Good Friday is observed by most Christian religions on the Friday before Easter. This holy day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary which brings with it traditional mourning in church and special prayer services are held with readings from the Gospel accounts of the events leading up to the crucifixion.

Traditionally in Malta there are special Good Friday processions and re-enactments of the Crucifixion. Archbishop Mgr. Pawl Cremona is leading the liturgical celebrations being held at St. John Co-Cathedral, Valletta during the Holy Week. On Good Friday, all Churches are stripped of its ornaments, the altar left bare and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning.

On Maundy Thursday morning, the Mass of Holy Chrism was celebrated. Numerous diocesan priests and religious concelebrated with the Archbishop, who blessed the Holy Oils that will be used in the celebration of the Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick, Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. All priests renewed the promises that they made on the day of their Ordination.

The celebrations of Holy Week at the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday continued at 1830 CET with a Solemn Memorial of the Lord's Supper. There was also the symbolic action of the washing of the feet of twelve men as was done by Jesus to his apostles the day before he died. After Mass, Mgr. Cremona carried the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, where it will remain for the adoration of the faithful. In the evening, hundreds of devotes carried out the "seven visits" whereby people go to seven churches to visit the Altars of Repose, which are richly decorated with flowers. Many people pay their “seven visits” on Friday morning.

On Good Friday, at 15:30CET., the Archbishop will lead the solemn celebration of the Lord’s Passion. During the celebration, the Narrative of the Passion will be read. The Adoration of the Cross will follow and then Holy Communion distributed. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people.

Good Friday Processions in Malta will be held at Cospicua, Luqa, Mosta, Naxxar, Paola - Christ the King, Qormi - St. George, Rabat - St. Francis, Senglea, Valletta, Vittoriosa - St. Lawrence, Zebbug, Zejtun. In Gozo, Good Friday processions will be held at Nadur, Victoria – Cathedral Church, Xaghra, Zebbug.

Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil, as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant. The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing.

The parts of the Good Friday service correspond to the divisions of Mass:
• Liturgy of the Word - reading of the Passion.
• Intercessory prayers for the Church and the entire world, Christian and non-Christian.
• Veneration of the Cross
• Communion, or the 'Mass of the Pre-Sanctified.'

On Holy Saturday, at 20:00CET, the Archbishop will lead the celebration of the Easter Vigil. The celebration will commence with the Blessing of the New Fire and will include the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

On Easter Sunday, at 09:15CET, the Archbishop will celebrate together with the Cathedral Chapter the Easter Sunday Stational Mass and at the end imparts the Apostolic Blessing with the Plenary Indulgence.

Easter processions in Malta will be held in Cospicua, Gharghur, Mosta, Naxxar, Paola – Christ the King, Qormi – St. George, Qormi – St. Sebastian, Rabat – St. Paul, Senglea, Valletta – Jesuit Church, Vittoriosa – St. Lawrence, Zebbug, Zejtun. In Gozo, processions will be held in Fontana (first Sunday after Easter) Kercem, Nadur, Victoria – Cathedral Church, Victoria - St. George, Xaghra, Zebbug.

See also MaltaMedia's special feature: Holy Week and Easter in Malta and Gozo.