I originally posted this back in 2017, but I thought it would be a great refresher on how and why we celebrate Good Friday. Today is Good Friday, which for me means a meatless night. Normally we have fish every Friday, but since tonight is a special one, we are having a big fish fry. Ma has been waiting for tonight for a while. So what exactly is Good Friday? In short, it is the Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
For us, as Catholics, it means a fast day and typically no meat. It is also why you will see fish on the menus of many restaurants, schools, and hospitals on Fridays. For some, it also means a day of rest. In fact, some countries have it as a national holiday. It is a day of rest for us as well. We don’t do any sort of work today. Also, there is no celebration of Mass between the Lord’s Supper, which is on Holy Thursday evening, and the Easter Vigil. There are special exemptions granted for rare solemn or grave occasions by the Vatican or even the local bishop. The only sacraments that Roman Catholics celebrate during this time are Baptism (which is only for those in danger of death during this time), Penance, and Anointing of the Sick.
Now you noticed I put in Roman Catholics. That’s because there are actually two different versions of the Catholic Church. There are Roman Catholics who are who you see when you see the Pope. He is Roman Catholic and all that entails. Then there is Anglican Catholic, which was the brainchild of Henry VIII and came into being during the Reformation. The biggest difference is that Anglican Catholic priests can marry, although much of the mass is the same.
We will be going to confession today (penance) and then that is pretty much it. We reserve the day to reflect and connect as a family. The house was cleaned on Thursday morning, and then nothing really got done until Sunday. We do cook dinner and eat, but I try to use throwaway plates and cups during this time. Although my uncle is not Catholic, he can do the dishes. He also worked for us for many years. He will even cook the meals for us. As I have said, it is just a way for us to connect and really think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us. A way to sort of reset
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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Thank you for this post. I didn’t realize the difference in Catholics, as far as Roman and Angelican.
I am a Christian although I am not Catholic. I was raised/reared Baptist and now go to a nondenominational church.
I hope you and your family enjoy this time together as we celebrate Jesus.
Are you Roman Catholic? Also, I visited Greece and Europe several years ago and noticed there are also Greek Orthodox. Do you know anything about that sect? I love your posts on religion. It’s so interesting to me. My father was Catholic but he died when I was young, so I don’t know much about his religion. Thanks and have a great fish fry!
As a Catholic married to a Baptist, there a lot of concessions I have had to make. One of which is no meat on Friday. His only idea of that is the seasonal Filet o Fish.
To me it is Family day…my entire family always has dinner together!