Good Friday

Good Friday

Good Friday commemorates the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our salvation.

April 3, 2026RedTriduum · Holy Week

Good Friday

Good Friday commemorates the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is the most solemn day of the Christian year—a day of fasting, penance, and profound gratitude for the price of our salvation.

The Passion Narrative

On this day, we recall the events from Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane to his burial:

  • The Arrest: Betrayed by Judas with a kiss, Jesus was seized by the temple guards
  • The Trials: Jesus faced the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod in a series of unjust trials
  • The Scourging: Pilate had Jesus brutally flogged
  • The Crowning with Thorns: Soldiers mocked him with a crown of thorns and purple robe
  • The Way of the Cross: Jesus carried his cross through Jerusalem to Golgotha
  • The Crucifixion: At the "Place of the Skull," Jesus was nailed to the cross
  • The Death: After three hours of agony, Jesus cried out and gave up his spirit
  • The Burial: Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus' body in a new tomb

The Seven Last Words

From the Cross, Jesus spoke seven times:

  1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
  2. "Today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
  3. "Woman, behold your son... Behold your mother." (John 19:26-27)
  4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
  5. "I thirst." (John 19:28)
  6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)
  7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)

Why "Good" Friday?

The day is called "good" because of the immeasurable good that flowed from Christ's sacrifice. What appeared to be defeat was actually victory; what seemed like death brought life. As the ancient hymn proclaims: "O happy fault that earned so great a Redeemer!"

Theological Significance

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16

On the Cross, Jesus:

  • Bore the sins of all humanity
  • Conquered death by dying
  • Opened the gates of heaven
  • Revealed the depth of God's love
  • Established the New Covenant in his blood

Liturgical Observance

Good Friday is the only day of the year when Mass is not celebrated. Instead, the Church gathers for:

  1. Liturgy of the Word: Including the reading of the Passion according to John
  2. Veneration of the Cross: The faithful approach and reverence the Cross
  3. Holy Communion: From hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday

The altar is bare. The tabernacle stands empty. The Church mourns.