Today the Roman Catholic Church recalls the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ on the Golgotha . Mass is not celebrated. Instead a Celebration of the Lord's Passion is held in churches at around 3pm, the hour in which tradition says that Jesus died. The organ, instruments playing or bell ringing are not allowed today as sign of mourning. However, they will joyously announce the resurrection during the Vigil of Saturday. Schola Cantorum Jubilate animated sacred liturgy a cappella in SATB.
The service held at Ta' Pinu National Shrine was led by the Rector Fr. Gerald Buhagiar. The celebration started at 3.30pm with a congregation which filled the Shrine. This service consists of four parts: the Ministry of the Word, the Solemn Intercession, the Meditation on the Cross of Jesus and the Ministry of the Sacrament. The choir sang: the psalm ‘Missier nerħi ruħi f'idejk' (Portelli) while Christabella Vella led the assemblea, ‘Glorja u Tifħir and versetto' (Portelli). During the adoration of the cross starting with the singing of 'Ecce lignum Crucis' by the main celebrant, to which the choir answered, each time in different key, ‘Venite adoremus'. During this part of the liturgy the Schola Cantorum sang what is called Improperia: ‘Popule Meus' (Palestrina and Victoria) and the hymns ‘Crux Fidelis' (Portelli), ‘Vexilla Regis' (Plain Chant). The last part of the liturgy consisted of the distribution of the Holy Communion where the Schola Cantorum interpreted ‘O Bone Jesu' (Palestrina) and ‘O Ras ta' Kristu Mbierka' (Bach/Hassler).
