Good Friday
No fixed feast day in the calendar
Flip the card and scan the QR code on the back to open it in the app
Jesus suffers and dies on the Cross to redeem everyone, out of love
What is this day?
Good Friday is the day the Church remembers Jesus dying on the Cross. On this day, the Church does not celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, the parish celebrates the Passion of the Lord: listening to the account of his suffering, praying for the whole world, adoring the Cross, and receiving Holy Communion from hosts consecrated the day before.
The story
On Thursday night, Jesus was arrested. On Friday morning, he was taken to the governor Pilate. Pilate found no guilt in him, but still had the soldiers scourge him. The soldiers wove a crown out of thorns, put it on his head and threw a red cloak around him to mock him (cf. Mt 27:27-29; Jn 19:1-3).
Pilate led him out for the people to see. The picture on the card is an “Ecce Homo”, Latin for “Behold the man”. This kind of picture brings together details from the Gospels: the red cloak and the reed (cf. Mt 27:28-31), and the moment Pilate presented him to the people (cf. Jn 19:1-5). Then he had to carry his Cross up the hill of Calvary, where he was crucified. At the foot of the Cross stood Mary and the disciple whom the Lord loved. Before he died, Jesus said: “It is finished.” (Jn 19:30). He bowed his head and handed over the spirit.
The card shows the Lord gently, without blood, so that you can look at him in silence and pray.
Why does the Church remember this day?
Because the death of Jesus is not a defeat, but the greatest love. He had said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15:13). Through the Cross, sins are forgiven and the gate of heaven is opened. On the third day, he will rise again.
A lesson for you
- On Good Friday, keep things quieter: less gaming and fewer movies.
- Go with your family to the afternoon liturgy and kiss the Cross.
- Every Friday of the year, remember that the Lord died for you, and make one small sacrifice.
Identifying marks
- The crown of thorns on his head: the soldiers wove a crown of thorns to mock him as a king (cf. Jn 19:2); in truth he is the King of love, who bears insults in our place.
- A red cloak around his shoulders: the soldiers’ cloak of mockery (cf. Mt 27:28), but the red also speaks of a love that gives its life.
- His hands tied with rope, holding a reed: the soldiers gave him a reed to mock him as a king (cf. Mt 27:29); Jesus freely let himself be tied up; he is gentle and does not fight back.
- A sad but peaceful face, looking straight at you: he suffers for you and is asking whether you love him.
- A stone archway and the faint shadows of Roman soldiers behind: the courtyard of the governor Pilate, where the Lord was shown to the crowd.
The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Compiled by i-Catholic · About