Proper Activities for Good Friday

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justwondering38

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Hello,

As a young Roman Catholic, I am in deep confusion about what proper activities for Good Friday would be. I plan on watching Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ (which is equivalent to watching the Stations of the Cross, I believe). I also plan on attending mid-day Mass.

Aside from fasting and the other necessities, are there any other restrictions about what we should and should not do on Good Friday?

As a college student, I have not had any time off from my studies until the day of Good Friday. A few of my good friends have planned a small get-together for this day, and I would like to know if it would be suitable to attend such event. There will be no excessive drinking, smoking, or the like. It is solely an innocent party to begin the next weeks of examinations. My friends are not all Catholics (some are), so nor is it a get-together to reflect on Jesus’s sacrifice for us.

However, since I will be spending the entire day fasting and reflecting, I was wondering if it would be against Church teaching to attend this get-together in the evening, or not.

Thank you,
Kristina
 
There are no set guidelines as to how best to observe Good Friday, though just a reminder that it is a day of abstinence from meat as well as fasting.

Most churches will have a service at 3pm, the hour of Our Lord’s death, which you may wish to attend.

Watching The Passion also sounds like an excellent way to observe the day.

Beyond these limits, it sounds sensible to take time to relax after your studies so the party, if it’s not too rowdy, would be fine. After all, people do have birthdays and anniversaries on the day and hopefully celebrate them too.
 
We plan on watching The Passion of the Christ as well. Of course we’ll be abstaining from meat and go to mass. We also attend the Holy Thursday Mass. The altar will be stripped bare. Crosses are removed or covered.
The Eucharist will be placed in an altar of repose, and most churches are open for silent adoration.
catholicculture.org/lit/calendar/day.cfm?date=2006-04-13

It’s a very somber moment.
 
Actually, there is no Mass on Good Friday. There is a Communion service, with Hosts that were consecrated at the Maundy Thursday Mass.
 
lak611 said:
Actually, there is no Mass on Good Friday. There is a Communion service, with Hosts that were consecrated at the Maundy Thursday Mass.
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Thank you for telling us.
I am still learning about my religion. 🙂
 
No socialising of any kind? :eek:

I guess the good Father is right, you do have other chances to socialise (and without the fasting and abstinence cramping your style either!)
 
traditionally Good Friday is the most “extreme” day of fasting, prayer and penance of the entire year. attending the church service at noon or 3 o’clock, stations of the Cross, meditation with a Gospel account of the Passion (if this is assisted by watching a good movie, that would be acceptable), prayer. This is a day of both fast and abstinence. Social gatherings and parties are not really appropriate for Catholics on this day, and in any case hard to manage on one of the only 2 fast days in the calendar. A period of silence between noon and 3 is a traditional discipline, not required but beneficial. Since this party falls during the time we commemorate Jesus in the tomb, and during the Paschal fast, it is not good timing.
 
justwondering38 said:
Hello,

As a young Roman Catholic, I am in deep confusion about what proper activities for Good Friday would be. I plan on watching Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ (which is equivalent to watching the Stations of the Cross, I believe). I also plan on attending mid-day Mass.

Aside from fasting and the other necessities, are there any other restrictions about what we should and should not do on Good Friday?

As a college student, I have not had any time off from my studies until the day of Good Friday. A few of my good friends have planned a small get-together for this day, and I would like to know if it would be suitable to attend such event. There will be no excessive drinking, smoking, or the like. It is solely an innocent party to begin the next weeks of examinations. My friends are not all Catholics (some are), so nor is it a get-together to reflect on Jesus’s sacrifice for us.

However, since I will be spending the entire day fasting and reflecting, I was wondering if it would be against Church teaching to attend this get-together in the evening, or not.

Thank you,
Kristina
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There is no mandate about what we should do other than fast and abstinence.

However, keep in mind that whatever you do will benefit you. Whatever you don’t do, won’t hurt you, but will not advance you spiritually. Also, I would think it’d be a lot harder to fast at a party than it would spending your time in solitude.

You’ll have to decide what’s more important to you.
Self-discipline isn’t easy.

Jim
 
I understand Father Serpa’s response, but we have to remember that he is not infallible.

As LilyM said, what if it is someone’s birthday or wedding anniversary on this day? Should they not celebrate it?

You are making it seem as though we should not even be happy or smile on this day-- and that we should spend our time in sorrow and frowning.
I agree that we should be thankful and reverent for the sacrifice Jesus made for us, but at the same time, we should be happy that he did this, and that we can be saved.
I’m sure you don’t all sit alone on Good Friday and pray, and that you do spend time with your families. What is the difference between spending time with family or spending time with friends?

JimR-OCDS said self-discipline isn’t easy. And I agree, it would require a lot of self-discipline to fast at the get-together, and that is something which I can achieve.

I will be spending the entire morning/afternoon fasting, praying, and attending midday Mass.
 
justwondering38 said:
I understand Father Serpa’s response, but we have to remember that he is not infallible.

As LilyM said, what if it is someone’s birthday or wedding anniversary on this day? Should they not celebrate it?

You are making it seem as though we should not even be happy or smile on this day-- and that we should spend our time in sorrow and frowning.
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I don’t think anyone is telling you what you should or should not do. It’s your decision and you’re right, if Good Friday was on some one’s birthday, (I doubt anyone gets married on Good Friday), there is nothing wrong about attending. Just keep in perspective what Good Friday is about. I know what mood such reflection puts me in, and partying isn’t one of them.

I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind and you’re looking for confirmation, rather than hearing any form of disagreement.

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
I don’t think anyone is telling you what you should or should not do. It’s your decision and you’re right, if Good Friday was on some one’s birthday, (I doubt anyone gets married on Good Friday), there is nothing wrong about attending. Just keep in perspective what Good Friday is about. I know what mood such reflection puts me in, and partying isn’t one of them.

I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind and you’re looking for confirmation, rather than hearing any form of disagreement.
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Nobody has to get married on Good Friday (it’s not a set day in April), and your wedding anniversary could land on a Friday which happens to be Good Friday.
I haven’t made up my mind; I just don’t agree with most of the disagreements people are giving me.

I also disagree with the use of your word “partying”. I stated before what the party will not consist of, and I believe that those things which will not happen are what most people consider partying.
This is simply socializing, and relaxing. I have to leave UBC right after exams, and so do many of my friends, so it really is the last day for all of us. Father Serpa mentioned to have the get-together on Saturday or Sunday, but those are Easter days and when most people celebrate Easter.
 
justwondering

for some reason, this came to mind and I’m not sure what the relevance is, but I thought I’d share it.
The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta:
Code: 
          People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

        If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

        If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

        If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

        What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

        If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

        The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

     Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

     In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.
Peace
Jim
 
justwondering38 said:
Hello,

As a young Roman Catholic, I am in deep confusion about what proper activities for Good Friday would be. I plan on watching Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ
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Please don’t let me hijack your thread but can someone explain why I can’t watchin this movie!? I cannot do it. My dad watched it and said it was very hard for him. I agree with his sentiment that if he was given the opportunity to travel back and time and witness this event, he would hestiate. Not because of the meaning of the event, but the brutality of it. Which as I have heard Mel Gibson captures in extremely graphic detail.

I know its not wrong to NOT watch this movie, but after 2 years of it being available I still don’t have the stomach for this. Is that wrong? When I pray my rosary, my imagine can predict pretty good what it was like. Do I need mel gibson to tell it to me again? is this wrong!?
 
TallyCatholic said:
Please don’t let me hijack your thread but can someone explain why I can’t watchin this movie!? I cannot do it. My dad watched it and said it was very hard for him. I agree with his sentiment that if he was given the opportunity to travel back and time and witness this event, he would hestiate. Not because of the meaning of the event, but the brutality of it. Which as I have heard Mel Gibson captures in extremely graphic detail.

I know its not wrong to NOT watch this movie, but after 2 years of it being available I still don’t have the stomach for this. Is that wrong? When I pray my rosary, my imagine can predict pretty good what it was like. Do I need mel gibson to tell it to me again? is this wrong!?
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong in not watching the movie.

For myself however, I read the book first, “The Dolorous Passion of the Christ.” The depth of the book, and the movie gave a deeper understanding of the the Passion and Death of Christ.

Please don’t misunderstand me here, you don’t need to see the movie for a deeper understanding, but perhaps for me, as a person who tends to be skeptical and stubborn, this movie sent the message home, very clearly.

Jim
 
reverting to OP, there is also a question of Christian charity, and socializing (not partying, and OP does know the difference) with friends after a stressful week could very well be an act of charity. you don’t even have to mention why you are not eating or drinking, do your penances in silence and be there for your friends if you think it is important to your friendship.
 
justwondering38 said:
Aside from fasting and the other necessities, are there any other restrictions about what we should and should not do on Good Friday?
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As a 62 year old RCIA Candidate, I am scheduled to attend a 6:45 PM Veneration of the Cross. Mass follows at 7 PM, but my schedule does not make it clear if we do not attend mass at all, or get dismissed after the homily and before the eucherist. A footnote reminds us that we leave at 10 PM.

The Church newsletter also notes the following on Friday…

8 AM Morning Prayer from LOTH (I plan to attend, even if not mandated)

No Morning Mass

Noon Office of reading from LOTH (I plan to attend)

1:30 PM Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (I plan to attend)

4:30 PM Liturgia de la Passion (not attending, I don’t know Spanish)

As for anything else…fast and abstinance, of course. Lots of prayers and reading, I suppose. I’ll still have to scoop out the litter boxes.
 
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