The Seven Words of Christ on the Cross

The Seven Words of Christ on the Cross are the last seven sentences pronounced by the Lord during his agony, preserved by the four Evangelists. The meditation of these seven words is a most ancient tradition of Catholic spirituality, systematised by St Bonaventure OFM († 1274) in the treatise Vitis Mystica, and renewed in the 17th century by the «Sermon of the Seven Words» traditionally preached from noon to 3pm on Good Friday — the three hours in which Christ was on the Cross, from noon (the sixth hour) until the ninth hour (3pm), when he expired (cf. Mt 27:45-50; Mk 15:33-37; Lk 23:44-46). Joseph Haydn, in 1786, composed the oratorio «Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze» from this meditation. This prayer may be made on Good Friday between noon and 3pm, or on any Friday of the year.

(At each Word, be silent after reciting it, and meditate for a moment. An Our Father may be added at the end of each.)

I. «Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do» (Lk 23:34). — Lord, teach me to forgive as you forgave your executioners.

II. «Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise» (Lk 23:43). — Through the word of the good Thief who repented at the last hour, grant me the grace of final repentance as his.

III. «Woman, behold thy son… Behold thy mother» (Jn 19:26-27). — Receive me, Lord, in the testament which from the height of the Cross you made to the Beloved Disciple: give me Mary as Mother, give me Mary as inheritance.

IV. «Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?» — «My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?» (Mt 27:46, citing Ps 22:2). — By the abandonment which you felt, sustain me in my interior darknesses, when it seems to me that you abandon me.

V. «I thirst» (Jn 19:28). — Lord, grant me the thirst for the salvation of souls which burned in you on Calvary. May this thirst of yours be my thirst from now on.

VI. «It is consummated» (Jn 19:30). — Through your redemptive work brought to the end, grant me the grace to bring to the end the work of holiness which you entrusted to my little life.

VII. «Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit» (Lk 23:46, citing Ps 30:6). — Teach me, Lord, to recite every night this your last prayer — anticipation of each night to the final passing. May these also be my last words upon Earth.

(After all Seven Words have been meditated:)

Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.