Good Friday services

[gmoakes]

Is the service on Good Friday a Mass or a Communion service using the Body of Christ consecrated the day before at Holy Thursday Mass? If it is a communion service, we would not need to have cup ministered scheduled, correct since we don’t save the Blood of Christ after Mass?

 

[duskyjewel]

It is not a Mass. As far as I know, Mass is not allowed after Holy Thursday and before The Easter Vigil.

 

[SMHW]

Correct. It is not a Mass so there would be no need for anyone to offer the Precious Blood.

 

[benedictgal]

Paschale Solemnitatis, the Circular Letter releaed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments which governs Holy Week and Lent, has this to say 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.

Enough hosts should be consecrated during the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper so that the faithful may receive Communion on Good Friday, and so that the Eucharist may be brought to the sick.

I hope this helps.

 

[gmoakes]

Thank you all for clarifying what I thought was correct. Someone included cup ministers in our new EM schedule for Holy Week on Good Friday and I wanted to be sure before I mentioned it.
Thanks!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Is the service on Good Friday a Mass or a Communion service using the Body of Christ consecrated the day before at Holy Thursday Mass? If it is a communion service, we would not need to have cup ministered scheduled, correct since we don’t save the Blood of Christ after Mass?

That is correct Holy Communion is only distributed under ONE form on Good Friday. It is refered to in the Eastern Church as the “Mass of the Pre-Sanctified” but is not actually a Divine Liturgy with a Consecration. It is a devotional liturgy with Holy Communion, not a Mass.