The Friday of the Passion of the Lord, Good Friday, is one of the two major liturgical days in the spiritual life of the Shrine of the True Cross, the other being the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Shrine's titular feast. Being the only known canonical shrine in the United States devoted to the Holy Wood of the True Cross, we venerate the Precious Relic enshrined in our church with great honor on this solemn and sacred day. Good Friday is the celebration of our Redemption poured out on the Tree of Life.
3:00 p.m. Passion Liturgy (English)
Veneration of the Precious Relic of the True Cross
7:00 p.m. Passion Liturgy (Spanish)
Veneration of the Precious Relic of the True Cross
Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord
We kneel in silence, reflecting on Our Blessed Lord's Passion and Death, the ultimate act of love for God's people. The Liturgy of the Word is solemnly celebrated. We make intercessions for the world. We offer veneration of the Precious Relic of the Wood of the True Cross of Jesus Christ. Holy Communion is then given. Following the Passion Liturgy, the faithful may venerate the Relic in silence and may have religious articles touched to the Relic, making them third-class relics of the True Cross.
In days of old, the Shrine of the True Cross was a stational church on Good Friday, when the Shrine shared the spiritual and indulgence privileges of the Roman Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. On this holy and solemn day, we venerate the Sacred Wood of the True Cross enshrined in our church, pieces from the very Cross upon which Our Blessed Lord gave His Life in sacrifice to save our lives.
Indulgences in memory of the Passion and Death of the Lord:
From the Manual of Indulgences: Norms and Grants (USCCB, 2006), translated into English from the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum: Normae et Concessiones, fourth edition (Vatican, 1999):
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly assist at the adoration [veneration] of the Cross in the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday; or personally make the pious Way of the Cross, or devoutly unite themselves to the Way of the Cross while it is being led by the Supreme Pontiff and broadcast live on television or radio.
To gain a plenary indulgence for the pious works in memory of Our Lord's Passion listed above, it is necessary to have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin, and to fulfill the normal conditions - sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father - most appropriately on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed, or as soon as possible before or after the pious work, if circumstances do not allow for the same day.
Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.
- Fasting binds all persons who have completed their 18th birthday through those who have completed their 59th year, unless prevented by poor health. On days of fast, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's own needs. Eating between meals is not allowed although fluids may be taken.
- Abstinence binds all persons who have completed their 14th birthday, unless prevented by poor health. On days of abstinence during Lent, the consumption of meat of mammals or fowl is not allowed. The Church strongly encourages the observance of Friday abstinence throughout the year, but failure to do so is not regarded as sinful. From the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.