Mass and Good Friday

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I’ve heard doing the Triduum adds up to something like 15 hours of church. Is that true? How long does each observane take?
  • Holy Thursday - hour - evening Mass (celebration of The Last Supper and the Eucharist)
  • Good Friday - hour (noon Mass) (Jesus’ Passion)
Easter Vigil - 2.5 to 3 hours (Bonfire, Easter Candle, Multiple Readings (5 or more) in a darkened Church, Immersion Baptism of Adults, 1st Eucharist, Confirmation )
  • Easter Day - hour (Mass at specific times)
 
What is “adoration of the cross?”
Also referred to as the “veneration of the Cross”, this is an ancient component of the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion. We acclaim the Cross as the true Tree of Life, for the fruit borne from it is no less than Christ, Himself.

After the General Intercessions, the veiled cross is either carried to the altar or the priest (or deacon) goes to the door of the church and uncovers the cross. Depending on which form is used, the priest (or deacon) chants:

This is the wood of the cross, on whic hhung the Savior of the world.

We respond: Come, let us worship.

This is done three times. Then, two ministers (altar servers) will hold the cross. The priest is the first to venerate it, then the deacon, then everyone else. We make some form of simple reverence (genuflection, kiss) and then return to our seats. While this is going on, the choir traditionally chants what is called the Reproaches.
 
Also referred to as the “veneration of the Cross”, this is an ancient component of the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion. We acclaim the Cross as the true Tree of Life, for the fruit borne from it is no less than Christ, Himself.

After the General Intercessions, the veiled cross is either carried to the altar or the priest (or deacon) goes to the door of the church and uncovers the cross. Depending on which form is used, the priest (or deacon) chants:

This is the wood of the cross, on whic hhung the Savior of the world.

We respond: Come, let us worship.

This is done three times. Then, two ministers (altar servers) will hold the cross. The priest is the first to venerate it, then the deacon, then everyone else. We make some form of simple reverence (genuflection, kiss) and then return to our seats. While this is going on, the choir traditionally chants what is called the Reproaches.
Awesome. I can’t wait!
 
Please, enlighten me, what is the difference between Eucharist and Communion?? If we are receiving pre-consecrated Hosts, what is the difference between today’s service and a Mass? I missed a whole lot of my catechism and Vatican II changed what I did learn, so there’s a lot of stuff I need to understand.

We used the term Communion when I was a child, so I guess I’ve always thought the 2 terms were interchangeable.

And why don’t we have the Blood on Good Friday?
 
Please, enlighten me, what is the difference between Eucharist and Communion?? If we are receiving pre-consecrated Hosts, what is the difference between today’s service and a Mass? I missed a whole lot of my catechism and Vatican II changed what I did learn, so there’s a lot of stuff I need to understand.

We used the term Communion when I was a child, so I guess I’ve always thought the 2 terms were interchangeable.

And why don’t we have the Blood on Good Friday?
Eucharist and Communion are the same. The difference between the Good Friday Liturgy and Mass is that there is no consecration, no prayers over the bread and wine, it was already consecrated last night at Mass. So the liturgy skips all the Eucharistic Prayers, it goes from the Veneration of the Cross straight to the Our Father and receiving Communion.

We don’t receive from the cup because we are not allowed to reserve the Blood, just the Hosts, and since there is no consecration, no new wine can be used.
 
we didn’t celebrate the Eucharist today at all, noone recieved neither the host nor wine. The cross was also veiled, and then later they carried the cross to the altar where it was uncovered and we sang the words. Then after that, we lined up to kneel in front of the cross instead of going to communion. I see ya’ll are doing it different. I hope my church isn’t doing it wrong? :confused:
 
we didn’t celebrate the Eucharist today at all, none recieved neither the host nor wine. The cross was also veiled, and then later they carried the cross to the altar where it was uncovered and we sang the words. Then after that, we lined up to kneel in front of the cross instead of going to communion. I see ya’ll are doing it different. I hope my church isn’t doing it wrong? :confused:
I don’t understand why there are comments that the Church doesn’t “want” us to refrain from communion. Good Friday service typically offers the pre-consecrated Eucharist however I personally don’t agree with distribution on this day unless someone can convince me otherwise. Obviously there are parish pastors that agree with me or there wouldn’t be examples as we see in the quoted text. The Eucharist is consecrated and is the living body of Christ in respect to it’s being consecrated at the Holy Thursday mass. However in accord with the text noted below, the life giving bread and blood of our Lord is withour separation from the death and ressurection of our Lord. Since there is no ressurection in the Triduum existing after the crucifixion until Easter Vigil (which qualifies for receiving the Eucharist because it embodies the anticipation of the resurrection as the Vigil or simply an evening mass with the sun down in anticipation of the new day), then there does not exist the fullness of the sacrifice. Furthermore, the anticipation of receiving the body of Christ and coming into full union with Him in the sacrament on the day of his ressurection then becomes all the more complete and restores our hope.

(text from the CCC part 2 section 2)
1359 The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death
and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise
in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in
humanity.

I would appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings,
Shaun
 
I don’t understand why there are comments that the Church doesn’t “want” us to refrain from communion. Good Friday service typically offers the pre-consecrated Eucharist however I personally don’t agree with distribution on this day unless someone can convince me otherwise. Obviously there are parish pastors that agree with me or there wouldn’t be examples as we see in the quoted text. The Eucharist is consecrated and is the living body of Christ in respect to it’s being consecrated at the Holy Thursday mass. However in accord with the text noted below, the life giving bread and blood of our Lord is withour separation from the death and ressurection of our Lord. Since there is no ressurection in the Triduum existing after the crucifixion until Easter Vigil (which qualifies for receiving the Eucharist because it embodies the anticipation of the resurrection as the Vigil or simply an evening mass with the sun down in anticipation of the new day), then there does not exist the fullness of the sacrifice. Furthermore, the anticipation of receiving the body of Christ and coming into full union with Him in the sacrament on the day of his ressurection then becomes all the more complete and restores our hope.

(text from the CCC part 2 section 2)
1359 The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death
and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise
in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in
humanity.

I would appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings,
Shaun
The Church gives us the ritual for Good Friday and it includes Communion, so obviously the Church does not want us to abstain from Communion or she would just omit that from the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.

Those priests who just have the Veneration of the Cross think they know better than the Church. They are being disobedient and need to change their ways.
 
Eucharist and Communion are the same. The difference between the Good Friday Liturgy and Mass is that there is no consecration, no prayers over the bread and wine, it was already consecrated last night at Mass. So the liturgy skips all the Eucharistic Prayers, it goes from the Veneration of the Cross straight to the Our Father and receiving Communion.

We don’t receive from the cup because we are not allowed to reserve the Blood, just the Hosts, and since there is no consecration, no new wine can be used.
What is the reason that the Blood cannot be held? Does it need refrigeration or something?? (not trying to be irreverent, I promise!)

:confused:
 
I attended the Good Friday service today. It was about 1.5 hours or so.

We had the Liturgy of the Word including the reading of the Passion from St John’s Gospel, a short homily and the prayers of the faithful.

Then we had the Veneration of the Cross. The priest and a male parishioner carried the large cross from the back to the front of the church due to its size. After they placed in the holder thing, the priest invited the congregation to venerate the cross. Most people touched it, and many did kiss it also.

Finally, we had Holy Communion after reciting the Our Father and exchanging the Sign of Peace.
 
I don’t understand why there are comments that the Church doesn’t “want” us to refrain from communion. Good Friday service typically offers the pre-consecrated Eucharist however I personally don’t agree with distribution on this day unless someone can convince me otherwise. Obviously there are parish pastors that agree with me or there wouldn’t be examples as we see in the quoted text. The Eucharist is consecrated and is the living body of Christ in respect to it’s being consecrated at the Holy Thursday mass. However in accord with the text noted below, the life giving bread and blood of our Lord is withour separation from the death and ressurection of our Lord. Since there is no ressurection in the Triduum existing after the crucifixion until Easter Vigil (which qualifies for receiving the Eucharist because it embodies the anticipation of the resurrection as the Vigil or simply an evening mass with the sun down in anticipation of the new day), then there does not exist the fullness of the sacrifice. Furthermore, the anticipation of receiving the body of Christ and coming into full union with Him in the sacrament on the day of his ressurection then becomes all the more complete and restores our hope.

(text from the CCC part 2 section 2)
1359 The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death
and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise
in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in
humanity.

I would appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings,
Shaun
I’ll agree with the premise that without Mass, communion has no meaning. Communion requires Mass.

In fact, even the tabernacle is supposed to be devoid of all consecrated hosts on Good Friday, so why bring them into the same place? That seems to be contrary to the purpose.
 
I attended the Good Friday service today. It was about 1.5 hours or so.

We had the Liturgy of the Word including the reading of the Passion from St John’s Gospel, a short homily and the prayers of the faithful.

Then we had the Veneration of the Cross. The priest and a male parishioner carried the large cross from the back to the front of the church due to its size. After they placed in the holder thing, the priest invited the congregation to venerate the cross. Most people touched it, and many did kiss it also.

Finally, we had Holy Communion after reciting the Our Father and exchanging the Sign of Peace.
Not supposed to be a sign of peace on Good Friday.
 
What is the reason that the Blood cannot be held? Does it need refrigeration or something?? (not trying to be irreverent, I promise!)

:confused:
This is less true in modern times, I think, than in the past, but wine can spoil and turn to vinegar rather quickly under some conditions. If memory serves, under certain circumstances which I think require the bishop’s permission the Precious Blood can be reserved (in a closed container) to take as viaticum to someone who is unable to receive in the form of bread. Other than that, the Blood is always consumed at Mass to prevent the possibility of spoilage.
 
I’ll agree with the premise that without Mass, communion has no meaning. Communion requires Mass.
.
Well, by taking Holy Communion to the housebound, the Church seems happy to separate HC from the Mass - or rather, the Mass is continued in the act of taking HC to the suffering. There does not need to be a direct relationshp in time between HC and the saying of Mass. HC can be given on a Wednesday from Hosts consecrated the previous Sunday, for instance.

So, having granted that principle, there is no reason to object to HC on Good Friday.

The other point I would like to make is that the Resurrection happened. Yes, we recall and mourn Christ’s Passion in a most immediate way on Good Friday, but the truth remains that we are an Easter People. Because Easter Sunday happened, we have the church and the Sacraments. There is no reason to deny the existence of Holy Communion just because of a date on the calendar. We cannot fixate on the past, we have been called to move forward, to go out to all nations and proclaim the Gospel.
 
Well, by taking Holy Communion to the housebound, the Church seems happy to separate HC from the Mass - or rather, the Mass is continued in the act of taking HC to the suffering. There does not need to be a direct relationshp in time between HC and the saying of Mass. HC can be given on a Wednesday from Hosts consecrated the previous Sunday, for instance.

So, having granted that principle, there is no reason to object to HC on Good Friday.

The other point I would like to make is that the Resurrection happened. Yes, we recall and mourn Christ’s Passion in a most immediate way on Good Friday, but the truth remains that we are an Easter People. Because Easter Sunday happened, we have the church and the Sacraments. There is no reason to deny the existence of Holy Communion just because of a date on the calendar. We cannot fixate on the past, we have been called to move forward, to go out to all nations and proclaim the Gospel.
Of course we are and your right that we have no reason to object to HC. Why the decision that the Eucharist be void from the tabernacle on GF then? Do you know the origin of that decision?

Also because the resurrection happened and everything about our church was instituted, doesn’t it make some sense to fully participate in the remembrance of the passion with the knowledge that our hope will be fully restored in just a few days? If nothing else to highlight a separation from the routine. It just doesn’t seem appropriate to receive, it appears to me completely out of place that day. But in brotherhood if the pastors offer HC in the future, we will participate of course.
 
Well, by taking Holy Communion to the housebound, the Church seems happy to separate HC from the Mass
That’s fine but there are specific instructions to remove all consecrated hosts from the tabernacle on Good Friday. To me, that means out of the area. Sounds rude, I know, but I didn’t write the rules. What’s the message when they are being brought back closer to the tabernacle and in full view? Confusing, to say the least. Seems if they really intended to distribute commonion on Good Friday, they would make the consecrated hosts more easily accessible, don’t you agree?
 
I don’t understand why there are comments that the Church doesn’t “want” us to refrain from communion. Good Friday service typically offers the pre-consecrated Eucharist however I personally don’t agree with distribution on this day unless someone can convince me otherwise. Obviously there are parish pastors that agree with me or there wouldn’t be examples as we see in the quoted text. The Eucharist is consecrated and is the living body of Christ in respect to it’s being consecrated at the Holy Thursday mass. However in accord with the text noted below, the life giving bread and blood of our Lord is withour separation from the death and ressurection of our Lord. Since there is no ressurection in the Triduum existing after the crucifixion until Easter Vigil (which qualifies for receiving the Eucharist because it embodies the anticipation of the resurrection as the Vigil or simply an evening mass with the sun down in anticipation of the new day), then there does not exist the fullness of the sacrifice. Furthermore, the anticipation of receiving the body of Christ and coming into full union with Him in the sacrament on the day of his ressurection then becomes all the more complete and restores our hope.

(text from the CCC part 2 section 2)
1359 The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death
and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise
in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in
humanity.

I would appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings,
Shaun
Thank you for your feedback. I totally agree with you. We don’t celebrate mass but have a prayer service where we remember his crucification and the Lords’ passion on Good Friday. We celebrate his resurrection on Sunday so there should be no communion until Easter Sunday in my opinion. On Good Friday the Tabernacle was cleared and the consegrated hosts were displaced for Eucharistic adoration. Only during that partiular time from holy Thursday after mass till Saturday I can look into the Tabernacle that is normally always closed. It feels like as if we were anticipating his resurrection on the third day.
The Church gives us the ritual for Good Friday and it includes Communion, so obviously the Church does not want us to abstain from Communion or she would just omit that from the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.

Those priests who just have the Veneration of the Cross think they know better than the Church. They are being disobedient and need to change their ways.
It would be good to know how they do it over there in Rome this weekend. They should definately know.
edit: I know a girl from Italy and I’m going to ask her next week, maybe she remembers how they did it.
 
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