Good Friday

Málaga, Spain: Soldiers of the Spanish Legion carry the figure of the Christ.

I was wondering about more ancient, or pious-folk traditions for Good Friday, which originated before the current liturgical observances of the Triduum, when I came across this at Fish Eaters: 

 Traditional Catholics wear black, cover their mirrors, extinguish candles and any lamps burning before icons, keep amusements and distractions down, and go about the day in great solemnity.

I never heard of Christians covering mirrors - sounds very Jewish.  I like that.  Jews cover the mirrors in their home during Shiva, the mourning period after a loved one dies.  Shiva commences with the death of the relative and ends after seven days of mourning.

The latest, or newest Catholic tradition I can think of, is that Good Friday marks the beginning of the Divine Mercy novena.  In a sense, one might liken it to the Jewish Shiva, since the chaplet is focused upon the passion and death of Christ, and ends on the Octave, or Second Sunday of Easter.  Though we celebrate the Resurrection, we keep in mind, or ponder in our heart, the Sacred Passion.  One tradition tells us Our Lady traced the steps Our Lord walked during his passion, every day - whenever she was in Jerusalem.  Perhaps the chaplet can be understood in that way?

Jesus, I trust in you.

For information and instructions on how to pray the Divine Mercy novena, go here.  If your Lent has fallen short, if you somehow feel far away from God - turn with confidence to Jesus on this day, and every day - the devotion to the Divine Mercy is made especially for us who have no merits of our own, nothing to offer, save our sins.

"Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me.  To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask.  I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion." - Our Lord to St. Faustina