“Paschasius, by the decree of the Roman Senate you are under arrest, and are to be sent to Rome, for your wicked deeds to the people of Sicily. Bind him in irons. Take him to Rome!” The legionaries bound Paschasius in irons and chains and led him out of the hall. Paschasius friends exited the hall. Virgil, Ivor, and the guards left the hall quickly. The legionaries intercepted the four. Julia stayed behind to see what would happen. The centurion looked at Lucy. He noticed the wound that Paschasius had made in Lucy’s neck.

  “Are you are a Christian?” the Centurion asked.

  “Yes, I am,” Lucy said. The centurion called for one of the legionaries.

  “Bring the priest from this town here. Tell him that one of his flock is dying. Give him time to get what he needs.”

  “Yes, sir.” The legionary left the hall. The centurion took Lucy’s palla and used it to stop the bleeding. Lucy looked at the centurion.

  “Are you a Christian, too?” she asked.

  “Yes, I am. It is a hard life being a Christian. I have to be one in secret. My former commander, whose name is George was killed for being a Christian,” the centurion said. Amata rushed to Lucy’s side.

  “My Lady! You are wounded!” Amata exclaimed.

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  “I know, the legionaries have sent for the priest,” Lucy said feebly. The kind and Christian centurion is using my palla as a bandage.

  “Lucy, what did you mean when you said to me ‘Proclaim his words to all?’” Amata asked.

  “What I meant was to proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ to all men. Will you do this, Amata?”

  “I will, Lucy,” Amata responded. The centurion and Amata stayed with Lucy until the priest arrived. He carried a small bottle of oil and a chalice full of hosts.

  “Who is dying?” the priest asked.

  “I am,” Lucy said feebly. Then the priest saw the blood stained palla. The priest knew that innocent blood was spilled: the blood of a martyr.

  “Listen to the words of our brother and apostle James: Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sin, they shall be forgiven him.” The priest anointed Lucy on the eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands and feet. Then he asked her to recite the Apostle’s Creed, which Lucy recited. Then held out a host and held it above the chalice.

  “Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi. Beati qui ad cenam Agni vocati sunt” (“Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.”) Lucy responded three times:

  “Domine, non sum dignus ut inters sub tectum meum; sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.” (“Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; but only say the word and my soul will be healed.”) The priest gave her communion saying:

  “Serve Dei, hoc est Corpus Christi.” (“Servant of God, this is the Body of Christ.”)

  Lucy Replied:

  “Amen.” And as she said the word ‘Amen’, she died. Her soul went to heaven. For she was ready to greet the man, she adored: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ-for she was enkindled in the Spirit.

  FINIS