Good Friday falls on April 2, 2010Good Friday is a day of strict fasting and abstinence. Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Good Friday.
Good Friday is the day on which we commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the act that brought salvation to all who believe. It is the culmination of Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, and it takes place two days before Easter Sunday.
The liturgy begins at 3:00 PM and is divided into three separate parts: prayers and readings (including the passion story from the Gospel of John and known as the Liturgy of the Word), the veneration of the cross (a Latin rite which involves kissing the foot of the crucifix which stands at the entrance of the sanctuary), and finally Holy Communion. There may also be what is known as the Three Hours Service, held from noon to 3:00 PM, which involves a series of hymns, prayers, and sermons focused upon Jesus' seven last words on the cross. Good Friday and the following Holy Saturday are the only dates of the year when mass is not celebrated in Roman Catholic churches.
p/s: Special thoughts of you on this special day. Have a holy and blessed Easter. May the Risen Lord fill your life with His love.
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