Book excerpt: English Cardinal Basil Hume was beloved all over the world for his pastoral gifts. Before dying of cancer in 1999, he left these meditations on the Seven Last Words of Christ on the cross. In each one of these reflections, Cardinal Hume unwraps a gift for usone that gives us hope even when we are in the midst of pain and difficulty. These last words . . . reveal their secrets slowly, if we meditate on them and pray, Cardinal Hume writes in the introduction. Let those words speak to you, and I will tell you what they have said to me. Short meditations that speak powerfully to the heart. An inspiring gift, especially for those who are in difficult circumstances; Can be used through Lent or at any time of the year.