The Seven Last Words of Christ Explained - by Fulton J Sheen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

During the 1930s and '40s, Fulton Sheen was the featured speaker on The Catholic Hour radio broadcast, and millions of listeners heard his radio addresses each week. His topics ranged from politics and the economy to philosophy and man's eternal pursuit of happiness.

Possessing a burning zeal to dispel the myths about Our Lord and His Church, Sheen gave a series of powerful presentations on Christ's Passion and His seven last words from the Cross. As a Scripture scholar, Archbishop Sheen knew full well the power contained in preaching Christ crucified. With St. Paul, he could say, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2).

During his last recorded Good Friday address in 1979, Archbishop Sheen spoke of having given this type of reflection on the subject of Christ's seven last words from the cross "for the fifty-eighth consecutive time." Whether from the young priest in Peoria, Illinois, the university professor in Washington, D.C., or the bishop in New York, Sheen's messages were sure to make an indelible mark on his listeners.

Given their importance and the impact they had on society, it seemed appropriate to bring together in this anthology some of Archbishop Sheen's meditations on the Seven Last Words Our Blessed Lord spoke from the Cross on Calvary.

The meditations contained in this book are taken from several books and articles written by Sheen between 1933 and 1945.

• The Seven Last Words. (New York: Century, 1933)
• The Seven Last Words and the Our Father. (Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor 1935)
• Calvary and the Mass. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons,1936)
• The Cross and the Beatitudes. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons,1937)
• The Rainbow of Sorrow. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1938)
• Victory over Vice. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1939)
• The Seven Virtues. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1940)
• Seven Words to the Cross. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1944)
• Seven Words of Jesus and Mary. (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons,1945)

These mediations have been selected to provide nine unique reflections for study and meditation on the Seven Last Words.

• First Meditation - A reflection on the words spoken by Christ from the Cross.
• Second Meditation - A reflection on a passage from the Lord's Prayer.
• Third Meditation - A reflection on a part of the Mass.
• Fourth Meditation - A reflection on one of the Beatitudes.
• Fifth Meditation - A reflection about sorrow and suffering.
• Sixth Meditation - A reflection addressing one of the seven deadly sins.
• Seventh Meditation - A reflection on the virtues.
• Eighth Meditation - A reflection on dealing with individuals who reject the Church and Christ's teachings.
• Ninth Meditation - A reflection on the unity of Jesus and Mary.

As the reader ponders these reflections, they might have to pause for a moment or two over a sentence that is full of deep meaning that stirs the heart. He might also find that Archbishop Sheen has repeated certain lines throughout these reflections to drive home a point or an important theme, as any good teacher would do.

Archbishop Sheen's dynamic personality combined with his brilliant mind, tireless pen, and eloquent voice has made him one of the best-known figures in the world. His radio and television appearances have been phenomenally successful and are still viewed today. His books and magazine articles continue to gratify and attract a boundless circle of readers.

Review Quotes

A book you'll want to return to year after year

This book is a collection of Fulton Sheen's talks and writings. It is a beautiful resource for praying through Lent or growing closer to Jesus through entering into His Passion at any time of year. The individual writings are short, and you don't have to read them straight through in order. You can read one writing from each of the 9 sections (the 7 last words of Christ) or read a few writings each week. I am using it with a prayer group right now and we all agree - it is a book we will return to year after year.

Every Catholic and Christian needs to read this!

I am in the process of reading this book, almost to the end. Archbishop Fulton Sheen has explained again the mysteries of the Words Christ spoke from the Cross. As I read the Bible, I want to understand more of what is being said, reading this book has helped a lot. Contemplating on the Words and being able to understand them better makes it more enjoyable to read. Archbishop Fulton Sheen has always made understanding our faith easier and brings home how we should be living our faith...even now! Great and interesting reading, I would recommend this book to others searching what the Words spoken from the Cross by Christ mean.

Beautiful book

Very uplifting book that helped me understand what it means to love Jesus and that surrendering to His way, is the way, to Him. I wish I read this book a long time ago.

Beautiful

It took me a while to finish this book, but only because each chapter is so packed with depth and beauty that one has to stop and think about it for a while. It takes Our Lord's Passion and opens Our eyes to aspects of modernity that supply wounded Him during His three hours on the cross. There were times when reading it was like looking in a mirror. I recognized myself in each hammer blow to Our Lord's arms and feet. This book is definitely one everyone needs to read.

One of the best books I have read.

I can hardly put this book down. Venerable Fulton Sheen has written an amazing book that goes straight to your heart. The 7 phrases Jesus said from the Cross pretty much sum up his whole purpose for teaching. I have been stressing over how to forgive our politicians, Hollywood elite, and the MSM for their abortion, and infanticide issues. Bishop Sheen makes it very clear what Jesus meant when he spoke those unforgettable phrases from the cross. I am praying harder for those who are determined to flaunt themselves in the face of our most Beloved Church, that their hearts be softened and find their way back to our Lord. Amazing Book!