And at dawn upon the Lord’s day Mary Magdalen, a disciple of the Lord, fearing because of the Jews, since they were burning with wrath, had not done at the Lord’s sepulchre the things which women are wont to do for those that die and for those that are beloved by them—she took her friends with her and came to the sepulchre where he was laid. (Gospel of Peter, verse 12)

Reconstructed Narrative Of The Opening Of The Roman Trial

Presentation of the Prisoner to Pilate:
They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the palace: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the palace, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

Pilate’s demand for the “Accusatio”:
Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this man?

The priests’ obvious reluctance to produce a charge:
They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evil-doer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee.

Pilate’s rejoinder:
Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.

The priests’ reply with an improvised charge:
The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

Pilate’s question to the Prisoner:
Pilate therefore entered again into the palace, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

PONTUS PILATE
We know something at least about the previous history of this brusque and uncultured soldier of the Roman Empire. A tradition, which may not be reliable, says that he was born at Seville in Spain. He came of a fighting family, was a member of the ordo equester and served for a time under Germanicus in Germany. During a prolonged stay in Rome he seems to have captured the affection of a Roman girl of very high connections, Claudia Procula, whom he was destined to marry, and of whom we shall hear more shortly. As the illegitimate daughter of Claudia, the third wife of Tiberius, Claudia Procula was the granddaughter of Augustus Caesar. It is obvious from the sequel that this accidental connection with the ruling house served Pilate’s personal interests in an unexpected degree, for in AD. 26, on the recommendation of Sejanus, he was appointed Procurator of Judea, and in accepting the post he applied for and obtained the very unusual privilege of taking his wife with him. - FRANK MORISON

God with me lying down,
God with me rising up,
God with me in each ray of light,
nor I a ray of joy without Him,
nor one ray without Him.
Christ with me sleeping,
Christ with me waking,
Christ with me watching,
every day and night,
each day and night.
God with me protecting,
the Lord with me directing,
the Spirit with me strengthening,
for ever and for evermore.
Ever and evermore, Amen.
Chief of chiefs, Amen.
- Alexander Carmichael, the son of Scottish farmers from the island of Linsmore.

I am bending my knee
in the eye of the Father who created me,
in the eye of the Son who purchased me,
in the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
in friendship and affection.
Through Thine own Anointed One, O God,
bestow upon us fullness in our need,
love towards God,
the affection of God,
the smile of God,
the wisdom of God,
the grace of God,
the fear of God,
and the will of God
to do on the world of the Three,
as angels and saints
do in heaven;
each shade and light,
each day and night,
each time in kindness,
give Thou us Thy Spirit.
- Alexander Carmichael, the son of Scottish farmers from the island of Linsmore.

The rebuilt remains of a Benedictine abbey on the island of lona keep watch over Columba’s island, which is only 3 miles wide by 1.5 miles long.

The principal early monasteries of Ireland, with the names and dates of their founders.

The round tower of Glendalough, reconstructed in 1870, stands watch over the icy stream where Kevin used to bathe in self-mortification.

All alone in my little cell, without the company of a single person;
precious has been the pilgrimage before going to meet death.
A hidden secluded little hut, for the forgiveness of my sins:
an upright, untroubled conscience towards holy heaven …
A cold and anxious bed, like the lying down of a doomed man:
a brief, apprehensive sleep; invocations frequent and early.
My food as befits my station, precious has been my captivity:
my dinner, without doubt, would not make me full-blooded.
Dry bread weighed out, well we bow the head;
water of the man-coloured hillside, that is the drink I would take.
A bitter meagre dinner; diligently feeding the sick;
keeping off strife and visits; a calm, serene conscience …
All alone in my little cell, all alone thus;
alone I came into the world, alone I shall go from it.
If on my own I have sinned through pride of this world,
hear me wail for it all alone, O God!
- Poem in the 700s or 800s

Living martyrdom.
There are in fact three kinds of martyrdom, which we may regard as types of cross in human eyes: namely, white martyrdom, green martyrdom, and red martyrdom. A person undergoes white martyrdom when he leaves all for the sake of Christ, even though this means fasting, hunger, and hard work. Green martyrdom is attributed to someone who through them—that is, fasting and work—is freed of his desires, or undergoes travail in sorrow and penance. Red martyrdom is found in the sufferings of a cross of death for Christ’s sake, as was the way of the apostles, because of the persecution of the wicked, and while preaching the truths of God. (Homily, dating from the late 600s or early 700s)

Ruins of the Church of St Benignus, named for Patrick’s successor at Armagh, on the island of Inishmore.

‘I rise today’, it begins, ‘in the power’s strength, invoking the Trinity, believing in threeness, confessing the oneness, of creation’s Creator …’ I rise today with the power of God to pilot me, God’s strength to sustain me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look ahead for me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to protect me, God’s way to defend me, God’s host to deliver me from snares of devils, from evil temptations, from nature’s failings, from all who wish to harm me, far or near, alone and in a crowd …
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me; Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me; Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising; Christ in the heart of all who think of me, Christ on the tongue of all who speak to me, Christ in the eye of all who see me, Christ in the ear of all who hear me … May your salvation, Lord, be with us always. - SAINT PATRICK OF IRELAND

St David’s Cathedral, which sits on the old monastery site, was one of the most popular pilgrimage sites of the Middle Ages. Two trips here equalled one to Rome.

The 6th-century Caldey stone is inscribed in both Latin and Ogham (note the ridges at the top left).

Celtic art, such as this jug handle from the 5th or 4th century BC, often used the human head as its inspiration.

A Gallic warrior from the time of the Gallic War (front) and his British counterpart. Watercolour by Peter Connolly.

This 1st-century Celtic bronze helmet, found in the River Thames, was probably only for ceremonial use.

The 8th-century Tara brooch represents the peak of Irish metallurgy.

The Ardagh Chalice, from the 7th or 8th century, is considered one of the finest examples of Celtic art.

Skellig Michael, an island 18 miles off Ireland’s coast, remains one of the most isolated and preserved monastic sites.

Detail showing Christ’s crucifixion from the 16-foot Muiredach Cross, which depicts scenes from the life of Christ. It still stands at the site of the Monasterboice monastery 1,100 years after its erection.