Communion during Good Friday service?

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Triduum is actually considered one service in three parts: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil on Holy Saturday. Thus the Good Friday service is Act II of a three Act service. One of the older names for Good Friday is The Mass of the Presanctified. The Consecration does not occur, but we receive the Presanctified Gifts in Holy Communion, reserved from the Consecration from The Mass of the Lord’s Supper the night before.

The Easter Vigil is not part of the Triduum.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I thought Good Friday was the only time where we didn’t have communion!!

Holy Saturday is the only liturgical day where no Mass or Communion service is conducted.

 

[Phemie]

The Easter Vigil is not part of the Triduum.

What do you mean the Easter Vigil is not part of the Triduum??

The Triduum starts with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and ends with Vespers Easter Sunday.

 

[benedictgal]

Here is what Paschale Solemnitatis notes about Good Friday:

V. Good Friday

1. On this day, when “Christ our passover was sacrificed,” [63] the Church mediates on the passion of her Lord and Spouse, adores the cross, commemorates her origin from the side of Christ asleep on the cross, and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world.

1. On this day, in accordance with ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist: Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful during the celebration of the Lord’s passion alone, though it may be brought at any time of the day to the sick who cannot take part in the celebration. [64]

1. Good Friday is a day of penance to be observed as an obligation in the whole Church, and indeed, through abstinence and fasting. [65]

1. All celebration of the sacraments on this day is strictly prohibited, except for the sacraments of penance and anointing of the sick. [66] Funerals are to be celebrated without singing, music, or the tolling of bells.

1. It is recommended that on this day the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer, be celebrated with the participation of the people in the churches (cf. n. 40).

1. The celebration of the Lord’s passion is to take place in the afternoon, at about three o’clock. For pastoral reasons, an appropriate time will be chosen in order to allow the people to assemble more easily, for example, shortly after midday or in the late evening, however not later than nine o’clock. [67]

1. The order for the celebration of the Lord’s passion (the liturgy of the word, the adoration of the cross, and Holy Communion) that stems from an ancient tradition of the Church should be observed faithfully and religiously and may not be changed by anyone on his own initiative.

1. The priest and ministers proceed to the altar in silence, without any singing. If any words of introduction are to be said, they should be pronounced before the ministers enter.

The priest and ministers make a reverence to the altar, prostrating themselves. This act of prostration, which is proper to the rite of the day, should be strictly observed for it signifies both the abasement of “earthly man,” [68] and also the grief and sorrow of the Church.

As the ministers enter, the faithful should be standing, and thereafter should kneel in silent prayer.

1. The readings are to be read in their entirety. The responsorial psalm and the chant before the gospel are to be sung in the usual manner. The narrative of the Lord’s passion according to John is sung or read in the way prescribed for the previous Sunday (cf. n. 33). After the reading of the passion, a homily should be given, at the end of which the faithful may be invited to spend a short time in meditation. [69]

1. The general intercessions are to follow the wording and form handed down by ancient tradition, maintaining the full range of intentions, so as to signify clearly the universal effect of the passion of Christ, who hung on the cross for the salvation of the whole world. In case of grave public necessity, the local ordinary may permit or prescribe the adding of special intentions. [70]

In this event, it is permitted to the priest to select from the prayers of the Missal those intentions more appropriate to local circumstances, in such a way, however, that the series follows the rule for general intercessions. [61]

1. For veneration of the cross, let a cross be used that is of appropriate size and beauty, and let one or other of the forms for this rite be carried out with the splendor worthy of the mystery of our salvation. Both the invitation pronounced at the unveiling of the cross and the people’s response should be made in song, and a period of respectful silence is to be observed after each act of veneration, with the celebrant standing and holding the raised cross.

1. The cross is to be presented to each of the faithful individually for their adoration, since the personal adoration of the cross is a most important feature in this celebration. Only when necessitated by the large numbers of faithful present should the rite of veneration be made simultaneously by all present. [72]

Only one cross should be used for the veneration, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite. During the veneration of the cross, the antiphons, “Reproaches,” and hymns should be sung so that the history of salvation be commemorated through song. [73] Other appropriate songs may also be sung (cf n. 42).

1. The priest sings the invitation to the Lord’s Prayer, which is then sung by all. The sign of peace is not exchanged. The communion rite is as described in the Missal.

During the distribution of communion, Psalm 21 or another suitable song may be sung. When communion has been distributed, the pyx is taken to a place prepared for it outside of the church.

1. After the celebration, the altar is stripped; the cross remains, however with four candles. An appropriate place (for example, the chapel of repose used for reservation of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday) can be prepared within the church, and there the Lord’s cross is placed so that the faithful may venerate and kiss it and spend some time in meditation.

1. Devotions, such as the Way of the Cross, processions of the passion, and commemorations of the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary are not, for pastoral reasons, to be neglected. The texts and songs used, however, should be adapted to the spirit of the liturgy of this day. Such devotions should be assigned to a time of day that makes it quite clear that the liturgical celebration, by its very nature, far surpasses them in importance. [74]

Special attention should be noted to #72. Why would any one use the Anglican Prayer for Good Friday if the church is Catholic? That does not make sense.

 

[benedictgal]

Regarding the Paschal Triduum, Pachale Solemnitatis also notes that:

1. The greatest mysteries of the redemption are celebrated yearly by the Church beginning with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and ending with Vespers of Easter Sunday. This time is called “the triduum of the crucified, buried and risen”; [42] it is also called the “Easter Triduum” because during it is celebrated the paschal mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to his Father. The Church, by the celebration of this mystery through liturgical signs and sacramentals, is united to Christ, her spouse, in intimate communion.

1. The Easter fast is sacred on the first two days of the Triduum, in which, according to ancient tradition, the Church fasts “because the Spouse has been taken away.” [43] Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence; it is also recommended that Holy Saturday be so observed, so that the Church, with uplifted and welcoming heart, be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection. [44]

I hope this helps clarify things.

 

[Phemie]

Here is what Paschale Solemnitatis notes about Good Friday:

Special attention should be noted to #72. Why would any one use the Anglican Prayer for Good Friday if the church is Catholic? That does not make sense.

Rose Maniple is Anglo-Catholic. As I understand it, that’s an Anglican congregation that affirms the Catholic, rather than the Protestant heritage & identity of the Anglican Church. Might be loosely termed High Anglican.

 

[benedictgal]

Rose Maniple is Anglo-Catholic. As I understand it, that’s an Anglican congregation that affirms the Catholic, rather than the Protestant heritage & identity of the Anglican Church. Might be loosely termed High Anglican.

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Phemie]

Thank you for the clarification.

I’m was a little confused too since R.M. lists her religion as Anglo-Catholic but in her first post on this thread speaks of her Roman Catholic upbringing.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Regarding the Paschal Triduum, Pachale Solemnitatis also notes that:

I hope this helps clarify things.

If I read what I had correctly. The Triduum begind in the afternoon of Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, to the evening of Holy Saturday. I Vespers would take place at after 3pm Saturday. The season of Easter begins with the Easter Vigil at sundown.

 

[Phemie]

If I read what I had correctly. The Triduum begind in the afternoon of Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, to the evening of Holy Saturday. I Vespers would take place at after 3pm Saturday. The season of Easter begins with the Easter Vigil at sundown.

No, the Triduum lasts until Sunday night. Paschale Solemnitatis speaks of a “sacred fast” on the first two days of the Triduum (that’s from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday to the Vigil). It speaks of the celebrations of the Triduum and names the chants involved, including the ones during the Vigil.

 

[melissa09]

i dont think ive ever had communion on Good Friday…and this post is way too confusing!!!


i think ill go ask someone why I cant seem to understand this at all…

 

[benedictgal]

i dont think ive ever had communion on Good Friday…and this post is way too confusing!!!


i think ill go ask someone why I cant seem to understand this at all…

I think if you go back and read my post where I quoted an entire section of Paschale Solemnitatis, the authoritative document of the Holy See that regulates and clarifies what should happen during Lent and Holy Week, you will get a better picture.

The Church does not celebrate Mass on Good Friday; however, she does distribute Holy Communion. Enough hosts should be consecrated for the Communion of the faithful for both Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

 

[preV2tradcath]

I’m was a little confused too since R.M. lists her religion as Anglo-Catholic but in her first post on this thread speaks of her Roman Catholic upbringing.

Maybe she was raised Catholic but then converted to her Anglo-Catholic Church.
There was a time when only the priest received on Good Friday. If I recall correctly, by the time the 1962 Missal used in the EF was promulgated, the congregation was also allowed to receive on that day.

 

[melissa09]

I think if you go back and read my post where I quoted an entire section of Paschale Solemnitatis, the authoritative document of the Holy See that regulates and clarifies what should happen during Lent and Holy Week, you will get a better picture.

The Church does not celebrate Mass on Good Friday; however, she does distribute Holy Communion. Enough hosts should be consecrated for the Communion of the faithful for both Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

i did read it…which is why I still can’t understand why I am confused…which is why I am temporarily leaving this post because I need to figure out what I am thinking……because i think I’m the one making no sense…or something…

 

[Phemie]

Maybe she was raised Catholic but then converted to her Anglo-Catholic Church.
There was a time when only the priest received on Good Friday. If I recall correctly, by the time the 1962 Missal used in the EF was promulgated, the congregation was also allowed to receive on that day.

I know that from the time I started attending the Good Friday service in the late 50s everyone received Communion. Good Friday is my first memory of being in church and I remember asking my aunt 1. if father was looking for mice when he prostrated himself & 2. what he had in the ‘mug’ when he was distributing Communion.

When I was older I remember biking to the service each year and biking home to find Mom on her hands and knees waxing the living room floor in preparation for Easter. There would be a heavy cardboard runner from the door to the stairs to keep our wet muddy prints off the clean kitchen floor. She stayed with our younger brother and did this while brother 1 & I went to the service. Funny the things that trigger home memories.

 

[Rose_Maniple]

Maybe she was raised Catholic but then converted to her Anglo-Catholic Church.

Yes, I (he, actually) was received into the Anglican Communion in high school shortly after the Congregation for Catholic Education’s Instruction on gay seminarians. I should note that my parish does not identify as Anglo-Catholic, though I do. (Most A-C parishes would distribute Communion on GF).

As to the timeline of the faithful receiving Communion, I believe that was in 1955, but am open to correction.

 

[Phemie]

If I read what I had correctly. The Triduum begind in the afternoon of Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, to the evening of Holy Saturday. I Vespers would take place at after 3pm Saturday. The season of Easter begins with the Easter Vigil at sundown.

I just checked the Breviary to make sure I remembered correctly: unlike most Saturdays, there is an Evening Prayer for Holy Saturday and no Evening Prayer I for Easter Sunday.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I just checked the Breviary to make sure I remembered correctly: unlike most Saturdays, there is an Evening Prayer for Holy Saturday and no Evening Prayer I for Easter Sunday.

Ok

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Re Triduum see The Easter Triduum*** from **GENERAL AUDIENCESt Peter’s Square Wednesday, 4 April 2007. *

The beginning of the Easter Triduum is Holy Thursday, tomorrow. During the Chrism Mass, which can be considered the prelude to the Sacred Triduum, . . .
In the evening, entering the Easter Triduum, the Christian community relives what happened at the Last Supper in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. . . .*
Good Friday,* which commemorates the events between Christ’s condemnation to death and his Crucifixion, is a day of penance, fasting and prayer, of participation in the Lord’s Passion. . . .
Holy Saturday is the day when the liturgy is hushed, the day of great silence, and Christians are invited to preserve interior recollection, often difficult to encourage in our day, in order to be better prepared for the * Easter Vigil. . . .*
Finally, during the Easter Vigil the veil of sorrow which shrouds the Church because of the death and burial of the Lord will be torn by the victorious cry: Christ is risen and has defeated death for ever! We will then truly be able to understand the mystery of the Cross, . . .
Dear brothers and sisters, the Paschal Mystery which the Holy Triduum enables us to relive is not only the memory of a past reality; it is also a reality in our time.

Pope Benedict includes the Vigil in the Triduum. Read the whole thing. It is a great explanation.

 

[Joannm]

If possible Catholics should use a “PTO day” or a few hours in the afternoon, unless of course their job is a necessary one like a Police officer, Fire Fighter, Doctor, Nurse, Etc, and it’s not possible for someone else to cover for them.

Or if you work for the Church. Actually the Good Friday service is the only one of the three Triduum liturgies that I don’t have to run around “behind the scenes” so to speak, since it is pretty simple. I am working up until the time the priests walk into the sanctuary, then I can enter into it all. No such luck on Holy Thursday and certainly not at the Vigil.