Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ... PART II. THE WATCHES OF THE SACRED PASSION. CHAPTER I. THE FIRST NIGHT WATCH, FROM SIX TILL NINE P.M. SCENE I. THE GUEST ROOM. THE PASCH. Station I. 'When it was evening He sat down with His twelve disciples (St. Matt. xxvi. 20). He sat down and the twelve Apostles with Him (St. Luke xxii. 14). We may take it for granted that none but the Twelve were present with our Lord at the Last Supper. Our Blessed Lady and the devout women were, no doubt, in some other chamber under the same roof, and it is said that the seventy-two disciples, the future helpmates of the Apostles, were elsewhere in the building, eating the Pasch. But the text of the Evangelists seems to make it clear that none but the chosen Twelve were at table with Jesus. He had words to say to them that were not for others. He wished to prepare them with special care for their holy ordination to the priesthood of the New Covenant, and to make His last effort to win back the traitor Judas. When it u as evening. The sun had set, and with the setting began the feast of the Passover; and within the four Watches of the night and the four Watches of the next day, the Passion of our Lord, His Death and His Burial, are to be completed, and all is to be consummated. "Ordinatione tua pcrseverat dies" (Psalm cxviii.). By Thy ordinance, 0 God, this night and this day shall go on. Through these night watches, and from the rising of the sun to its going down, praiseworthy is the Name of the Lord (Psalm cxii.). He sat down. The Latin word discubuit would imply literally that He reclined on a couch; but in this instance it may fairly be understood to mean that He and His Apostles took their places. Ordinarily, those at table reclined or sat; and the word is retained here, though they did not...
