The Seven Last Words

by Fulton J. Sheen

A penetrating resume of Jesus’ last words.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Faith, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian

77 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

Fulton John Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, in 1919, Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and served as a parish priest before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966 when he was made bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York. He resigned as bishop of Rochester in 1969 as his 75th birthday approached and was made archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".

Reviews

[Sammy]

This is a most wonderful little book, not only a book but seven beautiful prayers. I’ve owned it for years and used to read it every day but forgot about it until I spotted it just recently. I hope to continue reading it again daily over and over again. It challenges me to “love one another”.

[Charlie Eversman]

“Bethlehem is Jesus, as thou, His sinless mother, gave Him to man; Calvary is Jesus, as sinful man gave Him back to thee. Something intervened between thy giving at the manger and the receiving at the Cross, and that which intervened is my sins.”

I don’t know what would stop me from reading this every Lent.

[Sreeja]

A Lenten must read! Bishop Fulton sheen just has a way with words, every sentence is beautifully written. Never really pondered on the last seven words but found out about the book through the Hallow app. Very insightful and highly recommend.

[Jacqueline]

A must read, every Lent. Very short but best to savor it.

[liz legg]

great meditations (w some serious depth) for lent. thanks for the inspo, clare!

[Peter Khoury]

Sima are y’all ever going to have the last meeting?

[Kehinde]

I read this from Good friday to Holy Saturday and i gained so much perspective of my Lord when I crucified him on that cross. I thank God for Bishop Sheen and how he has allowed God to use him to remind me of these things

It is a must read for Easter.

[Tanny Simmons]

"OH, what greater assurance is there in all the world of the mercy of God? Lost sheep, prodigal sons, broken Magdalens, penitent Peter's, forgiven thieves! Such is the rosary of Divine forgiveness. God is more anxious to save us than we are to save ourselves."

[MKB Wilhelm]

These were not new words to my ears but new depth of prayer in my heart. You read sheen’s sentences and the hold so much conviction. definitely a good book to go back and pray with- every day. Would recommend to anyone in need of an accountability check (all of us lol) and needs to be refreshed on how much the Lord desires us.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea]

What a beautiful and insightful look at the seven last words of Christ from the cross. I am participating in the 40 Day Lenten Challenge on the Hallow app, and they are reading excerpts from this book, so I thought I would get The Seven Last Words by Fulton J. Sheen and follow along. It is a quick read, and can easily be read in under two hours. "Mary, it is I who stand between His birth and His approaching redemptive death.... Mary, my Mother, intercede with thy Divine Son for forgiveness of the sin of changing thy Bethlehem into Calvary.

I highly recommend this thought provoking meditation of the crucifixion of our dear Lord.

[Esther]

Loved this book 💕 Necessary read :)

[CN]

Lenten heavy hitter…

[Paige McGehee]

Amazing mediative commentary that I happened to get to today of all days. I need to read this every year on the anniversary of Good Friday.

[Logan Mixon]

Of course theres some things I disagree with in it. But this writing is fantastic.

[Lisabcates]

beautiful way to look at Christ's Passion this Lenten season

[Dillon]

Read during silent retreat at Bukit Tiram.
A very short book, but still profound in content. A meditation on the last 7 things Christ said on the cross.

1) “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!”
2) “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”
3) “Woman, behold thy son.”

A message to the three predilections of God: enemies, sinners, and saints.

4) “My god! my god! Why hast thou forsaken me?”
5) “I thirst.”

A message from man abandoned by God, and a message from God abandoned by man.

6) “It is consummated.”
7) “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

The sixth was a cry of retrospect, and the seventh is a cry of prospect. A farewell to manhood on Earth, and an entrance to Godhood on heaven.

[Anna McCarty]

Simple beautiful!!! Sheen writes in a way that stirs the soul. One of my favorite parts was the story of Dismas
as a babe washed in water that Christ had been bathed in and physically healed…then leads a miserable life, and finally cries out (this time of his free will) to be healed while on the Cross…does he remember his first healing? Does he even know?? I had not heard that tradition/story before and was touched.
An incredibly quick and easy read, perfect to enter into lent!

[SKP]

I read this during Lent, one chapter each Sunday, and the last one on Good Friday. It made a wonderful Lenten devotional. Fulton Sheen was a wonderful writer, and it gave me a lot of food for thought.

[Sabine Terky]

such a powerful book..

[John]

Not great. Made some leaps in logic and theology to make a handy quick read. Not bad, overall, for what it was, but less than "good." Two stars.

[Steven Dzwonczyk]

This was the first Fulton Sheen book I have read, to the best of my knowledge. He is filled with both wisdom and poetry. Very short read, but lots to think about.

[Eileen]

Perfect for Good Friday

[Maryann Mancini]

A small but mighty book about the seven last words Christ spoke while on the cross. Beautifully written, thought provoking text. This book touched me, a lapsed Catholic, very deeply. It renewed my spirit and set me on a course to rediscover my faith. I highly recommend this book as well as Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s video lectures on YouTube.

The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ:

1. Father, Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do
2. This Day Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise
3. Woman, Behold Thy Son
4. My God! My God! Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?
5. I Thirst
6. It Is Consummated (It Is Finished)
7. Father, Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit

This book is less than 100 pages and can be read in an afternoon. God bless.

[Anne Marie]

Reading the reviews for this book I definitely agree that it is very powerful and a good book to read during a retreat or lent. But I also feel it was a bit above my understanding and probably someone interested in theology and/or the religious life would get more out of this book. For example, I was for the longest time trying to figure out what the seven words were...but they are actually the phrases Jesus used before He died on the cross.

[David]

A Very Deep Spiritual Reflection, as only Bishop Sheen Could Do!

In thirty pages, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, in his uniquely powerful and loving way, takes us on a deeply spiritual reflection on the purpose and meaning of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is not only a great read for Easter time, but for anyone any time, especially anyone seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

[Carmen Scuderi]

Moving riveting perfect lenten meditation.

Ihas the privilege of hearing Venerable Sheen present these Seven Last Words as a seminarian. The text brought back the memory and Sheen's passion awakening the soul and presenting in an unforgettable manner the price paid for our salvation. No other text approaches the realism here. An absolute must read

[Jarred de Beer]

“Bethlehem is Jesus, as thou, His sinless mother, gave Him to man; Calvary is Jesus, as sinful man gave Him back to thee…Mary, this is not thy hour; it is my hour—my hour of wickedness and sin. If I had not sinned, death would not now hover it’s black wings about His crimsoned body; if I had not been proud, the atoning crown of thorns would never have been woven…”

[Matthew Simms]

In this very short book, Venerable Fulton Sheen challenges the reader to enter into the Seven Last Words more deeply. What would we think Jesus would say from the Cross, especially as he’s being tortured and moments away from death? He doesn’t condemn, but still teaches and loves radically. He is the fullest expression of self-giving love.

[Nicole Rodgers]

Oh what a beautiful book. Will read again and again.

“Teach me that everything in the world is Thine, except one thing, and that is my own will; and since that is mine, it is the only real and true gift that I can ever bestow.”

“I warn thee, Mary, think not when thy arms come to clasp Him, that He is white as He came from the Father; He is red as He came from me.” 😭😭😭

[Richard Grebenc]

A wonderful little book that could be read in an hour but is certainly meant to be pondered. Perfect for Adoration and particularly for meditation during Lent. The closing prayer of each chapter is particularly excellent in bringing out the theme of each chapter.