What should you not do on Good Friday?
What should you not do on Good Friday?
While Good Friday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, it is a day of Fast and Abstinence, as was Ash Wednesday.
The United States Bishops’ Conference instructs us:
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.
The faithful are also deeply encouraged to enter into the Passion of Jesus by participating in the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday. Many parishes have public Stations of the Cross, as well, and some a Commemoration of the Seven Last Words. It is also a good day to privately pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chapel and to begin the Divine Mercy Novena.