GOOD FRIDAY at St Mary's Cathedral

By Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese

9 April 2004

10.00am – Stations of the Cross

Good Friday commences with Stations of the Cross. The Stations (Way) of the Cross is a solemn procession of prayer at each of the 14 stations, which mark the last hours leading to the death of Jesus.

The Stations of the Cross originated from the practice of Holy Land pilgrims who visited the actual places described in the incidents of the Passion of Christ.

3.00pm – Good Friday Service

The solemn liturgy for Good Friday commemorates the Suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and includes a congregational procession for the Veneration of the Cross. Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, will be presiding at this service.

In honouring the plain wooden cross, the Church is honouring the whole mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence from eating meat. Today and Ash Wednesday are the only two days of abstinence remaining in the Catholic Church's calendar.

THE MEDIA ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

For more information, contact: Marita Franklin , Catholic Communications, phone 0419 243 957.