Grace Thompson
Good Friday is a day of commemoration for Catholics, who are joined by many other Christians in this solemn day of remembrance. It is the day that Jesus Christ was crucified, and the day is marked by fasting, prayer, and meditation on the Passion. Catholics are encouraged to fast on Good Friday, limiting themselves to one full meal and two smaller meals. Many attend a liturgy, which is performed without Mass or the celebration of the Eucharist, and instead venerate the cross. Some Catholics participate in Good Friday processions, while others may choose to read the Bible, specifically the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion in Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18, and Matthew 27.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Name | Great and Holy Friday, Great Friday, Good Friday |
| Liturgy | Tenebrae service, Stations of the Cross, Celebration of the Lord's Passion |
| Activities | Fasting, abstinence from meat, prayer, meditation, processions, street processions, the Way of the Cross, the chanting of the Pasyón, Siete Palabras or the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross, performances of the Senákulo or Passion play, self-flagellation, crucifixion, reading the Lord's passion in the Bible, spending time in prayer, kissing the cross |
| Restrictions | No Mass, no celebration of the Eucharist, no church bells, no Divine Liturgy, no altar stripping |
| Dress | Clergy wear black vestments |
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What You'll Learn
Attending the Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Good Friday is one of the holiest days of the liturgical year for Catholics. It is the day that Catholics commemorate the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. Catholics are encouraged to fast by consuming no more than one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal one larger meal.
In addition to the service, many parishes also offer Stations of the Cross later in the evening. This is a devotional practice where participants pray at each of the 14 stations, meditating on the Passion of Christ. This can be done in private or as a communal activity.
In some countries, such as the Philippines, Good Friday is also commemorated with street processions, the Way of the Cross, the chanting of the Pasyón, and performances of the Senákulo or Passion play. Some devotees also engage in self-flagellation and crucifixion as extreme expressions of penance.
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Joining Good Friday processions
Good Friday is a day of commemoration for Catholics, who are joined by almost all other Christians in solemn commemoration on this day. It is the Friday before Easter Sunday, when the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ are remembered.
If you want to join a Good Friday procession, you can expect to join with other Catholics in a communal procession through the streets. In some places, these processions are accompanied by the chanting of the Pasyón, Siete Palabras, or the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross. Some people also perform the Senákulo or Passion play.
In some areas, people prepare the Image of Saint Veronica for the procession. This may be accompanied by other symbolic and dramatic rituals, such as the self-flagellation and even crucifixion of some devotees.
The Good Friday procession is a time to remember the final hours of Jesus Christ as a man, and the procession is often followed by a liturgy or service. This may include the veneration of the cross, where a large cross is brought forward and participants touch or kiss it to show their love and thankfulness for God.
Good Friday is a solemn occasion, and the muted atmosphere is preserved until the Easter Vigil, when the resurrection of Christ is celebrated.
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Fasting and abstinence from meat
Abstinence from meat on Fridays is a practice observed by many Christians, including Catholics, as a sacrifice and a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice of his flesh for humanity on Good Friday. In the past, the requirement to abstain from meat on Fridays applied to those aged seven or older. However, the current canon law requires all Latin Church Catholics to observe abstinence starting at the age of fourteen. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, Bishops may permit the substitution of other penitential practices for Fridays outside of Lent, but some form of penance is to be observed on all Fridays to commemorate the day of the week of the Lord's Crucifixion.
While the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays has been relaxed in some Catholic countries, it is still observed in others. For example, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops decrees that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence, and this includes abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays year-round. Similarly, Catholics in England and Wales are expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays if they are able to do so. This practice is regarded as a penance and a reminder of past wrongs and solidarity with those who are suffering.
Good Friday holds a particular significance for Catholics, and fasting and abstinence from meat are seen as essential components of commemorating this holy day. It is a day of solemn observance, and Catholics are called to turn their attention to the cross on Calvary, where Jesus Christ was crucified. While Mass is not celebrated on Good Friday, Catholic churches offer a service celebrating the Lord's Passion with holy Communion and veneration of the cross, typically held at 3 p.m., the time of Jesus' death.
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Praying the Stations of the Cross
At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ's last day. Specific prayers are recited, and then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete. This can be done individually or with a group. The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred.
- Read the opening prayer: "We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (Kneel) Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. (Rise)". If you are unable to kneel, you can sit or stand.
- Read the selected Scripture passage for inspiration.
- Reflect and consider what this Station of the Cross means for your life.
- Recite specific prayers for each station, such as:
- "We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. He came unto his own. And his own received him not. I shall not die but live; and declare the works of the Lord. Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us."
- "We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to death on a cross. And he bore the sins of many. And prayed for transgressors. Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us."
- "We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Your own soul, a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many may be revealed. This child is destined for the fall and rise of many, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us."
- End by praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
- Repeat this process for all fourteen stations.
- As you end the Stations of the Cross, spend a few final minutes in quiet reflection.
- Finish with the Dynamic Catholic Prayer of Transformation: "Loving Father, Here I am. I trust that you have an incredible plan for me. Transform me. Transform my life. Everything is on the table. Take what you want to take and give what you want to give. Transform me into the person you created me to be, So I can live the life you envision for me. I hold nothing back; I am 100 percent available. How can I help? Amen."
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Reading the Lord's Passion in the Bible
Good Friday is a day of commemoration for Catholics, who are joined by other Christians in the solemn remembrance of the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is considered one of the holiest days of the liturgical year.
On this day, Catholics are encouraged to read the Lord's Passion in the Bible. The story of Jesus' crucifixion can be found in Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18, and Matthew 27.
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus:
The Gospel of John records that after the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed and asked his disciples to keep watch with him. It was here that Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus with a kiss, leading to his arrest by the Roman authorities and Jewish leaders.
Jesus' Trial and Sentencing:
Jesus was first brought before Annas, a powerful Jewish cleric, who condemned Jesus for blasphemy as he had claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus was then sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Despite Pilate finding no fault in Jesus and even declaring his innocence, he eventually gave in to the crowds' demands and sentenced Jesus to crucifixion to avoid a riot.
The Crucifixion:
Before his crucifixion, Jesus was flogged, a common practice to weaken the victim before the actual execution. Crucifixion was an extremely painful method of execution, perfected by the Romans, and it was reserved for the worst criminals. Jesus was convicted of proclaiming himself to be the King of the Jews. His crucifixion is described in detail in the Gospels, including the moments leading up to his death and his final words.
The Burial:
After Jesus' death on the cross, his body was removed and laid in a donated tomb, following the Jewish custom of burial. This event is significant as it marks the conclusion of Jesus' earthly ministry and sets the stage for his resurrection, which Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday.
By reading the Lord's Passion in the Bible, Catholics can deepen their understanding of the events of Good Friday and meditate on the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ.
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Frequently asked questions
Good Friday is the day on which Catholics commemorate the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Catholics are encouraged to fast and meditate on the significance of the day. They may also attend the Celebration of the Lord's Passion, which includes holy Communion and veneration of the cross.
The service includes a liturgy that may be performed without the celebration of the Eucharist. Communion wafers are consecrated on Holy Thursday. The veneration of the cross is a time when a large cross is brought forward to be touched or kissed.
On Good Friday, the clergy don black vestments.
Good Friday commemorates the day Christ died. According to the gospels, Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, after which he was brought before Annas, a powerful Jewish cleric. Annas condemned Jesus for blasphemy and sent him to Pontius Pilate, who reluctantly agreed to execute Jesus by crucifixion.
