Bishop Deeley Presides at the Good Friday Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
The organ was silent and the altar bare, as Bishop Robert Deeley, wearing a red chasuble, symbolizing martyrdom and blood, processed into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for Good Friday services.
Good Friday is the only day of the year on which Mass is not celebrated. Instead, the faithful gather for a special liturgy commemorating Christ’s Passion and death.
“Jesus took on our humanity and our death in order to suffer and die for us. It is that we remember today. We are indeed speechless before such love. We are grateful,” the bishop said.
The service was somber and reflective, with an eye towards simplicity. For the opening procession, the bishop was accompanied only by Father Seamus Griesbach, rector of the cathedral, Msgr. Marc Caron, and one server. The other priests and servers began the service already in the sanctuary. While the bishop wore a red vestment, the other priests wore simple white albs with red stoles.
Following the silent opening procession, the bishop bowed before the altar and then prostrated himself before it, while the rest of the congregation knelt. Father Griesbach, Father Augustine Kifon, and Father Cyprian Tatah Ferdzefer then shared the story of Christ’s Passion. When the congregation heard of the death of Christ, all paused and knelt in silence.
“The final word of Jesus from the cross today is, “It is finished,” the bishop said in his homily. “His mission is completed. He has shown us the fullness of love. It is his glory. He has done the will of the Father. He has saved us, and all humanity, from our sins. Let us acknowledge in our own prayer today our part in the Passion of the Lord and ask him to assist us in living more fully the Father’s will for each of us.”
Among the many moving moments of the Good Friday service was the adoration of the cross. A large, wooden cross was carried up the center aisle of the cathedral, pausing along the way. At each pause, Father Griesbach sang “Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world," with the congregation responding “Come, let us adore" and then kneeling in silence.
When the cross reached the foot of the sanctuary, the bishop knelt before it and kissed it. The priests, ministers, and the entire congregation then came forward to similarly venerate the cross by either genuflecting before it, kissing it, or touching it and making the sign of the cross. Venerating the cross is a way for the faithful to further connect with Christ’s Passion and to show their reverence for him.
In a tradition that is rooted in the earliest days of the Church, ten solemn intercessions are always offered during the Good Friday Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. The faithful joined in praying first of all for the Holy Church, that God and will “give her peace, to guard her, and to unite her throughout the whole world.” The congregation then prayed for Pope Francis, for bishop, priests, deacons, and all the faithful of the Church, and for the catechumens, who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil Mass. Petitions were then made for the unity of the Christian people, for the Jewish people, for those who do not believe in Christ and do not believe in God, and for those in public office. And finally, prayers were offered for those facing tribulation.
Although parishioners receive holy Communion during Good Friday services, it is with hosts consecrated the day before at Holy Thursday Mass that were carried into the church from a place of repose in the chapel.
The service concluded as it had begun, with the bishop and priests leaving in silence. The congregation then did the same.
Mass will not be celebrated again until the Great Vigil of Easter, which must take place after nightfall on Holy Saturday. Several churches in the diocese will offer opportunities for the faithful to gather for Morning Prayer on Saturday. A list of those opportunities can be found here. Bishop Deeley will lead morning prayer at the Cathedral on Saturday, and he will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 8 p.m. A complete list of Easter Vigil Masses around the diocese can be found here. And a list of Masses on Easter Sunday can be found here.
