Today the Church stands still before the Cross of her Lord. The altar is stripped, the lamp before the tabernacle extinguished, the Mass is not offered. Everything speaks of mourning. The Bridegroom has been taken from her, and she stands like a widow at the foot of the Cross. She contemplates the sacrifice that is accomplished for the redemption of the world and unites herself with the sorrow of the holy Mother of God. The Passion according to Saint John is read, that the faithful may meditate upon the sufferings of the Redeemer. Here one beholds the Son of God delivered to sinners, mocked, scourged, and crucified. He freely bears the wood of the Cross and is lifted up between heaven and earth. From His opened side flow blood and water, the source of the life of the Church. Afterwards the Church prays for all the needs of the world. She intercedes for the faithful, for the catechumens, for those who do not believe, and for all who are far from God. For the blood of Christ has been shed for all, and the Church desires that the fruit of the Cross may come to every soul. At last the holy Cross is venerated. The faithful approach and kiss the wood upon which hung the salvation of the world. In this adoration the Church acknowledges the Cross as her glory. Through the Cross Christ has conquered, and from the Cross the Resurrection will come (Dom Guéranger).
