Every year our children look forward to our Lenten Dinners which were originally inspired Alice’s Lenten Teas. Here is the link to this year’s Holy Thursday Lenten Dinner.
For a number of years, when we are all able to go to Stations and the Veneration of the Cross, I would move this particular dinner to either Passion Sunday or Holy Saturday and just serve soup and Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday. Last year we had it on Holy Saturday (which also happened to be our daughter’s birthday, before heading to the beautiful, and very long, Easter Vigil Mass as a whole family for the first time!) This year, due to the pandemic and stay-home order I had the time to pull this simple and symbolic dinner together once again on Good Friday as our one family meal for the day.
Even though there are a number of menu items, it basically just includes the ingredients to assemble your own burrito along with a hard boiled egg, a fruit leather and a Hot Cross Bun. While the Hot Cross Buns were rising, we spent the afternoon praying along with our parish’s live stream of Stations of the Cross and Good Friday Service.
~ The Water Bowl ~
Glasses of Water to drink and a bowl of water for washing hands…
“Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood.” Matthew 27: 24
~ The King’s Crown ~
A Small Bean, Cheese and Chip Crown… We use it to make burritos.
“And Pilate asked Him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ And He answered him, ‘You have said so.'” Mark 15: 2
~ Out of Envy ~
Avocado slices, also for the burritos, which are green for “envy”
“[H]e perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up.” Mark 15: 10
~ The Purple Cloak ~
As usual, Grape Fruit Leather was served for the Purple Cloak. I remembered to pick up a box during my last big Costco haul a couple weeks ago…
“And they clothed Him in a purple cloak . . . .” Mark 15: 17
~ The Crown of Thorns ~
Usually we make Crown of Thorns with Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter, and Pretzels…. I finally managed to get peanut butter from Costco, but we don’t have the crackers or pretzels so I ended up just going with our centerpiece for this menu item this year.
On Easter Sunday the thorns in our Crown of Thorns centerpiece are replaced with flowers and the purple candle with our Paschal Candle.
“. . . and, plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him.” Mark 15: 17
~ Golgotha Eggs ~
Thanks to our hens, and the beautiful spring weather that is finally starting to arrive, we have lots of eggs! Our 16 year old drew skulls on the Golgotha Egg this year using Food Decorating Pens
. I really love how easy it is to prepare our eggs with our countertop egg cooker. They are so much easier to peel too!
“And they brought Him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull)” Mark 15: 22
~ The Seamless Garment ~
Using my kitchen scissors, I quickly cut the tortillas to look like a seamless garment and cubes of cheese for the dice used to cast lots.
“But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.'” John 19: 23-24
~ The Two Robbers ~
Last month I picked up a basil plant at the store and pulled some leaves off to serve with our Good Friday dinner. The two fresh sprigs of Basil (each) are used to represent the two robbers. Legend has it that the Basil plant grew around the site of Christ’s crucifixion. Basil is also symbolic of both hatred and best wishes. The taunting thief and the good thief come to mind.
And with Him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left.” Mark 15: 27
~ Vinegar to Drink ~
“And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.'” Mark 15: 36
~ The Temple Curtain ~
Tearing Temple Curtains (aka Napkins) in half… After dinner Bud went to grab the copy of
The Picture Bible to show me the pages he had recently read.
“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Mark 15: 38
~ The Roman Centurion ~
100 Cherry Tomatoes represent the 100 Roman Centurion.
“And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.'” Mark 15: 39
~ Laid in the Tomb ~
Hot Cross Buns were included for this menu item this year.
“And he brought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.”
You can find the pictures from our 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2015 Good Friday dinners in the archives for Good Friday. You can also download and print our small card stock signs here.
Prayer of Mothers
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.
What a memorable dinner, I will surely use it next year. Thank you. ~Peace ❤
2020-04-11 19:20:03
Such a lovely way to bring it all together!
2020-04-14 02:20:30
Thank You for sharing your Holy Week celebration God Bless Marilyn,Joan and Marion
2020-04-16 19:27:00
Delightful and so delicious! How Blessed your beautiful children are to enjoy this tradition together. Wonderful symbolism!
2020-04-21 19:00:25