From noon to 3pm on Good Friday, what will you be doing?

[whatevergirl]

Are we supposed to be silent? I think I’ve heard that somewhere before. I also thought we weren’t supposed to shop, or basically go about having fun. I"ll be in church for those 3 hours, God willing. It’s always my most spiritual time of the year. I wouldn’t miss it.

That’s what I have heard as well…My MIL I believe told me this a long time ago, and I also read that it’s suggested to ‘try’ to find silent and meditative time during those three hours.

 

[benedictgal]

That’s what I have heard as well…My MIL I believe told me this a long time ago, and I also read that it’s suggested to ‘try’ to find silent and meditative time during those three hours.

The only time that we are supposed to be silent is when the celebrant enters. There is no opening hymn, no music at the beginning.

Something else to consider is the fact that the Paschal Triduum should be taken as one complete liturgy. That is why there is no concluding rite at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper nor is there an opening rite nor a concluding rite in the Good Friday liturgy. The concluding rite comes at the end, so to speak, of the Easter Vigil. That is why my PV has been making an impassioned plea for all us to attend the Holy Week liturgies.

 

[SMHW]

The only time that we are supposed to be silent is when the celebrant enters. There is no opening hymn, no music at the beginning.

I think the idea of silence is a pious custom to be observed on one’s own time. It’s not specifically tied to any liturgy or group devotion.

Something else to consider is the fact that the Paschal Triduum should be taken as one complete liturgy. That is why there is no concluding rite at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper nor is there an opening rite nor a concluding rite in the Good Friday liturgy. The concluding rite comes at the end, so to speak, of the Easter Vigil. That is why my PV has been making an impassioned plea for all us to attend the Holy Week liturgies.

Something our priests try to impress on us every year. And they need to keep doing so!

 

[Rose_Maniple]

I’ll be at the Mass of the Pre-Sanctified at St John’s Convent in Toronto at noon. I imagine it will last a little over an hour. The description of last year’s service says that the “Liturgy includes the Mass of the Pre-Sanctified, dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel, the Good Friday anthems and begins at 12 noon. The service is followed by a time for meditation on the Cross until Evening Prayer at 3 pm in the Chapel at” St John’s Rehabilitation Hospital next door.

 

[Lainey63]

I’ll be working…preparing tax returns. Lent & tax season at the same time…it’s hard

 

[whatevergirl]

I’ll be working…preparing tax returns. Lent & tax season at the same time…it’s hard

I can imagine. Maybe take a pause at whatever you’re doing, at 3pm, when Jesus breathed His last breath, to pray a few prayers of the Chaplet or something…I read that if we can’t make it to a mass to pray the Chaplet at 3pm, to pray it silently around 3pm…and if we can’t pray it in its entirety for whatever reason, to pray a small portion of it, at least. God bless, and have a blessed Easter!

 

[Lainey63]

I can imagine. Maybe take a pause at whatever you’re doing, at 3pm, when Jesus breathed His last breath, to pray a few prayers of the Chaplet or something…I read that if we can’t make it to a mass to pray the Chaplet at 3pm, to pray it silently around 3pm…and if we can’t pray it in its entirety for whatever reason, to pray a small portion of it, at least. God bless, and have a blessed Easter!

I will do that thank you. I remember there have been a few Good Fridays where it did get real dark & cloudy at 3:00 here in Florida & everyone stops & takes notice.

 

[MissMichal]

I’ll be at a Girl Scout sleepover, because everyone else in our service unit is Mormon and they thought the Friday before Spring Break would be a great time to get out of town and have a luau :banghead:

I’m hoping I won’t have to go up before 3:00, though.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’ll be at a Girl Scout sleepover, because everyone else in our service unit is Mormon and they thought the Friday before Spring Break would be a great time to get out of town and have a luau :banghead:

I’m hoping I won’t have to go up before 3:00, though.

Do you have to go? Seems like a solemn time for you, (for us Catholics) to be having a luau… I think you will have a difficult time with this…as I would. I would opt out of going…I mean, this is part of your faith, so what they they are mostly mormon, and might not understand.

Sorry, I’m putting on you, what I would do.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I plan to try something different this year. I will go to Mass when it’s offered, but during the Lord’s Passion hours, I will refrain from anything but prayer and meditation. I will probably watch the “Passion of the Christ” and pray the Stations of the Cross (however, the “Passion” is like a theatrical reenactment of the Stations). At 3pm, I will recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Rosary afterward. I will most likely spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament (if they put it out in the Perpetual Adoration chapel) in prayer. I look at Good Friday and Holy Saturday as days of mourning.

 

[whatevergirl]

I plan to try something different this year. I will go to Mass when it’s offered, but during the Lord’s Passion hours, I will refrain from anything but prayer and meditation. I will probably watch the “Passion of the Christ” and pray the Stations of the Cross (however, the “Passion” is like a theatrical reenactment of the Stations). At 3pm, I will recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Rosary afterward. I will most likely spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament (if they put it out in the Perpetual Adoration chapel) in prayer. I look at Good Friday and Holy Saturday as days of mourning.

This sounds similiar to what I will do, and have done in the past…I like the thought of being in front of the Blessed Sacrament…thanks for adding this!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

This sounds similiar to what I will do, and have done in the past…I like the thought of being in front of the Blessed Sacrament…thanks for adding this!

You’re welcome. This may be the last year that I am “secular” so to speak. I am waiting to be accepted to a religious order of Carmelites, and if I am accepted, I am thinking about entering on the Feast Day of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (February 2nd, 2010). So, I want to make this year extra special! I learned that the Church I attend has Stations of the Cross every Friday of Lent at 7pm, so I might do that or privately.

 

[whatevergirl]

You’re welcome. This may be the last year that I am “secular” so to speak. I am waiting to be accepted to a religious order of Carmelites, and if I am accepted, I am thinking about entering on the Feast Day of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (February 2nd, 2010). So, I want to make this year extra special! I learned that the Church I attend has Stations of the Cross every Friday of Lent at 7pm, so I might do that or privately.

Oh wow, how exciting!!! I will be praying for you on your journey…thanks for sharing this. I can imagine your anticipation. God bless you for discerning God’s will for you to enter religious list.

 

[Kit15]

From noon to 3pm I’ll be working. But at around 1-ish I plan to stop by a nearby church on my lunch break to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, I’ll might say it again silently at my work station at around 3 if I remember to do it. And I might just to it again at my local church after work…or the rosary instead.

I’ll probably attend Stations that night with my parents. That’s been a tradition for a while but this is my first Lent on my own. I don’t know what’s going on with that yet.

 

[benedictgal]

I plan to try something different this year. I will go to Mass when it’s offered, but during the Lord’s Passion hours, I will refrain from anything but prayer and meditation. I will probably watch the “Passion of the Christ” and pray the Stations of the Cross (however, the “Passion” is like a theatrical reenactment of the Stations). At 3pm, I will recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Rosary afterward. I will most likely spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament (if they put it out in the Perpetual Adoration chapel) in prayer. I look at Good Friday and Holy Saturday as days of mourning.

Just for clarifications sake, there is no Mass on Good Friday. There will be the Good Friday Liturgy which can be anywhere from 3PM to later, depending on the pastoral needs of the faithful. According to Paschale Solemnitatis:

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]

I hope this helps.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Just for clarifications sake, there is no Mass on Good Friday. There will be the Good Friday Liturgy which can be anywhere from 3PM to later, depending on the pastoral needs of the faithful. According to Paschale Solemnitatis:

I hope this helps.

I just came back to my faith about a year and a half ago, so I have lots to learn. Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[stpetric]

I have taken off Good Friday as a personal holiday, over the years, and my kids and I (and dh if not working) have often prayed together during this time of Jesus dying on the cross, or have just kept silent during that time…doing something else. I have also watched Passion of the Christ and prayed the Chaplet afterwards. I was just curious as to what some of you do, for your Good Friday ‘traditions?’

I miss the old “three hours” devotion pioneered by 17th and 18th century Jesuits – three hours of preaching on Good Friday, noon - 3:00 p.m., usually on the “seven last words” from the Cross. A few parishes still do it.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I have taken off Good Friday as a personal holiday, over the years, and my kids and I (and dh if not working) have often prayed together during this time of Jesus dying on the cross, or have just kept silent during that time…doing something else. I have also watched Passion of the Christ and prayed the Chaplet afterwards. I was just curious as to what some of you do, for your Good Friday ‘traditions?’

Last year we went to the earliest afternoon service and then got dinner. We’ll probably do that again this year.

There might be a Stations at a nearby church; I’m still trying to find out.

 

[whatevergirl]

I miss the old “three hours” devotion pioneered by 17th and 18th century Jesuits – three hours of preaching on Good Friday, noon - 3:00 p.m., usually on the “seven last words” from the Cross. A few parishes still do it.

You know, the parish we belonged to in PA, had a three hour devotional timeframe, where parishioners could come to the parish, and pray in silence for those three hours…It really was special. I don’t know if any parishes are doing that here in Tampa Bay, I plan to be at home praying, I’ve decided. Thanks for posting.

 

[MamaD]

I doubt that I’ll be able to describe how meaningful this is to me, but I’ll try. Last year, on Thursday 03/20, I was admitted into the hospital to give birth to my 5th child. I thought for sure he’d come right away, being 5th! To my surprise, there were complications, so it was the most intense, painful labor yet. Midnight hit and a new nurse came on duty. There was a white board at the foot of my bed and she drew three crosses. She was sent directly from God! Her gesture touched my heart. I suffered until just before the hour of mercy, when a beautiful new life came into the world. I’m not for a second trying to equate my pain with that of Jesus, but offering it up and finding symbolism in my own life was so profound. I’ll NEVER forget what a gift if was for the Lord to bless me with my own suffering and joy on Good Friday 2008. He was right beside me the whole time!