CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis asked the faithful to spend a few moments with Jesus during an especially somber Good Friday liturgy celebrated in a near-empty St. Patrick Cathedral because of public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis outlined the Good Friday liturgy for the few clergy members and media present at the Charlotte Church and addressed a live-streamed audience of more than 1,200.
“We have the veneration of the cross, especially important and poignant on this day where we honor His crucifixion,” Bishop Jugis said.
“Even if you’re not able to be here for this celebration in person, at home, take a few moments where you find a cross or a crucifix on one of the walls of your house or maybe standing on your dresser in your room,” he said. “Take a moment to look at Jesus, and to love Him and to honor Him and all that He did for your salvation, to reconcile you to Almighty God and give you the chance of eternal life.”
“And as you look upon Jesus and recall all that He did for you, what should be our disposition?” Bishop Jugis asked, then replied, “Sorrow for our sins and a deep conversion of heart; a desire to leave sin behind and to have a change of heart; to be sorry for all of our wrongdoing and start on a new path with the love of Christ in our hearts.”
After listening to the account of Jesus’ suffering, His crucifixion and His death, Bishop Jugis opened his homily with the question: Why did Jesus offer His life as a sacrifice to the Father?
“We know the answer is: for the salvation of all humankind,” he said.
“His desire is that the salvation that He won for us on Mount Calvary should embrace all of mankind, of every time, of every place, and that everyone in the world open their heart to His gift of salvation.”
Bishop Jugis also discussed the Solemn Intercessions for the Good Friday Liturgy: praying for the Church, those who are to enter the Church through the sacraments of initiation, and for those who do not know Jesus.
“This year our Holy Father has asked us to add two additional Solemn Intercessions during this horrible worldwide pandemic that we are all experiencing,” he explained. “To first of all pray for those who have become ill with the coronavirus, and a final intercession asking the Lord to have mercy on all who have died as a result of complications from this illness.
“In these prayers, we’re moved by the love of Christ, praying that every one may come to know Jesus and come to know of His love and mercy that might transform the whole world.
“We want the work of Christ on Calvary to be extended, even in our own time.”
After the liturgy on Friday evening, people had the opportunity to venerate the cross, which contains a relic of the True Cross, outside the cathedral.
— Kimberly Bender, Online reporter. Photos by SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald
