Welcome to the second celebration of the Sacred Paschal Triduum. Remember that Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil comprise the one continuous liturgy in which we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Good Friday is the one day in the whole year when the Catholic Church does NOT celebrate Mass. At last night’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the priest consecrated enough hosts to serve Communion for the both the Holy Thursday assembly and the Good Friday assembly. Those hosts were brought in solemn procession to the Altar or Chapel of Repose, and that opportunity of prayer with our Eucharistic Lord is among the most cherished times of the whole liturgical year.
At midnight, the Place of Reposition was closed and the Blessed Sacrament was brought to the sacristy. The church building is now void of the Eucharistic presence of Christ – the only time in the year when this happens. This creates a deliberate off-kilter atmosphere in the church, which is amplified by the barren altar, the lack of a lit sanctuary lamp, and no water in the holy water fonts. Good Friday is definitely a very different day, and rightfully so.
The Good Friday liturgy has three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. It begins not with an Entrance Chant, but with silent prayer.
The First Reading from Isaiah is arguably the most emotionally moving reading of the year. Taken from later or Deutero-Isaiah, this chapter 52 is the song of the Suffering Servant. Scripture scholars say that the suffering servant is Deutero-Isaiah himself, sharing the trials that he endured for the sake of his people. Christians believe that this beautiful poetry was fulfilled in the suffering of Christ. Indeed, when we hear these words on Good Friday, we cannot help but to think of our Lord upon the Cross.
The Second Reading from Hebrews helps us to put the Isaiah reading in Christian context.
The Gospel on Good Friday is the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John, perhaps the most dramatic of the four gospel accounts. The circumstances surrounding the Passion story just tumbled out of control in such a way that even Pontius Pilate was unable to put a stop to this execution of an innocent man. The crucifixion was utter madness!
Good Friday is a very emotional day. It is the day we remember the death of God! Let that sink in for a minute. Someday our earthly life will cease. We will die. For the Son of God to fully embrace our humanity, he had to also die like us. We are terrified by the dark mystery and ultimate isolation of death. So was Jesus, who cried out on the Cross, “My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me?” And yet, his suffering and death reveal a love that is beyond our capacity to fully comprehend.
Responsorial Psalm Father, Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit (Tom Kendzia)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 156
Our first song for this liturgy is not the Entrance Chant but the Responsorial Psalm. The prescribed psalm is Psalm 31. This is a psalm that has a dearth of musical renditions, but we are pleased to share Tom Kendzia’s strikingly beautiful verbatim setting.
Gospel Acclamation Glory to You, Word of God: Mass of St. Mary Magadelene (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 160
This lengthy Acclamation Verse from Philippians is the same one utilized on Palm Sunday.
Adoration of the Holy Cross
Adoration of the Holy Cross is one of the most unique rituals in the whole liturgical year. The basic rite consists of the Showing of the Holy Cross, and the Adoration rite in which the people come up one by one to venerate the Cross according to local custom. This rite might take up a lot of time. Here are three suggested songs:
O Sacred Head Surrounded (Traditional; arr. by Tom Booth, Dean Baskerville and Jeramy Burchett)
Spirit & Song #172; Breaking Bread #159
This contemporary rendition of the classic Passiontide hymn respects the original harmonization.
More Beautiful (Sarah Hart, Jeremy Bose and Marc Byrd)
You will find the sheet music for this thoughtful contemporary song in the link above.
We Adore Your Cross (Bob Hurd and Ken Canedo)
Breaking Bread #165
The refrain’s use of the familiar PICARDY hymn tune allows the assembly to sing along immediately.
Communion Chant Your Only Son (Twila Paris)
Spirit & Song #174; Never Too Young #188
Twila Paris’ beloved song is a Good Friday favorite. Please note that there is no Communion Antiphon for this liturgy in the Roman Missal.
Additional Songs for Adoration or Communion
Here are some additional suggestions if you need more songs for these rites.
With Our Eyes on the Cross (Greg Walton and Sarah Hart)
You will find the sheet music for this contemporary Good Friday reflection in the link above.
O Sacred Head (Bob Hurd)
Spirit & Song #171; Breaking Bread #163
Bob Hurd’s beautiful song, inspired by the traditional “O Sacred Head Surrounded,” helps connect us to the social justice aspects of Jesus’ suffering and death.
What Wondrous Love (Traditional; arr. by Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Song #364
Josh Blakesley offers an uplifting contemporary arrangement of this traditional Passiontide hymn.
Were You There (Traditional; arr. by Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #173; Breaking Bread #162
There are many renditions of this classic spiritual. Tom Booth gives us a simple contemporary approach.
Depart in Silence
After Communion, the liturgy concludes with a simple Prayer Over the People by the priest. Because the liturgy continues tomorrow at the Easter Vigil, there is no final Sending song. The people depart in silence.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.