Rachel Evans
Good Friday is a significant day in the Catholic faith, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the suffering and sacrifice that saved Christians from their sins. It is a day of solemn reflection and remembrance, marking the final hours of Jesus' life, his death, and the events that followed. While it is not a holy day of obligation, many Catholics choose to attend Good Friday services and participate in family observances. Catholic schools are closed on this day to allow students to engage in these traditions. The question of whether Catholics should work on Good Friday is a matter of individual choice and circumstance. While it is ideal to avoid work, it may not always be possible, and personal situations and obligations may vary. Ultimately, the decision to work or observe the day in another way is a personal one, guided by an individual's beliefs and situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Day of obligation | No |
| Work | Best avoided, but not obligatory |
| Meaning | Day of suffering and sacrifice |
| Events | Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, earthquake, tearing of the Temple curtain |
| Commemorated by | Catholics and most other Christians |
| Legal status | Holiday in much of the world |
| Traditions | Visiting Jesus in the Eucharist at seven churches, chanting the Reproaches |
| Food | Hot cross buns |
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What You'll Learn
Good Friday is not a holy day of obligation
Holy Days of Obligation are primarily festal and Eucharistic. They are days of great celebration, such as Epiphany, Ascension, and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Good Friday is a solemn day of penitence, and the nature of obligation would not be appropriate.
On a Holy Day of Obligation, parishes hold multiple masses to accommodate all parishioners. However, it is logistically impossible to require all Catholics to be present at once on Good Friday. There is only one Good Friday service per parish, and there are often issues with seating and parking.
While not an obligation, many Catholics still choose to attend church on Good Friday to remember the painful yet meaningful day.
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Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
For Christians, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection are the central aspects of Christian theology concerning the doctrines of salvation and atonement. Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in several ways. Firstly, they perform the Acts of Reparation to Jesus Christ, which are defined as "some sort of compensation to be rendered for the injury" regarding Jesus's sufferings. This idea of reparation is further emphasised by Pope John Paul II, who referred to these acts as the "unceasing effort to stand beside the endless crosses on which the Son of God continues to be crucified."
Catholics also focus on the words of Jesus, as found in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, which provide detailed accounts of Jesus's arrest, trials, crucifixion, and resurrection. These Gospels highlight Jesus's willingness to endure suffering and his obedience as an act of love and sacrifice. Additionally, Catholics meditate on the actions of Jesus's disciples, such as Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene, who witnessed the Resurrection and remained close to Jesus during his Passion and death.
Devotions to the cross of Christ, such as the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary of the Holy Wounds, are also practised by Catholics to commemorate the crucifixion. These devotions involve meditating on the stages of the crucifixion and the wounds of Jesus. Artists throughout history, including masters such as Giotto, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt, have also depicted the crucifixion scene in their works, providing visual representations of this significant event in Christian theology.
Good Friday itself is not a day of obligation for Catholics, indicating that there may not be a specific expectation to refrain from work. However, the focus on the crucifixion and the subsequent Resurrection is an important aspect of Catholic devotion, and it enhances their celebration of Christ's Resurrection during Easter, which is considered the most important day of the liturgical year, second only to Christmas.
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The day Jesus was tortured, mocked, crucified, and died
Good Friday is the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which is described in the New Testament as a slow and agonizing death. Jesus was tortured, mocked, and crucified before finally dying, all within a matter of hours.
The night before his crucifixion, Jesus prepared for his fate in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed to God, begging for another way to fulfill his destiny.
Jesus was then beaten and flogged, a punishment nicknamed "the half death" because half of the men who received it died. Roman soldiers dressed him in a purple robe and twisted a crown of thorns into his skull, beating him further and spitting on him. Jesus's face was so disfigured that he barely looked human. He was then stripped of his clothing and offered vinegar mixed with myrrh or gall to drink.
Jesus was then forced to carry his cross to Golgotha, where he was hung between two convicted thieves and nailed to the cross. He remained on the cross for six hours, struggling to breathe as he pushed his body up to exhale and lowered himself to inhale, his open wounds scraping against the rough wood. During this time, he was mocked by the thieves, religious leaders, and the crowd. The soldiers affixed a sign to his cross stating, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," in three languages.
Finally, Jesus cried out to God, asking why he had been forsaken, before dying. The sky over Judaea darkened for three hours, and the veil of the Temple was torn in two.
Three days after his death and burial, Jesus was resurrected, offering hope and eternal life to those who believe in him.
Catholics and other Christians observe Good Friday as a solemn day of remembrance, reflecting on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. It is not a day of obligation, but many choose to attend special church services and may participate in traditions such as fasting or abstaining from meat as a form of penance.
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Good Friday service: the Reproaches (Improperia)
The Reproaches, or Impropéria in Latin, are a series of antiphons and responses used in Good Friday liturgies across all three branches of Christianity. They are also referred to as the Solemn Reproaches. The text contrasts Old Testament stories of God's goodness with humanity's enactment of evil against God's Son. While God saved his people from death, they delivered his Son to death by crucifixion. Thus, God reproaches humanity for rejecting Christ, his gift, lamenting that we have spurned his love.
The Reproaches are part of the Good Friday liturgy and follow the Solemn Intercessions and Lord's Prayer. They may involve a rough-hewn cross carried in procession and placed before the worshippers, and thus begin, "Behold the cross on which was hung the salvation of the whole world." The people respond, "Come, let us worship." After the third repeat of this antiphonal call to worship, the Reproaches begin. There are nine, each introduced by the congregation saying, "Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal One, have mercy upon us," and concluded with the congregation praying "Lord, have mercy."
In their present form in the Roman Rite, the Improperia are a series of three couplets, sung antiphonally by cantors and followed by alternate Greek and Latin responses from the two halves of the choir. The nine following reproaches are sung alternately by the cantors of each choir, beginning with the second, with the full choir responding after each reproach with the line, "Popule meus... " or "O My People...". The Reproaches are also included in the Methodist Church of Great Britain's liturgy for Good Friday and in the United Methodist Church's Good Friday service. In Lutheranism, the Reproaches are commonly chanted each Good Friday during the Tenebrae service.
The Improperia first appeared in the Pontificale of Prudentius (846–61) and gradually came into use throughout Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries, finally being incorporated into the Roman Ordo in the 14th century. They largely disappeared from many parishes following the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council but have retained their prominence at the Vatican.
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Catholic schools are closed on Good Friday
Good Friday, observed on April 18, 2025, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a significant Christian holiday. While it is not a federal holiday in the US, 12 states recognize Good Friday as a state holiday and typically close public institutions, including schools. These states are:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- New Jersey
- Tennessee
- Texas
In states without a Good Friday holiday, decisions about school closures rest with local districts and institutions. For example, New York City public schools are closed on Good Friday per their academic calendar, while other districts may remain open.
Religiously affiliated schools, such as Catholic schools, are more likely to close in observance of Good Friday. It is common for Catholic schools to be closed on Good Friday to allow students and staff to honour the holy day through traditions such as fasting and prayer. Some public schools may also schedule their spring break to include Good Friday, giving students and staff the day off.
While there is no mandate for schools to close on Good Friday in the US, practices vary widely, especially for private and Catholic schools. Students and staff are advised to check their school's academic calendar or contact the institution directly to confirm whether classes will be in session or suspended on Good Friday.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Good Friday is not a holy day of obligation. Catholics can attend Easter Sunday Mass instead of the Easter Vigil on Saturday. It is best to avoid work if possible.
Good Friday is the day Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of suffering and sacrifice.
Some Catholics visit Jesus in the Eucharist at seven different churches in their area. Another way to celebrate is to attend Adoration and meditate on the gift of the Eucharist.
Catholic schools are closed on Good Friday so children can participate in family observances. The entire family should attend Good Friday services together or at least make a trip to Church to make the Stations of the Cross.
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