The Seven Last Words of Jesus, by Romanus Cessario OP.  Magnificat, 2011.

Based on Father Cessario's  set of Good Friday 's preachings in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, readers are led to the cross to listen to the last words of Jesus . These reflections are a great expression of the "divine order' as readers are led through the Scriptures of Jesus on the cross.

Not only does the author illuminate the seven last words from Matthew, Luke, and John, but he also reflects on timely issues such as marriage, the Eucharist, vocations, chastity, and the liturgy.

"It is about noon" according to Luke, " and darkness had come over the whole land."  It is noon at St. Patrick's also when the speaker began his preaching on the seven last words of Jesus. Listeners are drawn to the place of the Skull where Jesus is nailed to the wood of the cross.

"As  the Church's liturgy reminds us, the sacramental life of the church came into existence when blood and water gushed forth from the pierced side of Jesus. Water for baptism, blood for the Eucharist.  Since that moment, the perfect worship of God requires identification with Christ, the one Mediator...Since that moment, this Friday has always been knows as a good Friday, God's Friday.

The practice of kissing the cross on Good Friday began about the fourth century. On this day Christians have always came forward to embrace the instrument of their salvation. What else is there to do on Good Friday?

"These three hours of prayer and song today invite us to undergo a divine saving instruction, one that will draw us deeply into the mysteries of Catholic life." Hence, the seven last words of Jesus  from the cross are words for our reflection and instruction. 

(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.)                                                             



St. Adalbert of Prague (956-97): April 23

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus did not discourage Adalbert, who is now remembered with great honor in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Germany.

Born to a noble family in Bohemia, he received part of his education from St. Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27 he was chosen as bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform forced him into exile eight years later.

In time, the people of Prague requested his return as their bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again after excommunicating those who violated the right of sanctuary by dragging a woman accused of adultery from a church and murdering her.

After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach the Good News to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred by pagan priests in that region. Adalbert's body was immediately ransomed and buried in Gniezno cathedral (Poland). In the mid-11th century his relics were moved to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.



For the first time in many years, a an old man traveled from his rural town to the city to attend a movie. After buying his ticket, he stopped at the concession stand to purchase some popcorn. Handing the attendant $1.50, he couldn't help but comment, "The last time I came to the movies, popcorn was only 15 cents."

"Well, sir," the attendant replied with a grin, "You're really going to enjoy yourself. We have sound now."