Introduction from Day 1:

Reflection for Holy Week  (Second of three parts)

The Catholic Church celebrates during the Holy Week the mysteries of salvation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ in the last days of His earthly life. Recall that it began last Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, as we commemorated our Lord's messianic entry into Jerusalem as Prince of Peace.

The weekdays of April 3-8 are dedicated to the celebration of penance. The faithful are encouraged to spend these days reflecting more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

The Paschal Triduum:

The Paschal Triduum is ONE liturgical feast spread over three days. These are the last three days of Holy Week, which are the most solemn days of the liturgical year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These most holy days celebrate the Paschal Mystery, first, the passion, suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, followed by his resurrection, triumph of the holy cross, and Christ's decisive victory over sin and death.

Good Friday (April 7) - Day 2 

Good Friday is the second day of the Paschal Triduum. The Liturgy for this day introduces us to the mystery of Christ's redemptive sacrifice on the cross, the very act of our Lord that brought salvation to all. 

          "It is accomplished," and bowing His head He gave up His spirit. (Jn 19:30)

The whole Church today, stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare with no cloths, candles nor cross, and the door of the empty tabernacle stands open, mourns the death of our Savior.

The Liturgy in the afternoon consists of three parts:

(a)  The Liturgy of the Word

The priest and assisting ministers enter in complete silence, without any singing. They prostrate themselves for a few moments of silent prayer in front of the altar, signifying both the abasement of earthly man, and also the grief and sorrow of the Church.

The Passion account from the Gospel of John is read (Jn 18:1--19:42). 

(b)   Veneration of the Cross

A cross, either veiled or unveiled, is carried in procession through the Church, and then venerated by the congregation. We reverently venerate and kiss the wooden cross on which hung the Savior of the world in order to honor the great sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us.

Adoration or veneration of an image or representation of Christ's cross does not mean we are actually honoring the material image but rather what it represents. In kneeling before the crucifix and kissing it we are paying the highest honor to our Lord's cross as the instrument of our salvation. Because the cross is inseparable from His sacrifice; in reverencing His Cross we are, in effect, adoring Christ.

Thus, we affirm: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross Thou has redeemed the world.

(c)   Holy Communion

The altar is covered with cloth for the Holy Communion part and the ciboria containing the Blessed Sacrament consecrated on Holy Thursday are brought to the altar from the place of reposition.

The Our Father and the Ecce Agnus Dei (This is the Lamb of God) are recited before Holy Communion.

Then the congregation receives Holy Communion.

The Prayer after Communion is said, followed by the final Prayer over the People.

At the end of the rite, the priest and people depart in silence, again without the usual final blessing of the priest. The altar cloth is removed, leaving the altar bare again except for the Cross and two or more candlesticks.

Seven Last Words:

In some Churches, it has been the tradition to reflect on the Seven Last Words of Jesus prior to the afternoon liturgy.

(1)   "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Lk 23:34)

(2)   "Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise." (Lk 23:43)

(3)   "Woman, behold thy son"; he said to the disciple: "Behold thy mother." (Jn 19:26-27)

(4)   "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mt 27:46)

(5)   "I thirst." (Jn 19:28)

(6)   "It is consummated." (Jn 19:30)

(7)   "Father, into they hands I commend my spirit." (Lk 23:46)

Day of Fasting and Abstinence:

Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence. According to Church's rule, fasting is required for ages 18 to 60, and abstinence is from age 14 above.

The Church mourns in silence:

We keep our meditative silence the rest of the day to mourn the death of our Lord Jesus Christ who saved us from our sins, as we await with joyful expectation His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Let us reflect on how much our Lord loves us. He accepts His cruel death on the cross so that He may bear our infirmities and endure our sufferings.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!