Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. While deeply connected to the Lenten journey, Good Friday is not technically a day within the liturgical season of Lent itself, but rather the central day of the Paschal Triduum.
This distinction is crucial for understanding the Church's liturgical calendar and the significance of this sacred period leading up to Easter.
Understanding Good Friday
Good Friday is the solemn day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As the reference states, Good Friday is the day Christ was crucified and died on the cross at Calvary after being sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate. It is a day of fasting, penance, and reflection on Jesus' sacrifice for humanity.
The Lenten Season
Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving observed by many Christians in preparation for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and is a time for spiritual reflection and penitence. The "40 days" symbolize the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.
Key aspects of Lent include:
- Fasting and Abstinence: Traditionally, giving up certain foods or practices.
- Prayer: Deepening one's spiritual life through increased prayer.
- Almsgiving: Acts of charity and generosity towards others.
The Paschal Triduum: A Distinct Sacred Time
The liturgical season of Lent officially concludes on Holy Thursday evening, with the beginning of the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Immediately following Lent, the Church enters the Paschal Triduum (Latin for "three days"). This is the pinnacle of the liturgical year, commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As Gabriel Radle, an assistant professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, previously explained, "Good Friday is part of something else." This "something else" refers to the Paschal Triduum, which encompasses:
- Holy Thursday Evening: Commemorating the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.
- Good Friday: The day of Jesus' crucifixion and death.
- Holy Saturday: The day Jesus lay in the tomb.
- Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday: Celebrating Jesus' resurrection.
Good Friday is therefore the central day of the Paschal Triduum, which is a separate, although intimately connected, liturgical period that immediately follows the Lenten season.
Sequence of Holy Week and Triduum
The table below illustrates the flow of events during this crucial time:
| Day/Period | Description | Relationship to Lent/Triduum |
|---|---|---|
| Lent | 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving | Ends Holy Thursday evening |
| Holy Thursday | Last day of Lent (until evening Mass of the Lord's Supper) | End of Lent, Start of Paschal Triduum |
| Good Friday | Day of Jesus' crucifixion and death | Central day of Paschal Triduum |
| Holy Saturday | Day Jesus lay in the tomb, a time of quiet anticipation | Part of Paschal Triduum |
| Easter Sunday | Celebration of Jesus' Resurrection, conclusion of Triduum and start of Easter Season | Marks end of Triduum |
Why the Distinction Matters
This liturgical distinction highlights the unique and profound significance of the Paschal Triduum as the ultimate culmination of the Lenten journey. While Lent prepares believers for the mysteries of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, the Triduum itself is the actual celebration of these foundational events of Christianity. Good Friday, as part of the Triduum, is therefore not merely a day of Lent, but the very heart of the Christian faith's annual commemoration.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus was crucified on Good Friday.
- Good Friday is the central day of the Paschal Triduum.
- The liturgical season of Lent officially ends on Holy Thursday evening, immediately before the Triduum begins.
- While Good Friday is deeply connected to the Lenten spiritual journey, it is not technically a day within the liturgical season of Lent. It is part of the distinct sacred period that culminates in Easter.
