Good Friday in Venezuela is one of the main events in the Holy Week preceding Easter. Traditionally, the day is marked with solemnity as it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The celebration is a national holiday and Venezuelans treat this occasion with religious significance. Many attend Church services and streets in larger cities often welcome grand religious processions, with people slowed down in contemplation and sorrow reflecting Jesus' suffering.
A unique Venezuelan Good Friday tradition is the 'Sermón de las Siete Palabras' or Sermon of the Seven Words. This is a public event where seven local figures, not necessarily religious representatives, are chosen each year to reflect publicly on the seven last words or phrases Jesus reportedly spoke before his death. This demonstration of faith draws large crowds, bringing the community together in a show of unity and reverence.
Further deepening the significance of Good Friday, Venezuelan catholic followers often perform acts of self-penance. Many churches hold confession sessions for individuals to seek absolution for their sins. Another common manifestation of faith is the practice of the Stations of the Cross, where believers retrace the steps that Jesus took on his way to crucifixion. These traditions are held to symbolize a sharing in Christ's suffering and a cathartic preparation for the joy of His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.