Why Is Good Friday “Good”? Understanding The Name And Meaning

jesus carrying cross procession catholic

Each year on Good Friday, Christians around the world pause in solemn remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day marked by silence, sorrow, and reverence—a day when the faithful remember the brutal suffering and death of our Lord. And yet, we call it Good Friday. For many, this seems like a paradox. What could possibly be “good” about the violent death of the Son of God?

To understand why the Church has retained this striking name, we must look beyond the surface of suffering and into the heart of the Gospel message. Good Friday is not “good” because of the pain Christ endured, but because of the salvation His suffering secured.

The Origin of the Name “Good Friday”

The term “Good Friday” is deeply rooted in Christian tradition. Some historians suggest that the word good may have originally meant holy, as in Holy Friday—a name still used in many languages, including Spanish (Viernes Santo) and German (Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday”). Others propose that the word good reflects the ultimate goodness of what Christ accomplished on that day: the redemption of humanity.

Whatever its linguistic roots, the name invites reflection. It challenges us to see God’s hand at work in the darkest hour of history.

This paradoxical naming invites us to meditate on a central truth of the Christian faith: that what appears to be defeat in the eyes of the world can, in the providence of God, become the very instrument of victory.

A Day of Suffering and Sacrifice

From a human perspective, Good Friday was a day of betrayal, injustice, and agony. Jesus was arrested under cover of night, falsely accused, scourged, crowned with thorns, and nailed to a cross between criminals. The disciples fled. The crowds mocked. Darkness fell.

But within this tragedy, the divine plan of salvation was unfolding.

As the prophet Isaiah wrote centuries before:

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5

On Good Friday, Christ willingly bore the sins of the world. He became the spotless Lamb of God, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrifices once and for all. His blood, poured out on the Cross, opened the way to eternal life.

Redemption Through the Cross: Why We Call It “Good”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:

“Jesus freely accepted his Passion and death by crucifixion… [as] the supreme expression of his free offering of himself in the love that saves.”
— CCC 609

This is why we call Good Friday good. Not because of the pain, but because of the purpose. The Cross, once a symbol of shame, has become a sign of victory. Through it, Christ destroyed death, conquered sin, and opened the gates of Heaven.

St. John Chrysostom described it powerfully:

“What was the Cross then a sign of? Of a curse? Hear it no more. It is become a fountain of countless blessings to us.”

What was meant to extinguish the light of the world became the instrument through which the light of salvation shone most brightly. It is “good” because, by His death, Jesus defeated sin. It is “good” because through the darkness of the crucifixion, God’s mercy was revealed in its most radiant form.

The Paradox of Christian Hope

Christianity is filled with holy paradoxes: life through death, strength through weakness, glory through humility. Good Friday is the clearest of them all. On the surface, it is a day of defeat. But in truth, it is the day love triumphed.

As Pope Benedict XVI once said:

“Good Friday is the real day of atonement… the great ‘Yes’ of God to mankind.”

The Cross does not merely reveal the depth of human sin—it reveals the depth of God’s mercy. The “goodness” of Good Friday lies in the victory that follows: Easter. Without the Cross, there would be no Resurrection. Without the Passion, there would be no salvation.

In this way, Good Friday cannot be separated from Easter Sunday. The Church teaches that the Paschal Mystery—Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection—must be seen as one unified saving event. Good Friday, then, is the doorway through which Easter joy comes.

St. Paul affirms this hope:

“We proclaim Christ crucified… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:23–24

The Solemn Liturgy: Mourning with Hope

Unlike any other day of the liturgical year, the Church does not celebrate the Mass on Good Friday. The altar remains bare, the tabernacle is empty, and the Church enters a deep silence. Instead of a traditional Eucharistic celebration, the faithful gather for the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.

This unique liturgy includes:

The Liturgy of the Word, recounting the Passion according to St. John.
The Solemn Intercessions, praying for the Church, the world, and all in need of salvation.
The Veneration of the Cross, where each person may approach, kneel, touch, or kiss the Cross—a powerful act of reverence and gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice.
Holy Communion, using hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday.

This absence of the Eucharistic sacrifice on Good Friday heightens the sense of mourning, while the reception of Communion reminds us that even in sorrow, Christ remains with us.

The Veneration of the Cross: A Gesture of Love

The Veneration of the Cross is one of the most moving parts of the Good Friday liturgy. In this act, the faithful approach the Cross not with dread, but with love—expressing devotion to the One who gave His life for us.

This tradition dates back to the fourth century and is a tangible way for us to unite our hearts with Christ’s sacrifice. Whether we kiss the Cross, touch it, or simply bow before it, we affirm with our bodies what our hearts believe: that this instrument of torture has become the throne of grace.

“We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You,
because by Your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”

Living the Meaning of Good Friday

Good Friday invites us not only to remember but to respond. It calls us to:

Reflect on our sins and the price Christ paid for them.
Attend the Good Friday liturgy, venerate the Cross, and receive Holy Communion if possible.
Fast and pray, in union with the suffering Christ.
Embrace the Cross in our own lives with trust, humility, and hope.

Fasting on Good Friday is not only an act of penance, but a gesture of solidarity with the suffering Christ. The Church invites all Catholics aged 18–59 to fast, and those 14 and older to abstain from meat, as an offering of love and devotion.

Final Thoughts: The Cross and the Crown

Good Friday is “good” because it is the day love was proven. It is the day Jesus gave everything so that we might live. His suffering brought healing. His death brought life. And His Cross became the bridge between humanity and God.

As we kneel before the crucified Christ, we are reminded that even in our darkest hours, God is working for our good. Good Friday tells us that suffering is not the end of the story—and neither is the tomb.

Through the Cross, joy is born. Through the Cross, we are redeemed. And through the Cross, we are led into the radiant joy of Easter morning, where death is swallowed up in victory.