"I thirst." (John 19:28)

Meditations on the Fifth Word from the Cross by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

For years, Archbishop Sheen gave a series of powerful presentations on Christ's Passion and His seven last words from the Cross.

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." 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.

This anthology has been arranged to provide nine unique reflections for study and meditation on the words "I Thirst." (John 19:28)

These meditations 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)

Each meditation will offer the reader a mini-retreat on the following topics.

First Meditation - A reflection on the words "I Thirst".

Second Meditation - A reflection on a passage from the Lord's Prayer. (Give us this day our daily bread).

Third Meditation - A reflection on a part of the Mass (The Communion).

Fourth Meditation - A reflection on one of the Beatitudes (Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice).

Fifth Meditation - A reflection about the need of zeal.

Sixth Meditation - A reflection addressing one of the seven deadly sins (Gluttony).

Seventh Meditation - A reflection on the virtues (Temperance).

Eighth Meditation - A reflection on dealing with individuals who reject the Church and Christ's teachings (A word to Moderns).

Ninth Meditation - A reflection on the unity of Jesus and Mary and the "Religion is a Quest".