Good Friday is a solemn day.
There is no Mass on Good Friday. Instead we have a service called the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, where we read again about the suffering and death of Jesus from one of the Gospels. One of the main things we do is to adore the cross of Jesus, by kissing it. Why do we do that?
Well, although it is a symbol of suffering, we know that the cross was the way God chose to save us. That’s why we call this day “Good”, even though it was a sad day. We know that his death was not the end of the story….And kissing the cross shows our love of Jesus and expresses our thanks for his sacrifice.
The most sacred hours during Good Friday are from 12 noon to 3:00 pm, because this is when we believe Jesus was on the cross. They’re sometimes known as the three hours of agony. On this solemn day, you may like to do something to help you think of Jesus. Try and hold a silence in your home (to the best of your ability). Turn off phones, TV, and other devices. Maybe you could pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary, read from the Bible, or quietly draw or colour a religious picture, to help you meditate on the suffering and death of Jesus.
There will be the Children’s Stations of the Cross at 12 pm at St Joseph’s, Bishop’s Stortford, and also a 3pm Service at St Joseph’s or at Most Holy Redeemer, Sawbridgeworth. Or your family might like to come and pray in church at another time or watch on live-stream.
