Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus

Discover how Jesus's final words from the cross reveal a Savior who truly understands every form of human suffering.

In these seven intimate meditations — adapted from his acclaimed Good Friday reflections at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York — Jesuit priest and New York Times bestselling author James Martin, SJ, walks readers through Christ's last sayings on the cross, showing how each one speaks directly to a struggle we all recognize: forgiveness, doubt, love, abandonment, pain, disappointment, and surrender. This is Christian spirituality and Bible study at its most accessible and personal — ideal for Lent, Holy Week, or any season of grief or searching.

This book is for:

• Christians preparing for Lent, Good Friday, or Easter who want a short, powerful devotional
• Anyone facing grief, doubt, illness, or disappointment and looking for spiritual comfort
• Small groups, parish study circles, and individuals drawn to Ignatian spirituality
• Fans of accessible, warm Catholic and Christian nonfiction

Rooted in careful Gospel scholarship yet written with warmth, humor, and pastoral wisdom, Fr. Martin makes a compelling case that Jesus's suffering wasn't incidental to his mission — it's the very thing that makes him able to walk with us in ours. Each chapter pairs Scripture, storytelling, and reflection questions, making this ideal for personal prayer, Lenten study, or shared reading.

Readers who loved Martin's own Jesus: A Pilgrimage or Henri Nouwen's The Wounded Healer will find this same blend of scholarly depth and pastoral tenderness — in a shorter, meditative format perfect for Holy Week.

A moving, faith-deepening read for anyone who has ever felt confused, abandoned, or alone.

Rev. James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and author of the New York Times bestsellers Learning to Pray, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. Father Martin is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, having appeared on all the major networks and outlets, like The Colbert Report, NPR’s Fresh Air, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.