Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen - The Lords Prayer and the Seven Last Words

Two Bridges Connecting

Heaven and Earth

FULTON J. SHEEN

Copyright 2021 by Allan J. Smith

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in the main text are taken from the Douay-Rheims edition of the Old and New Testaments, public domain.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Bishop Sheen Today

280 John Street

Midland, Ontario, Canada

L4R 2J5

www.bishopsheentoday.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Sheen, Fulton J. (Fulton John), 1895-1979, author. | Smith, Allan J., editor.

Sheen, Fulton J. (Fulton John), 1895-1979, The Seven Last Words. Registered in the name of Century Company, under Library of Congress catalog card number: A 62515, following publication April 7, 1933.

Sheen, Fulton J. (Fulton John), 1895-1979, The Seven Last Words. Address delivered on Good Friday, 1935. Transcribed by and prepared for the National Council of Catholic Men. In the Fullness of Christ. Washington, D.C. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 1935.

Smith, Al (Allan J.) editor The Cries of Jesus from the Cross: A Fulton Sheen Anthology. Manchester, New Hampshire: Sophia Institute Press, 2018, ISBN 9781622826209.

Smith, Al (Allan J.) editor Lord Teach us to Pray: A Fulton Sheen Anthology. Manchester, New Hampshire: Sophia Institute Press, 2019, ISBN 9781644130834.

Title: The Lords Prayer and the Seven Last Words. Two bridges connecting Heaven and Earth.

Fulton J. Sheen; compiled by Allan J. Smith.

Description: Midland, Ontario: Bishop Sheen Today, 2021

Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: ISBN: 978-1-990427-00-8 (paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-990427-01-5 (eBook)

Subjects: Jesus Christ The Seven Last Words The Our Father Good Friday.

J.M.J.

DEDICATED TO

Mary Immaculate

Mother of God

COMPASSIONATE QUEEN OF

THE SEVEN SWORDS IN HEARTS

WHERE CHRIST THY SON IS KING,

I GIVE THEE SEVEN WORDS.

LOVINGLY ACCEPT

WHAT IS BEST IN THEM,

DROPPED FROM A CROSS

AND THE LIPS OF GOD.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam

inque hominum salutem

Jesus calls all His children to the pulpit of the Cross, and every word He says to them is set down for the purpose of an eternal publication and undying consolation.

There was never a preacher like the dying Christ.

There was never a congregation like that which gathered about the pulpit of the Cross.

And there was never a sermon like the Seven Last Words.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

The First Word

Father, Forgive Them

For They Know Not What They Do.

The Second Word

This Day Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise.

The Third Word

Woman, Behold Thy Son; Behold Thy Mother.

The Fourth Word

My God! My God!

Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

The Fifth Word

I Thirst.

The Sixth Word

It Is Finished.

The Seventh Word

Father, Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit.

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PREFACE

I have learned more from the

crucifix than from any book.

St. Thomas Aquinas

A rchbishop Fulton J . Sheen was a man for all seasons. Over his lifetime, he spent himself for souls, transforming lives with the clear teaching of the truths of Christ and His Church through his books, his radio addresses, his lectures, his television series, and his many newspaper columns.

The topics of this much-sought-after lecturer ranged from the social concerns of the day to matters of faith and morals. With an easy and personable manner, Sheen could strike up a conversation on just about any subject, making numerous friends as well as converts.

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 mans eternal pursuit of happiness.

Along with his weekly radio program, Sheen wrote dozens of books and pamphlets. One can safely say that through his writings, thousands of people changed their perspectives about God and the Church. Sheen was quoted as saying, There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.

Possessing a burning zeal to dispel the myths about Our Lord and His Church, Sheen gave a series of powerful presentations on Christs 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 Christs 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, Sheens 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 back this collection of Sheens radio addresses that were later compiled into a book titled The Seven Last Words Virtues (New York: Century Company, 1933) and The Fullness of Christ (Huntington, Indiana: Sunday Visitor, 1936).

On October 2, 1979, when visiting St. Patricks Cathedral in New York City, Pope John Paul II embraced Fulton Sheen and spoke into his ear a blessing and an affirmation. He said: You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are a loyal son of the Church. On the day Archbishop Sheen died (December 9, 1979), he was found in his private chapel before the Eucharist in the shadow of the cross. Archbishop Sheen was a man purified in the fires of love and by the wood of the Cross.

It is hoped that, upon reading these reflections, the reader will concur with the heartfelt affirmation given by St. John Paul II and countless others of Sheens wisdom and fidelity.

Last words are always important but particularly the last words of Him Who gave His Life for the redemption of many! It will be recalled that one day, the Apostles approached Him saying: Lord, teach us to pray. He answered their request by giving them the perfect prayer: the Our Father. Now the time comes for Him to say His own Our Father. As there were seven petitions in the Our Father He taught us, so there are seven petitions in His own last prayer. They are known as the Seven Last Words. We shall meditate conjointly on our Our Father, and His Our Father.