"It is accomplished, and bowing his head he gave up his spirit."
Today the whole Church mourns the death of our Savior. This is traditionally a day of sadness, spent in fasting and prayer. This is another obligatory day of fasting and abstinence.
Liturgy
According to the Church's ancient tradition, the sacraments are not celebrated on Good Friday or Holy Saturday.
"Celebration of the Lord's Passion," traditionally known as the "Mass of the Presanctified," (although it is not a mass) is usually celebrated around three o'clock in the afternoon, or later, depending on the needs of the parish. The altar is completely bare, with no clothes, candles, or cross. The service is divided into three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. The priest and deacons wear red or black vestments.
In part one, Psalm 30 is the Responsorial Psalm "Father, I put my life in your hands."
In part two is the Veneration of the Cross. A cross, either veiled or unveiled, is processed through the Church, and then venerated by the congregation. We joyfully venerate and kiss the wooden cross "on which hung the Savior of the world." During this time the "Reproaches" are usually sung or recited.
In part three, Holy Communion, concludes the Celebration of the Lord's Passion. The altar is covered with a cloth and the ciboriums containing the Blessed Sacrament 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. The congregation receives Holy Communion, there is a "Prayer After Communion," and then a "Prayer Over the People," and everyone departs in silence.
Come Join us at 3:00 or 7:00 pm for Good Friday Mass and noon for the Stations of the Cross.
