By St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J. | Introduction by Christian D. Washburn, Ph.D.

The Seven Last Words from the Cross, first published in 1618 when the spirit and fervor of the Catholic Counter-Reformation was just reaching their heights, is a profound guide for meditation on the way of the cross and the mystery of our redemption. The seven last words of Jesus Christ make up the “last sermon” offered by the world’s Redeemer; together, they comprise everything that the prophets foretold about Christ: his preaching, prayers, sufferings, and miracles. 

St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J., offers a wealth of insight for the whole of the Christian life, pointing always to Christ, who was lifted up on the cross so “that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Christ preached to us words few in number, but burning with love…in every way worthy to be engraven on the heart of every Christian, to be preserved there, meditated upon, and fulfilled literally and in deed. (St. Robert Bellarmine)

St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J., was an eminent Jesuit theologian and cardinal. He authored numerous theological works, foremost amongst them The Cont­roversies, a sweeping, three-volume refutation of Protestant errors, as well as several devotional works. He was canonized in 1930 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1931. 

Christian D. Washburn, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology, at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, in St. Paul, Minnesota. His arti­cles have appeared in The Thomist, Nova et Vetera, and Gregorianum. He is also a member of both the National Lutheran–Roman Catholic Dialogue and the International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity.

Paperback & E-book: 264pp.

E-book: Immediately following purchase, an .epub file and a .mobi (Kindle) file are available for download.

ISBN: 978-1944418199