luminous globe impenetrable to the weather, which enclosed their God-made man, the Blessed Virgin, and her spouse. This protection was bestowed on other occasions also while crossing the desert. When food was wanting the Lord helped them by the ministry of Angels, who furnished them with bread and excellent fruit, and brought them besides a beverage of delicious flavour. Upon this they sang canticles of praise to the Lord who feeds all flesh at a convenient season

.. The Most High, not only took care to nourish our pilgrims, but He also offered them sensible recreations to soothe the weari

ness of the way. It often happened that the Blessed Mother, passing with the Infant God, was speedily surrounded by large numbers of birds. The Blessed Queen received them, and commanded them to praise their Creator; the birds obeyed, and the devoted Mother recreated the Infant Jesus in the sweetest canticles. The holy Angels joined their voices to that of our lovely Lady. None of the miracles wrought in favour of the Jewish people are worthy to be compared with those which the Lord wrought during this journey for His Son made man, the august Mother and St. Joseph, to preserve the natural life on which depended the sal

vation of the human race."

(Venerable

Maria of Jesus of Agreda, Cité Mystique de Dieu).

In what City, and How Long did St. Joseph stay in Egypt ?

Egypt at this time was studded with great and populous cities; but in what city or town the Holy Family took up their residence we know not for certain, as the Gospel is silent, and ancient writers differ in opinion. Some are in favour of Hermopolis; others give the honour to Alexandria, but St. Thomas, St. Anselm, and Suarez, who cite in their favour the traditions of the East, are of opinion that the Holy Family took up their abode in Heliopolis, a populous city, seven miles distant from the famous Memphis. Many Jews lived in this city, where they were treated kindly by King Ptolemy and the Egyptians; here also they possessed a magnificent temple, built by Onias, at which they worshipped the God of Israel.

How long the Holy Family resided in Egypt we know not. One thing is certain that our Blessed Lord left it before He attained His twelfth year; for at that age we find the "Child Jesus" in the temple dis

puting with the doctors. Some writers put down St. Joseph's stay in Egypt at less than a year; others fourteen months; St. Thomas makes it seven years,* and the celebrated Baronius undertakes to prove that our Divine Saviour returned home as He was entering on His ninth year. Suarez adopts this opinion as most probable.†

During the stay in Egypt, whether of few or many years, St. Joseph supported Jesus and Mary by the labour of his hands.

We could never for a moment believe, with some writers, that abject poverty, at least in any degrading form, was the lot of the Holy Family in the strange land of Egypt; such a state would not be suited to the descendants of the royal House of David. Some are of opinion that St. Joseph reserved some part of the gifts offered by the Wise Men of the East, to pay the expenses of the journey, and to support the Holy Family in the strange land of Egypt. Others imagine that the rich Jews their in Heliopolis were only too glad to share fortunes with the distinguished strangers. But in any case, St. Joseph by his avoca

"Dicitur quod septem annis fuit ibi, et habitavit in civitate Heliopolis" (St. Thomas, in Matt. ii). † (Tom. ii. Dip. xvii, Sec. ii).

tion was well able, not only to meet the pressing wants, but even to supply the suitable comforts to Jesus and Mary. During the journey and stay in Egypt, the presence of the Infant Jesus put the demons to flight; and in many places cast to the ground the false idols; thus fulfilling the words of the Prophet: "Behold the Lord will enter into Egypt and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence" (Isai. xix. 1).

SECTION XI.

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt.

With what anxious care did Heaven look down upon the holy Exiles in a strange land. The hour of their delivery was fast approaching; Herod, the monster of cruelty, was on his death-bed; the flesh rotting off his bones; the tongue that gave the order for the massacre of the Holy Innocent, and for the murder of the Infant Saviour, was being devoured with the most loathsome worms; and so intolerable was the filthy stench, that no one could approach the room of the dying tyrant. The records of history, either ancient or modern, narrate no parallel of the death with which it pleased the Eternal

Father to visit this enemy of His Divine Son.

Herod is gone to his account, and quickly a heavenly messenger is despatched by God to convey the news to the Holy Family. To St. Joseph alone the important information was communicated. "But," says the Gospel, "when Herod was dead, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. Who arose and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither, and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarite" (Matt. ii. 19-23).

Though gladdening and welcome was the news of returning to their fond country and home to the hearts of exiles, yet far more happy was the Holy Family in hearing and obeying the will of the Almighty. Nothing daunted, by the well-known length of the