The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 1 · Chapter 52

Cyrenius' journey to Egypt and his arrival in Ostracine. Joseph and Mary's decision to welcome Cyrenius. The first words of the Infant. 25 October 1843

01] The said spring soon arrived, for in this region, it starts already in the middle of February.

02] But Cyrenius scheduled his trip to Egypt only for the middle of March, which month the Romans usually chose for military affairs.

03] By the middle of March, Cyrenius had his ship equipped again and on the fifteenth, he promptly embarked on his journey to Egypt together with Maronius Pilla.

04] This time, the journey took five days.

05] On this occasion, Cyrenius let himself be received with all honours in Ostracine; because he had to undertake major military inspections and visitations this time.

06] This required that he be received with all honours.

07] His arrival therefore caused a great sensation in Ostracine, word of which also reached the villa we all know about.

08] Therefore Joseph sent two of his oldest sons to the town, to find out exactly what had caused all the excitement in the city.

09] The two sons hurried and came back soon with the good news that Cyrenius had arrived in the town, and where he was staying.

10] When Joseph heard this he spoke to Mary: "Listen, we have to visit this great benefactor immediately and the Infant should not stay behind!"

11] And Mary, overjoyed about this, spoke: O dear Joseph, that goes without saying, for after all the Infant is the true darling of Cyrenius!"

12] Mary promptly dressed the by now considerably grown Child in new clothes she had made herself and asked the Child with all her motherly love and innocence:

13] "Well, my loveliest Son, my dearest Jesus, are You coming with us to visit dear Cyrenius?"

14] The Child smiled cheerfully to Mary and distinctly spoke the first word, and the word was:

15] "Mary, now I follow you until one day you follow Me!"

16] These words created such an elevated mood in the Joseph's entire house, that Joseph almost forgot about the planned visit to Cyrenius.

17] But the small Child Himself admonished Joseph not to postpone his plan; for Cyrenius would have many things to do this time for the welfare of the people.