Good Friday Disparity

[hopefull]

I have received two different versions of what is or is not appropriate for the Liturgy on Good Friday. I am in a cluster of 6 churches, and our church after many decades did not have a Good Friday Liturgy because none of 5 priests and 4 deacons was willing to do the service . Two other churches (30 miles round trip) did have a 3PM service. Some of us wanted to have one of our Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, who is already approved by the bishop to do communion services, actully do the communion service on Good Friday and lead the readings but the pastor said that only a priest or deacon can do the Good Friday liturgy. We aren’t sure…

Then my sister told me that she went to Mass [Edit] in NYC and a woman in a “long white robe” led all the liturgy from behind the altar while the pastor sat in the pew. She said that this is how the readings were done, with the priest only as a pew participant. Also, she said that at the Communion service the woman “presider” brought out flagons of Precious Blood as well as the consecrated hosts, and provided Communion under both species. This doesn’t even sound appropriate, and of course if very different from what we were told in our own parish could or could not be done. With such different “versions” I am at a loss…could someone please tell me what is permitted in this regard or not? Thank you.

 

[THurifer2]

Iflagons of Precious Blood as well as the consecrated hosts, .

This is an impossibility. Where did she get the precious blood? No Mass on Good Friday means no precious blood? Even if there were mass on Good Friday there is still a strange question. Where would one get precious blood? In the holy precious blood barrell? SInce this woman cannot Consecrate Wine in to the precious blood, where pray tell did she get the precious blood? Did they keep it in a big jug behind the altar as leftoers from Holy thursday? I am certain this is not permitted.

 

[hopefull]

What I am told is that she and others went out “back” and brought the flagons in, and the Communion distribution was done with the consecrated hosts just as would be done at Mass. She did NOT attempt to do a consecration…but apparently the Precious Blood seemed to have been saved from the Holy Thursday Mass the evening before. I didn’t think this was permitted either. I also am interested in knowing if only a priest or deacon can preside over the Good Friday liturgy. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Bobby_Jim]

I remember my parents mentioning a few years ago that their church “reserved” some of the Precious Blood from Holy Thursday along with the consecrated hosts. This is a grave violation, and should never happen. The Precious Blood is never reserved, not in a tabernacle or anywhere else.

I don’t know about the rules for Good Friday service in absence of a priest or deacon, but the “long white robe” sounds like an alb, which AFAIK is fine for any baptized Catholic, man or woman, lay or cleric.

 

[LilyM]

I remember my parents mentioning a few years ago that their church “reserved” some of the Precious Blood from Holy Thursday along with the consecrated hosts. This is a grave violation, and should never happen. The Precious Blood is never reserved, not in a tabernacle or anywhere else.

I don’t know about the rules for Good Friday service in absence of a priest or deacon, but the “long white robe” sounds like an alb, which AFAIK is fine for any baptized Catholic, man or woman, lay or cleric.

Yup, anyone can wear the alb, but it is highly irregular both that a layperson would lead while a priest was present to do so, and that Precious Blood would be reserved and brought out on Good Friday in this way.

 

[stbruno]

Shame on that priest sitting there. The Triduum is the highest feast days of the liturgical year and yet he doesn’t actively participate. Agreeably, no precious blood ever is allowed to be reserved unless it is being taken to a dying person who cannot receive the Body of Christ. due to swallowing reasons.

Our deacon has frequently been the primary celebrant for our Good Friday liturgy and he did an amazing and prayerful job.

Pray for our priests and deacons! Also pray for women who are confused in their desires to become priests. There is room in the church for everyone, but there can only be one bridegroom to the church and women do not fulfill that job description.