Good Friday April 3 The Passion of the Lord
Morning Prayer 8am | 12pm Teen Living Stations of the Cross | 3pm The Passion of the Lord | 7pm Stations of the Cross in Spanish
Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Church year, a day of fasting, reflection, and deep reverence as we commemorate the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. It is the only day of the year when the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated, reminding us of the profound silence and sorrow that fell over the world at Christ’s crucifixion.
The day opens with Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m., continues with the Living Stations of the Cross at 12:00 p.m., and culminates in the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m., the hour of Christ’s death, which will be livestreamed. The day culminates with the Spanish Stations of the Cross in Spanish at 7pm.
The main liturgy of Good Friday is solemn and reflective—there is no entrance procession, and instead of a traditional Mass, the Passion of the Lord is proclaimed, and the Eucharist, consecrated on Holy Thursday, is distributed.
A defining moment of the Good Friday service is the Veneration of the Cross, when the faithful are invited to come forward to venerate the wood of the Cross, a powerful act of love and gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. Another unique aspect is the Solemn Intercessions, a series of prayers offered for the Church, the world, and all in need of God’s mercy, uniting Catholics everywhere in a spirit of hope and intercession.
Good Friday is a day of stillness and awe—a time to stand at the foot of the Cross with Mary and John, to gaze upon the suffering Christ, and to contemplate the depths of His love. As we journey through this sacred day, may our hearts be opened to the mystery of redemption and the promise of Resurrection that awaits.
Every year on Good Friday, a collection is taken up in Catholic Churches to support the work of the Franciscans serving in the Holy Land. Christians there rely deeply on this worldwide support.
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is part of a global network that connects Christians here with the needs of the Holy Land. From Washington, D.C., they help coordinate this vital mission of care and support.
The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land are entrusted with caring for the sacred places and for the “Living Stones”—the Christian faithful who live there today. Your support helps sustain a Christian presence in the very land made holy by the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
Tap here donate online or give during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 PM, where a basket will be available in the narthex.
Please Note: Parish Office Closures on 4/3 and 4/6- In observance of these sacred days, the Parish Offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6. Regular office hours willresume on Tuesday, April 7. We encourage everyone to take this time to enter more fully into prayer and reflection as we journey through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord.
Holy Saturday, April 4 The Vigil of Light & Resurrection
Morning Prayer 8am | Blessing of Food & Easter Baskets 12pm | Easter Vigil with Adult Baptism 8pm
Holy Saturday is a day of quiet anticipation, a sacred pause between the sorrow of the Cross and the joy of the Resurrection.
As an ancient homily proclaims,
“There is a great silence on earth today, a great stillness, silence because the King is asleep. God has died in the flesh, and hell trembles with fear.” We begin the day with
Morning Prayer at 8 am, embracing the stillness as we await the triumph of Christ.
At 12pm, we gather for the Blessing of Food and Easter Baskets, a beautiful tradition with deep roots in Eastern European Catholicism, particularly in Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Families bring baskets filled with symbolic foods—bread for Christ’s body, eggs for new life, and meats and dairy to celebrate the end of Lenten fasting. This custom, dating back centuries, reflects the joy and gratitude of the Resurrection, as families prepare to break their Lenten fast with a meal blessed in God’s name.
The pinnacle of this day is the Easter Vigil at 8pm, the most beautiful and solemn liturgy of the entire Church year. It will be livestreamed, and incense will be used at this liturgy. It is the culmination of the Triduum and the glorious beginning of the Easter celebration. The Vigil must begin after sunset, symbolizing the transition from death to new life. Outside the church, a fire is kindled, and from it, the Paschal candle is lit—the light of Christ breaking through the darkness. This flame is then shared, spreading from candle to candle throughout the church, illuminating the gathered faithful.
The Liturgy of the Word unfolds in darkness, revealing through a series of readings how salvation history, from Creation to Christ, finds its fulfillment in the Resurrection.
The Liturgy of Baptism follows, welcoming new members into the Church as catechumens receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and their first Holy Communion, embracing the fullness of life in Christ.
The Easter Vigil is a liturgy of unparalleled joy, filled with triumphant hymns and the long-awaited return of the Alleluia. On this sacred night, we proclaim with one voice: Christ is risen! He is truly risen! Let us enter into this holy celebration with hearts ready to rejoice, for the light of the Risen Christ has conquered the darkness forever.