Good Friday Liturgy at St George's Basilica

Today, Good Friday, Christianity mourns the death of the Divine Saviour. It is ˇ°goodˇ± because much good has resulted from this death. In Christ's death, all the good that he did in his mission was accomplished. "It is accomplished", he said on the cross.

Some may view the term "good" in the English title of the day as a corruption of the term "God" so that it would have originally been "God's Friday". In this case the true meaning of the mystery commemorated on this day becomes even more manifest. It is no wonder that the Maltese equivalent is Il-Ġimgha l-Kbira and the "Great Friday".
According to tradition, today is a day of recollection, fasting and prayer. Also following ancient tradition, the Church celebrates no sacraments today and tomorrow, Holy Saturday. Today the Church only celebrates the Great Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, which at St George's basilica starts at at 4.30pm.

A Basilica in Mourning
Whoever enters the basilica today will be impressed by the symbolism conveying the sense of devastation that the Church feels at the thought of the suffering that Christ took upon himself out of his love for us. Black drapery covers he marbles of the basilica. Lighting is low, the only candles that flicker are those before the statues of the passion. People move silently in prayer along the shadowy stations of the cross or before the Blessed Sacrament on the altar of repose. The main altar is completely bare, with no cloths, candles nor cross.

All is differing in the side chapel, formerly of the Crucifix, where the altar of repose is set up and so beautifully adorned. The hangings there are bright red and golden, the big silver sanctuary lamps reflect the colours of the flowers, the flower arrangements speak bright words of love and devotion, the wax candles lead the eyes to the holy capsule where the Sacred Host lies hidden, crowned high above by a canopy of red and gold silk brocade. Sacristans Joseph Saliba and Noel Attard collaborated to perfection with Miriam Attard who so skilfully designed the setting and arranged the flowers.

The atmosphere of mourning filling the basilica since yesterday night was broken a little this morning, when some lights were turned on at the location of the altar of repose to allow for the recitation of the liturgy of Morning Praise and Readings, broadcast live over the parish station Le]en il-Belt Victoria.

Afternoon Great Liturgy
After the beginning of the novena devotions in honour of the Divine Mercy, the great liturgy of Good Friday starts at 16.30hrs. It is divided into three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion. The archpriest Mgr Joseph Farrugia will be assisted by two priests, wearing red vestments. The liturgy starts with the presiding priest accompanied by the Chapter and clergy, processing to the altar in silence and, flanked by his assistants, prostrating himself for a few moments in silent prayer. Rising, turning towards the people and extending his hands over them he intones the introductory prayer.

The Liturgy of the Word
Then the Liturgy of the Word starts with the First Reading containing the famous text of the Suffering Servant that pre-figures Christ (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Then a cantor will sing the Responsorial Psalm and the Laudate Pueri Choir will lead the congregation in the response in Gregorian Chant: "Father, I put my life in your hands" (Ps 30). The Second Reading, from the letter to the Hebrews (4:14-16; 5:7-9), will remind the congregation of the motive of the Incarnation of the Son of God and of his death.

The Liturgy of the Word will reach its climax with the Gospel Reading of the Passion of St. John by three monsignori of the Collegiate Chapter wearing alb, red stole and collegial pectoral cross. As they process solemnly the Choir will sing the Graduale, "Christus factus est", in sacred polyphony traditionally sung by the Sistine Chapel Choir in Rome when it was under the direction of Mgr Domenico Bartolucci. After the archpriest's homily, the general intercessions conclude the Liturgy of the Word.

The ten intercessions are for the Church, the Pope, the clergy and laity of the Church, the cathecumens (those preparing for baptism), the unity of Christians, the Jewish people, those who do not believe in Christ, those who do not believe in God, those who are in public office, and those in special need.

Veneration of the Cross
The second part of the liturgy consists of the solemn veneration of the Cross. It will be preceded by the ritual unveiling of the image of the crucified Christ by the presiding celebrant. The "Ecce lignum crucis.. venite adoremus" is sung in plainchant.

This second part of the liturgy starts with the veiled Cross being carried by a priest, wearing choral habit with stole, processing solemnly from the sacristy to the to main altar. It takes place in silence, while the principal celebrant awaits it at the bottom of the altar steps. After the ritual unveiling, for about one hour, the cross is individually kissed by the congregation, starting with the archpriest, dignitaries and canons, priests, altar servers, sanctuary ministers and lay people.

During the veneration of the cross, sacred motets are performed starting with the famous "Miserere" (Ps50) by Renaissance composer Allegri, alternating with plainchant from the Schola Cantorum Gregoriana, followed by the sacred motets "Crux fidelis", "Tenebre factae sunt" and "Eram quasi Agnus" all of them by contemporary Sistine Chapel musical director Domenico Bartolucci, the "Miserere" (Ps56) by basilica Maestro di Cappella Joseph Vella, and others. The Laudate Pueri Choir will be under the direction of Fr George Frendo, leader his sister Dr Maria Frendo. Maria Frendo will lead the soloists that include Antoinette Camilleri, Dr Nathalie Gatt Ellis and Dr Joseph Camilleri.

Holy Communion
Holy Communion concludes the Good Friday celebration of the Lord's Passion. By the time the veneration of the cross is concluded, the altar will have been covered with hand-woven cloth and after the Cross is set up on the altar, all the ciboriums containing the Blessed Sacrament are brought to the altar from the place of reposition.

The president of the liturgy then invites the congregation to pray the "Our Father" and then addresses it with the words: "This is the Lamb of God."

The pre-consecrated hosts are then distributed to the congregation from eight points aroud the basilica and in the sacristy. Meanwhile the choir sings: "Christus factus est", a cappella by 20th cent. Italian composer Domenico Stella.

The Good Friday liturgy is brought to an end by two payers, the prayer "After Communion" and then the prayer "Over the people" that the celebrant will recite with his arms extended over the congregation. All the celebrants then regress solemnly and silently to the sacristy, and everyone departs in silence.


NOTE
A reportage of the Good Friday procession held on Wednesday will be uploaded later. Meanwhile two photo galleries can be viewed and requests for photos can be made directly to Mr Joseph Zammit at jjpzammit@euroweb.net.mt

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