journey, and its fatigues now known to them by experience, joyously and happily Jesus, Mary and Joseph set out on their way, anxious to breathe again the air of their native hills. Adopting the opinion of St. Thomas that Our Blessed Lord at this time was seven years old, or that of Cardinal Baronius that He was nine, we can well conceive how holy and divine was the conversation of the Holy Family, beguiling the fatigues of the day, and how often in their secret souls Mary and Joseph adored and loved the Saviour of the world. Ŵe can well conceive that, now and again, during the journey through the desert, sweet exquisite fruit ripened on the wild trees, which, recognising the Lord of nature, bowed down in homage, that Jesus might pluck and eat. We can imagine how the wild beasts, roaming through the desert in all the native freedom of unbridled liberty, the terror of all travellers, acknowledged the Lord of creation, and bowed before and licked the feet of the Child Jesus.

Most probably the Holy Family returned to Judea by the easiest and shortest route; and most likely intended to settle in Jerusalem, or in its vicinity, in order to be near the Temple, as well as to have opportunity of holy conversation with the great servants of God, Zachary and St. Elizabeth.

Some writers think it more probable that the Holy Family set out straight for their home at Nazareth, by the road that led through Judea, as being more convenient, and more frequented by travellers. On reaching Judea St. Joseph was startled by a new danger. Herod was dead; but his son, Archelaus, who inherited much of the cruelty and jealousy of his father, reigned in his place. St. Joseph was puzzled, hesitated, and feared to proceed further, lest he should expose to risk or danger the safety of the Child Jesus. In his doubts, Heaven, as usual, came to his relief; God's Angel appeared to him in sleep, and told him to retire into Galilee, which was governed by a kind, humane prince, Herod Antipas. Promptly, as usual, did St. Joseph obey the voice of the Almighty, and with his precious charge "retired to the quarters of Galilee."

Home at all times has a sweet sound; and after long absence, and after the fatigues and privations of a long journey, the cherished name sounds dearer and sweeter still; hence we can well imagine with what gladdened hearts the Holy Family took possession of their old and fond home "The Holy House" at Nazareth. "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."

An Act of Consecration to St. Joseph.

O glorious Patriarch and Patron of the Catholic Church! O Virgin Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God. O Guardian and foster-father of the Word Incarnate! In the presence of Jesus and Mary I choose thee this day to be my guardian, my patron, and my protector.

O thou, whom God has made the head of the Holy Family, accept me, I beseech thee, though utterly unworthy, to be a poor little servant in thy" Holy House." Present me to thy Immaculate Spouse; ask her also to adopt me as her child. With her, pray that I may constantly think of Jesus, and serve Him faithfully to the end of my life.

O my tender and holy Father, I hereby consecrate myself to thee. O thou head of the Holy Family on earth, in faithful imitation of Jesus and Mary, I place myself and all my concerns under thy care and protection. To thee, after Jesus and Mary, I consecrate my body and soul, with all their senses and faculties, my spiritual progress,

my home, and all my affairs and undertakings. Forsake me not, but adopt me as a servant and child of the Holy Family. Watch over me at all times, but especially at the last awful hour of my life. Then visit, console and strengthen me with the presence of Jesus and Mary; that with them and thee, I may praise, and enjoy the Adorable Trinity in paradise for all eternity. Amen.

SECTION XII.

The Presentation by the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph of our Divine Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.

Not to break the thread of the Gospel narrative according to St. Matthew, who makes no mention of the Presentation in the Temple, we reserved on purpose to the present that important event in the life of Our Blessed Lord. As we write chiefly for the instruction and edification of the poor and uneducated, we shall pass over in silence the controversy among the learned as to the exact time of the Presentation in the Temple. According to the common and received opinion, the Presentation took place after the adoration of the Wise Men, before the flight into Egypt, and when our Divine

Lord Jesus Christ was about forty days old.

In the Presentation of the Child Jesus, what infinite homage, praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and love, did the Incarnate Son of God render to His Eternal Father! O thrice blessed St. Joseph, whose arms were privileged to bear to the Temple this supreme offering.

The Gospel of St. Luke thus narrates it:-"And after the days of her Purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord. Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do as for Him according to the custom of