Good Friday

==Roman Catholic==

In Latin, the name used by the Catholic Church until 1955 was ''Feria sexta in Parasceve'' ("Friday of Preparation [for the Sabbath]"). In the 1955 reform of Holy Week, it was renamed ''Feria sexta in Passione et Morte Domini'' ("Friday of the Passion and Death of the Lord"), and in the new rite introduced in 1970, shortened to ''Feria sexta in Passione Domini'' ("Friday of the Passion of the Lord").<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compendium of the 1955 Holy Week Revisions of Pius XII: Part 4.1 - Mass of Presanctified, Good Friday, Mass of the Catechumens and the Solemn Prayers |url=https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/04/compendium-of-1955-holy-week-revisions.html |access-date=2024-03-29}}</ref>

===Day of Fasting===
[[File:St.Martin-Karfreitag36.JPG|thumb|[[Crucifix]] prepared for veneration]]
The Catholic Church regards Good Friday and [[Holy Saturday]] as the Paschal fast, in accordance with Article 110 of [[Sacrosanctum Concilium]].<ref name="vatican.va">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html|title=Sacrosanctum concilium|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=21 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221180735/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[Latin Church]], a [[Fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church|fast day]] is understood as having only one full meal and two [[Collation (meal)|collations]] (a smaller repast, the two of which together do not equal the one full meal)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm|title=Fast & Abstinence|website=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|language=en|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801042327/http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Penance/Abstinence.pdf|title=Fasting and Abstinence|date=24 January 1985|website=Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129125503/http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Penance/Abstinence.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> – although this may be observed less stringently on Holy Saturday than on Good Friday.<ref name="vatican.va"/>

===Services on the day===
The [[Roman Rite]] has no celebration of [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] between the [[Mass of the Lord's Supper]] on Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) evening and the [[Easter Vigil]] unless a special exemption is granted for rare solemn or grave occasions by the [[Holy See|Vatican]] or the [[Ordinary (officer)|local bishop]]. The only [[sacrament]]s celebrated during this time are [[Baptism]] (for those in danger of death), [[Sacrament of Penance (Catholic Church)|Penance]], and [[Anointing of the Sick]].<ref>Roman Missal: Good Friday, 1.</ref> While there is no celebration of the Eucharist, it is distributed to the faithful only in the '''Celebration of the Passion of the Lord''', but can also be taken at any hour to the sick who are unable to attend this celebration.<ref>The Holy Week Missal, ''Friday of the Passion of the Lord'' No. 2</ref> 

The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place in the afternoon, ideally at three o'clock; however, for pastoral reasons (especially in countries where Good Friday is not a public holiday), it is permissible to celebrate the liturgy earlier,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/documentText/Index/2/SubIndex/38/ContentIndex/325/Start/319|title=V. Good Friday|website=The Catholic Liturgical Library|access-date=28 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123115108/http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/documentText/Index/2/SubIndex/38/ContentIndex/325/Start/319|archive-date=23 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> even shortly after midday, or at a later hour.<ref>The Holy Week Missal, ''Friday of the Passion of the Lord'' No. 4</ref> The celebration consists of three parts: the liturgy of the word, the adoration of the cross, and the Holy communion.<ref>The Holy Week Missal, ''Friday of the Passion of the Lord'' No. 4</ref> The altar is bare, without cross, candlesticks and [[altar cloth]]s.<ref>The Holy Week Missal, ''Friday of the Passion of the Lord'' No. 3</ref> It is also customary to empty the [[holy water]] [[holy water font|fonts]] in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/LawText/Index/6/LawIndex/46|title=Removing Holy Water During Lent. Letter of the Congregation for Divine Worship|date=14 March 2003|access-date=21 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419021227/http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/LawText/Index/6/LawIndex/46|archive-date=19 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Traditionally, no bells are rung on Good Friday or Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.catholic.org/lent/friday.php|title= Good Friday – Easter/Lent|website= Catholic Online|date= 12 January 2018|access-date= 12 January 2018|archive-date= 6 September 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210906014513/https://www.catholic.org/lent/friday.php|url-status= live}}</ref>

The [[liturgical colour]] of the vestments used is red.<ref>The Holy Week Missal, ''Friday of the Passion of the Lord'' No. 5</ref> Before 1970, vestments were black except for the Communion part of the rite when violet was used.<ref>[http://www.musicasacra.com/pdf/missale62.pdf 1962 edition of the Roman Missal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326145016/http://www.musicasacra.com/pdf/missale62.pdf |date=26 March 2008 }}.</ref> If a bishop or [[abbot]] celebrates, he wears a plain [[mitre]] ''(mitra simplex)''.<ref>''Caeremoniale Episcoporum'', 315.</ref> Before the reforms of the Holy Week liturgies in 1955, black was used throughout.

The [[Vespers]] of Good Friday are only prayed by those who could not attend the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord.<ref>''The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours'', No. 209</ref>

===Three Hours' Agony===
{{main|Three Hours' Agony}}
The [[Three Hours' Agony|Three Hours' Devotion]] based on the [[Seven Last Words from the Cross]] begins at noon and ends at 3 pm, the time that the Christian tradition teaches that Jesus died on the cross.<ref name="Barron2019">{{cite web |author1=[[Robert Barron (bishop)|Robert Barron]] |title=Tre Ore - The Three Hours' Agony |url=https://www.wofdigital.org/tre-ore-the-three-hours-agony |publisher=[[Word on Fire]] |access-date=18 April 2019 |language=en |quote='The Three Hours' Agony' or Tre Ore is a liturgical service held on Good Friday from noon until 3 o'clock to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Specifically, it refers to the three hours that Jesus hung on the Cross and includes a series of homilies on the seven last words spoken by Christ. |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001084734/https://www.wofdigital.org/tre-ore-the-three-hours-agony |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Liturgy===
[[File:Karfreitag - Fürbitten.jpg|thumb|The Great Intercessions are sung at [[Heiligenkreuz Abbey]], Austria]]

The Good Friday liturgy consists of three parts: the [[Liturgy of the Word]], the Veneration of the Cross, and the [[Holy Communion]].
* The Liturgy of the Word consists of the clergy and assisting ministers entering in complete silence, without any singing. They then silently make a full [[prostration]]. This signifies the abasement ([[Fall of man|the fall]]) of (earthly) humans.<ref>''Roman Missal'', "Good Friday", Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, n. 5.</ref> It also symbolizes the grief and sorrow of the Church.<ref>''Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts'', [http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/documentText/Index/6/SubIndex/97/ContentIndex/325/Start/319 V. Good Friday] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101832/http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/documentText/Index/6/SubIndex/97/ContentIndex/325/Start/319 |date=2 April 2015 }}, 16 January 1988, Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship.</ref> Then follows the [[Collect]] prayer, and the reading or chanting of Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Hebrews 4:14–16, Hebrews 5:7–9, and the [[Passion (Christianity)|Passion]] account from the [[Gospel of John]], traditionally divided between three deacons,<ref>Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, ''Paschale Solemnitatis'', III, n. 66 (cf. n. 33)</ref> yet usually read by the celebrant and two other readers. In the older form of the Mass known as the [[Tridentine Mass]] the readings for Good Friday are taken from Exodus 12:1-11 and the Gospel according to St. John (John 18:1-40); (John 19:1-42).
* The Great Intercessions also known as ''orationes sollemnes'' immediately follows the Liturgy of the Word and consists of a series of prayers for the Church, the Pope, the clergy and laity of the Church, those preparing for baptism, the unity of Christians, the Jews, those who do not believe in Christ, those who do not believe in God, those in public office, and those in special need.<ref>Roman Missal: Good Friday, 7–13.</ref> After each prayer intention, the deacon calls the faithful to kneel for a short period of private prayer; the celebrant then sums up the prayer intention with a Collect-style prayer. As part of the pre-1955 Holy Week Liturgy, the kneeling was omitted only for the [[Good Friday prayer for the Jews|prayer for the Jews]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/04/compendium-of-1955-holy-week-revisions_03.html|title=Compendium of the 1955 Holy Week Revisions|language=en|access-date=6 April 2020|archive-date=21 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821081851/https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/04/compendium-of-1955-holy-week-revisions_03.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Adoration of the Cross has a [[crucifix]], not necessarily the one that is normally on or near the altar at other times of the year, solemnly unveiled and displayed to the congregation, and then venerated by them, individually if possible and usually by kissing the wood of the cross, while hymns and the [[Improperia]] ("Reproaches") with the [[Trisagion]] hymn are chanted.<ref>Roman Missal: Good Friday, 14–21.</ref>
* Holy Communion is bestowed according to a rite based on that of the final part of Mass, beginning with the [[Lord's Prayer]], but omitting the ceremony of "[[Fraction (religion)|Breaking of the Bread]]" and its related acclamation, the [[Agnus Dei (liturgy)|Agnus Dei]]. The [[Eucharist]], consecrated at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on [[Maundy Thursday|Holy Thursday]], is distributed at this service.<ref>Roman Missal: Good Friday, 22–31.</ref> Before the Holy Week reforms of [[Pope Pius XII]] in 1955, only the priest received Communion in the framework of what was called the [[Mass of the Presanctified]], which included the usual Offertory prayers, with the placing of wine in the chalice, but which omitted the [[Canon of the Mass]].<ref name="auto"/> The priest and people then depart in silence, and the altar cloth is removed, leaving the altar bare except for the crucifix and two or four candlesticks.<ref>Roman Missal: Good Friday, 32–33.</ref>

===Stations of the Cross===
[[File:GoodFr CroosWay Colloseo.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Way of the Cross]], celebrated at the [[Colosseum]] in Rome on Good Friday]]
[[File:Canopy erected at the Temple of Venus and Rome during Good Friday ceremonies.JPG|thumb|left|Canopy erected at the "Temple of Venus and Rome" during the "Way of the Cross" ceremony in Rome.]]

In addition to the prescribed [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] service, the [[Stations of the Cross]] are often prayed either in the church or outside, and a prayer service may be held from midday to 3.00&nbsp;pm, known as the Three Hours' Agony.<ref>{{Cite web |title=When is Good Friday 2020 - and why is it celebrated? |last=Baddeley |first=Nicole |work=Bracknell News |date= April 2020|access-date=29 March 2024 |url= https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/18350899.good-friday-2020---celebrated/}}</ref> In countries such as Malta, Italy, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Spain, processions with statues representing the Passion of Christ are held.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Good Friday processions in Malta: What, how and where? |author=Edward |work=MaltaUncovered.com |date= 4 April 2016|access-date=29 March 2024 |url= https://www.maltauncovered.com/culture/good-friday-processions-malta/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Easter Week in Italy |last=Bakerjian |first=Martha |work=Martha's Italy |date= |access-date=29 March 2024 |url= https://www.marthasitaly.com/articles/119/easter-week-italy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eight Filipinos nailed to crosses as Easter crucifixion re-enactments resume |author= |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=7 April 2023 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=29 March 2024 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/07/easter-crucifixion-reenactments-resume-in-philippines-after-three-year-covid-pause}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Voices: 'Jesus is crying!' Memories of my island's 'Viernes Santos' |last=Guadalupe |first=Patricia |work=NBC News |date=14 April 2017 |access-date=29 March 2024 |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/voices-jesus-crying-memories-viernes-santos-island-n746251}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Photos: Holy Week Processions in Spain |last=Taylor |first=Alan |work=The Atlantic |date=5 April 2023 |access-date=29 March 2024 |url= https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/04/photos-holy-week-processions-spain/673637/}}</ref>

In Rome, since the papacy of [[John Paul II]], the heights of the [[Temple of Venus and Roma]] and their position opposite the main entrance to the Colosseum have been used to good effect as a public address platform. This may be seen in the photograph below where a red canopy has been erected to shelter the Pope as well as an illuminated cross, on the occasion of the '''Way of the Cross''' ceremony. The Pope, either personally or through a representative, leads the faithful through meditations on the stations of the cross while a cross is carried from there to the Colosseum.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Traditional Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome|url=https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/traditional-crucis-colosseum-rome|access-date=2021-06-28|website=ITALY Magazine|language=en|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002142350/https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/traditional-crucis-colosseum-rome|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Plenary indulgence===
In the Roman Catholic Church, plenary [[indulgence]] is obtained if the faithful venerates the cross with [[piety]] in the solemn Celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246665/how-to-obtain-a-plenary-indulgence-during-holy-week|title=How to obtain plenary indulgence during Holy Week 2024}}</ref>

===Novena to the Divine Mercy===
The [[novena]] to the [[Divine Mercy (Catholic devotion)|Divine Mercy]] begins on that day and lasts until the Saturday before [[Divine Mercy Sunday|the Feast of Mercy]]. Both holidays are strictly connected, as the [[mercy of God]] flows from the [[Sacred Heart|Sacred Heart of Jesus]] that was pierced on the cross.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.milosierdzie.pl/index.php/en/the-devotion-to-the-divine-mercy.html |title=Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515041244/https://www.milosierdzie.pl/index.php/en/the-devotion-to-the-divine-mercy.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://saint-faustina.net/swieto_milosierdzia/nowenna/novena.htm |title=Saint Faustina |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428125543/http://saint-faustina.net/swieto_milosierdzia/nowenna/novena.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>