Each year, during Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of our redemption, which include Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. By recalling these mysteries of our faith, we become more aware of Christ’s saving power and are filled with God’s grace.

On Good Friday, we remember that Jesus showed his great love for us by dying on the cross. We believe that he freely accepted this suffering and death in order to gain eternal salvation for us. We also recall how Jesus forgave those who put him to death, saying, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). In doing so, Jesus gave us an example of how we are to deal with injustice.

During the liturgy on Good Friday, Catholics venerate the cross, a symbol of our redemption, by bowing or genuflecting before it and kissing or reverently touching it. We think of Jesus telling his disciples that they should take up their crosses daily if they want to follow him. As Christians, God actually offers us a chance to participate in the sacrifice of Christ. By entering into the Church's celebration of the Paschal mystery, we share in the power and the riches that continue to flow from Christ's redeeming sacrifice.

Family Activity

Create a family "Prayer Cross." Draw the outline of a cross to fill an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of construction paper. Cut out two crosses. Tack one to a family bulletin board or stick on the refrigerator. Cut the second cross into as many ‘puzzle’ pieces as there are family members. Each person then writes a prayer on his or her piece and glues it onto the hanging cross. For young members, an older child could draw a smiley face or hands in prayer and help the younger child glue a piece on the cross. Display the completed "Prayer Cross" until after Easter Sunday.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturg