The door was at length opened, and Peter rushed out, his face covered with his mantle, wringing his hands, and weeping bitterly.

By the light of the torches he soon recognised John and the Blessed Virgin, but the sight of them only renewed those dreadful feelings of remorse which the look of Jesus had awakened in his breast.

Mary approached him instantly, and said, 'Simon, tell me, I entreat you, what is become of Jesus, my Son ?' These words pierced his very heart; he could not even look at her, but turned away, and again wrung his hands.

Mary drew close to him, and said in a voice trembling with emotion: 'Simon, son of John, why dost thou not answer me ?'--Mother!' exclaimed Peter, in a dejected tone, 'O, Mother, speak not to me--thy Son is suffering more than words can express: speak not to me! They have condemned him to death, and I have denied him three times.' John came up to ask a few more questions, but Peter ran out of the court as if beside himself, and did not stop for a single moment until he reached the cave at Mount Olivet--that cave on the stones of which the impression of the hands of our Saviour had been miraculously left.

I believe it is the cave in which Adam took refuge to weep after his fall.
The Blessed Virgin was inexpressibly grieved at hearing of the fresh pang inflicted on the loving heart of her Divine Son, the pang of hearing himself denied by that disciple who had first acknowledged him as the Son of the Living God; she was unable to support herself, and fell down on the door-stone, upon which the impression of her feet and hands remains to the present day.