Catholic Calendar Guide

SolemnityRedLent

Rank

A solemnity is one of the highest-ranking celebrations in the Roman calendar and marks a mystery of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or a saint of major significance.

Liturgical color

The liturgical color for this observance is Red. Martyrdom, the Holy Spirit, and the Passion of the Lord.

Season

Lent is the forty-day season of repentance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading to Easter.

Week in the year

Holy Week

Why this day matters

Good Friday remembers the saving Passion and death of Jesus Christ and stands at the heart of the Paschal Mystery.

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord is observed on Friday, April 3, 2026 in the Lent season. It is kept as a solemnity with the liturgical color Red. Good Friday remembers the saving Passion and death of Jesus Christ and stands at the heart of the Paschal Mystery. Good Friday is widely kept as a day of fasting and abstinence in the Latin Church, with local pastoral application where needed.

Fasting note: Good Friday is widely kept as a day of fasting and abstinence in the Latin Church, with local pastoral application where needed.

Plan local worship

Need to find a parish for this celebration?

Use the parish finder to search your area and confirm local Mass times, confession schedules, and parish details for Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord.

Daily readings

Daily readings for Friday, April 3, 2026

Good Friday readings contemplate the suffering servant, Christ’s sacrifice, and the saving power of the Cross.

What to expect: Expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel acclamation, and Gospel for the day.

Use the linked official readings page for the approved lectionary texts and any local options or variations.

Browse readings archive

Mass guide

Mass guide for Friday, April 3, 2026

Mass type

Solemnity Mass. Solemnities are among the Church’s highest celebrations and usually carry a more festive liturgical form, often including the Gloria and normally the Creed.

Obligation note

This is a solemnity in the universal calendar, but whether Mass attendance is obligatory can depend on the local bishops’ conference and country.

What to expect

You can usually expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel, homily, and the fuller Sunday-or-solemnity shape of Mass.

How to follow the Mass

Opening rites

Mass begins with the entrance, greeting, penitential act, and opening prayer. On more festive days, the Gloria may also be included.

Liturgy of the Word

Listen for the First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel, homily, and usually the Profession of Faith and Universal Prayer.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The gifts are prepared, the Eucharistic Prayer is prayed, and the congregation joins in the Holy, Holy, Holy, the memorial acclamation, and the Great Amen.

Communion and dismissal

After the Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, and Lamb of God, Communion is distributed. Mass ends with the final blessing and dismissal.

Postures and responses

Stand, sit, and kneel according to local custom and parish direction. Join the spoken and sung responses as you are able; posture details can vary somewhat by country and diocese.

Local music, ceremonial detail, posture, and holy day obligation can vary somewhat by country, diocese, and parish. Use this guide as a practical orientation, then follow the parish’s actual celebration.

Scope and caution

This guide is built around the universal Roman Catholic calendar for practical reference. Local episcopal conferences, dioceses, and ritual traditions may observe some dates differently.

SolemnityWhite

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Paschal Triduum and commemorates the Last Supper, priesthood, and commandment of love.

Lent•Holy Week

WeekdayViolet

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is a day of silence and waiting at the tomb before the Easter Vigil and Resurrection proclamation.

Lent•Holy Week