the crucified orator 680 2. Composition, Contents, and Purpose of This Work The immediate reason for composing sermons on the Passion of our Lord might have been the need to trigger the sensitivity of some community to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, its importance, and its essential meaning for man and for all creation. These sermons were certainly intended to help prepare for the liturgical season of Lent. The author not only very eloquently explained the last “words of Eternal Wisdom, ending His life in the human body with a sermon,” but also wished that one soul at least might benefit from his effort. This is reminiscent of the Good Shepherd from the Gospel who rejoices in the recovery of one lost sheep. In the same way, Fr. Papczyński (dubbed during his lifetime “the Apostle of Mazovia”) addressed with the utmost fervor just one human being in need of spiritual help as if he would address great crowds, and yet, he spoke individually to each of his readers. We see that — urged on by his pastoral commitment — he put all of his ardent soul, mind, and heart into the preparation of these meditations. This is testified to by the fact that in OC, he cites the statements of many expert preachers known throughout the history of the Church. In the meditation on Christ saying, “they do not know what they are doing,” to the Father about His tormentors, Fr. Stanislaus concluded with “O immeasurable depth of clemency and mercy! Sinner, look what an excellent example of loving your enemies He gives you! He did all that for your own good! Cast out from your heart at once the resentment that you hold against your adversary or your enemy, and the most merciful God, who gazes upon you with the greatest kindness, will grant you the forgiveness of all your sins and will fill you with an abundance of His grace.” The author of OC addressed the readers rather than the listeners (e.g., “I invite you, kind reader of this discourse,” in “The Fifth Word”). Although the book title states that it is a collection of sermons based on the seven last words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the work has undoubtedly the character of written meditations. In seven meditations, Fr. Papczyński thoroughly pondered the
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