Good Friday: The Passion and Death of Our Lord

Feast Day: Friday of Holy Week (Two days before Easter)
Liturgical Color: Red (Symbolizing Christ’s Passion and Sacrificial Love)
Significance: Commemorates the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ for the redemption of the world.

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the liturgical year, marking the day that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross for the salvation of humanity. It is a day of mourning, reflection, and deep gratitude for Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

On this day, Catholics:

1. Remember Christ’s suffering and death through the Passion narrative.
2. Venerate the Holy Cross, acknowledging Christ’s victory over sin.
3. Fast and abstain from meat, joining in Christ’s suffering.
4. Reflect on Christ’s seven last words, contemplating His love for humanity.

Unlike other days, no Mass is celebrated on Good Friday, as the Church mourns the death of Jesus. Instead, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion is observed, where the faithful pray, venerate the Cross, and receive Holy Communion from consecrated hosts reserved from Holy Thursday.

"Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose, I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’"

• Jesus stands innocent yet condemned, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
• Pilate’s question, “What is truth?”, contrasts with Jesus, who is the Truth (John 14:6).

"So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them."

• Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, carries the weight of the Cross, bearing the sins of the world.
• At Golgotha, He is nailed to the Cross, fulfilling Psalm 22:16: “They have pierced my hands and feet.”

• "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) – Jesus prays for His persecutors.
• "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) – Jesus offers mercy to the repentant thief.
• "Woman, behold your son!... Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27) – Jesus entrusts Mary to John, symbolizing Mary as the Mother of the Church.
• "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) – A cry of suffering, yet a fulfillment of Psalm 22, ending in trust.
• "I thirst." (John 19:28) – Jesus thirsts for souls, longing for humanity’s salvation.
• "It is finished." (John 19:30) – His mission of redemption is complete.
• "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46) – Jesus surrenders fully to the Father’s will.

"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water."

• The Blood and Water from Jesus’ side symbolize the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism, the birth of the Church.
• The temple veil is torn (Matthew 27:51), signifying the end of the Old Covenant and the establishment of direct access to God through Christ.

Good Friday is the culmination of Christ’s mission to redeem humanity:

1. Jesus, the Suffering Servant – He fulfills Isaiah 53, taking upon Himself the sins of the world.
2. The New and Eternal Passover – Jesus is the true Paschal Lamb, whose sacrifice frees us from the slavery of sin (1 Corinthians 5:7).
3. The Power of the Cross – What seems like defeat is actually the moment of victory over sin and death.
4. A Call to Take Up Our Cross – Jesus’ suffering invites us to carry our own crosses and unite them with His (Luke 9:23).

• 2nd Century: Early Christians commemorated Jesus' Passion through fasting and prayer.
• 4th Century: Pilgrims in Jerusalem began venerating the True Cross on Good Friday.
• Middle Ages: The Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) devotion developed.
• Today: Good Friday remains a day of solemn reflection, fasting, and reverence for the Cross.

• The Mass is not celebrated, but a solemn service includes:
  • The Reading of the Passion (John 18:1—19:42).
  • The Veneration of the Cross, where the faithful approach the crucifix to kiss or touch it in reverence.
  • Reception of Holy Communion (from hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday).
  • Special intercessory prayers for the world, including for non-believers and persecuted Christians.

• Catholics aged 18-59 fast (one full meal, two smaller meals).
• Catholics 14 and older abstain from meat, reflecting on Jesus’ suffering.

• Many parishes pray the Stations of the Cross, meditating on Jesus’ journey to Calvary.

• The altar remains bare, and bells are silent.
• The tabernacle is empty, signifying the world’s mourning.

• Many reflect on Jesus’ final words, contemplating His mercy and love.

• Attend the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and venerate the Cross.
• Fast and abstain from meat, offering sacrifices in union with Christ.
• Pray the Stations of the Cross, meditating on Jesus’ suffering.
• Reflect on the Seven Last Words of Christ.
• Spend time in silence, contemplating the depth of Christ’s love.

Good Friday is a day of deep sorrow and immense love. Christ, the Lamb of God, willingly suffered and died to redeem humanity. As we kneel before the Cross, we are reminded that our salvation was bought with His blood, and we are called to live in gratitude, repentance, and love.