On Good Friday, the Catholic Church remembers the Passion of Jesus and his sacrifice by integrating several traditions and rituals including the Liturgy of the word, Veneration of the Cross and cultural traditions in the liturgy.
PHOTO GALLERY: Good Friday with Bishop O’Connell
On April 18, as one entered St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the noon Good Friday Liturgy with Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., the sound of beautiful hymns filled the space, setting a reverent tone for the solemn service. The atmosphere is meditative and the altars are bare with the statues and Crucifix covered in a purple veil, and the tabernacle is empty.
Bishop O’Connell reads the part of Jesus during the proclamation of the Passion. Mike Ehrmann photos
The liturgy featured a live reading of the Passion of Christ, with Bishop O’Connell voicing the role of Jesus. A narrator guided the reading while parishioners followed along and participated, creating a powerful communal reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ.
Following the readings, Bishop O’Connell preached his homily, in which he explained the meaning of the Cross and how its symbol has remained prevalent in our history for over 2,000 years. He said, “The Cross, or better, the Crucifix — the difference being that the Crucifix displays Jesus’ brutalized body — has endured because it depicts and represents the turning point of humanity and life in this world as we have known it.”
“Nothing more important has ever happened in the history of the world than the moment of his Death, which we remember in a dramatic way today, Good Friday, and every time we look at the Crucifix. And we who believe, who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, also know that his Death was not, is not the end of the story.”
“My sisters and brothers, the Crucifix is not a decoration or merely a symbol,” the Bishop said. “The Crucifix is the most powerful reminder of the greatest love the world has ever known.”
After the Bishop’s homily and toward the end of the service, the congregation is invited to venerate a large Crucifix revealed to the participants. The people could be seen kissing, touching and bowing before it as an act of devotion and reverence.
The music created an angelic atmosphere, as the sound of the organ and the cantor’s voice echoed through the Diocese’s Mother Church, inviting prayer and deep reflection. This was exactly the intention of Tina Fernandez, the cantor, and Suzanne Proulx, the organist. Together, their heartfelt performance elevated the Good Friday service, drawing the congregation into a sacred space of reverence and contemplation.
“It gives us a more personal connection to reflect on the sacrifices of Jesus and how much He went through in Calvary to save us.” said Fernandes. Both cantor and organist shared how they spent time choosing which songs to play for the Good Friday service and ensure that they can both work together in harmony to create a space for congregants to feel the Holy Spirit. Proulx said, “Our job is to facilitate the congregation’s path to their own place with Jesus—to help strengthen their relationship, their reflection, their meditation.”
Both Fernandez and Proulx shared their God-giving talent that they work hard to prepare for.
“We as musicians want to give our congregation the space to get into their own personal space with Jesus. We want to sing beautifully, intentionally pick the right hymn to fit each service,” Fernandez said. “It gives a more personal connection to reflect on the sacrifices of Jesus and how much He went through in Calvary to save us.”
Faithful reverence the Crucifix during the Good Friday service.