HARRISBURG – In recognition of history and Pennsylvania’s spiritual convictions, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) introduced legislation to officially recognize Good Friday as a state holiday.
More than 2 billion people worldwide and 73% of Pennsylvanians profess to be Christian.
“Christians observe Good Friday with fasting, mourning, prayer and worship. It is a solemn remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice: God incarnate, crucified for the salvation of mankind. Without Good Friday, there is no Easter Sunday. Without the cross, there is no resurrection. And without these events, there is no Christianity,” Mastriano said.
Schools, courts and offices already close or operate on limited schedules on Good Friday. Formalizing it as a state holiday would align Pennsylvania law with reality and enable families to observe the day without professional or academic conflict.
“The values symbolized by Good Friday – self-sacrifice, mercy, humility, redemption – are not merely religious sentiments. They are truths that have shaped Western civilization, our legal code, our concept of justice and our understanding of human dignity. These ideals are what inspired William Penn, who was a devout Christian, to establish our very commonwealth. Christianity is not one of many cultural influences on Pennsylvania – it is the root,” Mastriano said.
Other states – including New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, Texas and Kentucky – already recognize Good Friday as a state holiday.
CONTACT: Don Beishl, 717-787-6701