During this Lent we shall let the Writings of St. Bartolomea accompany us.
She enters into the depth of the Mystery of God, so as to make it echo, in her heart, the seven words of Jesus on the Cross.
Like St. Vincenza, let us learn to find consolation and strength in the Crucified one which was for her “the Great Book to be meditated”. Vincenza, in fact, through the eyes of the Crucified one, saw the endless flow of humanity in need. This experience moved her and impelled her to bring charity to all whom she found in the streets of Lovere her town.
We invite you to pray and bear in your heart the countless situations of pain and suffering that this our world is going through.
FIRST FRIDAY OF THE LENT
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing”.
When they reached the place called The Skull, there they crucified him and the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing. (Lk 23: 33-34)
From the Writings of BARTOLOMEA
Jesus’ first word, and first rose of charity springing from his Heart. Immense charity of God!
In the very act of being crucified, he prays for his enemies. What a gentle reproof for me, who am not able to bear the slightest offence!
SECOND FRIDAY OF THE LENT
Today you will be with me in Paradise
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left….One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into[k] your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”(Lk 23:32-33; 39-43)
From the Writings of St. Bartolomea
Second word uttered by the Blessed Jesus on the Cross.
As soon as the request is made to him, he grants it; he seems to have been only waiting for the supplication to be made in order to bestow the grace.
Oh! If only I knew how to pray, how many graces I would obtain! …
THIRD FRIDAY OF THE LENT
John, this is your Mother. Woman, this is your Son.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (Jn 19:25b-27)
From the Writings of St. Bartolomea
Jesus’ third word.
Oh, infinite charity of God; he cannot bear to leave us orphans; as he dies, he leaves us Mary Most Holy as our Mother,
and from his own lips there comes out his recommendation to her, that she treats us with mercy.
FOURTH FRIDAY OF THE LENT
My God, My God, why did you abandon me? Jesus’ fourth word
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:45-46)
From the Writings of St. Bartolomea
Jesus’ fourth word uttered on the Cross.
My poor Jesus! To be abandoned by the Father must have made of Him the perfect Man of Sorrows. All around, you find only cause for suffering and the Eternal Father himself seems to abandon you and leaves you comfortless.
What a sorrow must have pierced the Heart of Mary to hear this lamenting word from her divine Son! … How I wish I at least could comfort you…
FIFTH FRIDAY OF THE LENT
I thirst
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. (Jn 19:28-29)
Jesus’ fifth word
St. Vincenza
My adorable Saviour, in every person in distress and in the poverty-stricken, I shall recognize Yourself.
SIXTH FRIDAY OF THE LENT
It is finished!
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Jn 19:30)
From the Wrtings of St. Bartolomea
Jesus’ sixth word. The great work of Redemption is now completed.
You have done and suffered everything, giving the world this great proof of your love for men …
What about me? What shall I do for you, my most loveable Jesus? …
SEVENTH FRIDAY OF THE LENT
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.”Having said this, he breathed his last.
When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”
And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.
But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (Lk 23:44-49)
From the Writings of St. Bartolomea
Let us remain close to the adorable Cross; let us love it, kiss it and do our best to carry it gladly. (Scr I, 85)