April 10, 2020

Good Friday 2020 at Saint Nicholasin 10 Pictures

An Easter Invitationfrom Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory

Please click the YouTube video above for a special message and invitation from Archbishop Gregory.

On Easter, we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a sign of hope and Christian unity, Archbishop Gregory invites all to join him in placing a light in the window of your home from Holy Saturday evening through Easter Sunday evening. Together, let us witness to the light of Christ in these troubling times.

Today as we hear the passion narrative, adore the cross, and make a spiritual Communion, we remember how much God loves us. He loves us enough to suffer and die, to transform the cross into the tree of life, and to abide with us in the sacraments.

On the afternoon of this day, there takes place the celebration of the Lord's Passion consisting of three parts, namely, the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.

The Priest and the Deacon, wearing red vestments as for Mass, go to the altar in silence, and after making a reverence to the altar, prostrate themselves in silence. "Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the

Paschal Mystery." (Opening Prayer for Good Friday)

From the Solemn Intercessionsfor Good Friday

Let us pray, dearly beloved, for a swift end to the coronavirus pandemic that afflicts our world, that our God and Father will heal the sick, strengthen those who care for them, and help us all to persevere in faith...

... Almighty and merciful God, source of all life, health and healing, look with compassion on our world, brought low by disease; protect us in the midst of the grave challenges that assail us and in your fatherly providence grant recovery to the stricken, strength to those who care for them, and success to those working to eradicate this scourge. Through Christ our Lord. R. / Amen.

"Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world. Come, let us adore." (The Showing of the Holy Cross)

"Wisdom, power, and adoration to the blessed Trinity; for redemption and salvation through the Paschal Mystery, now in every generation, and for all eternity. Amen." (Crux fidelis)

"We adore your Cross, O Lord, we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection, for behold, because of the wood of a tree joy has come to the whole world." (Crucem tuam adoramus)

Parce, Domine, parce populo tuo: Ne in aeternum irascaris nobis. Translated: Spare, Lord, spare your people; Do not hold your wrath against us forever. (Joel 2:17)

"My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this

moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never

permit me to be separated from You. Amen."

"Behold, O kind and gentle Jesus, I kneel before you and pray that you would impress upon my heart the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, with true

repentance for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment. At the same time, with sorrow, I meditate on your five precious wounds, having in mind the words which David spoke in prophecy: 'They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count

all my bones' (Psalm 22)." (Prayer before the Crucifix)

Fr. Mel Ayala