The Flight Into Egypt

[Act 1]
[Scene 1]
The setting is the little house in Nazareth, Mary is alone in Joseph's workshop, with the Child Jesus on her knees. By
her side is a basket of linen, her wheel, and her spindle.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Divine Child! How sweet it is for me to rock You to sleep in this dear little house in Nazareth!... Here, as in
Bethlehem, the poverty is very great, but this refuge is more worthy of You than that abandoned stable. (The Blessed
Virgin looks around her tenderly). O blessed abode! What ineffable memories you bring to mind! Here the angel of
the Lord visited the littlest, the last of all His creatures and asked for the unique grace of being able to serve the
happy Mother of God. Here the Divine Word, the second Person of the Adorable Trinity, was made flesh by the
workings of the Holy Spirit, and remained for nine months hidden from mortal eyes. (Looking at the baby Jesus).
Then the world was unaware of Your Presence, O Divine Savior! Now I carry You in my arms, like a light burden, and
Your creatures still do not recognize You... Since the shepherds and the Magi went away, no one thinks to come and
adore You. Soon the springtime will be adorned with a thousand flowers, but none of them will equal the beauty of
the Flower that blooms in Nazareth, far from human sight. O divinely fragrant Flower! How does Your sweet
perfume not reveal Your Presence?...

[Scene 2]
Saint Joseph enters, carrying his tools.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN, with a tone of gentle reproach.

Joseph, you've been away a long time, why do you work such long days?

SAINT JOSEPH
O Mary! Let me spend my energy in die service of Jesus. It is for Him and for you that I work; this thought gives me
courage and helps me to bear fatigue. And then, when I return in the evening, one caress from Jesus, a single glance
from you, make me forget the day's labors.
He wipes the sweat from his brow, then sits down by Mary and looks at the Child Jesus. The Blessed Virgin puts Him
on Saint Joseph's knees; then his face takes on an expression of Celestial joy; he presses the Divine Child to his heart,
kisses Him lovingly and. says to Him:
Little Child! How sweet Your smile is!... Is it really true that I, the poor carpenter Joseph, have the happiness of hold-
ing in my arms the King of Heaven, the Savior of humanity?... Is it true that I have the sublime mission of being the
foster father to Him whose presence satisfies the ardent seraphim and who nourishes even- creature? Is it true that I
am the spouse of the Mother of God, the guardian of her virginity?...
O Mary ! Tell me, what is this profound mystery?... The Desired of the eternal hills, the Emmanuel for whom all the
patriarchs have sighed, sits on my knees and He looks at me, His poor, unworthy servant.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Like you, Joseph, I am astonished to be able to press to my heart the Divine Child whose mother I am; I am
astonished that a little milk is needful to Him who gives life to the world. (After a long, contemplative silence, Mary
continues:) Soon Jesus will grow up and you will have to teach the Creator of the universe how to work.... With you,
He will earn His bread by the sweat of His adorable brow....

SAINT JOSEPH
What are you saving, Mary? Must Jesus become a poor workman like me? I'll never have the courage to see Him
hear the reproaches I receive!...
Even today, the rich lord for whom I was working was not happy with my work and sent me away, telling me to seek
my fortune elsewhere. After much searching and main rebuffs, I finally found enough work to last a whole month: I'll
be able to do it here at home, a happiness for which I didn't dare to hope. Not to go away from Jesus and from you,
what a consolation!... (Realizing that little Jesus is asleep, he lowers his voice:) The Dime Child is sleeping; take up
your Treasure, His bedtime has come. (He kisses Jesus on the forehead, then gives Him to Mary who takes Him
respectfully.)

THE BLESSED VIRGIN, softly.

Joseph, may God bless your sleep, rest in peace beneath the gaze of Him whose heart is always watching.

[Scene 3]
When Mary exits, Joseph goes to sleep; after a few moments of silence, the angel of the Lord appears to him in a
dream; he sings to the tune of “La folle de la plage. — Flots bleus, vagues plaintives. “ etc.

THE ANGEL
To the land of Egypt
You must quickly go.
Joseph, this very night,
Depart in silence.
Herod, in his rage,
wants to take away your Treasure.
From the Conqueror of death,
He wants to take away life.
Take the Mother and the Child,
Flee far from the tyrant.

[Scene 4]
Saint Joseph gets up at once and taps lightly at the door of the little room where Mary is at rest.

SAINT JOSEPH
Mary, wake up. for the life of Jesus is in danger.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN, entering with little Jesus.

Joseph, sleep in peace, no danger threatens the Divine Child. See how He is resting peacefully in my arms.

SAINT JOSEPH
Yes, in His sweet sleep, the King of the Heavens seems to be unaware of the message of one of His angels.... Still, He
knows everything... O Mary! Why doesn't Jesus speak to you Himself? Why am I charged with delivering Heaven's
orders to the Mother of my God?...

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Don't be afraid. Speak. You are God's representative, the head of the family; tell me what the angel ordered you on
behalf of the Lord. I am entirely ready to obey.

SAINT JOSEPH
He is ordering us to flee into Egypt, because Herod is determined to put the Child to death. We must leave within the
hour; tomorrow may be too late.... (He looks at Mary with a sad expression.)

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Don't be troubled, Joseph. Since the day of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. I've been continually prepared to
be put to the test, for the words of the holy elder Simeon left my soul with a sword of sorrow. Already his prophecy
is coming true; Jesus is suffering persecution before He is not old enough to defend Himself. I know that if He willed
it, a word from His infant lips would suffice to wipe out all enemies; however, He chooses to flee from a weak
mortal, He is the Prince of peace.... The Word made Child will not crush the half-broken reed, He will not extinguish a
wick that is still burning. If He is rejected by those of His own heritage, that will not stop Him from giving His life for
poor sinners who fail to recognize the time of His visit. Let us leave without fear, let us go sanctify an infidel shore
with the presence of the Savior.
SAINT JOSEPH
Alas, how it costs me to expose you to the weariness and danger of so long and difficult a journey. How happy I'd be
if I were permitted to take all the pain on myself... But I must resign myself to seeing you soon deprived of
everything. Here we have the necessities; in Egypt, we will be reduced to the most extreme poverty.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

The poverty we'll find in exile doesn't frighten me, since we will always have the Treasure that makes up the wealth
of Heaven. His Divine Providence, which feeds the little birds -without forgetting a single one, will give us our daily
bread.

[Scene 5]

After picking up his tools, Joseph exits with ''Jesus and Man: then the ANGELS sing to the tune of "Gondolières
Vénitiennes'':
Ineffable mystery,
Jesus, the King of Heaven,
In exile on earth,
Flees from a mortal!
To this God in swaddling clothes,
Let us offer all our love,
May our white hosts
Come to form His court.

Let us cover Him with our wings

And with the loveliest flowers.
With our joyful singing,
Let us serenade the King of Heaven.

To comfort His Mother.

Mysteriously let us sing
Of the Savior's charms,
His grace and His sweetness.

Let us leave this shore.

Tonight let us flee,
very far from the storm,
Far from all noise.

Our shining Star,

Hidden beneath a veil,
Is the joy of the elect,
The Child Jesus.

The King of Heaven

Flees from a mortal.

[Act II]
THE CAVE OF THE THIEVES

[Scene 1]
On the walls of the cavern hang weapons and the skins of wild beasts. On the floor are spread out a strange mix of
jewels and rich candelabra, along with other objects of no value. A young woman, SUSANNA, rocks her son Dismas
while singing to the tune of "Trouvère":

Once I was free from pain,

More content than a queen
And my life was joyous,
As I was happy for my son.

My son came into life

Like a rose in bloom.
But alas! The rose is withered,
And my flower is
Already dying!...

Ah! Never on this earth

Was a mother's sorrow
Equal to my sorrow.

[Scene 2]

The sound of a whistle alerts Susanna that the bandit troop is approaching. She lays her sleeping child in a little
cradle with great care, then she opens the door. ABRAMIN, the chief, enters first, followed by his companions, the old
man TORCOL and the young IZARN. The three sing to the tune of '''Estudiantina."

We are the rich and famous bandits

Of the cavern,
The terror of gentlemen
Possessing the gold of their ancestors.

With wisdom and courage,

We can silently handle
The sword and the lance,
When midnight comes.

Ah! Here we are!

[1st voice:]
Profiting from the shadowy night,
We valiant friends do fight.

[2nd voice:]
Tomorrow we will rest in the shadows
And sleep away the whole day.

[Both voices:]
Let us put our youth to use
In building up a treasure,
So that in our old age
We'll be able to swim in gold.

ABRAMIN
throws rich objects at the feet of his wife, mainly children’s clothes and toys, then he sits down beside her and says:
Well, then! Are you pleased, Susanna? Dismas will be dressed like a prince and you won't have to go to any trouble
to amuse him. (Susanna looks at the things with a sad expression.) You don't look satisfied! It's just too much! If I'd
known, I wouldn't have come away all these trinkets.

SUSANNA
How can you ask me to rejoice, while Dismas is sick? Cure my child and you will see me smile.

ABRAMIN
I have done what I could: how many times have I taken Dismas to Jerusalem to have him cared for by the most
skillful doctors? Ah their remedies have been useless; so leave me in peace and don't talk to me of a sickness that
causes me as much despair as it does you... (He leaps to his feet and leans over the cradle.) Must I have a leprous
son!... Ah! I who based such hopes on him!...

TORCOL, sneering.
There's no reason to upset yourself, don't you have good helpers? Izarn and I both know how to give you a hand
without your son's interfering. If you don't recognize the services we render you in your crimes, it's pure ingratitude.

IZARN, palling his companion on the shoulder.

Comrade, don't be in a bad mood, the chief isn't saying anything against us. I. too, am sorry that Dismas is leprous;
he's well-formed otherwise. I'm sure there's not another who'd have been his equal at scaling walls or cracking locks,
and above all at using his sword to get obedience from the rebellious.

ABRAMIN
Shut up, you peasants, my son is none of your business. I forbid you to speak insultingly of him, to his mother's grief.

SUSANNA
Abramin, how is it that you, who understand my sorrow, have brought tears to so many poor mothers? You haven't
gotten away with all these things without shedding blood. There was a time I would have smiled at hearing of your
transgressions, but. now that I suffer myself. I can't take pleasure in the sufferings of others.

ABRAMIN
It's a lucky thing you didn't come into the town of Bethlehem today, your heart would have been stirred with
compassion; even my own, hardened as it is, trembled with indignation to witness such barbarity, for I don't spill
blood except to defend my life. Those who are willing to sleep peacefully while I loot their coffers have nothing to
fear from me. I am the most peaceable of men and my sword has never wounded an innocent.

TORCOL, in a lively tone.

Except for me, that day, or night rather, when you hacked me on the shoulder because I wasn't getting away fast
enough from a turret where I'd found a hoard of treasure. There, you who call yourself the most peaceable of men, I
regret ever putting my white hair at your service, since you hardly respect it.

ABRAMIN, sarcastically.
This blow of my sword was well deserved. I'm quite ready to do the same again if you fail to obey me at the first
command. I could care less about your white wig; I didn't know that you had put it at my service. You can keep it for
your own, since I have no use for it. my superb head of black hair, which gives me some resemblance to the
Olympian gods, is quite enough for me. As for yours, which looks like a little girl's, it's no good for anything but to be
thrown into the fire.

TORCOL, in a rage.
This is too much. I am going to avenge myself for this insult.
He reaches out to a pile of empty bottles, picks up one of them, and starts to throw it at the chiefs head. Izarn rushes
to defend him.

ABRAMIN grabbing Torcol's arm hard.

Move if you can!....

Torcol cries out and struggles while Izarn takes the bottle from his hand.
SUSANNA hurries to the cradle.
Please, be quiet. You woke up Dismas. (She takes him in her arms.)

IZARN, to Torcol.
Torcol, you're wrong to rebel against the chief. He's a brave fellow who's heaped goods on you. Consider this: it's to
him that we owe these rich costumes that might cause us to be taken for descendants of King Solomon; it's also to
him that we owe all these bottles that have had us bending our elbows so often. And you, in a fit of ingratitude,
you'd use one of them to avenge yourself against the author of our good fortune.

TORCOL
Keep your sermons to yourself and leave me be. I know perfectly well what I have to do. I agree to forego
vengeance, but it's through greatness of soul, not through force.

He goes and sits down with him in a corner of the cave where they both begin to smoke their pipes.

ABRAMIN, going to Susanna.

You don't know how to get my son to sleep. Give him to me; I'm going to chant a little song for him that will make
him dream of glory and braver.
He takes the child and, walking jerkily, he sings:
Immortal glory
Of our ancestors
Be faithful to us
And we'll live like them.
Enflame our hearts.
Returning Dismas to his mother, ABRAMIN says:
See. He's asleep already. I recognize in him a brave man worthy of me. How sad that Dismas is a leper!!!... (He strikes
his head with his fist.)

SUSANNA
Don't think about it anymore; you just now forbade me to talk to you about it. Tell me, instead, what happened in
Bethlehem today.

ABRAMIN
What happened is something fit to make you detest Herod, for, on his orders, all the children aged two or younger
were pitilessly massacred before their mothers' eyes and in their arms.

SUSANNA, holding Dismas with terror.

Is it possible? Ah! I can't believe such barbarity! Poor mothers, they will die of sorrow.... As for me. I'd already be
dead if my treasure had been snatched from me....

ABRAMIN
I'm telling you the truth; besides, all these things I've brought ought to prove it. I was able to earn them off with no
trouble, since no one was paying any attention to me.

SUSANNA
But what motive did the king have to do something so low. o criminal? Why has he struck dead all these innocents?
ABRAMIN
No one knows for sure the reason for this hideous act; everyone has his own explanation. There are those who say
that some foreign kings were the cause of it, when they came to ask Herod where to find the newborn king of the
Jews, because having seen his star, they wanted to worship him. Sensing a rival and wanting to be rid of him at all
cost, Herod made useless searches for him, then decided to put all these children to death, as a sure way of
exterminating David's descendant.

SUSANNA, in thought.
What an astonishing story! An infant who receives the adoration of foreign kings, who makes Herod tremble on his
throne.... Wouldn't this be the Messiah awaited by the Jews?

ABRAMIN
I don't know; in any case, his empire will never exist, since he's just been massacred. The god who protects me is
Mercury and I recognize no other; in his name and in his honor, I'm going to undertake new exploits. (Getting up, he
takes his weapons and says to his companions:) Let's go, my friends, let's leave!.... (They exit.)

[Scene 3]

SUSANNA, looking over the things scattered on the floor.

What have I done to Heaven to be so plunged in grief? Perhaps Abramin's crimes have brought divine vengeance
upon us.... .Ah! If I knew where God lives, I would go, even across the seas, and throw myself at His feet to ask Him
for the life of my child and pardon for Abramin's crimes. God would not deny the prayer of a mother's heart that
trusts in Him... I feel that He must be infinitely good, the unknown Being who created me, and I would like to know
Him. I would like to deliver Dismas to Him, so He might make him a valiant warrior in His kingdom. For I desire the
happiness of my son more than my own and, to see him happy, I'd give my life a thousand times over. But my spirit is
wandering.... I'll never leave this desert cave, the Lord I seek will never hear my prayer... He would have to lower
Himself to me in order for my desire to be any more than a chimera.... Only a mother could conceive such a dream.
Alas, why can it not come true!... (She weeps).

[Scene 4]

There is a gentle knock at the door. SUSANNA abruptly raises her head and says in a firm voice:
Who's there?

SAINT JOSEPH
We are poor, worn-out travelers who ask hospitality of you for the night.

SUSANNA
This cavern is not an inn. Take to the road; we don't have lodgings for travelers.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

In the name of your child, if you are a mother, don't refuse us the shelter we ask.

SUSANNA half-opens the door.

When she sees Mary holding the Child Jesus, she says in a gentle voice:
In the name of my son, I can refuse nothing. One can see that you, too, are a mother, since you know so well the
weakness of a mother's heart.

The Holy Family enters the cavern.

SUSANNA
You're lucky that I'm alone. If my husband were here with his companions, he might have done you wrong, but he
shouldn't be back until daybreak. Till then, no one will disturb you

SAINT JOSEPH
Thank you. You're a good woman. God will reward you for your charity.

SUSANNA
Where is He, the God of whom you speak to me? For a long time, I have wanted to know Him.

SAINT JOSEPH
O woman! If you knew the name of the one who has just come into your cavern! If you knew the Child whom Mary
presses to her heart!...

SUSANNA approaches Mary.

How beautiful your child is! Why, then, have you exposed yourselves to the inclemency of the season in the desert?

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

An important event has forced us to leave Nazareth to go live in Egypt. You understand what I suffer when I see my
Son without shelter and trembling with cold, while the glacial winds at night whip up the desert sands. Or when I
cannot even find a single palm tree to shield Him from the burning ardor of the midday Sun.

SUSANNA
The occasion for which you're making such a difficult journey must be important indeed. If it's to seek your fortune in
Egypt, I wouldn't encourage you to keep going. It seems that poor people are even worse off in that country than in
ours. Besides. you ought to know that misery always follows those born under its star. The only way to elude it is to
rebel against the rich and to seize from them by force the wealth that is unjustly divided.

SAINT JOSEPH

It is not poverty that we flee. Happiness does not consist in having wealth, but in humbly submitting your will to that
of God, who gives each person -what He knows to be necessary or the salvation of his soul.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Poor woman, how can you attach your soul to all these riches gained unjustly? How is it that you don't find all your
joy in forming the heart of this beautiful child whom the good God has entrusted to you?

SUSANNA sadly
Far from being my joy, this child is the cause of my sorrow. It is he who keeps me from enjoying the immense riches
that surround me... How speedily he'd give you all I possess if you could save my son's life.

SAINT JOSEPH, going to the child.

What's wrong with your child, then? He's as lovely as an angel and he seems to be sleeping peacefully.

SUSANNA
Yes, Dismas is beautiful, but don't you see that the snowy whiteness spread across his brow is leprosy? (She weeps.)

THE BLESSED VIRGIN, gently pulling away the hand that Susanna has raised to her face.
Don't cry, poor mother. The good God is powerful enough to heal [your] son. He will repay the hospitality you've
shown us tonight.

SUSANNA
I don't know where He lives, this God whom you call good. You who know Him oh!, I beg you, beseech Him to cure
my child and I will give you all that you may desire.
THE BLESSED VIRGIN
I promise you I shall pray for your child, and all I ask in return is a little water with which to wash Jesus. See how His
little face is covered with sweat and dust.

SUSANNA
I ought to have thought of offering what you ask. (She steps to the back of the cavern and points out a small basin of
water carved out of the rock. ) Here is the little bathtub I use for Dismas; it should serve for you to bathe your child.
But aren't you afraid He'll get the terrible sickness that my son has?

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

No, I am not afraid. I know that Jesus has come to earth to heal your son by taking upon Himself the boy's weakness
and infirmity. Right now, He is a fugitive, like a traveler who doesn't even have a rock He can call His own on which to
rest His head, because the Jews do not recognize their king!... Later, they will treat Him like a leper and his face will
be hidden from them. (Mary says these words in a prophetic voice. Sorrow and joy are mixed in the gaze she casts
on Jesus. Then, looking at Susanna, she adds:) But also your child will be clothed in the charms that my Son will have
given up for him. He'll take his place with Him in His eternal kingdom.

SUSANNA, deeply moved.

I can't understand what you're saving. How can your Child bring Dismas to health? Isn't He as weak as mine?... It's
true that I see in your face and His a radiance I've never known, but what can you do for me, you poor travelers
who've had to seek refuge in a den of thieves?...
Ah! I am beginning to believe that you are mysterious people. Your noble demeanor, your air of grandeur reveal an
illustrious origin. Aren't you the descendants of some monarch, since you've just spoken of a kingdom where my son
might take his place with Yours?

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

The kingdom of Jesus is not of this world; if His kingdom were of this world, He would have palaces like those of
earthly kings, and valiant warriors would fight for Him. Right now, you can't understand the meaning of what I say,
but one day you’ll understand.

Mary, having poured water into the basin, washes Little Jesus.

SAINT JOSEPH, to Susanna.

Consider well what Marv is doing. Imitate her, believing firmly that God can cure your son, and this bountiful God
will repay your faith.

SUSANNA
Yes. I believe that the true God has sent you to me to console me. for I sense in my soul something I can't define...
But. how can a little water bring about my son's good health?

SAINT JOSEPH
Had you ever opened the Holy Scriptures, you would have read there that the leper Nahaman was cured when,
obeying the prophet Elisha, he washed himself seven times in the waters of the Jordan, even thought that water had
not yet been sanctified by the presence of the Word made Flesh.

SUSANNA
I don't know what you mean by the Holy Scriptures, but my mother's heart urges me to obey your words. (She dips
her child into the basin that has just been used for Jesus, then, when she has taken him out, she gives a joyous cry
and says in a voice trembling with emotion:) Ah! My child, my Dismas is healed!... Is this not a dream?... No, it's the
truth, his ruby lips are smiling at me... his knee is aglow and full of life... Only a God could have worked his miracle!...
(Turning towards Mary.) Ah! Now I believe it, this Child you earn pressed to your heart is God Himself, Who has
lowered Himself to me.... I do not understand this mystery. But I believe it because I sense its truth.
[Scene 5]

The sound of a whistle is heard and the bandits enter their den.

ABRAMIN, in a transport of fury, lifts his sword at the sight of Mary and Joseph.
Who are these audacious people who've had the temerity to break into my domain? They'll pay more dearly than
they think.

SUSANNA throws herself at his feet, holding up Dismas.

Abramin, don't touch our benefactors, they've come to put an end to our sorrow. Look! Dismas is cured of his
leprosy.

ABRAMIN, dropping his sword.

What are you saying? Dismas is cured... (He looks closely at the child. ) It's absolutely true, no doubt about it.
( Wiping his tears away roughly with the back of his hand.) I didn't think I had any more tears left but, hard as my
heart is, it feels moved by a miracle that confounds all human expectations. Who, then, are these strangers who
have the marvelous knowledge of how to make the terrible disease of leprosy disappear so quickly?

SUSANNA
I don't know their names, but I am sure that the Child they carry is the true God, hidden in the appearance of
weakness.

ABRAMIN
A God in the form of a child! Susanna, joy has led you astray... (Turning towards St. Joseph.) Tell me your name, I beg
you, and what recompense you’d have for the healing you've just performed.

SAINT JOSEPH
I am the poor carpenter, Joseph. I'm not. the one who's just restored health to your son; it was the Child whom Mary
holds in her arms.

TORCOL
Truly, we're in another world! I don't know, but I feel like I've been moved at the bottom of this thing. (He points to
his heart. ) I've been on this ball of a world long enough to be a judge of men, and well, I swear, these strangers are
no ordinary people.

IZARN
I've never seen such a thing and, right now, the life we've been leading no longer seems as attractive as it did before.

ABRAMIN, with a commanding gesture.

Sit back down there and.... Be quiet!.... (To St. Joseph.) I beg you to explain, how could your child heal my son?

SUSANNA, enthusiastically.
Listen to how things happened. This woman, who is incomparably more beautiful and sweeter than any I've ever
seen, asked me for water to wash her Child; I gave it to her in Dismas's bathtub, while I told her of my fear that her
son might get my son's disease. Instead of sharing my fears, she answered me with mysterious words which I didn't
understand, though I felt something extraordinary within myself. As soon as her child was out of the water, I took
the advice her husband had given me and plunged Dismas in, hoping he'd be healed. And you see what has
happened.... How can anyone doubt, then, that little Jesus is God.... What's more, his mother spoke to me of a
kingdom where Dismas must take his place with Him.

ABRAMIN
A kingdom! Ah! I have it... This marvelous Child is the One Herod thinks he has wiped out... He is the King of the
Jews, the Messiah they've been awaiting for so long.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Oh! The wonder of God's mercy that hides itself from the learned and the wise to make itself known to little ones, to
lost sheep and unbelievers!....

ABRAMIN
Have I not spoken the truth? Don't hide from me anymore where you come from, you have nothing to fear from me.
Far from betraying vou. I'm ready to defend you against those who'd like to attack you, and my men will stand with
me at a sign from me.

THE TWO BANDITS get up together.

Yes, yes, we're ready.

TORCOL
Never have we worked for so noble a cause.

SAINT JOSEPH
My friends, thank vou. But this is not the time for combat: Jesus is the God of Peace, He comes to defend and to
save.

ABRAMIN
Since your Son is God, why hasn't He shown His power by saving from death so many poor infants who've just been
massacred on His account? This miracle He's just performed for Dismas He could have done for the children of
Bethlehem even more easily, since all He had to do was strike cruel Herod dead.

SAINT JOSEPH
God's thoughts are not like human thoughts; otherwise Jesus would have acted as you have just said. But His ways
are high above human ways, as far as Heaven is above the earth. I cannot sound the depths of Divine thoughts and I
adore them without understanding them.... Mary is more illuminated than I am by the light of the Holy Spirit and she
can undoubtedly explain to you why her Divine Son preferred to let those innocents be cut down, rather than strike
Herod dead.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

The Son of God did not come to earth to take away life but to give it. I have told you that His kingdom is not of this
world. If He has left the brilliant palace of the Heavens, it was not to conquer an earthly empire; what He wants,
what He has come to earth to find, is friends. brothers, whom He might bring with Him into His Celestial Kingdom. If
Jesus has let the happy infants of His own age be cut down in their innocence, it is to give them salvation and make
them His court of honor. Even the longest life is no more than a dream in which — very often, alas! — people let
themselves be led astray by an attachment to the vanities of this world and they forget that they have souls created
in the image of God. So it was a great mercy of Jesus' to take from this world that legion of infants who now enjoy
eternal rest.

ABRAMIN. thoughtfully.
A soul created in the image of God!... Deceased infants who rejoice in eternal rest!... What unheard of depths to
me!.... So everything is not finished after life?... Ah! I'm all overwhelmed, I think I’m dreaming.

SAINT JOSEPH
You are not dreaming. The sublime mysteries Mary has just revealed to you are the simple truth: if you knew how to
grasp them, far from unjustly amassing perishable riches, you would esteem poverty as the greatest of treasures.
You would seek -- only what would make your soul pleasing to God.
 ABRAMIN
And why do you want me to seek to please God? How will He know? You say that poverty is more to be prized than
treasures; explain this strange mystery to me.

SAINT JOSEPH
If this present life should last forever, you'd have some reason to accumulate wealth. But this life that flashes by like
a bolt of lightning must be followed by an eternity of happiness for those who have served God faithfully during their
passing exile.
Then, this God of goodness and mercy will magnificently reward not on the striking things done for Him, but also the
simple desires to serve Him and love Him, because He sees everything; His eye pierces to the depths of hearts, the
most secret thoughts are not hidden from Him and, as the prophet Isaiah says: "The Lord shall not judge by what His
eyes see, or condemn by what His ears hear; but He will judge the poor with justice, and He will set Himself up as the
just avenger of the humble oppressed on earth. God will Himself come and He will save them."

ABRAMIN, getting up.

All! This is too much for me. I'm beside myself, I don't know myself anymore.... Friends, let's leave this place; we are
not worthy to remain in the presence of these mysterious guests.

SUSANNA
Abramin, when truth shines into your eyes, don't flee from its light. I beg you, by Dismas whom the Savior has
restored to life, don't go back to that criminal life where you would lose your soul. Display the gratitude you owe our
benefactors by'- guiding them across the desert, so they can take the road to Egypt tomorrow.

ABRAMIN
If I leave, it's not to go back to looting, but I need to breathe the night air; the atmosphere around here - is too pure
for me. Rest easy, though. At dawn's first light. I'll show our guests a safe route, so they can continue their journey
without any worry.

He starts toward the door, and the two other thieves get up.

TORCOL, approaching.
Speak of me sometimes to your Child that one day He may remember old Torcol, when He's come into His kingdom.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

If you want to enter into my Son's kingdom, never forget this blessed night when God took rest in your home. Then
you may hope to see Him after this life, no longer as a weak little baby, but in all the magnificence of His glory.

IZARN, falling to his knees.

Ah! May He bless us, this Child who shall make us happy for eternity.

Together, the three bandits bow their heads. St. Joseph and Susanna also kneel down.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN", blessing them with Little Jesus.

Jesus blesses you and thanks vou. In exchange for the hospitality He has received in your cavern, He will bring you
into His Paradise.

ABRAMIN gets up, furtively wiping his eyes.

Who would have believed that Abramin, the chief of the bandits, would ever kneel before a child?... He must be God
for me to do such a thing!...

The thieves cast a parting glance on Jesus and then exit.

[Scene 6]
SUSANNA, still kneeling, lifts her tearful eyes to Mary and says in a beseeching voice:
O Mary ! How good you are to have promised an immortal kingdom to my husband. But, alas, don't you realize that
- bandit life has become second nature to him, and I shiver at thought of his going back to his criminal ways. I
tremble at thought that ray Dismas might follow his father's example. Then, what will become of them?...

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

No doubt, these people you love will offend God who has lowered them with blessings, but have confidence in the
infinite mercy of the Good God; it is great enough to wipe away the worst crimes when it finds a mother's heart with
complete trust in it.
Jesus does not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should convert and live forever. This child who has just
cured your son of leprosy, effortlessly, will one day cure him of a far more dangerous leprosy... Then, a simple bath
won't be enough; Dismas will have to be washed in the blood of the Redeemer.... Jesus will die to give Dismas life
and, on the same day as the Son of God, your son will enter into the Celestial kingdom.

SUSANNA
Your words are very comforting; I've never felt so deep a peace come into my soul. Without really understanding the
meaning of what you say, I do understand the glory you have reserved for my child. Also, 1 will often tell my boy
what he owes to your Son; I will teach him to know Him and love Him. I will say to him " that one day he will have to
take his place in the honor guard of this great King.
Alas! How sad that your Jesus is so poor He has not even one servant who might come to us with news of Him, from
time to time, and teach Dismas what he must do -" to be worthy one day to serve your Son.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

It isn't just from time to time that a servant of Jesus' will come to guide the steps of your child. From birth, Dismas
has always had with him a Celestial messenger and this messenger will never leave him. Like him, you, too, have an
angel assigned to guard you night and day. He's the one who inspires your good thoughts and the virtuous deeds you
do.

SUSANNA
I assure you that no one but you yourself has ever inspired good thoughts in me and that I've never seen the
messenger of whom you speak.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

I know you've never seen him, because the angel by your side is invisible; nonetheless, he is as real as I am. It is by
grace of these celestial inspirations that you've felt the desire to know God and to see Him come to you. Through all
your earthly exile, these things will be mysteries to you, but at the end of time you will see the Son of God come in
His majesty on the clouds of Heaven, accompanied by all the legions of His angels.

SUSANNA
Ah! If I can't see an angel, at. least I would like to hear one's voice.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN seems to be hearing a melody; she says in a soft voice:
Listen.... It seems that one of the angels has undoubtedly heard your prayer. A rustling of wings tells me of his
presence.

[Scene 7]
The ANGEL sings to the tune of Credo from the opera Herculanum, while remaining invisible
I come to sing of the Holy Family,
That Divine magnificence that brings me here.
In the desert, this sweet brightness glitters,
And charms me more than the glory of Heaven... .
All! Who will understand this mystery ?
Jesus is rejected among His very own.
He is wandering, a traveler on the earth, .
And no one can discern His beauty...
But if the great ones disdain your empire
King of Heaven, Mysterious Star
Long has more than one heart desired You
For You are the hope of ail the unhappy
Divine Star, O deep Wisdom
You spread Your ineffable gifts
On the little people, the poor of this world
And You inscribe their names in Heaven

If You grant a share of wisdom

To the ignorant, to the littlest of hearts
It is because every soul is made in Your image
And You have come to save sinners
A day will come when, on the same meadow
The gentle lamb will graze beside the lion
And the desert, Your only fatherland
.More than once will hear Your name

O hidden God! the virginal souls

All aflame with the fire of love
Will dart forth in Your royal Footprints
And the deserts will be populated one day
These burning hearts, these seraphic souls
Will please all the angels of Heaven
But the humble sound of their divine canticles
.Will make the deep abyss tremble

In his fury, in his base jealousy

Satan will want to depopulate the deserts
He does not know the infinite power
Of the weak Child whom the universe ignores
He does not know that the fervent virgin
Finds solitude in her heart
He does not know how powerful is the soul
.Who is united with her Divine Savior

Perhaps one day your dear spouses

Will share Your exile, O my God
But the sinners who will have cast them
.From their love will not extinguish the fire

The sacrilegious hatred of the impure world

Can never soil the snow-white garments,
Can never tarnish the celestial whiteness
Of the virgins of the Lord.

O ungrateful world! Already your reign expires.

Don't you see that this little Child
Holds in His Hand the palm of martyrdom.
Already gathers the radiant lilies.
In order to give them to His faithful virgins
In whom shines the light of love?
Don't you see the eternal doors
Which must open one day for the saints?...

Oh! What a moment, what pure happiness,

When the elect will appear in glory.
They will receive in exchange for their love
An eternity to love in Heaven....
After this exile, there will be no more suffering,
Only the repose of their Heavenly dwelling.
After this exile, we will have no need of Faith and Hope,
We will have nothing but joy, and the ecstasy of Love!....