Church Begins at Home: Good Friday
Holy Week Observances at Home
With Christians around the world, we observe Good Friday of the Lord's Passion at home. The liturgy on Good Friday commemorating the Passion is the second movement of the Easter Triduum - a liturgy that extends across three days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday). This page provides a pattern for commemorating Good Friday as an individual or a household.
Celebrate with Pope Francis | 12pm
Pope Francis will celebrate Good Friday of the Lord's Passion at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican at 6pm Rome time (12 noon Atlanta time). There are several ways to tune in:
Cable/Satellite - Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)
YouTube - Find the "Vatican Media Live" feed on the Vatican News - English channel on your device or smart TV.
Optional Devotion: Way of the Cross
Some people choose to participate in the Way of the Cross devotion on Good Friday. There are several options for the praying the Way of the Cross online:
Global Citizenship/Global Discipleship Themed Stations of the Cross
Catholic Relief Service provides a Stations of the Cross as a part of the CRS Rice Bowl campaign that seeks to promote global mindedness and global solidarity.
Pilgrimage in Art | Stations of the Cross a the High Museum of Art
Jayna Hoffacker and Fr. Desmond Drummer spearheaded a pilgrimage in art by matching selections from the High Museum of Art with the fourteen scriptural Stations of the Cross. The stations feature reflections from a variety of lay and ordained ministers in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Way of the Cross | Meditations from A Corrections Facility
As described on the Vatican Media website: "The Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, meditations for Good Friday this year have been prepared by prisoners, volunteers, family members and others, associated with a corrections facility in Northern Italy."
Join Pope Francis LIVE at 3pm (Atlanta Time)
Pope Francis will lead the Stations of the Cross from the Vatican. Join by watching Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) or through YouTube (click on link above). You can access the "Vatican Media Live" feed on the Vatican News - English channel on your device or smart TV. Using the search term "Vatican Live English" will help you find the feed.
The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Although we are unable to gather as a parish family for the liturgy on Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, we can commemorate the Lord's Passion at home. The readings for the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord are significant.
First Reading
Read the first reading: Isaiah 52:13—53:12
Responsorial Psalm
Sing the Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31
Second Reading
Read the second reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
The Passion of the Lord
Read the Passion of the Lord: John 18:1—19:42
Use any of the following videos to learn more about and reflect on the crucifixion:
"Crucifixion: The Shame of the Cross" by Brant Pitre
The Bible Project: The Crucifixion (appropriate for all ages)
"Pope Francis on the Cross" from his first time leading the Way of the Cross as pope in 2013
2015 Good Friday Homily of Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez
Songs of Praise and Worship
"The Old Rugged Cross" Instrumental from Just Mercy soundtrack
"Were You There" sung by ValLimar Jansen
"Jesus, Remember Me" (Taize) sung by Morgan State University Choir
"A Love So Strong" by Richard Smallwood
Silence and Prayer
Take some time for silent prayer and reflection on any time you have been humiliated, rejected, lied on, abused or mistreated. Think about how the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ demonstrates God's radical solidarity with you and other people who suffer. Find a crucifix or an image of a crucifix and look upon it with new eyes.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Indeed, God is truly with us in the struggle.