou askest? Be not so cruel toward thy own self as to solicit and seek to obtain the poison which may cause thy death.”
Maria Valtorta: The happy crowd comes with a donkey. The crowd lay their costly mantles on its back. One man kneels down with one knee on the ground and the other as a step for the Lord, Who sits back on the colt. Hundreds of people spread their mantles to form a carpet with branches of olive trees, palm leaves and flowers. Continuous cries of ‘Hosanna, Son of David’ reverberate throughout the procession route.
Bridget of Sweden: While Christ received the enthusiastic acclamations of His followers, the Blessed Virgin remained in retirement in Lazarus’ home in Bethany, although by visions she was able to watch the thrilling triumph of her Son. She noticed how sad He was as He gazed at the Holy City and wept over its approaching destruction, and she perceived the extraordinary gravity and serene majesty of His countenance during the solemn procession.
Catherine Emmerich: Jesus told Peter and John, that they would meet a man carrying a water pitcher and that they should say to him “The Master bids us say to thee that His time is near at hand. He desires to celebrate the Pasch at thy house.” The man, by name Heli, was delighted and this was arranged. The paschal lamb was sacrificed and roasted. From Veronica the apostles took the chalice of which Jesus was to make use in the institution of the Eucharist.
At the supper as Jesus broke the bread into several morsels, it seemed to me that I saw the Blessed Virgin come before the Lord to receive the Blessed Sacrament, after which I saw her no more.
Jesus’ words, glowing with fire and light, came forth from His mouth and entered into all the Apostles, excepting Judas. Jesus took the plate with the morsels of bread and said, “Take and eat. This is My Body which is given for you.” While saying these words, He stretched forth His right hand over it, as if giving a blessing, and as He did so, a brilliant light emanated from Him.
His words were luminous as also the Bread, which as a body of light entered the mouth of the Apostles. It was as if Jesus Himself flowed into them. I saw all of them penetrated with light, bathed in light. Judas alone was in darkness. Jesus said to Judas: “What thou art about to do, do quickly.”
Jesus next raised the chalice by its two handles to a level with His face, and pronounced into it the words of consecration. While doing so, He was wholly transfigured and, as it were, transparent.
Mary of Agreda: His last supper already advanced some hours, Jesus chose to go forth to that dreadful battle of his suffering and death, by which the Redemption was to be accomplished. He pursued his way across the torrent of Cedron, to Mount Olivet and entered the Garden of Gethsemane. Then He said to all the Apostles: “Wait for Me, and seat yourselves here while I go a short distance from here to pray; do you also pray, in order that you may not enter into temptation.”
This prayer was as it were the floodgate through which the rivers of His suffering were to find entrance like the resistless onslaught of the ocean, as was foretold by David (Psalms 68:2). And immediately He began to be sorrowful and feel the anguish of His soul and therefore said to the Apostles: “My soul is sorrowful unto death.” (Mark 14:34). He threw himself with His divine face upon the ground and prayed to the eternal Father: “Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass from Me.”
In order to imitate in all things with the Redeemer of the world, Our Lady also suffered a bloody sweat, similar to that of Jesus in the garden, and by divine intervention she was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, as Christ her Son was visited by the Archangel Michael.
While Our Lord was praying Judas advanced in order to give the signal of the customary, but now feigned kiss of peace, by which his companions were to distinguish Jesus as the One whom they should single out from the rest and immediately seize. Hiding his hatred, he imprinted on His countenance the kiss of peace, saying: “God save Thee, Master.”
When the servants of the high priest laid hands on and bound the Saviour, the most blessed Mother felt on her own hands the pains caused by the ropes and chains, as if she herself was being bound and fettered; in the same manner she felt in her body the blows and torments further inflicted upon the Lord.
Maria Valtorta: Jesus is taken to the house of Caiaphas the Chief Priest. He is kicked and hit and mocked. Many false accusations are brought against him, but He remains silent. Small, excessively fat, ugly, Caiaphas asks Jesus: “Why are You not replying? What horrible charges they are bringing against You! Speak to clear Your name of such shame.” Jesus looks at him, but does not speak. “Reply to me then. I am your Pontiff. I adjure you by the living God. Tell me: Are you the Christ, the son of God?”
“You have said it. I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power of the Father, coming on the clouds of the sky.”
Caiaphas raises his clucking voice, he tears his linen garments with affected horror, and says: “ He has blasphemed. So what shall we do?” All say in chorus: “He deserves to die.” And with disdainful gestures they go out of the hall, leaving Jesus to the mercy of the mob of false witnesses and the goons. They slap Him, hit Him and spit at Him. His eyes are blindfolded. Orders are given to take Him to Pilate.
Bridget of Sweden: Although John warned the Blessed Virgin that it would break her heart to see her Son after He had been so defiled and disfigured, Mary took her mantle and veil, and said firmly: “Let us follow my Son to Pilate. My eyes must see Him again.” At a sharp turn in the street she did see Jesus again. He was staggering along, bound and chained, covered with bruises and saliva, jerked forward by the ropes which His merciless guards held. He remained a meek and silent victim, humbly submitting to a storm of inhuman mockery, curses and insults.
Catherine Emmerich: Pilate regarded Jesus with astonishment: “Art Thou the King of the Jews?” And Jesus made answer: “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of Me?” “Am I a Jew, that I should know about things so nonsensical? Thy people and their priests have delivered Thee to me for condemnation as one deserving of death. Tell me, what hast Thou done?”
Jesus answered solemnly: “If My Kingdom were of this world, I should certainly have servants who would combat for Me, that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But My Kingdom is not here below.” Pilate heard these earnest words of Jesus with a kind of shudder, and said to Him thoughtfully: “Art Thou then indeed a king?” And Jesus answered: “As thou sayest! Yes, I am the King. I was born, and I came into this world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth, heareth My voice.” Pilate cast a glance on Him and, rising, said: ‘Truth! What is truth?”
To the High Priests, Pilate called, “I find no kind of crime in Him.” They responded, “Is it no crime to stir up the people? He has spread His doctrine throughout the whole country, from Galilee up to these parts.” When Pilate heard the word Galilee he asked, “Is this Man from Galilee a subject of Herod?” The accusers answered: ”Yes.” So Pilate decided to wash his hands and send him to Herod. Between them Pilate and Herod finally condemned Jesus to be flogged and crucified.
Bridget of Sweden: For forty-five minutes Our Lady witnessed, in vision, the scourging of her divine Son by three successive pairs of cursing Egyptian slaves armed with hard cords, thorny branches and chains equipped with sharp iron hooks.
When Jesus was driven into the praetorium after the scourging, to submit to the crowning with thorns, He wiped the blood from His eyes in order to see His afflicted Mother. As He passed, she lifted her hands toward Him in agony and gazed after Him at His bloodstained footsteps.
Then she and Magdalen knelt down before the pillar to which He had been attached, and with some cloth they reverently soaked up every drop of the Precious Blood of the Saviour.
Mary of Agreda: The sentence of Pilate against our Saviour having been published in a loud voice before all the people, the executioners loaded the heavy Cross, on which He was to be crucified, upon His tender and wounded shoulders. In order that He might carry it they loosened the bonds holding His hands, but not the others, since they wished to drag Him along by the loose ends of the ropes that bound His body. In order to torment Him the more they drew two loops around His throat. The Cross was fifteen feet long, of thick and heavy timbers.
When Jesus took upon Himself the Cross, Lucifer feared that some dire and irreplaceable destruction of his reign was imminent. So he resolved to retire and fly with all his followers to the caverns of Hell, but was prevented by the great Queen and Mistress of all creation, who ordered them to await and witness the Passion to the end on mount Calvary.
The sorrowful Mother followed with the multitudes on the way of her divine Son, accompanied by St. John and the pious women. The holy angels speedily led the Queen through some by-streets, in order that she might meet her Son. Thus it came that both of them met face to face in sweetest recognition of each other and in mutual renewal of each other’s interior sorrows. Yet they did not speak to one another, nor would the fierce cruelty of the executioners have permitted such an intercourse.
But the most prudent Mother adored her divine Son and true God, laden with the Cross; and interiorly besought Him, that, since she could not relieve Him of the weight of the Cross and since she was not permitted to command her holy angels to lighten it, He would inspire these ministers of cruelty to procure someone for His assistance. This prayer was heard by the Lord Christ; and so it happened, that Simon of Cyrene was afterwards impressed to carry the Cross with the Lord. Thus they arrived at Golgotha, the place of the skull and of the Crucifixion.
Maria Valtorta: Four brawny men who look like Judaeans, of the same category as the scourgers, jump from a path to the place of execution. They are holding nails, hammers and ropes, which they show to the condemned men, scoffing at them. The crowd is excited with cruel frenzy. The Centurion offers Jesus the amphora, so that he may drink the anesthetic mixture of myrrhed wine. But Jesus refuses it. The two robbers drink a lot of it. A group of priests in white linen garments is in the front. They are joined by some prominent Pharisees, whom hatred has made friends. The executioners offer the condemned men three rags, so that they may tie them round their groins. The robbers take them uttering the most horrible curses. Jesus who strips Himself slowly because of the pain from His wounds, refuses it. But Mary has noticed everything. She removes the long thin, white veil covering her head under the mantle and gives it to John so that he may hand it to Longinus, the Centurion in charge of the crucifixion, who gives it to Jesus. The soldiers lay Jesus on the cross and hammer in the nails.
Bridget of Sweden: Mary says: When I came to myself again, I saw my Son hanging crucified in misery. I heard men saying that my Son was a robber, others that He was a liar. Just as Adam and Eve sold the world for an apple, so in a certain sense my Son and I redeemed the world with one Heart. While He was hanging there, bleeding and pierced with nails, He had compassion for my suffering. With His blood-filled eyes He looked down at John and commended me to his care. Then He cried out in an overpowering voice: “My God, My God, why hast Thou abandoned Me?” I was never able to forget that cry until my Assumption into Heaven.
While He was hanging there so torn and livid, only His Heart was still vigorous. At His birth He had acquired from my flesh a pure body and an excellent constitution. His skin was so delicate that the slightest blow caused the blood to flow at once. And His blood was so red that it could be seen coursing under His clear skin. Death struggled fiercely with life in His pierced body. Then in the excessive anguish of His humanity He cried to His Father: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit!”
Catherine Emmerich: When Jesus with a loud cry gave up his life into the hands of His Heavenly Father, I saw His soul, like a luminous figure, penetrating the earth at the foot of the cross, accompanied by a band of luminous angels, among whom was Gabriel. I saw a great multitude of evil spirits driven by those angels from the earth into the abyss.
Jesus sent many souls from Limbo to re-enter their bodies, in order to frighten and warn the impenitent, as well as to bear witness to Himself. By the earthquake at Jesus’ death, when the rock of Calvary was split, many portions of the earth were upheaved. The crash of falling buildings gave rise to general consternation. To crown their terror, the crowd encountered the corpses raised from the dead, as they walked about uttering their warnings in hollow voices.
Mary of Agreda: The divine Soul of Christ our Redeemer remained in Limbo from half past three of Friday afternoon, until after three of the Sunday morning following. During this hour He returned to the sepulchre, where there were many angels guarding the sacred body. The Holy Soul reunited with the body gave it immortal life and glory. Instead of the winding-sheets and the ointments, in which it had been buried, it was clothed with the four gifts of glory, namely: with clearness, impassibility, agility and subtlity.
Through impassibility His body became invincible to all created power, since no power can ever move or change Him. By subtility the gross and earthly matter was so purified, that it could now penetrate other matter like a pure spirit. Accordingly He penetrated through the rocks of the sepulchre without removing or displacing them, just as He had issued forth from the womb of His most blessed Mother. Agility so freed Him from the weight and slowness of matter, that it exceeded the agility of the immaterial angels, while He himself could move about more quickly than they, as shown in His apparitions to the Apostles and on other occasions.
In all this glory and heavenly adornment the Saviour now arose from the grave; and in the presence of the Saints and Patriarchs He promised universal resurrection in their own flesh and body to all men, and that they moreover, as an effect of His own Resurrection, should be similarly glorified. Of all these mysteries the great Queen of Heaven was aware and she participated in them from her retreat in the Cenacle. In the same instant, in which the most holy Soul of Christ entered and gave life to His body, the joy of her immaculate soul overflowed into her immaculate body.
Maria Valtorta: Shortly before his ascension Jesus said to the apostles: “Pray together with the seventy two and under the guidance of my Mother. She will be for you a mother and teacher of love and perfect wisdom. The Holy Spirit, the sanctifier is about to come and you will be replete with Him. Ensure that you are as pure as everything that is to approach the Lord. Get lost in the eddy of contemplation. Strive to forget that you are men and strive to change into Seraphim. Throw yourselves into the flames of contemplation. The contemplation of God is like a spark that flashes from the friction of steel on flint stone and gives fire and light. The fire that consumes the opaque and impure matter and transforms it into a bright and pure flame is purification.”
He climbs to the summit of the mountain close to Bethany. He stands on a large stone, that stands out in its whiteness. He is brightly illuminated by the sun that makes his garments shine as white as snow and his hair like gold. His eyes sparkle in a divine light. He opens His arms in the gesture of an embrace. He seems to be wishing to press His chest to the multitudes of the earth. His unforgettable inimitable voice gives the last order:
“Go! Go in my name to evangelize the peoples as far as the ends of the earth. God be with you. May His love comfort you, may His light guide you, may His peace dwell in you until you reach eternal life.”
He becomes transfigured in beauty. They all fall on their knees worshipping. While He is already rising from the stone on which He is standing, He looks once again for the face of His Mother. His smile reaches a power that no one will ever be able to express. It is His last goodbye to His Mother. He rises. The God-man who with His most holy body is ascending to Heaven and His glorious wounds shine like living rubies. Light is revealing itself for what it is at this last moment as on Christmas night. Creation sparkles in the light of the Christ who is ascending, a light exceeding that of the sun. And Jesus Christ, the Word of God, disappears from the sight of men in this ocean of brightness.
Bridget of Sweden: During the Ascension of Christ, the Blessed Virgin’s soul was raised with her divine Son, and she was told to choose between remaining henceforth in the glory of Heaven or returning to the world to guide the new church. When she saw the pitiful condition of the bewildered followers of Christ, she was stirred by compassion for them and for all mankind, and decided to stay on earth.
Early on Pentecost she urged the Apostles, disciples and holy women, who numbered about one hundred and twenty, to pray and to renew their ardor, as the hour was at hand when they were to be visited by the Spirit of God. Toward dawn a luminous silvery cloud covered the entire city of Jerusalem. Suddenly the sound of a violent wind arose, as though a cyclone were approaching and the air resounded with a tremendous roaring that filled the whole house.
This disturbance gave way to a a warm, healing breeze. From the cloud appeared rays, intercrossing seven times in a fiery rainbow and fell like burning drops onto the Cenacle. The building was flooded with a dazzling light. The Apostles and the Blessed Virgin seemed to blaze with a transparent luminosity. In the rapture of their ecstasy, they raised their heads and opened their mouths, as though thirsting for heavenly grace. Then into each mouth there fell a jet of fire, a small parted tongue of live flame of varying degrees of intensity and colour, in which the Holy Spirit came to them, filling each person with divine inspiration and grace and wisdom.
Elizabeth of Schonau:
I was languishing in illness for many days. Lying in bed at the time of the divine sacrifice, I came into a trance with a violent struggle; and I saw in a far away place a tomb, surrounded by great light and what looked like the form of a woman in it with a great multitude of angels standing around.
After a while she was raised up from the tomb and together with that multitude standing by she was lifted up on high.
While I was watching this, behold a man – glorious beyond all reckoning – came from the height of the heavens to meet her. In his right hand he held a cross, on which there was a banner.
I understood that this was the Lord saviour; and there were countless thousands of angels with Him. Eagerly receiving her, they carried her with great acclamation to the height of heaven. While I was watching this, after a short time, my lady advanced to the door of light, in which I usually saw her, and standing there she showed me her glory.
Closing Credits:
In The Life of Our Lady part 3
Elizabeth of Schonau was Jackie Larner
Bridget of Sweden – Harriet Cornwall
Mary of Agreda – Penelope Dent
Catherine Emmerich – Suzie Rees
And Maria Valtorta – Alice Craigmyle
The lutanist was Augustin Cornwall Irving
and the guitarist Harry Long.
Hospitality was provided by Dave Minto and Harry Long
And the director was Shaun MacLoughlin
THE END
If you would like to know more we recommend the following books. Should you consider buying any of them, we would be grateful if you would do so here, please. The commission will help us to maintain and develop the website .
You will find the videos below helpful in saying the rosary, as you meditate upon the Gospels.
If you would like to know more about meditation we recommend the following books. Should you consider buying any of them, we would be grateful if you would do so here, please. The commission will help us to maintain and develop the website.
