The St. Louise de Marillac LOC Lenten Day of Recollection
The Ladies of Charity of St. Louise de Marillac Parish, Pittsburgh PA, held a Lenten Day of Recollection with a talk on the “Seven Words” Spoken by Jesus Christ on the Cross. The speaker was Father Daniel Maurer, Senior Parochial Vicar St. Louise de Marillac and St. Joan of Arc Parish. Fr. Dan’s previous parish was St. Thomas A Becket Parish in Jefferson Hills, and when the word got out he was to speak, almost 20 Ladies of Charity from that church attended.
The morning began with Mass, then the ladies gathered in Le Gras Hall for a continental breakfast. Following Fr. Dan’s talk everyone gathered for a wonderful lunch and fellowship.
FIRST WORD
Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
SECOND WORD
“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
THIRD WORD
“Woman, behold, your son” / “Behold, your mother.”
FOURTH WORD
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
FIFTH WORD
“I thirst”
SIXTH WORD
“It is finished.”
SEVENTH WORD
“Father into your hands I commend my spirit”
PRAYER OF THE SEVEN LAST WORDS
O divine Jesus, incarnate Son of God, for our salvation you consented to be born in a stable to spend your whole life amid poverty, trials and misery, and to die surrounded by sufferings on the Cross.
At the hour of my death, please tell your Father, Father, forgive them.
Tell your Mother, Behold your child.
Tell your soul, This day you shall be with me in paradise.
My God, my God, do not forsake me in that hour.
I thirst, yes, my soul thirsts for you who are the fountain of living waters.
My life passes away like a shadow; in a short while everything will be accomplished.
Therefore, my adored Savior, from this moment and for all eternity, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Lord Jesus, receive my soul.