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With utmost solemnity we approach this station today at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. It is the most somber day of the year, for on this day we remember the precious death of Our Divine Redeemer, the Spouse of our souls. The Church in her entire Divine Office today expresses the deepest mourning. Until the last 55-60 years, all altars lay bare, except at the priest’s Communion, where the ornaments were black, and the crucifix was covered with a black veil until the prostration: after which it was left uncovered. No Mass was said. No sacrifice was offered. Even now, the tabernacle stands open and empty. The lights are dimmed, and the faithful leave in silence, after the Blessed Sacrament has been reverently transferred to the Altar of Repose, where it will remain until the Easter Vigil.
Previously, only the Blessed Sacrament, reserved from the day before, was received, in one kind, and only by the priest, who recited the Lord’s Prayer, and a small part of the prayers of the Mass, without any consecration of the Eucharist. This was the case, according to the ancient discipline of both the Latin and Greek Churches. The only ones who received Holy Communion on this day, were the priest who celebrates the Divine Office, and the sick in moral danger of death, who received it as Viaticum. The heart-wrenching deprivation of the Blessed Sacrament, helped the faithful to grasp the full and utter desolation of our souls for all eternity, had we not been rescued from this fate by our blessed Lord.
A stripped altar at Good Friday Service with bare altar and empty tabernacle
http://holycrossrumson.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a4f88a1c970b01347f9ac13e970c-piA stripped altar at Good Friday Service with bare altar and empty tabernacle
Why is this day called good? The term "Good," as applied to Good Friday, is an Old English expression meaning holy. It's often called Holy Friday also. But in another sense, Good Friday is always tied to Easter Sunday, which is joyful. Theologically, Good Friday and Easter are bound together, and inseparable. Good Friday without Easter is terror and despair. Easter without Good Friday is empty sentimentality. What Jesus did on the cross is nothing less than the fulfillment of God's eternal plan for His Creation. It has cosmic consequences. And this is good . . . . .
Today a special rite is performed. "The priest and the deacon, wearing red vestments, go to the altar, where they prostrate themselves (or they may kneel - but the two possibilities are not equal and from the liturgical and symbolic point of view, the preferred posture is prostration). This act of prostration, proper to the rite of the day . . . signifies both the abasement of 'earthly man,' and also the grief and sorrow of the Church." (Sacramentary, rev. 1985, & Paschales Solemnitatis,' Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts (Congregation for Divine Worship, 1988).
Below: Pope Francis Prostrates Himself During Good Friday Observance 2015 - Vatican Radio
Below: Pope Francis Prostrates Himself During Good Friday Observance 2015 - Vatican Radio
Below: Good Friday Liturgy with Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 -
Below: Good Friday Liturgy with Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 -
His prostration at approximately 1:20-2:44
His prostration at approximately 1:20-2:44
Veneration of the Cross
Veneration of the Cross
During the Good Friday observance another very ancient ritual takes place - the Exposition or Adoration of the Cross. (This has been much misunderstood and misrepresented by many who are hostile to the Catholic Faith.) During this ritual, the priest holds up the crucifix, the image of Jesus Christ dying for us on the Cross, and the priest and people kneel down and kiss the representation of His sacred wounds. The purpose of this is to impress on the soul a more lively understanding of the boundless mercies and unimaginable sufferings of our Redeemer.
Below: Pope Pius V venerates the Cross
by August Kraus https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3A August_Kraus_Pius_V_verehrt_den_Gekreuzigten.jpgBelow: Pope Pius V venerates the Cross
Above: Pope John XXIII venerates the Cross on Good Friday 1956
Above: Pope John XXIII venerates the Cross on Good Friday 1956
Pope Francis venerates the Cross on Good Friday 2015
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/images/size680/Pope_Francis_and_the_cross_at_the_Liturgy_of_the_Lords_Passion_at_St_Peters_Basilica_on_April_3_2015_Credit_LOsservatore_Romano_CNA_4_3_15.jpgPope Francis venerates the Cross on Good Friday 2015
Below: Pope John Paul II venerates the Cross in 2004
Below: Pope John Paul II venerates the Cross in 2004
Above: Pope Pius XII venerates the Cross 1950
Above: Pope Pius XII venerates the Cross 1950
Below: Pope Benedict venerates the crucifix on Good Friday, 2012
http://touch.sun-sentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-69253533/Below: Pope Benedict venerates the crucifix on Good Friday, 2012
In Jerusalem, a fragment of wood believed to be the Lord's cross has been venerated every year on Good Friday since at least the fourth century. According to tradition, a part of the Holy Cross was discovered by the mother of the emperor Constantine, St. Helen, on pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 326. A fifth century account describes this veneration of the Cross in Jerusalem, in which a coffer of gold-plated silver containing the wood of the Cross was presented. The bishop placed the relic on the a table in the chapel of the Crucifixion and the faithful approached it, touching brow and eyes and lips to the wood as the priest said, 'Behold, the Wood of the Cross.' In the seventh century, the Church in Rome adopted this practice of Adoration of the Cross from the Church in Jerusalem.
Catholics have often been criticized for this ritual. Yet, when the bridegroom, in traditional marriage ceremonies of many churches, addresses the bride, “With my body I thee worship,’ no sensible person is scandalised, or imagines that he intends to worship her as a divinity. To say that when a Catholic kneels before the crucifix, a representation of the death of the Lord, that this is idolatry is preposterous. Yet, sadly, this is what anti-Catholic critics have claimed for the last 500 years.
The practice of kissing the Cross on this day is immemorial, we can trace it to the very infancy of the Church. The most powerful monarchs, and kings, and princes of Christendom; the most enlightened scholars; some of the greatest and best men did not hesitate to pay this tribute of respect to the instrument of Redemption; rather, they gloried with St. Paul in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, should the veneration be shown to a bare cross or a crucifix? The point of Good Friday is not merely to venerate the Holy Cross (there is a feast for that on September 14th), but to venerate Christ crucified: Christus Crucifixus. In the liturgy, the priest sings "on which the salvation (Body of the Lord) of the world did hang". We venerate the Crucifix (Cross with Corpus). Historically the adoration of the Cross developed from veneration of a relic of the true Cross. (Gelasian Sacramentary). On Good Friday the veneration given to the True Cross is given to the Crucifix, and thus the threefold genuflection on Good Friday. If there is no relic of the True Cross available for veneration, then the Crucifix should be used.. not a bare Cross.
The Crucifixion by Andrea Mantegna 1457-1459 A.D.
The Crucifixion by Andrea Mantegna 1457-1459 A.D.
Altarpiece at the Basilica of San Zeno in Verona, Italy, now in the Louvre in Paris
Another tradition of Good Friday actually begins on Holy Wednesday — for 3 days, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Holy Week, an adaptation of the Evening Divine Office is used, called the Tenebrae. This is a liturgy of sacred chant and prayer, with reflection on the passion and saving death of Jesus. At the beginning, a large candelabra provides the only illumination in the church. One by one, after a time of prayer and song, the candles are extinguished, until at the service's conclusion, the church is in darkness. Tenebrae is Latin for shadows and it symbolizes the darkness which enveloped the world after Jesus' death until the Resurrection.
LENTCAzT 2017 45 Good Friday [ 4:59 ]
Activities, videos, music, etc.
Activities, videos, music, etc.
Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem
Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem
The Way of the Cross appears to have developed in Medieval Europe among Christians who were not able travel to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. The number of Stations varied from 7 to 18 or more.
Today’s Via Dolorosa route in Jerusalem was established in the 18th century, with the present 14 Stations, but some of the Stations were given their present location only in the 19th century.
Since our Station today is Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, I thought you might like to experience a little side trip to the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem. It is presented below.
Look for the round bronze plaques on the wall.
May you be blessed to enter deeply into the Passion of Our Lord.
The First Station - Jesus is condemned to death (below left)
Today this station is at the Umariya Elementary School
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Above: The Franciscans organize the procession in the courtyard of the school
Above: Look for these bronze markers on the wall to designate each of the stations
The beginning of the Via Dolorosa
The beginning of the Via Dolorosa
The Second Station - here Pontius Pilate gave his famous Ecce Homo, "Behold the Man", speech, bound Christ, placed a crown of thorns on His head, had Him scouged, and gave him his cross.
This is the Ecce Homo Arch, built by the Emperor Hadrian as part of a larger gateway that was the entrance to the city Forum. Today the Ecce Homo Convent stands here.
Second Station continued
Second Station continued
Church of the Condemnation
Church of the Condemnation
Church of the Flagellation
Church of the Flagellation
Below: Crown of thorns image in the dome of the Church of the Flagellation
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world
The Third Station - Jesus Falls the first time
Today, this station is located next to the Polish Catholic Chapel
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The Fourth Station - Jesus meets His mother
Right: In the Armenian Catholic Chapel
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Above: Today this is an Armenian Orthodox oratory and
Left: An Armenian Catholic Chapel
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross for Jesus
The Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Above: A column embedded in the wall from ancient times has a newer inscription than commemorates Veronica coming out of her house to wipe the face of Jesus wiith her scarf as he passed by on the Via Dolorosa.
Above: A column embedded in the wall from ancient times has a newer inscription than commemorates Veronica coming out of her house to wipe the face of Jesus wiith her scarf as he passed by on the Via Dolorosa.
Left: Inside the Chapel of the Holy Face
Left: Inside the Chapel of the Holy Face
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The Seventh Station - Jesus Falls the Second Time
Above - altar in the chapel inside the Church
This was on the western boundary of Jerusalem in Jesus' day. To the right is what remains of a Roman column from that era that marked the boundary.
Today this site is next to a Franciscan chapel at an ancient major Roman crossroads
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The Eighth Station
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Today this station is across the market street and up the steps of Aqabat al-Khanqah, opposite the souvenir bazaar, and next to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St Charalampus.
Above and right: You can see the Medieval Latin cross marker carved into a stone on the wall
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The Ninth Station - Jesus Falls the Third Time
Today this is next to an Ethiopian monastery
The Remaining Stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Remaining Stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Tenth Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
The Tenth Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
The 10th Station is in the Frankish Chapel in the facade of the Church (stairs lead to it) It is in the upper left corner of the picture and has a dome on top. Closer picture below right.
Above: Altar inside the Frankish Chapel
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The remainder of the stations are inside the Church
The remainder of the stations are inside the Church
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Left: Stations 11 and 12
On the right in the picture is the Roman Catholic Altar that you can also see in the picture below it. In the far left is the Greek Orthodox chapel that you can see better in the picture of the 12th station. In between is the Stabat Mater Chapel which is where Jesus was laid in his Mother's arms.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Altar_of_the_Nails_of_the_Cross%2C_Holy_Sepulchre.jpg/1506px-Altar_of_the_Nails_of_the_Cross%2C_Holy_Sepulchre.jpg?20120911055247The Eleventh Station -
Bottom Left: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross - Roman Catholic Altar
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/jsc/JSC-stat12.jpg
Above : Stabat Mater Altar
https://onesmallrose.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20190101_210004-e1627348786446.jpgBelow: The Twelfth Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross - This is the Greek Orthodox Altar (Stabat Mater on right edge)
Mohammad Shad Siddiqui, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsWe adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Below: The Thirteenth Station - Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
(see the mosaic on the left wall)
Below: The Thirteenth Station - Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
(see the mosaic on the left wall)
Also - The Stone of the Anointing of the Body of Jesus
Also - The Stone of the Anointing of the Body of Jesus
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Below: The Fourteenth Station - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Below: The Fourteenth Station - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
This massive chamber, the aedicule, contains the tomb of Christ. There are two rooms. The first contains a fragment of the stone believed to have sealed Jesus’ tomb. The second is the tomb itself.
Right: Entrance to the tomb of Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
Meditations for Good Friday in Fine Art
Meditations for Good Friday in Fine Art
Below: Cristo Crucificado by Diego Velázquez
Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cristo_crucificado.jpg#/Below: Cristo Crucificado by Diego Velázquez
BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD
Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15394633
The Deposition - by Fra Angelico
The Deposition - by Fra Angelico
Above: Entombment of Christ - Caravaggio
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15219536Above: Entombment of Christ - Caravaggio
Above: The Deposition of Christ - Giotto di Bondone - Scrovegni Chapel
Above: The Deposition of Christ - Giotto di Bondone - Scrovegni Chapel
Below: The Pieta - Michelangelo
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Italy-3239_-_The_Pieta_by_Michelangelo_%285392914258%29.jpg/960px-Italy-3239_-_The_Pieta_by_Michelangelo_%285392914258%29.jpg?20171216130401Below: The Pieta - Michelangelo
Above: At the Tomb - by Carl Bloch
Above: At the Tomb - by Carl Bloch
The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb - Hans Holbein the Younger (1520-1522)
The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb - Hans Holbein the Younger (1520-1522)
Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb - By Edward Arthur Fellowes Prynne
Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb - By Edward Arthur Fellowes Prynne
“Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” (Matthew 27:59-60)
Below: Full walking Tour without narration - great for contemplation
Below: Full walking Tour without narration - great for contemplation
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