Good Friday

Also known as "Holy Friday," is the Friday after Maundy Thursday and the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. This second day of the Paschal Triduum marks the day of Christ’s Passion, crucifixion and death on Mount Calvary. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, by the Adoration of the Cross, by the chanting of the 'Reproaches', by the reading of the Passion, and by receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Saviour, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. The service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (Holy Eucharist, the body of Christ) which which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the faithful.

Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son Of God, 

whose death on the cross demonstrates 

and shows us of God’s forgiveness and love for mankind.

For Christ died for sins once for all, 

the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

This is a day of abstinence and fasting. Throughout this day, Christians should spend time reflecting on the passion and death of Jesus.

Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Friday
First Reading

Isaiah 52: 13 - 15
13	Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.
14	As many were astonished at him -- his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men --
15	so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand.

Isaiah 53: 1 - 12
1	Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2	For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
3	He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4	Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5	But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.
6	All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7	He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
8	By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
9	And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10	Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand;
11	he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.
12	Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm

Psalms 31: 2, 6, 12 - 13, 15 - 17, 25
2	Incline thy ear to me, rescue me speedily! Be thou a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
6	Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the LORD.
12	I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13	Yea, I hear the whispering of many -- terror on every side! -- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
15	My times are in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors!
16	Let thy face shine on thy servant; save me in thy steadfast love!
17	Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on thee; let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.

Second Reading

Hebrews 4: 14 - 16
14	Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15	For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16	Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5: 7 - 9
7	In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
8	Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;
9	and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Gospel

John 18: 1 - 40
1	When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.
2	Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3	So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4	Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
5	They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6	When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
7	Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
8	Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go."
9	This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, "Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one."
10	Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus.
11	Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"
12	So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.
13	First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year.
14	It was Ca'iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15	Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus,
16	while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17	The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."
18	Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19	The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20	Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly.
21	Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said."
22	When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"
23	Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"
24	Annas then sent him bound to Ca'iaphas the high priest.
25	Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, "Are not you also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not."

26	One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"
27	Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.
28	Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
29	So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
30	They answered him, "If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over."
31	Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."
32	This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die.
33	Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
34	Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?"
35	Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?"
36	Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world."
37	Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."
38	Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him.
39	But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?"
40	They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barab'bas!" Now Barab'bas was a robber.

John 19: 1 - 42
1	Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
2	And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe;
3	they came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands.
4	Pilate went out again, and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him."
5	So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"
6	When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him."
7	The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."
8	When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid;
9	he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer.
10	Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?"
11	Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin."
12	Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; every one who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar."
13	When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha.
14	Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!"
15	They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."
16	Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
17	So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha.
18	There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
19	Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20	Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21	The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of the Jews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"
22	Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
23	When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom;
24	so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
25	So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.

26	When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
27	Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28	After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst."
29	A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.
30	When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31	Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32	So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him;
33	but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34	But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
35	He who saw it has borne witness -- his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that you also may believe.
36	For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken."
37	And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."
38	After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.
39	Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.
40	They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
41	Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.
42	So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

God's 911 numbers

Available 24 hours, 365 days and toll free worldwide.
Direct line, 100% no operator.

"Call unto me…and I will answer thee..."

When in sorrow, 

call John 14

When lonely or afraid, 

call Psalm 23

When you want to be fruitful, 

call Psalm 51

When you have sinned, 

call Psalm 51

When you leave home for labor or travel,

call Psalm 121

When you grow bitter and critical, 

call Corinthians 13

When you worry, 

call Matthew 6:19 - 34

When you feel discouraged, 

call Isaiah 40

When you need courage, 

call Joshua 1

When you feel down and out,

call Romans 8:31 - 39

When you feel in danger, 

call Psalm 91

When your faith needs stirring, 

call Hebrews 11

When God seems far away, 

call Psalm 139

When others fail you, 

call Psalm 27

When you need assurance, 

call Romans 1:1 - 30

When you want the secret of happiness, 

call Corinthians 3:12 - 17

When discouraged about your work,

call Psalm 126

When your pocketbook is empty,

call Psalm 37

When people seem unkind,

call John 15

When the world seems bigger than God, 

call Psalm 70 and Jeremiah 33:3

When you find the world growing small and yourself great,

Psalm 19

For a great invention/opportunity,

call Isaiah 55

How to get along with fellow men,

call Romans 12

Caritas 911 Prayer

A 911 call receives immediate help. Therefore, we know any crisis whatsoever must submit to change, even against all odds, when granted by God through prayer. For immediately needed graces and urgent needs, the Caritas Community has used and adopted a special 911 prayer response:

Pray the Caritas 911 prayer in the following way: 

State your needs or petitions. 

9 times, pray the Memorare. 

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

That never was it known

That anyone who fled to Thy protection

Implored Thy help

Or sought Thy intercession, 

was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, 

I fly unto Thee

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To Thee I come, before Thee I stand, 

sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, 

despise not my petitions,

But in Thy mercy hear and answer me. 

Amen. 

1 time, pray the Rosary. 

1 time, pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. 

End by praying the following prayer 3 times:

O Blood and Water, 

which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus 

as a fount of mercy for us, 

I trust in you.

© 2007, 2009 SJP International Copyright. Licensed to Caritas of Birmingham.

Prayer for Non-believers

Come Mary, 

Come tomorrow again and again.

We will pray with You.

Bring back our loved ones 

Who have left the Church, 

Those who have left God.

We will join You on the second of each month.

We will pray for greater graces 

To be attached to Your intention.

We will pray that the dam of love,

Of God’s mercy, will break forth, 

That Your new prayer be released soon.

We will pray that it will flow out

As a river to all the nations, 

That as the rivers fill the oceans, 

Your love of God will fill the earth.

We wait. 

We anticipate that great day,

And we call You as You have called us,

To add our prayers, fasting, and sacrifices 

To Mirjana’s in order that You may 

Obtain all Your wishes for the world.

O loving Mother, 

Thank You for the gift 

That the world is on the brink of receiving!

- A Friend of Medjugorje 

 2009 SJP Lic. Caritas of Birmingham

Our Lady Of Medjugorje - Message 2012/2013

I Need Prayer

"Seven days without prayer, makes one weak."

Always remember how much we need God and prayer. 

Therefore make prayer a daily practice

and choose to pray as our first resort instead of our last.

“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.”

~ Mother Teresa ~

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)

Prayer to Purify and Protect Your Home and Family, Business, or Places of Desire.

 

In the Name of Jesus Christ our God and Lord, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, (and powerful in the holy authority of our ministry),* we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil.

God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him.

As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies.

R. He has conquered, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the offspring of David.

V. May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us.

R. As great as our hope in Thee.

We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic posers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects; in the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, † ** may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. † Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God’s elect and sift them as wheat. † The Most High God commands you, † He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal;

“He who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” God the Father commands you. † God the Son commands you. † God the Holy Spirit commands you. † Christ, God’s Word made flesh, commands you; † He who to save our race outdone through your envy, “humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death;” He who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her, because He will dwell with Her “all days even to the end of the world.” The sacred Sign of the Cross commands you, † as does also the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith. † The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you; † She who by Her humility and from the first moment of Her Immaculate Conception, crushed your proud head. The faith of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and the other Apostles commands you. † The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command.

AMEN.

* Lay people omit this parenthesis.

** The crosses indicate blessing to be given if priest recites the prayer; if lay person recites it, they indicate the Sign of the Cross to be made silently by that person at every cross.

©2004, 2009, SJP Lic. to Caritas of Birmingham, USA, Internationally copyright protected.

Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje’s 2 January, 2013 Message

Given to Mirjana on the Day for Non-Believers

“Dear children, with much love and patience I strive to make your hearts like unto mine. I strive, by my example, to teach you humility, wisdom and love because I need you; I cannot do without you my children. According to God’s will I am choosing you, by His strength I am strengthening you. Therefore, my children, do not be afraid to open your hearts to me. I will give them to my Son and in return, He will give you the gift of divine peace. You will carry it to all those whom you meet, you will witness God’s love with your life and you will give the gift of my Son through yourselves. Through reconciliation, fasting and prayer, I will lead you. Immeasurable is my love. Do not be afraid. My children, pray for the shepherds. May your lips be shut to every judgment, because do not forget that my Son has chosen them and only He has the right to judge. Thank you.”

Pray for me, Saint Anthony

Dearest Saint Anthony,

Please I beg You to come to my aid in this time of hopelessness and anxiety. I ask You to pray and intercede to the child Jesus who loves to linger in Your arms, whisper into His ears my request. You only have to speak the word and the miracles will happen. Saint Anthony, I am confident in Your unfailing intercessions, and you will help me by delivering out of my difficulties that I am facing at this time of great and urgent need. I promise that I will never forget this great favour and will always be devoted to You. Amen.

Dearest Saint Anthony, pray for me and all those who invoked you aid. Amen.