St. James Cathedral, Seattle

Father Ryan shares a reflection with the parish on April 23, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Father Ryan preaches on the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, April 19, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic

Father Michael G. Ryan preaches on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Because we cannot have our traditional Tre Ore service this year, we are sharing some highlights from past years. Our preacher for the Seventh Word is Sister Laurie Brink, speaking at St. James Cathedral in 2018. Copyright (c) Sister Laurie Brink, OP, 2018.

The seventh word is taken from the Gospel according to Luke

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”: and when he had said this, he breathed his last.

Recently, Sister Laurie recorded all Seven Words and made them available free of charge. You can find them at https://www.learn25.com/product/meditations-on-christ-s-7-last-words/

Because we cannot have our traditional Tre Ore service this year, we are sharing some highlights from past years. Our preacher for the Sixth Word is Jesuit Father Pat Howell, speaking at St. James Cathedral in 2008. Copyright (c) Father Pat Howell, SJ, 2008.

The sixth word is taken from the Gospel according to John

There was a vessel filled with common wine.

Because we cannot have our traditional Tre Ore service this year, we are sharing some highlights from past years. Our preacher for the Fifth Word is Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe, speaking at St. James Cathedral in 2003. Copyright (c) Father Timothy Radcliffe, 2003. This talk was later adapted and published in "The Seven Last Words," Burns and Oates, 2005.

The fifth word is taken from the Gospel according to John

After this, aware that everything was now finished,

Because we cannot have our traditional Tre Ore service this year, we are sharing some highlights from past years. Our preacher for the Fourth Word is Dominican Father Paul Murray, speaking at St. James Cathedral in 2011. Copyright (c) Father Paul Murray, 2011. This talk was later adapted in the book "Scars: Essays, Poems and Meditations on Affliction," Bloomsbury Continuum, 2014.

The fourth word is taken from the Gospel according to Mark and Matthew

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?.”

Because we cannot have our traditional Tre Ore service this year, we are sharing some highlights from past years. Our preacher for the Third Word is Deacon Owen Cummings, speaking at St. James Cathedral in 2015. Copyright (c) Deacon Owen Cummings, 2015. This talk was later published in the book "The Dying of Jesus."

The third word is taken from the Gospel according to John

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your Son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Because we cannot have our traditional Tre Ore service this year, we are sharing some highlights from past years. Our preacher for the Second Word is Father Ron Rolheiser, speaking at St. James Cathedral in 2007. Copyright (c) 2007, Father Ron Rolheiser.

The second word is taken from the Gospel according to Luke

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Because we cannot gather as a community this Sunday, we’ve invited parishioners to record the readings of the Fourth Sunday of Lent from their homes. Father Ryan also shares his homily from his home. Let us continue to pray together during this difficult time. The podcast includes the readings and homily for today as well as a special prayer for our Elect.