Joseph of Arimathea

Hear the story of that holy vessel which is called the

Grail, in which the precious blood of the Saviour was gathered on the day when He was crucified to redeem mankind from Hell. Such was His purpose in coming to this world, being born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem.

At the time when Our Lord was upon the Earth, most of the land of Judaea was answerable to Rome, and the governor's name was Pilate. This Pilate had in his service a soldier named Joseph of Arimathea, who followed Christ to many places and loved him deeply in his heart, but dared not show it openly, for Our Lord had many enemies set against Him. And not only enemies: He had a disciple, too, who was not as a follower should be. He was ill-disposed towards his fellow disciples, and began to distance himself from them, serving them harshly and unkindly; they were very wary of him. But Our Lord, being God, knew all. This disciple's name was Judas, and his hatred towards Our Lord was conceived on account of an ointment; I shall tell you now of his treachery.

At this time it was the custom that a chamberlain received a tenth of all moneys that came into his lord's purse, and when Mary Magdalene poured an ointment upon Our Lord's feet Judas was enraged, counting in his heart that the ointment was worth three hundred pence. He did not want to lose his due; he reckoned his tenth was worth thirty pence, and was determined to secure that amount. At the earliest opportunity he sought to recover those thirty pence from God's enemies.

Three nights before the Passover, Christ's enemies were at the house of a man named Caiaphas, discussing how they could capture Him. Joseph of Arimathea was present as they talked, and their wicked words grieved him terribly. In the middle of their discussion Judas appeared, and when they saw him they fell silent, for they distrusted him, believing him to be a good disciple of Jesus.

Judas spoke out and asked them: 'Why are you assembled here?'

And they replied: 'Where is that master of yours?'

And he told them where Jesus was and why he had come to them, and when the Jews heard Judas's words of treachery they were overjoyed and said: 'Tell us how we can take him prisoner!'

And he replied: 'I'll sell him to you if you wish.'

'Yes indeed,' they said, 'most gladly!'

And he said he would give them Jesus for thirty pence. One of them had the money to hand, and paid it. And so Judas recovered his tenth of the three hundred pennies' worth of ointment.

Then they discussed how they would capture Jesus: they fixed the day and an early hour; Judas would inform them where Jesus would be, and they would be armed and ready to seize Him. But Judas warned them to be sure they did not seize James, for he looked very much like Jesus - understandably, for James was His cousin. And they asked him: 'How then will we recognise Jesus?'

And he replied: 'Take the man that I shall kiss.'

And so it was resolved.

Joseph of Arimathea was present throughout all this, and it weighed heavily upon his heart, but he dared do nothing. They went their several ways and waited till the Thursday.

On the Thursday evening Our Lord was at the house of Simon the Leper. I cannot and should not tell you everything He said to His disciples, but this much I can say for sure: He told them that eating and drinking with Him was one who would betray Him. The disciples were dismayed and swore they were not guilty. But Christ assured them it was true, and Judas asked Him: 'Are you saying it's me?'

And Jesus answered: 'You say so.'

It was then that the men whom Judas had informed burst into the house, and the disciples were terrified. And once the house was full, and Judas was sure they had the upper hand, he stepped forward and kissed Jesus. Seeing this, the Jews seized Him from all sides, and Judas cried to them: 'Hold him fast!,' for he knew how great was Christ's strength. And they led Him away, leaving the disciples filled with grief.

And the vessel in which He had made the sacrament was there at Simon's house, and one of the Jews took it and kept it until the next day.

Jesus was taken before Pilate, and they charged Him with everything they could - though it wasn't much: they could find no justification for putting Him to death. But the weakness of the law was such, and Pilate felt so powerless before all the Jews, that he had to accept it. Then he spoke as governor, saying: 'Who will take responsibility if the emperor asks about this? I can see no reason for this man to suffer death.'

And they all cried out together: 'May his blood be showered upon us and all our children!'

And while they seized Jesus and led Him away, Pilate called for water and washed his hands, and said that, just as his hands were clean, so was he clean of responsibility for that man's death.

It was then that the Jew who had taken the vessel from Simon's house came to Pilate and gave it to him. Pilate took it and kept it safe.

When the news came that they had put Jesus to death, Joseph of Arimathea was overcome with grief and anguish, and he came to Pilate and said: 'Sir, my knights and I have served you for a long while, and you've given me nothing for my service.'

'Ask,' said Pilate, 'and I'll give you whatever you wish in payment.'

And Joseph thanked him and said: 'I would like the body of the prophet whom the Jews have wrongfully put to death.'

Pilate was astonished that he should ask for such a poor reward, and said: 'I thought you'd ask for a greater gift! If that's the payment you desire, you shall have it.'

'Many thanks, sir,' said Joseph. 'Give orders that it should be mine.'

'Go and take it,' Pilate said.

But Joseph replied: 'Sir, the Jews are strong in numbers, and won't want to give it to me.'

But Pilate was sure they would; so Joseph made his way to the Cross. When he saw Jesus hanging there he was filled with pity and wept bitter tears, for he had loved Him deeply. He came to the Jews who were guarding Him and said: 'Pilate has given me permission to remove the prophet's body from this shameful place.'

But all the Jews together said: 'You're not having it, for his disciples say he's going to revive. But however often he comes back to life, we'll kill him!'

'Let me take him, sirs,' said Joseph, 'for Pilate has granted him to me.'

But the Jews cried: 'We'd sooner kill you!'

Joseph left them and returned to Pilate and told him of the Jews' response. Pilate was amazed; but he saw before him a man named Nichodemus, and he commanded him to go with Joseph and take Christ's body from the Cross himself. And then he remembered the vessel that the Jew had given him, and he called Joseph and said: 'Joseph, you loved that prophet dearly.'

'Yes indeed, sir,' he replied.

And Pilate said: 'I have a vessel of his, given to me by one of the Jews who were present at his capture, and I've no wish to keep anything that belonged to him.'

And he gave the vessel to Joseph, who received it with the greatest joy.

Joseph and Nichodemus set off together, and Nichodemus went to a smith to borrow pincers and a hammer; then they came to the Cross where Christ still hung, and Nichodemus said to the people there: 'You've dealt wickedly with this man. But now he's clearly dead, and Pilate has granted the body to Joseph and has commanded me to deliver it to him.'

They all replied that he was sure to come back to life, and refused to let the body go; but Nichodemus said that nothing they could do would stop him taking it. So they all marched off to Pilate, while Joseph and Nichodemus climbed up and took Jesus Christ from the Cross.

Joseph held Him in his arms and laid Him on the ground, cradling Him tenderly and washing Him most gently. But when he had washed Him, he saw His wounds still bleeding and was dismayed to see the blood spilling into the ground; and then he remembered his vessel, and thought the falling drops of blood would be better gathered there. So he placed it beneath Christ's wounds; and blood from the wounds in His hands and His feet dripped into the vessel. Then Joseph set it to one side, and took Jesus' body and wrapped it in a sheet that he had bought for his own use.

Meanwhile the crowd who had gone to Pilate gained his agreement that, wherever Joseph might put the body, it should be closely watched in case it came back to life, and they arranged for a large armed guard.

While all this was happening, Our Lord descended into Hell, broke in and set free Adam and Eve and as many others as He pleased. And He returned to life, unknown and unseen by those who were standing guard, and He went forth and appeared to Mary Magdalene and to other disciples where He chose.

When the Jews heard He had come back to life they all assembled to hold council, and said to each other: 'This man will do us great harm if he's truly alive again!'

And those who had been guarding the body declared that they knew for sure it was not where Joseph had put it. 'It's his fault we've lost him!' they cried. 'And if harm befalls us it'll be because of him and Nichodemus!'

They discussed what they could do if the emperor demanded the body; and they agreed to say they had handed it over on the orders of Nichodemus.

'But if anyone says "You had the body guarded at the tomb: ask the guards what happened", what answer could we give?'

And one replied: 'There's a way around that. Let's seize Joseph and Nichodemus tonight in secret, and put them to a grim death. Then afterwards, if anyone asks us for Jesus' body, we'll say we gave it to them!'

They all agreed to this, and praised the man for his cleverness. So it was agreed they would seize them by night.

But friends of Nichodemus were present, and they informed him of the plan and he fled; and when the Jews arrived at his house they found no sign of him. So they moved on to the house of Joseph, and seized him naked in his bed; they made him dress and then led him to the house of one of the richest men in the land, where there was a tower with a dismal dungeon. Having Joseph there alone, they beat him and asked him what he had done with Jesus.

'Those who were guarding him will know,' he replied, 'for I did nothing secret or underhand.'

'You've stolen him from us, we know it!' they replied. 'We're going to throw you in this dungeon, and you'll die there unless you tell us where the body of Jesus is!'

And Joseph, knowing nothing of its whereabouts, said: 'I'm willing to die, if that's the will of the Lord - the Lord on whose account I'm your captive.'

Then the Jews seized him and beat him dreadfully, and flung him down into the dungeon vault. They sealed it with a stone, so that if anyone came in search of him, they would never find him.

And so it was that Joseph was abducted and imprisoned. When Pilate learned he was missing he was distressed and heavy-hearted, for he had been the best of friends to him. And Joseph was missing for a long time.

But the one in whose cause he had suffered did not forget him. Being Lord and God He watched over him, and came to the dungeon where he lay, and brought him his vessel. A shining light appeared to Joseph, and he was filled with joy and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and he marvelled and said: 'Almighty God, where can such a brilliant light come from unless from You?'

And Jesus answered: 'Joseph, Joseph, do not be afraid, for my Father's power will guard you.'

'Who are you?' Joseph asked Him. 'You're so fair - I don't know you - I cannot look upon you.'

And Jesus said: 'Hear me, Joseph. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came to Earth to suffer death at the command of my Father, who made Adam and from Adam made Eve, but the Enemy deceived Eve and made her sin, and she caused Adam to do likewise. They were cast into misery; and they conceived and had children and a great line of descendants, and when they died the Devil was determined they should all be his. But it was my Father's will that I should come to Earth and be born of woman. It was through a woman, Eve, that the Enemy took possession of men; and as a woman had caused man's soul to be imprisoned, it was only right that it should be recovered and redeemed through a woman: that is why I was born of the Virgin.

'And you saw the torment I suffered on the Cross. Just as the tree in Eden bore the apple that tempted Eve, so the Son of God died on a tree to save His Father's creation. I came on Earth to work this salvation, and suffered worldly pain. Blood flowed from my body in five places.'

'Oh Lord,' said Joseph, 'have pity and mercy on me: it's for your sake I'm imprisoned here. I've always loved you dearly, but never dared to speak to you, for I feared you wouldn't trust me because of the people I conversed with, keeping company as I did with the ones who meant you harm.'

'Joseph,' Our Lord replied, 'it's good to have a friend amongst enemies - as you can see now for yourself! I knew you were a good friend to me, so I left you with them, knowing you would feel grief at my torment and would come to my aid when none of my disciples could. I knew you would help me out of love for my Father, who gave you the courage to do the service for which I was given to you.'

'Oh, dear Lord,' said Joseph, 'don't say that you're mine!'

'But I am,' Our Lord replied. 'I belong to all the good, and all the good are mine. And do you know what reward you'll have because I was given to you? Lasting joy will be yours at the end of this mortal life. None of my disciples knows of the love between us: you have loved me in secret as I have loved you.

But know this: our love will be revealed to all - and will be a curse to the wicked - for you shall have the sign of my death in your keeping; see: it is here.'

And Our Lord took hold of the precious vessel with the holy blood that Joseph had gathered from His body when he washed Him; and as soon as Joseph saw it he went down on his knees and cried for mercy, saying: 'Lord, am I worthy to keep such a holy thing as this vessel?'

And Our Lord replied: 'You, Joseph, must be its keeper, you and whoever else you may command. But there are to be no more than three keepers, and those three shall guard it in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which three powers are one and the same being in God.'

And He held out the vessel and Joseph, still kneeling, took it; and Our Lord said: 'Joseph, you are holding the blood which contains these three powers. Do you understand your reward? Your reward is that the sacrament shall never be made without remembrance of your good work by those who recognise it.'

'Lord,' replied Joseph, 'please tell me what I did, for I don't know.'

And Jesus said: 'You took me from the Cross. And know this: when I sat at the table of the Last Supper on the night I was betrayed, I said that many tables will be established in my service, where the sacrament shall be made in my name, which will be a reminder of the Cross; and the vessel of the sacrament will be a reminder of the stone tomb in which you laid me, and the paten which will be placed on top will be a reminder of the lid with which you covered me, and the cloth called the corporal will be a reminder of the winding-sheet in which you wrapped me. And so your work, Joseph, will be remembered until the world's end. And all who see the vessel and remain in its presence will have lasting joy and fulfilment for their souls.'

And so saying, Christ gave the vessel to Joseph. And when he had taken it, Our Lord spoke sacred words that He had prepared for him, and said: 'Whenever you have need, seek the help of the three powers that are one being, and of that blessed lady Mary who gave birth to God the Son, and ask for whatever counsel your heart desires, and you will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. And be assured, you will not remain imprisoned in this dark dungeon; and your deliverance will astound your wicked captors.'

With that, Christ left him, and for the time being Joseph remained in prison. Of his imprisonment nothing is said by the apostles or the writers of the Gospels, for they knew nothing about Joseph except that, because of his affection for Christ, he had asked to be granted His body. Some of the apostles did hear of Joseph's disappearance, but they did not speak of it, for they committed nothing to the Scriptures except what they had seen or heard themselves.

Joseph stayed imprisoned for a long time.

Meanwhile there was a pilgrim who had been in Judaea and seen Our Lord performing miracles upon the blind and the lame, and had seen Him crucified, too, under the authority of Pilate. This worthy man journeyed through many lands until at last he came to Rome, at the time when Vespasian, the son of the emperor Titus, was sick with leprosy: he was shut away in a stone chamber with only a tiny window through which they passed his food. The worthy pilgrim came to Rome and took lodging with a rich man in the city. In conversation that evening, the rich man told his guest how pitiful it was that the emperor's son was sick and shut away, and said that if he knew of any possible remedy he should say so. And the pilgrim replied:

'No, I don't; but I can tell you that in the land of Judaea there was a prophet through whom God worked many miracles. I saw Him heal the lame who couldn't walk and the blind who couldn't see. He healed anyone He wished to heal, and the rich and powerful of Judaea came to hate him because they could do nothing to match His words and deeds. They put Him to death by crucifying Him. And I swear to you,' said the pilgrim, 'had He still been alive and brought before the emperor's son, if He'd wished to cure him He'd have surely done so.'

And his host said: 'Did you ever hear why He was crucified?'

'No,' said the pilgrim, 'except that they hated Him.'

'Where did this happen, under whose jurisdiction?'

'Pilate's,' said the pilgrim, 'the emperor's governor in that city.'

'Truly now, would you come with me and tell this to the emperor?'

'I'd tell it to anyone,' he replied.

And when they came before the emperor and his counsellors and the pilgrim repeated his story, they were utterly amazed, for they had always thought Pilate a good and wise man who would never have permitted such an outrage. And one of them said: 'I love Pilate dearly, and can't believe he'd have allowed the killing of such a great healer, if he could have prevented it.'

But the pilgrim assured them it was true. 'And I'd wager my life that Pilate would not deny it. I also believe that if anyone found anything that had belonged to the prophet, and brought it to the emperor's son, if he had faith and touched it, he would be healed.'

They were all astounded at his words, and one of them said: 'If my lord the emperor sends me to learn the truth, what would you have us do with you?'

'Keep me fed until your return, and if you say my story isn't true, I shall accept death by beheading.'

They all agreed he had said enough, and they had him taken and placed in a chamber under guard. When the emperor's son Vespasian heard the news he begged his father to send messengers as soon as he could. The emperor did so, sending the wisest men of his court to confirm the pilgrim's story and, if the prophet was dead, to bring back something He had touched to heal his son.

The emperor's messengers crossed the sea to the land of Judaea, and ordered Pilate to meet them at Arimathea. When he arrived there was no rejoicing, for they feared they might be taking him back to Rome to execute him. They gave him the emperor's letters, which told him everything the pilgrim had said. He read them, turned back to the messengers, looked kindly upon them, and said:

'Sirs, everything these letters state is true: it was exactly as they say.'

They were amazed at his admission, and said: 'You're acknowledging great folly! If you can't excuse yourself, you'll surely die!'

Pilate called the messengers into a chamber, and made sure the doors were firmly shut so that they could not be overheard by the Jews. Then he began to tell them everything he knew or had heard about Christ's life: how the rich had come to hate Him; how He had healed whoever He wished; how the Jews had accused Him and bought His betrayal by a disciple who did not love Him. And he told them of the foul treatment they had dealt Him, and how they had brought Christ before him and demanded that he condemn Him to death.

'I saw no reason to sentence the man, but they were so many, and so aggressive and rich and powerful! I told them that if the emperor asked me about it, it would be on their heads, and they replied that they wished Christ's blood might be showered on them and their children! Then they seized Him and led Him away and did with Him as you've heard. I wanted it known that I was blameless, and called for water and washed my hands and said: "May I be as clean of this man's death as my hands are clean in this water." When the prophet was dead, one of my knights asked to be given His body, which I gladly granted, and he took it from its place of shame and laid it in a stone tomb. I don't know what became of it after that. But I believe they've killed Joseph, my knight. That's my story: now judge whether I did wrong.'

Having heard all this, the messengers thought Pilate less guilty than before, and said: 'We don't know if what you say is true, but if it is, you may well absolve yourself of blame.'

'The Jews know the truth of it,' said Pilate. 'I'll have them confirm my story.'

'Call them,' the messengers replied. 'Command all who were involved in the prophet's crucifixion to gather in this city a month from today.'

Pilate sent messengers throughout the land to summon all who had been present at Christ's death, and to let them know that the emperor's envoys wished to speak to them. While waiting for the month to pass, Pilate had people search the country for anything touched by Jesus Christ, but they could find nothing.

At the end of the month the Jews assembled at Arimathea. Pilate said to the emperor's messengers: 'Let me speak to them first: you'll hear my words and their replies, and when you've heard what both sides say, act accordingly.'

When they were all assembled, Pilate said: 'Sirs, here are the emperor's envoys, who wish to know who it was that you put to death, the one held to be King of the Jews. For the emperor has heard He was a great healer, and has commanded that He be taken to him, if He can be found. But I've told his envoys He's dead, and that you yourselves, the powerful men of this land, put Him to death because He said He was your king - and you did so without the emperor's leave.'

'Because you were so poor a governor,' the Jews replied, 'that you dared not punish Him! Instead you seemed upset when we said we'd put Him to death.'

And one of the messengers addressed them, saying: 'Sirs, this man who claimed to be a greater lord than the emperor, did Pilate then not pass sentence upon Him?'

'No indeed!' they replied. 'We had to take responsibility upon ourselves and our children, or Pilate would never have agreed!'

'And who was this prophet of whom so much has been spoken?'

They replied that He performed the greatest miracles and wonders in the world; He was an enchanter. Then the messengers asked all those present to tell them if they knew of anything that had ever been touched by the prophet, but they replied that they knew of nothing, for everything he owned had been thrown away and anyone might have taken it. With that the assembly broke up, and Pilate was cleared of the envoys' suspicion.

Then, a while later, while they were still distressed at their failure to find anything that had touched the body of Our Lord, a man came to them saying that he knew a woman who had an image of Christ that she revered, but did not know how she had come by it. Pilate sent for her and she came. And when Pilate saw her he rose to greet her, and embraced her and asked her name, and the good woman, baffled by Pilate's joyful welcome, told him her name was Veronica. He drew her aside, and said: 'Veronica, I hear you have the image of a man in your keeping; I beg you to show it to me.'

'I know nothing about this!' the woman said, greatly alarmed, and denied it vigorously. Then the emperor's messengers approached and greeted her with joy, and told her why they had come to the land and about the illness of the emperor's son Vespasian. 'We believe that if he were given the image, he'd be healed.' If she would sell it to them, they would pay whatever she asked.

Hearing the plight of the emperor's son, she realised she must reveal the truth, and said: 'Sirs, I could never sell the thing you seek, however much you paid me. But if you swear by all you believe in that you'll not keep what I give you, I'll come with you to Rome.'

They were overjoyed at this and said: 'We'll take you to Rome most gladly, and as you've requested, so we swear.' They made their vow all together, and then said: 'You'll be made a rich woman. Now show us the thing we seek.'

So Veronica went back to her house and fetched the image of the face and returned to where they were waiting.

'Sit down,' she said when she arrived, and they did so, and she took out the image. When they saw it they were overcome with joy and all rose to their feet. 'Why have you stood up?' she asked, and they replied: 'When we saw the face we couldn't help it. Ah, lady, tell us where you found it and how it came to be yours.'

'I will,' she said. 'I'd made a length of linen cloth and was carrying it to market to sell it, when I met the people who were driving the prophet through the streets, His hands bound, leading Him to His death. And He asked me to wipe away the sweat that was running down His face. So I took one end of the cloth and wiped His face; then I went on my way while they drove Him on, flogging Him and abusing Him. And when I got home and looked at the cloth, I found it bore this image of His face. That's exactly how it happened. And if,' she said, 'you think it would be of use to the emperor's son, I'll go with you and take it to him.'

'Many thanks,' they replied. 'We believe it would be of use to him indeed!'

This image was the only thing they found which had touched Our Lord.

The emperor was overjoyed when they arrived back in Rome, and they confirmed that every word the pilgrim had told them was true. The emperor asked if the prophet was such a great man as was said, and they replied: 'Yes, and a good deal more!'

'And have you brought back anything that touched Him?'

'Yes!' they said, and they told him how they had found Veronica and her image of the prophet's face.

'This is a great wonder,' said the emperor. 'I've never heard of the like.'

And he went to Veronica and gave her a joyful welcome, and said he would make her a rich woman for what she had brought him. And Veronica showed him the face on the cloth; and when he saw it, the emperor, filled with wonder, made three deep bows and said: 'This is the most beautiful face I've ever seen.'

Then he took it in both hands and carried it into the chamber where his son was shut away. He was sleeping; so the emperor placed the cloth at the window, and called to his son and showed him the face. As soon as Vespasian set eyes upon it he was healed, in better health than he had ever been in his life. And he said: 'Dear Lord God, whose face is this that has healed me of all sickness? Father!' he cried to the emperor. 'Have this wall knocked down at once!'

It was done with all possible speed, and Vespasian left the chamber in perfect health and spirits, to the great joy of the emperor and everyone. He asked where the image of the face had been found, and whose it was, which had healed him as no man on Earth could do. And when the emperor told him the pilgrim's story of Christ and all His miracles, Vespasian asked the messengers: 'Sirs, did they truly put to death such a worthy man as He?'

'They did,' they said; and when he heard this he was deeply angry and said they had done a shameful deed, and that he would never be content until they had paid for it. And he said to his father: 'Sir, you are not our king or emperor: the true lord is the man who by His very image has healed me as neither you nor anyone else could do. He is the lord of men and women and of all things, and I beg you now, let me go and take revenge upon His killers.'

'Dear son,' the emperor replied, 'do exactly as you wish.'

And Vespasian crossed the sea and ordered Pilate to come to him; and when Pilate saw he had come with a great company he was filled with fear and said: 'Dear sir, I am at your command. Let me know your will.'

'I have come to avenge the death of Jesus Christ,' Vespasian replied, 'the prophet who healed me.'

Pilate was terrified, imagining Vespasian had been told he was responsible; and he said: 'Sir, would you like to see the men who were present at His death and know who was guilty and who was not?'

'Indeed I would,' said Vespasian.

'Then have me taken and imprisoned,' said Pilate, 'and say it's because I wouldn't sentence Him. Pretend to despise me.'

Vespasian did as Pilate said, and summoned those involved from every corner of the land. When they had all assembled, Vespasian asked them about the prophet who was a higher lord than his father, and said: 'You committed treason, allowing Him to make Himself your king.'

And they all replied: 'It was Pilate, your governor, who stood up for Him! He said that even if the prophet claimed to be our king, it wasn't enough to merit death. But we said it was, and that we wouldn't allow Him to be lord above our masters, but Pilate said the man was lord above all kings!'

'That's why I've thrown him in prison,' Vespasian said. 'I'd heard about his actions, and how he loved the prophet more than us. Now I wish to know,' he said, 'which of you inflicted most pain on the prophet, who was most offended at His claim to be king, and which of you were most involved in the plot against Him. Tell me everything, exactly as it happened.'

Imagining it was for their benefit and Pilate's downfall, they were delighted, and told him exactly what they had done: they pointed out the one who had paid Judas the thirty pence and the ones who had captured Christ. Each one of them bragged of the foul things they had said and done. Then they told him how they had led Him before Pilate.

'But he wouldn't pass judgment, so we killed Him without leave. We had to take his death upon ourselves and our children. We pray you now, declare us relieved of this responsibility.'

Without another word Vespasian had them all seized and kept under guard; and then he sent for Pilate and said: 'You're not as guilty of wrongdoing as I thought. But I mean to destroy all who were involved in the killing of the Lord who has cured me.'

And he called for a great number of horses, and with four horses to each man he began to have the guilty torn to pieces. They were astounded to see him mete out such justice and asked him why, and he said it was because they had killed Jesus Christ, and now they were all to suffer the same death unless they delivered Christ's body to him.

'We gave it to Joseph!' they cried. 'And we don't know what he's done with it. But if Pilate gives us Joseph, we'll give you Jesus!'

'You didn't trust Joseph at all,' said Pilate. 'You had the body watched by your own guards. And now Christ's disciples say they've seen Him since, and that He is resurrected.'

'All these people must die,' said Vespasian, 'unless they return the body to me.'

He began to have more of them put to death, commanding them to deliver up either Jesus or Joseph. When they saw they were all destined to die, one of them said: 'Would my children and I be spared if I told you where to find Joseph?'

Vespasian said they would; and the man led him to the tower where Joseph had been locked away, and said: 'I saw him imprisoned here, sealed up under this great stone slab.'

'How long ago was this?' Vespasian asked.

'On the third day after the prophet was crucified.'

'Did you kill him before you threw him in prison?'

'No,' the man replied, 'but we gave him a good beating for his crazy words!'

'Do you think he's dead now?'

'How could he possibly be alive,' said the man, 'after so long in here?'

And Vespasian replied: 'He might well have been saved by the one who healed me of my sickness. He healed me, even though I had never done anything for Him - I had never even seen Him! But Joseph was imprisoned for His sake; Joseph asked to be granted His body, and cleaned it, and buried it: I can't believe He would let Joseph die so wretchedly.'

Then the stone slab was lifted, and Vespasian bent down and called to Joseph; but there was no reply. The others said: 'This is incredible. Do you really think this man could have survived so long?'

'I'll not believe he's dead,' Vespasian replied, 'until I've seen him.'

And he took a rope and called to Joseph again. And when no reply came he clambered down into the vault. When he reached the bottom he looked all around, and in one corner of the dungeon he saw a brilliant light. He commanded that the rope be pulled back up, leaving him alone there in the dungeon. Then he moved towards the light.

'Welcome, Vespasian.'

He stood motionless, astonished, and said: 'Who are you who call my name, but wouldn't reply when I called?'

And the answer came: 'I am Joseph of Arimathea.'

Vespasian was elated, and cried: 'Blessed be the Lord who has saved you, for none but He could have done so!'

They embraced each other with the greatest joy, and Vespasian asked Joseph: 'Who told you my name?'

And Joseph said: 'The one who is omniscient.'

Then Vespasian asked if he knew the man who had healed him, and he replied: 'Of what sickness did he cure you?'

And Vespasian told him of his illness in every detail. Joseph was amazed by the story, and said: 'I know Him very well. Do you want to know His name and who He is? If you do, I'll let you know what He bade me tell you.'

'Yes indeed,' said Vespasian, 'I'd be very glad to hear it.'

'Believe then,' said Joseph, 'that it is the Holy Spirit that created all things: Heaven and Earth, night and day and the four elements. The Holy Spirit created the angels, too; but the evil angels became full of pride and envy, and God cast them out of Heaven and for three days and three nights they fell like the heaviest rain that ever was, bringing to Earth all evil, deceit and wickedness. The angels who remain in Heaven strive to guide men, to keep them from sin - in the face of those who rebelled against Christ and whose reward was to lose all spiritual joy. It was in contempt of them that Our Lord created man from the very basest mud, and gave him intelligence and light; and Our Lord declared that with this new creation He would fill the place vacated by the fallen angels. When the Devil realised that so base a being had risen to the glory from which he had fallen, he was enraged, and pondered deeply on how he could deceive him. By tricking Eve he succeeded, and when she and Adam had been led astray, Our Lord, who will not countenance sin, cast them out of Paradise. And they conceived and gave birth to mankind; and the Devil wanted all mankind to be his. But to save mankind, the Father, the Lord of all things, sent His son to Earth to save His people, being born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem. He it was who walked the Earth for thirty-three years. He it was who performed the great miracles and wondrous deeds beyond compare. He it was that the Jews put to death on the Cross. He is one being with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and His power is manifest in the fact that He healed you and brought you here and saved me. And know this in all certainty: He is risen again, and has returned to His Father in the same flesh in which He walked the Earth.'

'Joseph,' Vespasian replied, 'you have shown me clearly that He is Lord of all things, and that God is the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Just as you have said, so I believe, and will do so all the days of my life.'

And so it was that Joseph converted Vespasian to a firm belief in the true faith. Then Vespasian called to the people in the chamber above, and said he had found Joseph and wanted the dungeon broken open. They were amazed, and said the man could not possibly be alive. But he commanded them to do as he said quickly; and as soon as it was done, Vespasian came out first and Joseph after. And when they saw him they were filled with wonder, and declared it was a mighty power indeed that had saved him.

And so Vespasian freed Joseph from prison, and led him to where the Jews were gathered. When they saw him they were astounded; and Vespasian said to them: 'Will you deliver Jesus to me, if I give you Joseph?'

'We gave Him to Joseph!' they replied. 'Let him tell you what he's done with Him!'

'You know very well what I did,' said Joseph, 'and you set your own guards to watch the place where I laid His body. But know this now: He is risen again, as Lord and God.'

They were horrified by his words; and Vespasian asked him: 'Do you wish to save any of these people?'

And Joseph answered: 'Unless they believe in the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that the Son of God was born of the Virgin Mary, they will perish in body and in soul.'

Now, Joseph had a sister named Enigeus whose husband's name was Bron, and Bron loved Joseph dearly; and when Bron and his wife heard that Joseph had been found they were overjoyed and came to meet him and said: 'Sir, we have come for your blessing.'

'Not for mine,' said Joseph, 'but for the blessing of the one who was born of the Virgin and who kept me alive in prison, and in whom you should believe for evermore.'

And he asked if they could find more people who would be willing to believe in the Trinity and in God; and they went and spoke with others, who came before Joseph and declared they would believe in his words, and he said: 'Don't tell me lies or you'll suffer for it, for Vespasian says you'll pay a more terrible price if you do.'

'We could never lie to you,' they said.

'If you wish to follow my belief,' said Joseph, 'you'll not stay in your homes and estates, but will come with me into exile and give up everything for the sake of God and me.'

Vespasian pardoned these; but upon those who would not believe, he exacted such terrible justice as he pleased. And thus it was that he avenged the death of Christ.

Joseph now took his people into exile. He taught them many of the good words of Our Lord, and set them to work upon the land. For some while they prospered; but as time passed all their work and labour began to be fruitless. Their plight grew worse and worse, until they could bear it no more. They came to Bron, who was very dear to Joseph, and said to him:

'The good and plentiful harvests that we used to enjoy are failing us; no people ever suffered such hunger - we're close to eating our children! We beg you in God's name to talk to Joseph, and find out whether it's because of some sin of ours or his.'

And Bron came to Joseph and told him of his people's plea.

'I shall pray to the one who was born of the Virgin,' said Joseph, 'to tell me why this famine has befallen them.' He was afraid that he had failed to fulfil one of Our Lord's commands. 'If I can find the answer, I'll tell you.'

And Joseph came and knelt before his vessel, the vessel Christ had brought him in his prison, and said: 'Lord, I saw you truly both alive and dead, and saw you again - in the tower where I was imprisoned - after you had suffered the agonies of death, and you bade that, whenever I needed you, I should come and pray before this precious vessel which held your holy blood; so truly, Lord, I beg you now to guide me in answering my people's plea, so that I may act according to your will.'

And when Joseph had made this prayer, the voice of the Holy Spirit descended and said: 'Joseph, do not be afraid: you are not the one who is guilty of this sin.'

'Ah, Lord,' said Joseph, 'help me remove from my company the sinners who have brought this famine upon us!'

And the voice replied: 'Joseph, you will give your people a great sign, testing the power of my flesh and blood against those who have sinned. Remember, Joseph, that I was sold and betrayed on Earth - and knew that it would be so: as I sat at the table of the Last Supper, I said that eating and drinking with me was one who would betray me. Make another table in its name; and when you have made it, summon your brother-in-law Bron - he is a good man and more good will spring from him - and bid him go and fish on the water and bring you the first he catches. While he is fishing, lay the table and take your vessel and place it where you will be sitting, and cover it with the edge of the tablecloth. When you have done so, call your people and tell them they are about to see the cause of their distress. Then take Bron and seat him at your right hand; and you will see him move one seat away, leaving an empty place between you. Know this: that seat will signify the place abandoned by Judas when he betrayed me, and it cannot be filled until the son of Bron's son fills it. Once Bron is seated, call your people and bid those who have true faith in the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are willing to obey the commandments, to come forward and take their seats.'

With that the voice departed; and Joseph did as Our Lord had commanded, and a great number of his people sat down at the table; but there were many more who did not. The table was full except for the place that could not be filled. And when those who had sat down to eat sensed the sweetness and the fulfilment of their hearts, they very soon forgot the others. One who was seated at the table, whose name was Petrus, looked at those who were standing and said: 'Do you feel what we feel?'

'We feel nothing,' they replied.

And Petrus said: 'Then you are guilty of the sin which has brought the famine upon us.'

Hearing Petrus's words, they were overcome with shame and left the house. And when the service was over, all rose from the table and went off with the others, but Joseph commanded them to return each morning. And so it was that, by the will of God, Joseph came to discover who had sinned, and this was the first place in which the vessel was put to the test.

So things remained for a long time, until those who were excluded asked those who attended about the grace they were given, saying: 'What is it you receive and feel each day?'

'Our hearts could not conceive,' they replied, 'the great joy and delight we feel while we are sitting at that table, and we remain in a state of grace until we return the next day.'

'Where can such grace come from, which so fills man's heart?'

And Petrus replied: 'It comes from the one who saved Joseph in prison.'

'And tell us of the vessel we've seen, of which we know nothing.'

'By that vessel,' he replied, 'we are separated, for it will allow no sinner in its presence. And those who wish to name it rightly will call it the Grail, for it gives such joy and delight to those who can stay in its presence that they feel as elated as a fish escaping from a man's hands into the wide water.'

And hearing this, they said: 'This vessel should indeed be called the Grail1.'

Both those who went and those who stayed named it so, and when Joseph heard the name it pleased him greatly. And to the service of the Grail they all came each morning at the third hour2.

Now, among those who were excluded was a man named Moyse, and he stayed behind when the others left. And every time he saw one of those who had been granted grace he would beg for mercy most earnestly, with an apparently good heart and good intentions, saying: 'In the name of God, sir, ask Joseph to have pity on me and let me share in the grace that you enjoy!' He made this entreaty many times, desperate to join them, until one day, when all the company of the Grail were gathered together, they said they felt sorry for Moyse and would plead to Joseph on his behalf. They all came to him and fell at his feet and implored his mercy. Joseph was taken aback and asked them what they wanted.

'Most of the people leave,' they replied, 'when we come before the Grail. But there's one, sir, named Moyse, who stays behind, and he seems to be full of penitence, and begs you to grant him the grace we share in the company of your vessel.'

When Joseph heard this he replied: 'Grace is not mine to bestow. Our Lord has granted it as He pleases, and those He chooses shall have it. And this man Moyse may not be all he seems. He may well be tricking us - but if so, he'll be his own victim.'

'We'll never trust him again,' they replied, 'if he's been deceiving us by his behaviour. But please invite him to join us.'

And Joseph said: 'I'll pray for Our Lord's guidance in this.'

Then Joseph went alone and prayed, prostrate, before his vessel, that Christ might reveal whether Moyse was truly as he seemed. And thereupon the voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to him, saying: 'Now the time has come when you will see what I told you about the seat left empty between you and Bron.

Moyse claims to seek the grace of the Holy Spirit. Let him come forward then, and sit in its presence, and you will see what becomes of him.'

So Joseph returned to those who had pleaded for Moyse and told them: 'Say to Moyse that if he is as he claims and deserves to be granted grace, no man can deprive him of it. But if he is other than good, he should not come, for he could betray no-one so badly as himself.'

They went and told Moyse what Joseph had said, and he was delighted and said: 'My only fear was that he'd think me unworthy!'

'You have his leave to come,' they replied, 'if you share our faith.'

So they welcomed him into their company, and took him to the service, and when Joseph saw him he said: 'Moyse, Moyse, stay away from anything of which you're not worthy. No-one can deceive you so thoroughly as yourself.'

'As I am truly a good man,' he replied, 'may God permit me to remain in your company.'

'Then step forward,' said Joseph, 'if you're as you say. Be seated, and we'll clearly see your goodness.'

Then Joseph sat down, along with his brother-in-law Bron and all the others, each in his rightful place. And when they were all seated, Moyse, still standing, felt suddenly afraid. He went around the table, but could see nowhere to sit

-  except in the seat left empty between Joseph and Bron. So he sat there. And the moment he did so he was swallowed up. It was as if he had never been.

When they all rose from the table at the end of the service Petrus spoke to Joseph, saying: 'We've never been so bewildered! By all the powers you believe in, tell us what's become of that man!'

'I've no idea at all,' Joseph replied, 'but if it please the one who has revealed so much to us, we'll find out.'

And Joseph returned and knelt before his vessel, and said: 'Dear Lord God, your powers are wonderful and your ways are wise. Free me from doubt and tell me truly what has become of Moyse.'

Then the voice of the Holy Spirit came to Joseph once more and said: 'Now is revealed the significance of my words when you established this table. I told you that the place left empty beside you would be a reminder of Judas

-  who lost his seat on the night he betrayed me - and that it would remain empty until one of Bron's lineage came to fill it. The third man of Bron's line will fill that place at the table - or another established in its name. As for the one who was swallowed up, I will tell you what became of him. When he stayed behind after his fellows left, he did so only to deceive you, for he did not believe that those of your company could have such great grace as they did. And be assured that he has fallen into abysmal depths and will never be heard of again. Tell this to your disciples, and consider what you have gained in serving me.'

A long while now passed, in which Joseph and his followers lived in this state of grace. And the time came when Joseph's sister Enigeus and his brother-inlaw Bron decided to ask Joseph for advice about their children's future.

'Sir,' said Bron, 'your sister and I have twelve fair sons, but we wish to take no decision about their future life except with God's advice and yours.'

Joseph promised to pray for guidance, and he came in private before the Grail and remembered his nephews. And when he had finished his prayer, an angel appeared to him and said:

'Joseph, Jesus Christ has sent me to you in answer to your prayer. His will is this: those of your nephews who wish to take wives should do so, but the one who does not shall have the others as his disciples. And when they are married, command Bron the father and Enigeus the mother to bring the unmarried son to you. Then come with him before your vessel and you will hear the word of Jesus Christ, who will speak to you and your nephew together.'

The angel departed, and when Joseph told his sister and Bron how his prayer had been answered, Bron searched far and wide to find wives for his sons according to the command of Holy Church.

Eleven of the sons were glad to marry, but the twelfth, whose name was Alain li Gros, said he would take none of the women, even if he were to be flayed alive. His father was amazed by this and said: 'Dear son, why won't you marry like your brothers?'

'Sir,' he replied, 'I've no desire to do so yet; I'll take none of those wives.'

And so Bron saw eleven of his children married, and the twelfth he took to Joseph and said: 'Sir, here is your nephew who will not take a wife either at my bidding or his mother's.'

And Joseph said to Bron: 'Will you and my sister give him into my keeping?'

And they replied: 'Yes, sir, most willingly.'

Joseph was overjoyed at this, and he took Alain in his arms and embraced him, and said to the father and mother: 'Go now, and leave him with me.'

So Bron and his wife departed, and the child stayed with Joseph, who said to him: 'My good, dear nephew, you should feel joy indeed, for Our Lord has chosen you to serve Him and exalt His name. Stay with me now, and you shall hear the mighty words of Jesus Christ Our Saviour.'

Then Joseph prayed to Our Lord to reveal the truth about his nephew's future life. And when his prayer was done, he heard the voice saying:

'Joseph, your nephew is chaste and honest and good, and will believe your words in all matters. Tell him of the love I have shown you, and of why I came to Earth; and show him your vessel and tell him to read what is written about me inside, for it will confirm his faith. And let him know this: that from him will be born a male child to whom my vessel is to come. Then entrust to him the guardianship of his brothers, and let him go to the West, to the most distant parts he can find, and wherever he goes let him do all he can to exalt my name.'

With that the voice departed, and Joseph took Alain back to his father and said: 'Bron, this son shall be guardian on Earth of his brothers and sisters. They must trust in him and take his advice in all things; if they believe in him, it will be to their advantage. Give him your blessing in their sight and they will trust him and love him the more; he will be a fine leader for as long as they are willing to believe in him.'

Then Bron summoned his sons and their wives and said: 'I want you to be obedient to one of our number. All I can give that is of worth or grace I bestow upon my son Alain, with my prayer that he keep you all in God's name. And I command you to obey him and take his advice in all your troubles, and he will give you guidance. Be sure to undertake nothing against his will.'

With that the children left their father's house, knowing they had a protector. And Alain led them into strange lands; and wherever he went, to all the worthy men and women he met he recounted the story of the death of Jesus Christ. Alain was blessed with so much of God's grace that no man could have more.

Then Our Lord, who had arranged how everything was to be, sent his messenger to Joseph once more, with the words:

'Joseph, your vessel will have an end as well as a beginning. Our Lord knows that Bron is a worthy servant, and He wishes him to be guardian of the vessel after you. Tell him how to behave as its keeper, and tell him everything you have learned in your life of Christ's deeds, so that you confirm him in his faith. And tell him the words Christ taught you when He brought the Grail to you in prison: they are the holy words of the sacrament of the Grail. When you have told Bron all this, commend the vessel into his keeping; and all who hear of him will call him the rich Fisher King because of the fish he caught on the day the table of the Grail was first established. And know this: just as the world is and always will be moving towards night, so must Bron and his people move towards the setting sun - into the West. As soon as the Fisher King has the vessel bestowed upon him, he must journey westward, wherever his heart leads him. And where he comes to rest, there he must await the coming of Alain's son, and when the time is right, pass on to him the vessel and the grace that he will have received from you. Between you then you will have completed a sign of the Trinity, which is in three parts. As for the third of you - the son of Alain li Gros - what befalls him will be determined by Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.'

Joseph did as Christ's messenger commanded, and remained in the company of the Fisher King for three days and three nights, bequeathing to him the vessel and entrusting to him all Christ's secret words. Then Bron said to Joseph: 'Sir, a great desire to leave has come upon me; is it your will that I should go?'

'It is indeed,' Joseph replied, 'since it is the will of Our Lord. You are well aware of what you will be taking with you, and who will be watching over you; no-one knows as well as you and I. Go when you will.'

And so it was that the rich Fisher King departed and, like his son Alain, made his way into the West.