The Sixth Word “It is finished.” (Jn 19:30) Gospel When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Jn 19:30 Reflection “God our Father has seen fit to grant us, in the heart of his Son, ‘infinite treasures of love,’ mercy and affection. If we […]
The Fifth Word “I thirst.” (Jn 19:28) Gospel After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. […]
The Fourth Word “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34) Gospel At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mk […]
The Third Word “Woman, behold, your son.”… “Behold, your mother.” (Jn 19:26-27) Gospel Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” […]
The First Word “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) Gospel When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”] They divided his […]
The Second Word “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 23:43) Gospel Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject […]
The Seven Last Words is a beloved devotion of the Church that invites us to recall and meditate on Jesus’s last words as he hung on the cross. In this collection, each word is accompanied by the corresponding Gospel passage and a reflection and prayer from St. Josemaria Escriva. The devotion can be prayed over […]
Lent is a season of conversion of the mind, heart, and soul through the acts of prayer, penance, and deeds of charity/alms giving. Though its exact time of origin is unknown, the practice of fasting and the offering of a penance during the 40 days prior to Easter was more widely visible in the church […]
Fifth Week of Lent: Restoring All Things in Christ “What a strange capacity man has to forget even the most wonderful things, to become used to mystery! Let’s remind ourselves, this Lent, that the Christian cannot be superficial. While being fully involved in his everyday work, among other men, his equals; busy, under stress, the Christian has to […]
Jesus prepared the disciples to bear fruit as they began to evangelize. We too must prepare for evangelizing as well. During the season of lent let us practice being in the presence of Jesus; to be in constant prayer. In the early church St. Paul taught, to “Put on Christ”. In order for this […]