Good Friday:
Journey with
Christ to the Cross
By Leota Roesch
Purpose
Through this session, participants come to understand Good
Friday’s place in the liturgy of the Triduum. They will experience some of the liturgy of
the day, The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, in a catechetical context while on pilgrimage.
Beginning Note
The Triduum… Too often young people do not participate in the liturgies of the
Triduum—for any number of reasons. However, sometimes we have failed to do
liturgical catechesis on the Seasons of the Liturgical Year, and the Triduum is one of the
six seasons.
Pilgrimage… A pilgrimage is an ancient symbol of Christian life with profound roots—
people on a journey. We begin our journey in mystery when God creates us out of love.
Along our journey, we are accompanied and illuminated by Christ who said, “I am the
way, the truth, and the light.” Young people who have participated in World Youth
Day or other pilgrimage experiences are captivated by the theology of pilgrimage. By
presenting this session in context of “pilgrimage” —on the move prompted by faith—
perhaps the youth will be excited about joining the entire faith community as it
continues its life-pilgrimage during Holy Week, and especially during the Triduum.
Session at a Glance
7:00 pm
Welcome and Introduction: Good Friday for and in the Church
7:10 pm
Station One: The Gathering Storm—Jesus Confronts His Death
7:40 pm
Station Two: The Proclamation of Hope—Jesus Suffers His Passion
8:00 pm
Break
8:10 pm
Station Three: The Church Continues the Mission of Jesus—We
pray of the needs of others
8:25 pm
Station Four: The Church Remembers—We Venerate the Cross
8:55 pm
The Church Celebrates Comunio
9:00 pm
Good Night!
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 1
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
Materials Needed
 Nametags, unless all participants, including adults, know each other by name
 Pens, one for each participant
 Table with 1 or 2 chairs near entrance of the gathering space, with sign-in sheet or
other administration needs required by the parish
 Table for refreshments
 LARGE cross – similar to the one used in the parish on Good Friday. (Since this session
will take place before Good Friday, perhaps the parish cross could be borrowed.) Provide some
kind of base so that the cross can stand freely without support.
 Two large pillar candles, placed on either side of the cross
 Bible or Lectionary
 Small table with cloth and candle for the Scripture
 Series of pictures/objects (See #1 in Prepare in Advance for details.)
 CD player OR musician(s)
 Music aid for each participant
 DVD/VCR and Monitor
 Movie, “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977) (Lions Gate Home Entertainment DVD). Or, select a
movie of your choice that does a good job of showing Jesus’ exit from the Upper Room
and the Agony in the Garden.1 Cue the movie to the part just described and play it
through till the end of the agony scene.
Notes to Leader
1. For this session, the group needs to meet in a room or gathering space that will enable
them to “move” through four (4) stations (either in the literal sense of physically moving
from station to station OR in the sense that four separate areas of focus can be set up
with significant space between each station in the room). Consider also gathering in the
church building itself. When using the worship space, it is always a good idea to seek
permission and inform your pastor or administrator of the purpose of your event.
2. The entire session is done within the context of prayer so there is no specific opening
or closing prayer experience.
3. This session can be used with senior or junior high youth with little or no
modification.
1
Originally made for TV in 1977, this in-depth (six hours plus) version of Jesus' life is so thorough that the first hour is devoted
solely to the story of his birth. The film doesn't skimp on some of the other landmark events of this famous story either. Director
Franco Zeffirelli gives more than 12 minutes screen time each to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Passages of the Bible are
quoted verbatim, the locations have a Palestine-like authenticity, and, aside from some of the principals (Robert Powell as Jesus,
Olivia Hussey as Mary, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas), many of the non-Roman characters are actually played by Semiticlooking actors. Zeffirelli diligently provides the sociopolitical background that gave rise to Jesus' following and the crisis in
belief it caused for the people of Israel (and one or two Romans). While not graphic by today's standards, some of the scenes—
baby boys being ripped from their mothers' arms and slaughtered, nails being driven into Jesus' hands—may disturb young and/or
sensitive children.—Kimberly Heinrichs (Amazon.com review)
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 2
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
Prepare in Advance
1. Gather the following items:
o One set of crosses or crucifixes. Choose from Option 1 or Option 2.
Option 1: Gather Four to eight crosses or crucifixes; these may be crosses that can
stand on their own or crosses that hang on the wall. Look for various styles and
sizes.
Option 2: Gather a series of pictures (5 x 7 or larger) that portray the cross in
“nature” or “daily life” (e.g., a cross formed by panes in a window, separated by
wood or metal; a cross formed by branches crossing on a tree; a cross formed by a
telephone or light pole; a cross on top of a church; a cross formed by intertwining
vines; etc.). These may be pictures cut from magazines or taken using a digital
camera and printed. The larger the pictures, the easier it is for participants to see
them.
o One set of pictures and/or newspaper articles depicting Christ suffering in our
world today. Consider victims of war; people in line at a soup kitchen; people who
are alone, lonely, or forgotten; the unemployed or homeless; victims of violence;
people mourning the loss of a loved one; etc. Attach these to a sheet of poster
board.
o One set of pictures and/or newspaper articles depicting people in the parish,
city, state, nation, world who are in need of prayer. Consider religious leaders;
government or civic leaders; parents, children, or families; students studying for
an exam; those suffering from illness; etc. Attach these to a sheet of poster board.
2. At the front or in the center of the gathering space, set the cross with the candles on
each side.
3. Set up a table near the door. Place the nametags on the table with 3-4 pens. Decide
who will be at the entrance to welcome youth, sign them in, give them their nametags,
etc.
4. Set up a small table with a Bible (or Lectionary) and cloth and smaller candle—in the
front center of the gathering space.
5. Set up the DVD player or VCR and monitor and advance the movie, “Jesus of
Nazareth,” to the place needed for the session.
6. Set up 4 different “stations.” Besides the actual pictures or objects, set the
environment in each station in a way that conveys a sense of the sacred.
Station One: Crosses/Pictures of crosses
Station Two: Pictures of Christ suffering
Station Three: Pictures of people in need of prayer
Station Four: The initial set up with the cross and candles as described in 1 above.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 3
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
7. Have music CDs ready to play as noted below, provide a music aid with the songs
that will be used, or use a hymnal from the parish that has the music you will use.
Music is needed between the stations. Before the session, choose from among these
songs those that you will use during the session. If you wish to choose other songs,
choose those with a Lenten theme.
From Spirit & Song (OCP)
“At the Name of Jesus” by Christopher Walker
“I Will Choose Christ” by Tom Booth
“Now We Remain” by David Haas
“Behold the Cross” by Bob Hurd (This song is suggested for Veneration at
Station Four.)
“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” by Rick Founds
“Strength for the Journey” by Michael John Poirier
From GIA - Prayer Before the Cross, David Haas
From Glory and Praise Comprehensive
“Behold the Wood” by Dan Schutte (This song is suggested for Veneration
at Station Four.)
“Crown Him With Many Crowns,” Traditional
“Jesus, Remember Me” by J. Berthier (This Taizé mantra works well in
procession.)
“O, Sacred Head Surrounded” Traditional
“Were You There,” Traditional
From Taizé
Bless the Lord Collection—“Adoramus Te Domine” (This song is suggested
for Veneration at Station Four)
Domine Deus Collection—“Crucem Tuam, Adoramus Te Christe” (Also in
the Laudate Collection)
Pentecost Collection—“Kyrie Eleison, Ubi Caritas”
8. Prepare students in advance (singly or in a “choral” group) to proclaim the Scriptures
to be used during this session.
9. Prepare a brief presentation on suffering using the excerpts from the Catechism of the
Catholic Church and On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering by John Paul II in the
session (see pages 7-8).
Welcome and Introduction: Good Friday for and in the Church (10 minutes)
Gather the participants together in the meeting space. Invite those who are new to the
group to introduce themselves. Begin the session by saying:
The Church is about to celebrate the most solemn of weeks—Holy Week—and the three
days at the end of that week which are called the Triduum.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 4
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
If you have ever heard the word “Triduum” before, please stand.
If you have been to Holy Thursday services (Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper),
please stand or remain standing.
If you have ever been to Good Friday services (The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion),
please stand or remain standing.
If you have ever been to the Easter Vigil, please stand or remain standing.
Invite the participants to sit down, and continue with these words or your own that
convey the place of The Triduum in our life as Catholic Christians:
The season of Lent has always been an important time in the life of the Catholic Church.
It begins very dramatically with the reception of ashes, marking us as God's people. Near
the end of the season—on Palm Sunday—we receive palms which remind us of the
people's love for Jesus. We also hear the passion readings proclaimed on this day. We
know the love people had for Jesus changed over the course of the week as they became
disappointed in their hopes for the messiah. By Good Friday, the crowds turned on Jesus.
The special practices of Lent—added prayer, fasting, abstinence, almsgiving—remind us
that this is no ordinary time. Because Lent is a season with a personality of its own, we
tend to think of it as a season which has its existence just for the sake of itself. However, it
is important to remind ourselves that Lent exists only as a preparation for something
bigger. That something bigger is the Easter Triduum.
The term Easter Triduum might not sound familiar to you; however, you are very
familiar with it. The Triduum is the three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of
Christ—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday. The Church
meets at times during those three days to remember what it is that Jesus has done for us.
Lent often overshadows the Triduum, but the documents from Vatican II tell us that
Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal
mystery: dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life. “Therefore the
Easter Triduum of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire
liturgical year"(General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, #18).
Station One: The Gathering Storm—Jesus Confronts His Death (30 minutes)
Step 1 (17 minutes):
Sometimes we may think that, because Jesus was God, nothing was too difficult for him
and/or that he knew everything that was going to happen to him in advance. We might
need to be reminded that Jesus was God made man and that, just as your life unfolds for
you as you attempt to be faithful to God’s will, so did the life of Jesus unfold as he grew in
wisdom, age, and grace as the Scripture tells us. As you watch this part of the movie that
portrays how Jesus confronted his death, try to name the feelings you think he may have
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 5
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
been experiencing. Also, please be aware of your own emotions as you watch Jesus enter
into his suffering.
Show the clip of the movie as indicated. After it is finished, turn it off, and allow a
minute of silence or so. Ask the participants to turn to a partner and share the following
question (about 40 seconds each):
What one thing struck you as you watched this scene? Why?
Step 2 (2 minutes): Invite the participants to move to Station One.
Note to Leader: Preferably, the entire group will move to the station, but if that is not
possible, cross- and candle-bearers, and lector move to the station and the participants
are directed to focus on the space. All movement to each of the stations is done in this
manner.
 Get 3 or 4 participants to carry the large cross to the station and to hold it in an
upright position.
 Get 2 participants to bring the candles and stand on either side of the cross.
 Ask the first lector(s) to bring the Bible (or Lectionary) from the smaller table.
 Sing one of the songs from the music aid as you move (either sing along with the
CD or with the musician who is helping you).
Step 3 (11 minutes): Direct the participants’ attention to the crosses at Station One. Say:
As you contemplate the crosses displayed here, listen to a reading from the Gospel
according to John. Invite the reader(s) to proclaim John 18:1-28.
Please reflect on the following questions:
▪ What crosses do you carry in your life?
▪ Which ones need to be confronted in honesty and prayer?
▪ Think of a time when someone in your life was struggling with a problem—at school,
with a friend, or at home with a parent or a brother or sister—and you were able to help
them. What did you do? You can say that you helped another carry his or her cross, or
burden.
Allow about 3–5 minutes of silence for this exercise. Invite sharing with the large group
on any of these questions, but don’t demand or require it.
Station Two: The Proclamation of Hope – Jesus Suffers His Passion (20
minutes)
Keep the participants at Station One. Have participants trade off holding up the cross
and holding the candles with the original volunteers. Invite the others to sit on the
ground. If the larger part of the group remained in their seats, have the cross- and
candle-bearers remain at Station One while the lector returns the Bible (or Lectionary) to
the small table.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 6
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
Step 1 (10 minutes): In these or similar words:
Jesus’ suffering and death was not without meaning. Through his suffering, death, and
resurrection we have been redeemed from sin. We have won the right to be called children
of God and heirs of heaven. At the Easter Vigil, we hear the following sung in the
Exultet, “O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a
savior.” But what about suffering today? Does it serve a purpose? If Christ has suffered
and died for us, why must we suffer now? (Invite the group to think about these
questions for a few minutes, and then invite responses from the group.)
Using the following excerpts, give a short presentation on the value of suffering.
• Suffering helps us to be in union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this
sacrament [Anointing of the Sick] the sick person receives the strength and the gift of
uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a certain way he is consecrated to
bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a
consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in
the saving work of Jesus. (CCC 1521)
•The Holy Spirit gives to some a special charism of healing so as to make manifest the
power of the grace of the risen Lord. But even the most intense prayers do not always
obtain the healing of all illnesses. Thus St. Paul must learn from the Lord that "my
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," and that the
sufferings to be endured can mean that "in my flesh I complete what is lacking in
Christ's afflictions for the sake of his Body, that is, the Church." (CCC 1508)
• Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for
thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one's whole life: "Give
thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). (CCC 2648)
• In the unity of this Body, there is a diversity of members and functions. All members
are linked to one another, especially to those who are suffering, to the poor and
persecuted. (CCC 806)
Note to Leader: The following excerpts are from John Paul II’s On the Christian Meaning of
Human Suffering—Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris, February 11, 1984.
• One can say that with the Passion of Christ all human suffering has found itself in a
new situation. And it is as though Job has foreseen this when he said: ‘I know that my
Redeemer lives ...’ and as though he had directed towards it his own suffering, which
without the Redemption could not have revealed to him the fullness of its meaning.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 7
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
• In the Cross of Christ not only is the Redemption accomplished through suffering, but
also human suffering itself has been redeemed. Christ—without any fault of his own—took
on himself ‘the total evil of sin.’ The experience of this evil determined the
incomparable extent of Christ's suffering, which became the price of the Redemption. The
Song of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah speaks of this. In later times, the witnesses of the
New Covenant, sealed in the Blood of Christ, will speak of this.
• These are the words of the Apostle Peter in his First Letter: ‘You know that you were
ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with the perishable
things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb
without blemish or spot.’ And the Apostle Paul in the Letter to the Galatians will say:
"He gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age’ (56), and in the
First Letter to the Corinthians: ‘You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your
body’ (57).
With these and similar words the witnesses of the New Covenant speak of the greatness
of the Redemption, accomplished through the suffering of Christ. The Redeemer
suffered in place of man and for man. Every man has his own share in the Redemption.
Each one is also called to share in that suffering through which the Redemption was
accomplished. He is called to share in that suffering through which all human suffering
has also been redeemed. In bringing about the Redemption through suffering, Christ
has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his
suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ.
Step 2 (5 minutes): Invite the participants to move to Station Two in the same manner
as above with cross and candles and Scripture and song.
Direct the participants’ attention to the pictures of suffering in today’s world. Invite
comments from the group about any of the pictures:
Is there value in this suffering?
What would that value be?
If suffering finds value in allowing us to participate in Christ’s work of salvation, does
that mean we should not help those who are suffering? Why or why not?
Give the group some time to think and then ask for comments from the group.
Step 3 (5 minutes): Proclaim John 19: 1-31. Allow a few moments of silence before
dismissing for the break.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 8
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
Break (10 minutes)
Invite the participants to take a brief break. Have refreshments available if this is the
custom in your parish. (Since this session will most likely take place during Lent, offer
simple snacks.)
Re-gather the participants at Station Two.
Station Three: The Church Continues the Mission of Jesus—We pray for the
needs of others (15 minutes)
Step 1 (5 minutes):
Good Friday’s Celebration of the Lord’s Passion has several parts. After the community is
dismissed in silence on Holy Thursday from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, they regather on Good Friday to hear the story of the Passion of Christ. After that proclamation,
followed by the homily, the community prays for the needs of the world. At this point, we
join with Jesus crucified to intercede for ourselves, our brothers and sisters, our world.
The prayers are just like the Crucified One—they are all-embracing in their concern for
those in need and for those needing wholeness of one kind or another.
These prayers are a continuation of Jesus’ own ministry. They reveal Gods love for all
humanity, for creation, and his solidarity with and commitment to all of God’s creation.
When we pray these prayers and others like them, we participate in Jesus’ saving
mission.
Invite the participants to move to Station Three in the same manner as above with cross
and candles and song. (There is no Scripture reading at this station.)
Step 2 (10 minutes): Ask the participants to focus on the pictures on the board. Ask the
following questions, give time for reflection, and then ask for responses from the group:
What are some of the needs you believe these people have? Allow time for a response.
What are some needs in the world that you do not see represented here? Allow time for
a response.
What are some needs that people in your family or your friends may have? Allow time
for a response.
Let us pray for those needs now—remembering that we are participating in Christ’s
saving mission.
Begin some prayers of general intercession (incorporating the needs demonstrated by
the pictures on the board), and then invite the participants to offer their own prayers.
Here is an example: For peace in the world … that people, governments, and countries
work together to bring an end to war, we pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, hear us.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 9
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
Station Four: The Church Remembers—We Venerate the Cross (20 minutes)
Step 1 (5 minutes):
The next part of the Good Friday liturgy is the veneration of the Cross. This is an
opportunity for us to respond to the story of Christ’s passion that we have heard
proclaimed, and it is also an opportunity to express in action and song the meaning of
Christ’s death and resurrection. Finally, it is an opportunity to embrace for ourselves the
significance of Christ’s death for each of us individually, and for the entire cosmos. We
are going to have the opportunity to venerate the Cross tonight.
Invite the participants to move to Station Four in the same manner as above with cross
and candles and song. (There is no Scripture reading at this station.)
Note to Leader: The cross is brought back to where it was when the evening began and
the participants accompany it.
Say to the participants:
We will be singing during Veneration. We will approach the Cross like we do for
communion—in two lines. Each of us will venerate the cross in a manner that is
comfortable for us. Some people come forward and simply kiss the cross; some just touch
it; some kneel before it and kiss or touch it, etc. Make sure the cross carriers and
candle bearers are relieved of duty so that they can venerate the cross, too.
Step 2 (10 minutes): The participants (youth and adults) come forward to venerate the
cross while songs are sung or music is played.
Step 3 (5 minutes): After the Veneration, ask if there is anyone who has any comments
to make, any thoughts that strike them, any questions.
The Church Celebrates Comunio (5 minutes)
At the Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, the last thing that the community
does is approach the altar to receive communion. The hosts were consecrated the night
before at the Holy Thursday liturgy. ‘Communion’ is taken from the Latin, meaning
‘union with.’ The Sacrament not only is the sign of our unity, but it is what makes us
one in Christ. ‘Comunio’ in the early church was the word used to describe how the
followers lived—in union with one another through and in and with Christ. Tonight we
will not receive communion, but let us demonstrate our ‘comunio,’ our unity, by
wishing each other peace. The Lord is with us. Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
Good Night
The Holy Thursday Liturgy began in silence. What was begun then continues on Good
Friday as we journey with our Savior from the Last Supper, the stripping and
humiliation, to the cross and tomb.
The Good Friday Liturgy is marked with austerity, silence, and reflection. The sanctuary
is bare from the Holy Thursday stripping. There is no music except to accompany the
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 10
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.
hymns. Everything focuses on our adoration of the crucified Christ, reigning from the
throne of the cross.
After the service, all of us depart in silence without a blessing. Christ's death is not
God's final word. We keep vigil for Christ's resurrection as the conclusion to our
Triduum, the Easter Vigil.
Conclude the session by encouraging participants to participate in the liturgies of the
Triduum—give them a card or piece of paper with the times of the services for Holy
Thursday, Good Friday, The Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday.
This session was written by Leota Roesch, director of training and formation, Office of
Youth Ministry, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas.
Good Friday: Journey with Christ to the Cross, p. 11
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2005. All rights reserved.