Usually, movies and programs depict a dying person telling last wishes to his family or loved ones. The nature of such wishes is mostly instructions over familial relationships to be left behind — like patching things up within the family (“Son, talk again with your mother and mend your relationship with her,” or “Forgive me for all my shortcomings”), planning what the family must do next (“Take over and continue our family business,” or “Find a man to get married with and have your own children!”), and instructing about division of properties (“Divide this land among my 4 children,” or “When I die, sell that property and use the money”) — just to name a few. Even though this depiction of a dying person is by the media, you can say that it also happens in real life. So far, all the people who died that I personally knew had these concerns. No one knows what’s really on people’s minds at the point of death. But their last words are commonly about these topics, which is very understandable. Death is one of the most sorrowful reality for any family. It not only causes shattering emotional pains and grieving, but also practical hardships. As such, a family would find some benefit if the dying person had instructed them before he’s gone.
Studies show that people on their deathbeds almost always think about or say their worst regrets throughout their life, which commonly are:
- “I wish I pursued my dreams, had been true to myself, followed my ambition instead of what others wanted me to do!”
- “I wish I had children!”
- “I wish I had been a better spouse or parent!”
- “I wish I knew my purpose earlier, touched more lives, inspired people!”
- “I wish I had the courage to express my real feelings!” (whether regarding positive things or bitter occurrences)
- “I worked too much with no time for family!”
- “I should have saved more money!”
- “I should have taken care of myself more!”
- “I should have let myself be happier!”
- “I should have told him/her/them more ‘I love you’s’ everyday!”
To err is human, and ordinary people make mistakes that can be regrets later on.
Our Holy Saints, on the other hand, exemplified extraordinary holiness until the point of death. They did not spend their remaining strength on speaking and worrying about their earthly concerns. More so, they did not waste their energy by blabbing on regrets. While it’s understandable for regular people like us to be haunted by our faults almost all our lives, the Holy Saints knew better and used their last breaths to glorify and adore God — uttering Bible verses, Prayers, or holy personal statements. Here are the last words before death of forty of these Holy Saints:
- Saint Gemma Galgani
Virgin, Stigmatist, Mystic, and Victim Soul
“Now it is indeed true that nothing more remains to me, Jesus. I recommend my poor soul to Thee…Jesus!”
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Virgin, Carmelite nun, and Doctor of the Church
“I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me. My God, I love You.”
- Saint Joan of Arc
Virgin, Heroin, and Martyr
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!”
- Saint Thomas Aquinas
Dominican Friar, Philosopher, Theologian, Jurist in the Tradition of Scholasticism, and Doctor of the Church
“If in this world there be any knowledge of this sacrament stronger than that of faith, I wish now to use it in affirming that I firmly believe and know as certain that Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, is in this Sacrament. I receive Thee, the price of my redemption, for Whose love I have watched, studied and laboured. Thee have I preached; Thee have I taught. Never have I said anything against Thee: if anything was not well said, that is to be attributed to my ignorance. Neither do I wish to be obstinate in my opinions, but if I have written aught erroneous concerning this sacrament or other matters, I submit all to the judgment and correction of the Holy Roman Church, in whose obedience I now pass from this life.”
- Saint Paul the Apostle
Apostle of Jesus Christ, Missionary, Theologian, and Martyr
“I am even now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. As for the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming.”
- Saint Anthony of Padua
Franciscan Friar and Mystic
“I see my Lord.”
- Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu)
Virgin, Missionary of Charity Nun, and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity
“I love you Jesus.”
- Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Virgin, Sisters of Charity Nun, and Mystic
“Holy Mary, pray for me, a poor sinner.”
- Saint Maria Goretti
Virgin and Martyr
“I forgive Alessandro Serenelli… and I want him with me in Heaven forever.” (Speaking about her murderer)
- Saint Teresa of Avila
Virgin, Carmelite Nun, Author, Theologian, Mystic, Doctor of the Church
“My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may Your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time for us to meet one another.”
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Theologian, Knight, and Founder of the Society of Jesus
“O my God!”
- Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Princess and Member of the Third Order of Saint Francis
“Oh, Mary come to my assistance. The moment has arrived when God summons His friend to the wedding feast. The Bridegroom seeks His spouse. Silence . . . Silence.”
- Saint Andrew the Apostle
Apostle of Jesus Christ, Brother of Saint Peter the Apostle, and Martyr
“O most beautiful cross that was glorified by carrying the body of Christ! Glorious cross, sweetly desired, ardently loved, always sought, and finally prepared for my heart that has so long awaited you. Take me, o cross! Embrace me. Release me from my life among men. Bring me quickly and diligently to the Master. Through you He will receive me, He, Who through you has saved me.”
- Saint Monica of Hippo
Mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo
“Lay this body anywhere, let not the care for it trouble you at all. This only I ask, that you will remember me at the Lord’s altar, wherever you be.”
- Saint John Paul II the Great
Pope and Author
“Let me go to the house of the Father.”
- Saint Rita of Cascia
Augustinian Nun and Stigmatist
“Love God above all things. Remain in the holy love of Jesus. Remain in obedience to the holy Roman Church. Remain in peace and fraternal charity.”
- Saint Francis of Asissi
Friar, Founder of the Order of the Friars Minor, the Order of Saint Claire, the Third Order of Saint Francis, the Custody of the Holy Land, Stigmatist and Mystic
“Lead me from my prison, that I might give thanks to Your name.” (Psalm 142)
- Saint John the Evangelist (Saint John the Apostle)
Apostle of Jesus Christ, Brother of Saint James the Apostle, Priest, and Evangelist
“Little children, love one another.”
- Saint Thomas More
Lawyer, Social Philosopher, Author, Statesman, Renaissance Humanist, Councillor, Lord High Chancellor of England, and Martyr
“The king’s good servant, but God’s first.”
- Saint Stephen
Deacon and First Martyr
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (Referring to his executioners)
- Saint Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)
Virgin, Discalced Carmelite Nun, Philosopher, and Martyr
“Come, we are going for our people!” (Saving the Jews during the Holocaust)
- Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
Missionary and First Filipino Martyr
“That I will never do, because I am a Christian, and I shall die for God, and for Him I will give many thousand of lives if I had them. And so, do with me as you please.”
- Saint Agnes of Rome
Virgin and Martyr
“I beseech You, Father almighty, most worthy of awe and adoration. Through Your most holy Son I escaped the threats of the impious tyrant and passed through Satan’s filth with feet unsullied. Behold, I now come to You, whom I have loved, whom I have sought, whom I have always desired. O You, the almighty One, who must be adored, worshipped, feared – I praise You because through Your only begotten Son I have escaped the threats of wicked men and have walked through the filth of sin with feet unsullied. I extol You with my lips, and I desire You with all my heart and strength.
I praise You, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, because by Your Son the fire around me was extinguished. Behold, what I yearned for, I already see; what I hoped for, I already hold in embrace; with Him I am united in heaven whom on earth I loved with all my heart.”
- Saint Lawrence of Rome
Deacon and Martyr
“O Christ, only God, O Splendour, O Power of the Father, O Maker of heaven and earth and builder of this city’s walls! Thou has placed Rome’s scepter high over all; Thou hast willed to subject the world to it, in order to unite under one law the nations which differ in manners, customs, language, genius, and sacrifice. Behold the whole human race has submitted to its empire, and all discord and dissensions disappear in its unity. Remember thy purpose: Thou didst will to bind the immense universe together into one Christian Kingdom. O Christ, for the sake of Thy Romans, make this city Christian; for to it Thou gavest the charge of leading all the rest to sacred unity. All its members in every place are united – a very type of Thy Kingdom; the conquered universe has bowed before it. Oh! may its royal head bowed in turn! Send Thy Gabriel and bid him heal the blindness of the sons of Iulus, that they may know the true God. I see a prince who is to come – an Emperor who is a servant of God. He will not suffer Rome to remain a slave; he will close the temples and fasten them with bolts forever.”
“Turn me over, I’m done on this side!” (While being burned to death on a giridon)
- Saint Rose of Viterbo
Virgin and Mystic
“I die with joy, for I desire to be united to my God. Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and precious.”
- Saint Dominic Savio
Student and Youngest Canonized Non-Martyr Saint
“I am seeing the most wonderful things!”
- Saint Rose of Lima
Virgin, Member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, and Mystic
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, be with me always.”
- Saint Agatha of Sicily
Virgin and Martyr
“Lord, my Creator, you have always protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive my soul.”
- Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Virgin and First Native American Saint
“Jesus, Mary, I love you.”
- Saint Thomas Becket
Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr
“If all the swords in England were pointed against my head, your threats would not move me. I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.” (Addressed to his murderers)
- Saint John Chrysostom
Archbishop of Constantinople, Musical Composer, and Writer
“Glory to God for all things!”
- Saint Augustine of Hippo
Bishop of Hippo Regius, Son of Saint Monica, Philosopher, Theologian, and Doctor of the Church
“Your will be done. Come, Lord Jesus!”
- Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Conventual Franciscan Friar, Priest, Missionary, Founder of Monastery of Niepokalanó, Radio Station, Several Organizations, Publications, and Martyr
“Ave Maria!”
- Saint Dominic de Guzman (Dominic of Osma, Dominic of Caleruega)
Priest, Founder of the Dominican Order, and Mystic
“Have charity one for another, guard humility, make your treasure out of voluntary poverty.” and “Do not weep, I shall be of more use to you after death than I ever did in life.”
- Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (Francesco Forgione)
Capuchin Friar, Priest, Stigmatist, and Mystic
“Jesus. Maria.”
- Saint John Bosco (Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco, Don Bosco)
Priest, Educator, and Writer
“Love each other as brothers. Do good to all and evil to none… Tell my boys that I wait for them all in Paradise.”
- Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Pediatrician
“Jesus, I love you.”
- Saint Catherine of Siena
Virgin, Member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Scholastic Philosopher, Theologian, Doctor of the Church, Stigmatist, and Mystic
“Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
- Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (Helena Kowalska)
Virgin, Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy Nun and Mystic
“Today, the Majesty of God is surrounding me. There is no way that I can help myself to prepare better. I am thoroughly enwrapped in God. My soul is being inflamed by His love. I only know that I love and am loved. That is enough for me. I am trying my best to be faithful throughout the day to the Holy Spirit and to fulfill His demands. I am trying my best for interior silence to be able to hear His voice …”
- Saint Bridget of Sweden (Birgitta Birgersdotter, Birgitta of Vadstena, or Birgitta)
Bridgettine Nun, Mother of Saint Catherine of Vadstena, Founder of Bridgettine Nuns and Monks, Princess of Nericia, and Mystic
“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
Prayer for All Saints’ Day
Almighty ever-living God,
by whose gift we venerate in one celebration
the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray,
through the prayers of so many intercessors,
an abundance of the reconciliation with you
for which we earnestly long.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Prayer for All Souls’ Day
Listen kindly to our prayers,
O Lord, and, as our faith in your Son,
raised from the dead, is deepened,
so may our hope of resurrection
for your departed servants also find new strength.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Source: DivineOffice.org
Reflecting on these words not only make us remember the Saints and the Dead. They also remind us that death leads us to facing the judgment of God as the start of our eternity. If we embrace their messages in mind, we’d try our hardest to live better in our temporal existence in the world, devoting our life to Jesus Christ.
Our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Holy Saints in Heaven, pray for us!
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
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This is amazing. Such courage and conviction displayed by the Saints. Thank you for posting this. Some of these Saints were unfamiliar to me. Very informative.