Prayer to be recited on Good Friday

God the Redeemer, here we are at the gates of faith,

here we are at the gates of death,

here we are in front of the tree of the cross.
Only Maria remains standing
in the hour desired by the Father, in the hour of faith.

Everything is done, but, to the human gaze,

to defeat it seems complete.
On the rough wood of the cross, you found the church:

entrust John as son
to your mother, and your mother, from this moment
enters John's house.
Everything is accomplished. You gave life,
open our hearts to this total gift.

On wood you have raised everything to yourself.
O Lord,

come down from the cross reach the man in tears,

to tell him that you loved him completely.