The Final Words of Jesus
The final words of a person who is dying can have special meaning. Preeminent of these are what are known as the Seven Last Words of Jesus that he uttered from the Cross. To refresh your memory, they are as follows:
- “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
- “You will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
- “Woman, behold your son!” (John 19:26-27).
- “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).
- “I thirst!” (John 19:28).
- “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
- “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (Luke 23:46).
Some Dying Words of Humans
Those holy words are significant. At the other end of the spectrum are comical or ironic words some people said with their dying breath.
Moments before receiving a fatal gunshot would, during the American Civil War, General John Sedgwick is reported to have remarked, “Why, they couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.”
Some say that comedian Lou Costello’s commented, “That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted.”
Apparently when Bob Hope’s wife asked him where he wanted to be buried, his last words were, “Surprise me.”
Groucho Marx’s last words were, “This is no way to live.”
Dying Words of Some Saints
For my book I Am Going . . . : Reflections on the Last Words of Saints, I did a ton of research and uncovered some gems.
Hints of the Next World
As Steve Jobs, cofounder and CEO of Apple, Inc., left this world, he looked past those gathered around his deathbed, and mysteriously uttered, “Oh, wow! Oh, wow! Oh, wow!” Some saints’ last words indicate that death is only the door to the next life:
St. Anthony of Padua claimed, “I see my Lord.”
St. Dominic Savio said, “What wonderful things I am seeing!
St. Frederick said, “I will praise the Lord in the land of the living.”
St. Pope John Paul II said, “Let me go to the house of my Father.”
St. Charles Borromeo prayed, “Behold I come. Your will be done.”
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity said, “I am going to Light, Love, and Life.”
The Blessed Virgin
Saints who, like us, prayed that Mary be with them at the hour of their death seemed to see her based on their dying words:
St. Elizabeth of Portugal instructed, “Draw up a chair for the radiant lady in white who is coming, Mary, Mother of Grace.”
St. Josephine Bakhita exclaimed, “I am so happy . . . Our Lady! Our Lady!”
Praying a Holy Name
Many saints died with the name Jesus on their lips: St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis Xavier, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Joan of Arc, and St. Paschal Baylon.
Others invoked Jesus and Mary, praying “Gesu, Maria”: St. Pio of Petrelcina and St. Rose of Lima.
A few called on the Holy Family:
St. Gabriel Possenti prayed, “Jesus, Mary, Joseph. Jesus, Mary Joseph, I offer you my heart and soul. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul with you in peace.”
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne said, “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart, my soul, and my life—oh, yes, my life, generously.
St. Ignatius’s last words were “Oh, God.“
Traditional Prayers as Last Words
St. Hugh prayed the Our Father.
St. Julie Billiart prayed the Magnificat.
St. Bede the Venerable prayed a Glory Be.
St. Peter Verona prayed the first article of the Apostles’ Creed.
St. Bernadette said, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner, a poor sinner.”
Profession of Love
St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you.”
St. Pope John XXIII said, “Lord, you know I love you.”
St. Therese of Lisieux exclaimed, “My God, I love you!”
St. Jeanne Jugan prayed, “O Mary, my dear Mother, come to me. You know I love you and how I love to see you.”
St. Kateri Tekakwitha prayed, “Jesus, I love you.”
Surrender to God
Saints echoed Jesus by saying “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” These include St. John of the Cross, St. Angela, and St. Vincent Ferrar.
St. Agatha prayed, “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”
Others
After singing Psalm 142, St. Francis of Assisi left an instruction: “I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what you are to do.”
My favorite dying words are those of St. Clare of Assisi: “Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.”
Recently I received a booklet to help me plan my funeral. One thing it didn’t ask was “What will your last words be?” That is something for me and you to ponder.
Which saint(s) do you look forward to being with in heaven?
Here is a lovely Litany of Saints:
