When, on 13 April 1999, Cardinal Basil Hume was told he was dying of cancer, his immediate reaction was to go to the hospital chapel to spend some time in prayer before the crucifix. He had great devotion to the last words of Jesus and he was, in a sense, making Jesus’ prayer his own: ‘Into your hands I commend my spirit’. Out of the
depths of despair and suffering, he was searching for hope, and that is what he found in the secret of the crucifix. Three days later, in a letter to the priests of his diocese, he revealed that the cancer was not “in its early stages”, but he added: “I have received two wonderful graces. First, I have been given time to prepare for a new future. Secondly, I
find myself – uncharacteristically – calm and at peace”.

A new future – calm and at peace. Not in the depths of despair. Undoubtedly, Cardinal Basil Hume was able to draw tremendous strength from his own reflections on Jesus dying on the cross so that his own suffering became a longing for the new future. The Cardinal’s own reflections, presented here in this unique recording, were the fruit of many years of prayer and meditation.

In an interview broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1986, Cardinal Hume revealed how important to him was the crucifix in his chapel at Archbishop’s House. In this interview he said:

"I like that because sometimes in the morning when you’re tired and have a lot of
worries in your head it’s not easy to get the head up to God, so you have to pray with
your eyes. Sometimes I just sit and look at the cross and say to myself: in all the hospitals
there are people dying. A lot of people I meet or who write letters to me are suffering
terribly at this moment. So, looking at the cross, I think of all those people sharing that
passion, sharing the agony of our Lord. And if God became man – as indeed he did – he
came to share a lot of what we all have to live and undergo and gives it meaning and
purpose, and makes it holy. I find that very powerful and when people say to me: 'I’m
very worried', or 'I’ve just lost my husband', or 'There’s been a terrible tragedy in our
family – please pray for me', I say 'Yes, I’ll do it tomorrow morning'. So sitting in the
chapel, looking at the crucifix, I remember that person."

Reproduced on the front cover is the crucifix in the chapel at Archbishop’s House, Westminster. Reproduced on the back cover of the booklet in this CD is his earliest, hand-written reflections on Christ's words from the cross.

Basil Hume’s own introduction to these meditations is read by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. The text is read by Bishop John Crowley, Emeritus Bishop of Middlesbrough and scripture quotations are read by Kathleen Griffin, a freelance broadcaster, producer and teacher.

Track listing:
1 Cardinal Basil Hume’s Introduction to the Seven Last Words.
2 ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ Luke 23:34
3 ‘Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ Luke 23:43
4 ‘Woman, this is your son.’ John 19:26
5 ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ Mark 15:34
6 ‘I am thirsty.’ John 19:28
7 ‘It is accomplished.’ John 19:30
8 ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ Luke 23:46
Total running time 77 minutes 29 seconds.

"I am delighted that the late Cardinal Hume’s reflections on the Seven Last Words of Jesus have now been collected together.... To quote the Cardinal’s own words: ‘There is no Good Friday experience that does not lead to a greater understanding of sharing in the joys and triumphs of Easter Sunday.’ So the Seven Last Words of Jesus are really not sad texts at all. In Jesus lifted up on the Cross, we see the living sacrifice of himself, out of love for his Father. This is the gift of self, which is the heart of love, written large. In effect, it is a love story I commend for your prayerful reflection."
Archbishop Vincent Nichols.

Produced by Callum Ross. Executive Producers: Liam Kelly and Stephen Moseling.