GOOD FRIDAY, April 2, 1999
Red vestmentsFirst Day of the Novena for Divine Mercy
First Reading: Isaiah 52: 13-15; 53: 1-12
Psalms: Psalm 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9
Gospel Reading: Reading of the Passion John 18: 1- 39; 19: 1-42
General Intercessions, Veneration of the Holy Cross, and Holy Communion
Good Friday, the Second Day of the Easter Triduum, is a day of strict fast and abstinence, we concentrate solely on the Cross, for there is no glory without the Cross. Following is the CONSECRATION TO
THE CROSS.
CONSECRATION TO THE CROSS
My Jesus, I consecrate myself this day to Your Holy Cross. Just as You took upon Yourself that great cross for the sake of all humanity, so I vow to embrace the crosses in my life. Everything I suffer, I give back to You, my Sweet Jesus, to atone for my sins and those of all the world. I will begin and end each day at the foot of Your Cross, together with our Most Blessed Mother and St. John, our brother. My only pleasure will be to comfort You, my Sweet Savior.
Following are Meditations on the Final Seven Words spoken by Christ:
1. "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."
(Luke 23: 34)
I pray that I, too, might be forgiven; and that I might also forgive all who offend me.
2. "I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise."
(Luke 23:34)
I pray that my faith, hope and love may encourage me to reahc my true home - Heaven!
3. "Woman, behold your son."
(John 19: 26)
I pray that I might honor Your Holy Mother and seek her aid in every aspect of my life.
4. "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Matthew 27: 46)
I pray that I might have the courage to be faithful to You even when I do not feel You near me. That I might understand with what grief the lukewarm souls caused You to suffer such grievous torment.
5. "I thirst."
(John 19: 28)
I pray that I might thirst only for You, and realize the Infinite Love which thirsted for souls.
6. "It is consummated."
(John 19: 30)
I pray that I might come to the end of my earthly life with the peace of having lived and died only for You.
7. "Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit."
(Luke 23: 46)
I pray that I might be obedient until the final moment, entrusting my soul to Your care with perfect confidence and love.
For the Lenten Way of the Cross, click on either the graphics Daily Way of the Cross or the text-only Daily Way of the Cross or the Meditative Lessons on the Way to Calvary
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