Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

• Ritual Masses, including Funeral Masses, are not permitted. 
• The Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning Prayer, is strongly encouraged on this day. The sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick—but no other sacraments (e.g. Matrimony)—may be celebrated on Good Friday and Holy Saturday (Good Friday, 1). 
• The Good Friday liturgy is to take place at about 3:00 p.m. or as early as noon, but not later than 9:00 p.m. The Good Friday liturgy may only be celebrated by a bishop or a priest (Good Friday, 4). 
• “The Priest and the Deacon, if a Deacon is present, wearing red vestments as for Mass, go to the altar in silence and, after making a reverence to the altar, prostrate themselves or, if appropriate, kneel and pray in silence for a while. All others kneel.” (Good Friday, 5). 
• The priest says the opening Prayer with hands outstretched, omitting the usual invitation, “Let us pray” (Good Friday, 6).
• The Passion may be proclaimed by three persons who take the parts of Christ, the Narrator, and the People. The part of Christ should be reserved to the priest. If the Passion is proclaimed by only one reader, then it should be proclaimed by a deacon or priest. 
• The Holy Land Collection is taken up before the Adoration of the Cross. 
• During the Adoration of the Cross, only one cross should be used (Good Friday, 19). An image of Jesus on the cross is not venerated; rather, the cross on which he was crucified is adored. 
• There are two forms of the Showing the Holy Cross: 
  • 1) the unveiling the cross in the sanctuary or 
  • 2) the procession with the unveiled cross through nave. The priest may adore the cross with chasuble and shoes removed. (Good Friday, 18). 
• While liturgical law does not prescribe the form or color of veils (for the veiling of images and crosses), they have traditionally been made of simple, lightweight purple cloth, without ornament. 
• If the numbers are so great that all cannot come forward, the priest, after some of the clergy and faithful have adored the cross, can stand with the cross in the center before the altar and, in a few words, invite the people to adore the Cross. He then elevates the cross higher for a brief period of time while the faithful adore it in silence (Good Friday, 19). 
• Sample Invitation for Adoration of the Holy Cross
  • Let us take a few moments to adore in silence this instrument of our salvation on which Jesus Christ demonstrated his love for us by the pouring out of his blood, bringing life to the whole world. Please kneel. 
• The Missale Romanum gives specific directions as to the music used during the adoration. The antiphons We worship you, Lord, the reproaches, the hymns Faithful Cross, or other suitable are sung.