March 20, 2008, 02:30 PM PT
Good Friday Celebration of Our Lord's Passion
The Good Friday liturgy consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross and the Distribution of Holy Communion
This solemn liturgy begins in silence and then the Passion According to John is read at the Liturgy of the Word.
After the homily, the Cross is carried into the church. Three times it is proclaimed, "Behold the wood of the Cross on which is hung our salvation." Once the cross is in place, the faithful are invited to come forward to venerate it.
After the Veneration of the Cross, the Blessed Sacrament, which has been reserved from last night's Mass, is brought out and Holy Communion is distributed.