An image of Christ crucified (or if there is no crucifix, of Christ suffering at some other stage of his passion) is placed with candles on a table or mantel which serves as an “altar” for the service.
The service begins immediately with the reading of the prophecy of Isaiah, read by the father of the family or other head of the household, or chosen reader.
SIT
Leader: A reading from the prophet Isaiah
See, my servant shall prosper,
he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.
Even as many were amazed at him–
so marred was his look beyond human semblance
and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man–
so shall he startle many nations,
because of him kings shall stand speechless;
for those who have not been told shall see,
those who have not heard shall ponder it.
Who would believe what we have heard?
To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up like a sapling before him,
like a shoot from the parched earth;
there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him,
nor appearance that would attract us to him.
He was spurned and avoided by people,
a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,
one of those from whom people hide their faces,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.
Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured,
while we thought of him as stricken,
as one smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins;
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep,
each following his own way;
but the LORD laid upon him
the guilt of us all.
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted
and opened not his mouth;
like a lamb led to the slaughter
or a sheep before the shearers,
he was silent and opened not his mouth.
Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away,
and who would have thought any more of his destiny?
When he was cut off from the land of the living,
and smitten for the sin of his people,
a grave was assigned him among the wicked
and a burial place with evildoers,
though he had done no wrong
nor spoken any falsehood.
But the LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
Therefore I will give him his portion among the great,
and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty,
because he surrendered himself to death
and was counted among the wicked;
and he shall take away the sins of many,
and win pardon for their offenses.
The Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
This litany was promulgated by Pope St. John XXIII in 1961. There is a partial indulgence attached to its recitation and it may be applied to the souls of the faithful departed.
The parts in italics are for all the participants to say; the rest belongs to the father or other leader.
KNEEL
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, incarnate Word of God,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, of the new and eternal testament,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in agony,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the cross,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of confessors,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,
Save us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
V. You have redeemed us, O Lord, in your blood.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adoration of the Holy Cross
Then the Father or leader takes the holy cross, and raising it up over the gathering says:
Behold the wood of the cross on which hung the salvation of the world!
ALL: Come, let us adore.
This verse and response are repeated two more times as above.
Then the father or leader presents the holy cross for each one to adore with a kiss, wiping the cross with a white towel or cloth after each kiss.
Then the cross is placed back in its place of honor.
Prayer over the Family
The father or leader prays over the family as follows as ALL STAND:
Let us pray.
Look, we pray, O Lord, on this your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of evil men and submit to the agony of the Cross, who lives and reigns forever and ever.
ALL: Amen
Then there may follow the family’s Good Friday meal.