Holy Catholic Feasts and Solemnities

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Why do Catholics cover crucifixes and statues during Lent?

Source: https://aleteia.org/2016/03/19/why-d...s-during-lent/

Veils over sacred images keep our minds on the promise of Easter.

It seems strange that during the most sacred time of year Catholics cover everything that is beautiful in their churches, even the crucifix. Shouldn’t we be looking at the painful scene at Calvary while we listen to the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday?

While it may appear counterintuitive to veil statues and images during the final weeks of Lent, the Catholic Church recommends this practice to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter Sunday. It is a tradition that should not only be carried out in our local parish, but can also be a fruitful activity for the “domestic church” to practice.

The rubrics can guide us. In the Roman Missal we find the instruction, “In the Dioceses of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from [the fifth] Sunday [of Lent] may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.”

This is the current practice of the Church, but veiling from the Fifth Sunday of Lent onward is miniscule compared to what was once practiced. For example, in Germany there was a tradition to veil the altar from view throughout all of Lent.

Families are also encouraged to imitate this practice and veil prominent religious images in their homes. It helps us to participate in the liturgical season, especially if we are prevented from going to Mass during the week. Otherwise we only see the veiled images in church once or twice before Easter and it has a minor effect on us. It is also a beautiful tradition to pass down to our children, who will be intrigued by it and it will make this time of year truly special for them. We go through great lengths to decorate our homes for Easter, so why not prepare for the great feast by using veils?

But why go through such lengths to cover up images that are designed to raise our hearts and minds toward heaven?

First of all, we use veils to alert us of the special time that we are in. When we walk into church and notice everything is covered, we immediately know that something is different. These last two weeks of Lent are meant to be a time of immediate preparation for the Sacred Triduum and these veils are a forceful reminder to get ready.

Secondly, the veils focus our attention on the words being said at Mass. When we listen to the Passion narrative, our senses are allowed to focus on the striking words from the Gospel and truly enter into the scene.

Third, the Church uses veils to produce a heightened sense of anticipation for Easter Sunday. This is further actualized when you attend daily Mass and see the veils each day. You don’t want them to be there because they are hiding some very beautiful images.

And therein lies the whole point: the veils are not meant to be there forever. The images need to be unveiled; it is unnatural for them to be covered.

The unveiling before the Easter Vigil is a great reminder of our own life on earth. We live in a “veiled” world, in exile from our true home. It is only through our own death that the veil is lifted and we are finally able to see the beauty of everything in our lives.

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Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.

Palm Sunday is known as such because the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect.

Palm branches are widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday.

The use of a donkey instead of a horse is highly symbolic, it represents the humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed in war.

A week later, Christ would rise from the dead on the first Easter.

During Palm Sunday Mass, palms are distributed to parishioners who carry them in a ritual procession into church. The palms are blessed and many people will fashion them into small crosses or other items of personal devotion. These may be returned to the church, or kept for the year.

Because the palms are blessed, they may not be discarded as trash. Instead, they are appropriately gathered at the church and incinerated to create the ashes that will be used in the follow year's Ash Wednesday observance.

The colors of the Mass on Palm Sunday are red and white, symbolizing the redemption in blood that Christ paid for the world.

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The Meaning of Holy Week

Holy Week is most definitely a very sacred time of the year, for it is now that we will commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus' life on this earth. These are the days leading up to the great Easter Feast. The Lenten season of sacrifice and self-denial is about to come to an end, but this coming week is extremely important for all Christians. The greatest focus of the week is the Passion (suffering) and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it.

Historical documents tell us that as early as the fourth century the Church celebrated this "Great Week" with a feeling of profound sanctity. It begins with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus' triumhant entry into Jerusalem. The central feature of the service proper to this day, as it was in the earliest times, is the procession of palms. The palms are blessed and are then borne in procession to the church, where an entry is made with a certain amount of ceremony, after which the Mass is celebrated. The other notable and very ancient feature of the present Palm Sunday service is the reading of the Gospel of the Passion by three readers.

Especially important for Catholics is the Easter Triduum. This is the three days just before Easter. On Holy Thursday, we reenact the Lord's Last Supper, which He shared with His apostles on the night He was betrayed and arrested. This is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the entire liturgical year. At the Mass, the priest will wash the feet of twelve men, just as Jesus did. Also on this night, priests all over the world will renew their sacred vows. This is because, at the Last Supper, Jesus not only instituted the Mass (Eucharist) bt also the ministerial priesthood.

On Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord, we have the veneration of the Cross. A service is held at three o'clock in the afternoon (the hour He is believed to have died) and another later in the evening. We go forward and kiss the Cross in order to show honor and respect for Christ's sacrifice for our sake. There is no consecration of the Eucharist on this day, and the Communion we receive will be from the night before, which has been reserved in the tabernacle.

Holy Saturday is a vigil. We keep watch for the expectant rising of Our Savior. This was the day He went down into the netherworld in order to bring back up with Him into heaven those who had died before His coming. Up to this time, the gates to heaven were closed and no one could go there because of the original sin of Adam. Jesus changed all that. By paying the price for our sins on the Cross, He gained for us our eternal salvation, and heaven was openedonce more. Also on this night, persons who have spent months of preparation will be received through Baptism and Confirmation into the Catholic Church for the first time. It is a joyous occasion.

Those who engage themselves wholeheartedly in living the entire paschal cycle (Lent, Triduum and Easter's Fifty Days) discover that it can change them forever. This is especially so of the Triduum which, standing at the heart of the Easter season, is an intense immersion in the fundamental mystery of what it is to be Christian. During these days, we suffer with Christ so that we might rise with Him at His glorious Resurrection. Holy Week is a time to clear our schedules of unnecessary activities. Our minds and hearts should be fixed on Jesus and what He did for us. Let us bear the Cross so that may be worthy of wearing the crown He wore.

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What is Holy Monday?

Holy Monday � A Crowd�s Change of Heart

Holy Monday occurred one day after Palm Sunday. Only one day before Holy Monday, the Pharisees had ordered Jesus to silence the crowd�s joyful praises. Five days later, Pilate would not be able to silence a crowd who condemned the Son of God. What did Jesus do and say during this final week that caused the crowd�s conflicting responses? Jesus would use this second day of what we now call Holy Week to demonstrate genuine faith in God and to affirm His Messianic authority.

Holy Monday � A People�s Fruitless Faith

The nation of Israel had failed to exercise their faith in Jesus. They were professing to be fruitful/faithful (waving palm leaves as He entered their city), yet the Jewish people were fruitless (non-productive) in practicing their faith. Within a few days of Jesus� Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, they would deny their King and crucify Him.

Following His arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus spent Sunday night in Bethany, the village at the foot of Mount Olives. Whether He spent the night in a house in town or in the open air is uncertain. As Jesus returned on Monday to Jerusalem, He noticed a fig tree that had produced leaves ahead of the season. Jesus knew that fig trees bear fruit twice a year -- in June and September. This was April, so even the unripened fruit should have still remained for Him to eat. But since the fig tree bore leaves, He expected to find figs, yet it was fruitless. Jesus cursed the tree and it withered the next day.

The disciples were surprised to see the tree wither so rapidly. Just as Jesus had cursed the fig tree, He would judge a generation that rejected Him. �Profession without practice was the curse of the Jews.� Jesus used the disciples� surprise to teach on genuine faith in God -- rather than doubt or simple amazement. Even a mustard-size faith is sufficient to move mountains when it aligns with God�s will. The faith of Jesus� followers would be greatly tested in the days prior to His resurrection.

Holy Monday � A Temple Cleansed

Another event of Holy Monday is the Temple cleaning. John 2:13�17 bears record of Jesus� first cleansing of the Temple, presenting Himself as the Messiah. This first cleansing was for teaching and admonishing. The second cleansing occurred during Jesus� final week before His crucifixion. As part of prophesy, Jesus pronounced a symbolic judgment upon the irreverence for the Lord�s house of prayer.

The thirty-minute journey from Bethany to Jerusalem provided Jesus the time to reflect on how the city had changed. In the past two years, some had forgotten whose house the Temple was. Commercialism and greed had altered the character of the Temple. Currency (temple money), used to purchase sacrifices, was subject to extortion. Jesus chose to clean out the Temple one last time. In righteous indignation, �He who comes in the name of the Lord,� overturned the moneychangers� tables and benches in the outer court of the Gentiles.

Having heard the commotion, the courtyard was in chaos. Yet those who had needs did not hesitate, nor did the children. First, the blind and lame came when they heard Jesus was in the Temple. As the children saw Jesus standing there and teaching, they began to shout again, �Hosanna, Hosanna, to the Son of David.� There was nothing the Pharisees could do to stop Jesus as the Messiah. �[Jesus replied] �Have you never read, From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise�?�

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Holy Tuesday

Holy Tuesday is the second day of the Holy Week or Easter Week of Christians. The day is followed by Holy Monday and precede the Spy Wednesday. In Catholic churches, there are no specific celebrations or commemorations for the day. In Eastern Orthodox churches, ceremonies are held throughout the day in all the churches, people and Pope attend the processions to observe the Great Tuesday. The main commemorations on Holy Tuesday are Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the talents.

Early in the day, Holy Tuesday celebrations start with ringing bells and candles with white and pink roses along with the lilies and passions flowers beautifully ornamenting the churches. Afterward, passages from the Gospels are read by the priests with the readings relating the Holy Week of Easter and Jesus� entrance to the city, his sufferings in the week, the events preceded and followed by the crucifixion and then finally the Easter Sunday when Jesus was resurrected.

According to the Gospels and Bible�s verses, it was a day for Jesus against the challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over the topics that included marriage in heaven, the source of Jesus� authority, and tax matters to Caesar of Rome. The events that happened on the Holy Tuesday were Jesus� comments on the widow�s donation, his meeting with the Greeks when Jesus addressed against Pharisees and mentioned his eight woes. In the evening, Jesus delivered the Olivet discourse.

Holy Tuesday also commemorates the Parable of the Ten Virgins or the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. Out of the ten virgins, five of them who prepared for the Bridegroom�s arrivals are blessed and will be rewarded while the remaining ones who weren�t ready for bridegroom are disowned and cursed. According to Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a story of the ten virgins who await their bridegroom at some time during the night. All of them had lamps in their hands, five of them were wise enough to bring oil for their lamps, and the remaining ones only had brought the lamps. At midnight, when the bridegroom arrived, the foolish ones had no oil to welcome their bridegroom while the ones who were clever enough to bring oil to last the night accompanied him to celebrate.

The bridegroom service is practiced on Holy Tuesday named Bridegroom service; it is because of the event Jesus narrated of the Ten Virgins and their Bridegroom. During the Church Services, the parable is narrated by the Priest loudly. Christ is termed the Bridegroom in the narration or Parable. The icon of �Christ the Bridegroom� is placed on an analogion in the center of the Temple. the Jesus� depiction is presented wearing a purple dress and a crown of thorns. The matins services are chanted by the people and priests in Troparion. If you have not participated in the Holy Tuesday service yet, go to your nearest church that chants the matin services for the Holy Tuesday.

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Spy Wednesday

In Ireland the Wednesday before Easter is known as Spy Wednesday. The name comes from the Bible passage read in church on that day, which explains the role that Judas Iscariot played in bringing about Jesus'death. According to the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, Spy Wednesday marks the last full day of Lent and Holy Week. The Triduum begins on the evening of the following day, Maundy Thursday, and continues through Easter Sunday.

Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Although Judas was not a spy in the sense in which we use the word today, spies do perform the same kinds of treacherous acts that Judas did. In exchange for a sum of money Judas betrayed Jesus' whereabouts to the religious authorities who sought his death. Then Judas returned to Jesus' side, pretending continued admiration and faithfulness. In Germany people once called the day Crooked Wednesday, while Czech folk tradition dubbed the day Black Wednesday. These names, too, convey a sense of something having gone wrong. In past times Polish schoolboys dragged effigies of Judas through the street on this day (see Judas, Burning of).

The idea that Judas betrayed Jesus on a Wednesday gave this day a special place in the Christian calendar. Indeed, the early Christians fasted on Wednesdays throughout the year in remembrance of this sad event. Around the year 400 Western Christians, that is, Roman Catholics, abandoned the Wednesday fast in exchange for a Saturday fast, which is also no longer practiced. Orthodox and other Eastern Christians maintained the ancient tradition of the Wednesday fast, however. Even today, strictly observant Orthodox Christians continue to fast on Wednesdays in remembrance of Judas'act of treachery.

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Everything You Need to Know about the Sacred Triduum

Holy Week is the most solemn and glorious week in Christianity, the pinnacle of the liturgical year. It's more sacred than Christmas! This is because Holy Week commemorates the final week of Our Lord's life, the very purpose for which Christmas happened.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (when Jesus made his final entrance into Jerusalem) and culminates with Easter Sunday. As Holy Week progresses to its final days the solemnity heightens.

THE SACRED TRIDUUM

Sundown on Holy Thursday to sundown on Easter Sunday is considered the most solemn part of the liturgical year. This three-day period is referred to as the Easter Triduum, also known as the Sacred Triduum, or Paschal Triduum.

Basically, the Sacred Triduum is one great festival recounting the last three days of Jesus' life on earth, the events of his Passion and Resurrection, when the Lamb of God laid down his life in atonement for our sins.

"Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery" (USCCB).


Agnus Dei painting by Francisco Zurbar�n

It is known as the "Paschal Mystery" because it is the ultimate fulfillment of the ancient Jewish Passover (or Pasch), which itself was a recollection of how God brought the Jews out of their slavery in Egypt. The spotless lamb was slaughtered at the Passover meal and consumed, and that night the destroying angel "passed over" the homes marked with the blood of the Passover Lamb, and those covered by the Blood were saved. This was the Old Testament prefigurement of Jesus' work at the Last Supper?where he inserted himself as the Paschal Lamb?and Calvary, where the sacrifice was offered to save us from our slavery to sin. With the Holy Eucharist, we consume the victim that died for our sins.

The Paschal Mystery is, therefore, God's plan of redemption for the fallen human race through the Passion, death, and resurrection of God-man, Jesus Christ. It is one marvelous event stretched out over three days.

Here is a breakdown of each of the three days that make up the Easter Triduum:

HOLY THURSDAY



The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is referred to as The Mass of the Lord's Supper. This is where the Church relives the institution of the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Last Supper, as well as the institution of the priesthood, which took place the evening before Jesus was crucified.

After the homily there is an optional washing of the feet ceremony, where the priest washes the feet of others to signify his role as servant, just as Jesus did with his disciples. Extra hosts are consecrated at this Mass to be used on Good Friday when no Mass will be celebrated.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday concludes with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the "altar of repose," a place where the consecrated host is kept other than the main altar where Mass is normally celebrated.

Because of its connection to the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Mass and the twelve Apostles first received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament ("Take, eat, this is my body . . ."), Holy Thursday is a day especially given to adoration of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist; many parishes will create space for people to stay and pray with the reposed Eucharist at this altar of repose late into the night.

GOOD FRIDAY



Good Friday is a mandatory day of fasting and abstinence. This is the day of the crucifixion, the day Jesus died for the sins of the world. The parish altar looks very different on Good Friday, it is plain and bare. There is no consecrated Host in the Tabernacle at the main altar of the church; it was carried away on Holy Thursday night to the "altar of repose" to signify Jesus' death. The candle by the Tabernacle is blown out, and the Tabernacle doors are left open to show that it is empty. Jesus is gone. This is quite dramatic, highlighting that Good Friday is a solemn day of prayer and mourning.

The ceremony on Good Friday is not a Mass, but rather a communion service using the consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday. It often takes place at 3pm, the hour that Jesus breathed his last on the cross. Veneration of the Cross also takes place at this service, processing to kneel before a cross and either touching it or kissing it. Often the priest will begin the service prostrate in front of the altar.

HOLY SATURDAY



On this day Christ is in the tomb. There is no daytime Mass on Holy Saturday. It is still a day of fasting and sorrow, the final one before the Easter Vigil begins that evening. We remember, with Mary and the disciples, that Jesus died and was separated from them for the first time as he lay in the tomb. The faithful often continue their Good Friday fast through Holy Saturday.

In the Apostles Creed we pray "He descended into hell" (translated Hades, that is, the temporary abode of the dead - not the eternal lake of fire) which describes what Jesus did in the time between his burial and Resurrection. Jesus descended to the realm of the dead on Holy Saturday to save the righteous souls, such as the Old Testament patriarchs, who died before his crucifixion.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls Jesus' descent into the realm of the dead "the last phase of Jesus' messianic mission," during which he "opened heaven's gates for the just who had gone before him." Before Holy Saturday, there were no souls enjoying the beatific vision of God in heaven! Christ's work on Holy Saturday is also known as the "Harrowing of Hell."

EASTER VIGIL / EASTER SUNDAY



A vigil Mass is held after nightfall on Holy Saturday, or before dawn on Easter Sunday, in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This is called the Easter Vigil, the most glorious, beautiful, and dramatic liturgy for the Church.

The vigil is divided into four parts and can last up to three hours: 1) the service of light, 2) the liturgy of the Word, 3) the liturgy of Baptism, and 4) the liturgy of the Eucharist. This is also the Mass where many in RCIA are brought into full communion with the Catholic Church.

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10 things you need to know about Holy Thursday

Every single Mass, we hear the words "on the night he was betrayed."

That night was Holy Thursday, and it is one of the most important nights in all of history.

Here are 10 things you need to know.

1. What happened on the original Holy Thursday?

An amazing amount of stuff! This was one of the most pivotal days in the life of Jesus Christ.

Here are some of the things the gospels record for this day (including events that happened after midnight). Jesus:

• Sent Peter and John to arrange for them to use the Upper Room to hold the Passover meal.
• Washed the apostles' feet.
• Held the first Mass.
• Instituted the priesthood.
• Announced that Judas would betray him.
• Gave the "new commandment" to love one another.
• Indicated that Peter had a special pastoral role among the apostles.
• Announced that Peter would deny him.
• Prayed for the unity of his followers.
• Held all the discourses recorded across five chapters of John (John 13-18).
• Sang a hymn.
• Went to the Mount of Olives.
• Prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Was betrayed by Judas.
• Stopped the disciples from continuing a violent resistance.
• Healed the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant, after Peter cut it off with a sword.
• Was taken before the high priests Annas and Caiaphas.
• Was denied by Peter.
• Was taken to Pilate.

It was a momentous day!


2. Why is Holy Thursday sometimes called "Maundy Thursday"?



The word "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word mandatum, or "mandate."

This word is used in the Latin text for John 13:34:

"Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos."

Or, in English:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you."

Holy Thursday is thus sometimes called Maundy Thursday because it was on this day that Christ gave us the new commandment--the new mandate--to love one another as he loves us.


3. What happens on this day liturgically?

Several things:

• The bishop celebrates a "Chrism Mass" with his priests (usually).
• The Mass of the Lord's Supper is held in the evening.
• At the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the priest (often) performs the washing of feet.
• The Tabernacle is empty and the Eucharist is put in a place of repose.
• The altar is stripped.
• The faithful are invited to spend time in Eucharistic adoration while the Sacrament is in repose.

4. What is the "Chrism Mass"?



According to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschales Solemnitatis:

The Chrism Mass which the bishop concelebrates with his presbyterium and at which the holy chrism is consecrated and the oils blessed, manifests the communion of the priests with their bishop in the same priesthood and ministry of Christ.

The priests who concelebrate with the bishop should come to this Mass from different parts of the diocese, thus showing in the consecration of the chrism to be his witnesses and cooperators, just as in their daily ministry they are his helpers and counselors.

The faithful are also to be encouraged to participate in this Mass, and to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Traditionally the Chrism Mass is celebrated on the Thursday of Holy Week. If, however, it should prove to be difficult for the clergy and people to gather with the bishop, this rite can be transferred to another day, but one always close to Easter.

The chrism and the oil of catechumens is to be used in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation on Easter night.


5. Why is the Mass of the Lord's Supper significant?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

Careful attention should be given to the mysteries which are commemorated in this Mass: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and Christ's command of brotherly love; the homily should explain these points.


6. Is the Eucharist in the Tabernacle during this Mass?



No. According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

The Tabernacle should be completely empty before the celebration.

Hosts for the Communion of the faithful should be consecrated during that celebration.

A sufficient amount of bread should be consecrated to provide also for Communion on the following day.


7. What does the rite of foot washing signify, and is it to be done for men only?



According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

The washing of the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, is performed on this day, represents the service and charity of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve. This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.

The rite is optional. It does not have to be performed.

Although the Church�s official texts use language that indicates only men (Latin, viri) can have their feet washed on Holy Thursday, the situation today is more complex. In 2004, the new archbishop of Boston, Se�n O�Malley, was criticized for varying from the practice of his predecessor, Cardinal Bernard Law, and washing only the feet of men. He explained that this was what the law required but said that he would query the Holy See about the matter. In 2005 the Boston Globe reported:

O�Malley promised to consult with Rome, and yesterday his spokeswoman said the Congregation for Divine Worship, which oversees liturgical practices, had suggested the archbishop make whatever decision he thought was best for Boston.

�The Congregation [for Divine Worship] affirmed the liturgical requirement that only the feet of men be washed at the Holy Thursday ritual.� However, the Congregation did �provide for the archbishop to make a pastoral decision.�

Cardinal O�Malley then included women in the foot-washing rite. This sequence of events created a situation that was significantly muddier than existed before. If the archbishop of Boston was allowed to make pastoral exceptions to the rule, it would be difficult to argue that other bishops could not do the same in their dioceses. This had the effect of creating a doubt as to what the law requires. According to the Code of Canon Law, �Laws, even invalidating and incapacitating ones, do not oblige when there is a doubt of law� (CIC 14).

Until such time as the Holy See clarifies the matter, it appears that the law provides that only men are to have their feet washed in the ceremony but that the local bishop can choose to include women in his diocese if he deems it the best decision pastorally.


8. What happens at the end of the Mass of the Lord's Supper?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

After the post-Communion prayer, the procession forms, with the crossbar at its head. The Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by lighted candles and incense, is carried through the church to the place of reservation, to the singing of the hymn "Pange lingua" or some other eucharistic song.

This rite of transfer of the Blessed Sacrament may not be carried out if the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion will not be celebrated in that same church on the following day.



The Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a closed tabernacle or pyx. Under no circumstances may it be exposed in a monstrance.

The place where the tabernacle or pyx is situated must not be made to resemble a tomb, and the expression "tomb" is to be avoided.

The chapel of repose is not prepared so as to represent the "Lord's burial" but for the custody of the eucharistic bread that will be distributed in Communion on Good Friday.




9. Is there to be Eucharistic adoration at this time?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

After the Mass of the Lord's Supper the faithful should be encouraged to spend a suitable period of time during the night in the church in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which has been solemnly reserved.

Where appropriate, this prolonged eucharistic adoration may be accompanied by the reading of some part of the Gospel of St. John (chs. 13-17).

From midnight onwards, however, the adoration should be made without external solemnity, because the day of the Lord's passion has begun.


10. What happens to the decoration of the Church at this time?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

After Mass the altar should be stripped.

It is fitting that any crosses in the church be covered with a red or purple veil, unless they have already been veiled on the Saturday before the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

Lamps should not be lit before the images of saints.

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9 things you need to know about Good Friday

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian year.

It is the day our Savior died for us.

It is the day we were redeemed from our sins by the voluntary death of God Himself at the hands of man?

1. Why is this day called "Good Friday"

It's not for the reason you might think.

Despite the fact that "good" is a common English word, tempting us to say the name is based on the fact that something very good (our redemption) happened on this day, that's not where the name comes from.

Precisely where it does come from is disputed. The Catholic Encyclopedia explains:

The origin of the term Good is not clear. Some say it is from "God's Friday" (Gottes Freitag); others maintain that it is from the German Guter Freitag, and not specfically English.

It is also argued that the name is based on a Medieval use of the word good where it meant "holy." Thus "Good Friday" would have come from "Holy Friday," the same way we have Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday.


2. What happened on the first Good Friday?



During the night, Jesus had been arrested and taken before the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. It was during this time that Peter denied him.

According to the gospels, Jesus:

• Was taken before Pilate in the morning
• Sent to Herod
• Returned to Pilate
• Was mocked and beaten
• Saw Barabbas released in his stead
• Was crowned with thorns
• Was condemned to death
• Carried the crushing burden of his cross
• Told the weeping women what would happen in the future
• Was crucified between two thieves
• Forgave those who crucified him
• Entrusted the Virgin Mary to the beloved disciple
• Assured the good thief of his salvation
• Said his famous seven last words
• Cried out and died

In addition:

• There was darkness over the land
• There was an earthquake
• The veil of the temple was torn in two
• Many saints of the Old Testament period were raised
• A soldier pierced Christ's side and blood and water flowed out
• Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body
• He was buried in Joseph's own tomb
• A guard was set over the tomb
• All Jesus' friends and family grieved at his death

3. How do we celebrate Good Friday today?

According to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschales Solemnitatis:

On this day, when "Christ our passover was sacrificed," the Church:

• meditates on the passion of her Lord and Spouse,
• adores the cross,
• commemorates her origin from the side of Christ asleep on the cross,
• and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world.

4. Are fast and abstinence required on Good Friday?



Yes. Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

Good Friday is a day of penance to be observed as of obligation in the whole Church, and indeed through abstinence and fasting.


5. Are the sacraments celebrated on Good Friday?

For the most part, no. Good Friday is the only day of the year on which the celebration of Mass is forbidden.

Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

On this day, in accordance with ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist.

Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful during the Celebration of the Lord's Passion alone, though it may be brought at any time of the day to the sick who cannot take part in the celebration.

All celebration of the sacraments on this day is strictly prohibited, except for the sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick.

Funerals are to be celebrated without singing, music, or the tolling of bells.

Baptism in danger of death is permitted.


6. What liturgical celebrations occur on this day?

The principal one is known as the Celebration of the Lord's Passion. It includes:

• A liturgy of the word
• The adoration of the cross
• A Communion service using hosts already consecrated.

Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

The Celebration of the Lord's Passion is to take place in the afternoon, at about three o'clock.

The time will be chosen which seems most appropriate for pastoral reasons in order to allow the people to assemble more easily, for example shortly after midday, or in the late evening, however not later than nine o'clock.


7. How is the cross venerated?



Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

For veneration of the cross, let a cross be used that is of appropriate size and beauty, and let one of the forms for this rite as found in the Roman Missal be followed.

The rite should be carried out with the splendor worthy of the mystery of our salvation: both the invitation pronounced at the unveiling of the cross, and the people's response should be made in song, and a period of respectful silence is to be observed after each act of veneration—the celebrant standing and holding the raised cross.

The cross is to be presented to each of the faithful individually for their adoration since the personal adoration of the cross is a most important feature in this celebration; only when necessitated by the large numbers of faithful present should the rite of veneration be made simultaneously by all present.

Only one cross should be used for the veneration, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite.

During the veneration of the cross the antiphons, "Reproaches," and hymns should be sung, so that the history of salvation be commemorated through song. Other appropriate songs may also be sung.


8. What happens after the Celebration of the Lord's Passion?

Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

After the celebration, the altar is stripped; the cross remains however, with four candles.

An appropriate place (for example, the chapel of repose used for reservation of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday) can be prepared within the church, and there the Lord's cross is placed so that the faithful may venerate and kiss it, and spend some time in meditation.




9. Are other devotions appropriate to Good Friday?

Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

Devotions such as the "Way of the Cross," processions of the passion, and commemorations of the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary are not, for pastoral reasons, to be neglected.

The texts and songs used, however, should be adapted to the spirit of the Liturgy of this day.

Such devotions should be assigned to a time of day that makes it quite clear that the Liturgical celebration by its very nature far surpasses them in importance.

[Mens-Sarda]

This evening in every church of Sardinia has been celebrated the ancient ceremony of "S'Iscravamentu", (from Latin "Exclavamentus" : the removal of the nails), where the religious brotherhoods with a religious play remember the deposition of the dead Christ from the cross.

The cross is put in the middle of the church, with the statue of the Holy Virgin dressed in black (the colour of grief) at the right, waiting for her son to be deposed from the cross. Two of the brothers dressed like ancient Jews or with the dress of their brotherhood impersonate Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, with two ladders they climb on the cross to remove the nails from Christ's hands using an hammer. This is a particularly emotional moment for the faithful, a lot of people cries when they hear the hammer and when finally the body of Christ is deposed from the cross and lain on a wooden gurney. Then the gurney is brought in procession accompanied with funeral chants, and holy chants in Latin and Sardinian, like Miserere or Sette Ispadas de Dolore (seven swords of pain). The procession ends in another church, (not the church from were they started); here the gurney is deposed before the altar, and here it remains until the Resurrection. On Sunday the statue of the resurrected Christ is brought in the procession of "S'Incontru" (the meeting), where he meets another procession bringing the statue of the Holy Virgin, then the statues are inclined in a gesture of greeting, until their heads are side by side like in a hug.