Archibishop Gomez to Celebrate Good Friday at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will celebrate the Good Friday liturgy at noon Friday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

In the simplest liturgy of the church year, the account of the Passion and Death of Christ is proclaimed from the Gospel of John. Gomez will carry a cross into the cathedral, recalling how Jesus carried a cross along the Via Dolorosa, the "Way of Suffering," on his way to being crucified.

Special prayers will be offered for the needs of the church and the world and the cross will be venerated. Holy Communion will then be given to the faithful. Additional liturgies will be celebrated at the cathedral at 3 p.m in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish.

"Friends, in this Holy Week, we see Our Lord tortured and killed because of his love of God," Gomez said. "Let's reflect on his final Beatitude, 'Blessed are those who are persecuted.'

"We don't face our trials alone. We go with Jesus, who carries his cross before us and gives us strength and courage in our weakness."