What is Good Friday? Everything to know about the last Friday of Lent

Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read
15

The 40-day Lenten season in which Christians around the world observe a period of reflection, prayer and penance started in February. It culminates with Easter Sunday, which will be observed April 9 this year.

Good Friday falls just two days before Easter, taking place April 7 in 2023.

Here's everything to know about the annual day of fasting and penance.

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There is a 150-year tradition of praying the steps at Holy Cross-Immaculata Church. Around midnight, people begin gathering at the base of the steps on St. Gregory Street, leading up to the church at 30 Guido St. in Mount Adams for the blessing of the stairs, beginning the journey up to the church.
There is a 150-year tradition of praying the steps at Holy Cross-Immaculata Church. Around midnight, people begin gathering at the base of the steps on St. Gregory Street, leading up to the church at 30 Guido St. in Mount Adams for the blessing of the stairs, beginning the journey up to the church.

When is Good Friday 2023?

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter every year. In 2023, it falls on April 7.

What is Good Friday?

Good Friday is when the crucifixion of Jesus is commemorated by the Christian Church. It is traditionally a day of fasting and penance.

For Catholics, the events of Good Friday are remembered in the Stations of the Cross, a 14-step devotion often performed by Catholics during Lent and especially on Good Friday, according to Catholic.org. Good Friday is a day of fasting that requires Catholics to refrain from eating meat.

Traditionally, there is no Mass and no celebration of the Eucharist on Good Friday. A liturgy may still be performed and communion, if taken, comes from hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday. Church bells are silent. Altars are left bare.

Why is it called Good Friday?

Some believe it developed from an older name, “God’s Friday,” according to Christianity.com.

The Rev. Billy Graham said we call it Good Friday because on that day salvation became a reality. Christians believe Christ's death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday is a sacrifice that paid the price for their sins. "We deserved to die for our sins – but Christ died in our place," Graham said.

How do local Christians mark Good Friday?

There is a 150-year tradition of praying the steps at Holy Cross-Immaculata Church. Around midnight, people begin gathering at the base of the steps on St. Gregory Street, leading up to the church at 30 Guido St. in Mount Adams for the blessing of the stairs, beginning the journey up to the church.

There are three phases of the Good Friday steps. The most popular phase begins on St. Gregory Street and ends at the Holy Cross-Immaculata Church. Visit www.hciparish.org/holy-week for a schedule.

The Way of the Cross for Justice, a collaboration of faith-based groups, is a Good Friday prayer experience that connects the suffering of Jesus with the suffering brought about by injustice. Visit the Intercommunity Justice and Peace website for information.

What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday as the Roman Catholic Church calls it, is commemorated on the last Thursday of Lent. Christians believe this to be the day Jesus celebrated his final Passover with his disciples and established the sacrament of Holy Communion.

What does Maundy mean?

The word Maundy is a shortened form of the Latin "mandatum" which means "command." Christ’s command to his disciples on this day was to love one another and to break bread together in his memory, according to the Bible.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What is Good Friday? When is it? Everything to know about the day