Mar. 21, 2008, 01:24 PM
Today is the Catholic holiday Good Friday. Anyone here observe the holiday?
For those unaware of what this day is ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday
For those unaware of what this day is ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday
Quote:
The Roman Catholic Church treats Good Friday as a fast day, which in the Latin Rite Church is defined as only having one large meal (but still smaller than a regular meal) and two collations (small ones not equaling the large one). In the United States, it is not a day of rest from work; people work until shortly before the beginning of the afternoon liturgy. In Latin America, all Roman Catholics rest from work on Good Friday (as well as Holy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper).
Crucifix prepared for veneration on Good Friday.
The Roman Rite afternoon liturgy - held around 3 p.m., the time Christ is said in the Bible to have died, in those countries where Good Friday is a public holiday - involves a series of readings and meditations, as well as the (sung) reading of the Passion account from the Gospel of John which is often read dramatically, with the priest, one or more readers, and the congregation all taking part. In the traditional Latin liturgy, the Passion is read by the priest facing the altar, with three deacons chanting in the sanctuary facing the people. Unlike Roman Catholic services on other days, the Good Friday liturgy is not a Mass as it lacks the consecration, the central element to the Mass, and in fact, celebration of Mass on Good Friday is forbidden; unlike the Eastern Churches, the feast of the Annunciation is moved to the week after Easter if it should fall on Good Friday. Eucharist consecrated the night before (Holy Thursday) may be distributed (otherwise, it is only available as viaticum for the dying) in a portion of the service called the Mass of the Presanctified. The violet draping is removed from a Crucifix (not required to be the same one which is on or near the altar at other times of the year) with the people given an opportunity to venerate it. The services also include a long series of formal intercessions. The solemnity and somberness of the occasion has led to a phenomenon whereby in the course of history the liturgical provisions have a tendency to persist without substantial modification, even over the centuries. In some countries, such as Malta, Italy, Philippines and Spain, processions with statues representing the Passion of Christ are held. Churches holding to the Latin Rite may hold a service from midday to 3.00 known as the Three Hours' Agony.
In Polish churches, a tableau of Christ's Tomb is unveiled in the sanctuary. Many of the faithful spend long hours into the night grieving at the Tomb, where it is customary to kiss the wounds on the Lord's body. A life-size figure of Christ lying in his tomb is widely visited by the faithful, especially on Holy Saturday. The tableaux may include flowers, candles, figures of angels standing watch, and the three crosses atop Mt Calvary, and much more. Each parish strives to come up with the most artistically and religiously evocative arrangement in which the Blessed Sacrament, draped in a filmy veil, is prominently displayed.
Crucifix prepared for veneration on Good Friday.
The Roman Rite afternoon liturgy - held around 3 p.m., the time Christ is said in the Bible to have died, in those countries where Good Friday is a public holiday - involves a series of readings and meditations, as well as the (sung) reading of the Passion account from the Gospel of John which is often read dramatically, with the priest, one or more readers, and the congregation all taking part. In the traditional Latin liturgy, the Passion is read by the priest facing the altar, with three deacons chanting in the sanctuary facing the people. Unlike Roman Catholic services on other days, the Good Friday liturgy is not a Mass as it lacks the consecration, the central element to the Mass, and in fact, celebration of Mass on Good Friday is forbidden; unlike the Eastern Churches, the feast of the Annunciation is moved to the week after Easter if it should fall on Good Friday. Eucharist consecrated the night before (Holy Thursday) may be distributed (otherwise, it is only available as viaticum for the dying) in a portion of the service called the Mass of the Presanctified. The violet draping is removed from a Crucifix (not required to be the same one which is on or near the altar at other times of the year) with the people given an opportunity to venerate it. The services also include a long series of formal intercessions. The solemnity and somberness of the occasion has led to a phenomenon whereby in the course of history the liturgical provisions have a tendency to persist without substantial modification, even over the centuries. In some countries, such as Malta, Italy, Philippines and Spain, processions with statues representing the Passion of Christ are held. Churches holding to the Latin Rite may hold a service from midday to 3.00 known as the Three Hours' Agony.
In Polish churches, a tableau of Christ's Tomb is unveiled in the sanctuary. Many of the faithful spend long hours into the night grieving at the Tomb, where it is customary to kiss the wounds on the Lord's body. A life-size figure of Christ lying in his tomb is widely visited by the faithful, especially on Holy Saturday. The tableaux may include flowers, candles, figures of angels standing watch, and the three crosses atop Mt Calvary, and much more. Each parish strives to come up with the most artistically and religiously evocative arrangement in which the Blessed Sacrament, draped in a filmy veil, is prominently displayed.