Good Friday: The day of the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross
By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network
Moodubelle, 22 April 2011: Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday or Black Friday is the day on which Christians all over the world 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.
Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross as a way of following the example of Jesus, who stressed the role of prayer in the struggle to conquer evil.
Many Christian churches celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service, usually in the evening, in which Christ’s death is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers and readings from the Bible. A homily centred on the sufferings of Christ is also delivered. In many churches, a piece of wood in the shape of the cross is kept. People pray before the cross and kiss it.
In some churches, mourners wear black and enact the Passion of Christ - scenes of Christ’s crucifixion and burial. Many churches cover the cross and the altar with mourning black, and do not light any candles. At other churches, candles are lit, but they are extinguished one by one, with the last one being put out at the moment denoting Jesus’ death. The church bells are not rung on Good Friday. Catholic churches follow the tradition of the Stations of the Cross. People pass before paintings depicting the important scenes of the last hours of Jesus’ life, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
The biblical account of the death of Jesus on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.
The Good Friday service in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle was conducted in four parts: the Way of the Cross, the Liturgy of the Word and prayers for different intentions of the church, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.
The Way of the Cross was conducted at 4 pm within the church premises and on the Cross Hill. Each of the Fourteen Stations was spread over the different parts of the premises. At each station, as two altar servers raised the picture representing the station, representatives of different wards carried the cross as the station was explained, prayer was recited and hymn was sung.
The entire programme of the Way of the Cross was conceptualised and executed by Fr. Lancy Saldanha ably assisted by Br. Mahesh D’Souza. The stations were explained and prayers were recited by Charles Quadros, Maxim D’Sa, and Johnosn Miranda and the hymns were led by the Church Choir. The van was sponsored by Harold Martis to mount the sound system which was sponsored by Pravin Castelino.
Following the Way of the Cross, Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap) as the chief celebrant and Fr. Joswey Fernandes and Fr. Charles Saldanha entered the church, proceeded to the main altar and prostrated before the altar. Thereafter, the Liturgy of the Word was conducted. The Passion of Jesus Christ according to St. John was recited by Fr. Lancy, Fr. Maxim and Fr. Joswey.
In his homily, Fr. Maxim Pinto narrated the significance of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross and explained as to why Jesus sacrificed Himself on the Cross. Following the homily, prayers were offered for the various intentions of the Church.
The important part of the Good Friday being the Veneration of the Cross, Fr. Maxim Pinto and Fr. Joswey Fernandes brought the covered Crucifix and as they approached the main altar, step by step uncovered it, thus presenting the crucified Christ.
After the priests having venerated the Crucifix, two crucifixes were held by two priests for the faithful to venerate.
Following the Veneration of the Crucifix, the Holy Communion was distributed to the faithful and after the blessing people silently dispersed from the church to come back tomorrow (Saturday) for the solemn Easter Vigil Service to be held at 7pm.