How long is Good Friday Service - what happens?

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Tulitas said:
Then communion and leave in silence.
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In many places there is an interesting custom after communion and before leaving: procession and veneration of the dead body of Jesus.

We left the church after communion to form a procession, carrying the dead body of t he Lord around the church building in a cart. Then we returned and the dead body was taken out of the cart, taken out of the make shift glass coffin and was placed in the center where we had the cross venerated just minutes ago. Then the faithful lined up again to venerate and kiss the bloody statue of our dead Lord. Well, it was a humbling experience to say the least.

The whole service thus lasted over about one and a half hour. The we left in silence.
 
Today our noon Good Friday Service was 1 hour and 36 minutes.

The priest and the three deacons who served all prostrated themselves on the different sides of our square altar (which is in the center of the church.) We had a sung Passion reading. I did not time it but in past years it has taken about 20 minutes.

We have one large cross which the congregation comes forth to venerate. It’s big enough that more than one person can do so at a time. After the ambulatory people are finished two of the deacons carry the cross to those who are less able bodied.

We have living stations of the cross after the service and a few of those who would be participating were already in costume. It was kind of strange to see Roman centurions going forward for communion. It would have been even stranger had “Jesus” gone up for communion however “Jesus” was singing in the choir one person over from me and did not dress for his part until after the Good Friday service had concluded.
 
You may add one hour before the mass for the Stations of the Cross and the Last Seven Words of Jesus.
 
semper_catholicus said:
2:WHAT!!!??!??!? There was Precious Blood left over??!!?!? That is not supposed to happen at all. Was it reserved in the Tabernacle at the Altar of Repose?
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When he took the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose last night he placed two vessels in the Tabernacle. Both had lids so I thought there were two ciboria, something that didn’t surprise me, I’ve seen that often when Hosts weren’t consumed before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

He brought two vessels to the altar at Communion. I again thought they were two ciboria so I was very surprised to see him drink. I can only assume he reserved some Precious Blood and put a lid on the chalice to keep anything out. But I am going to ask him next time I have a chance.
 
By all means, please do ask him!

The Precious Blood is supposed to be consumed at Communion time during a mass; there should NEVER be any left over.
 
Normally, our people are quite the noisy type as well. However, on Holy Thursday (after the transfer to the place of repose and adoration in our chapel which is by the exit doors) and Good Friday, the priest will quietly and reverently ask the people to leave in total silence until outside. Also, our church is modern in style and we have two projection screens on both sides of the Sanctuary which are used for songs, leadership in responses and acclamations. For these 2 nights, it is written to “please exit the church in silence and take all conversations outside the church building as others stay in prayer.” And, they do.
 
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