On Good Friday, we encounter not only the suffering of Jesus, but also the lives of those who stood near the Cross. Three men—very different in background and circumstance—met Jesus in His final hours. Each encounter became a moment of grace, repentance, and transformation.

Saint Dismas — The Good Thief

Saint Dismas has been called the Good Thief or the Penitent Thief. We meet him in the Gospel of Gospel of Luke (23:39–43):

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

What we know is limited. Tradition holds that Dismas was born in Galilee and may have known Jesus prior to the crucifixion. What matters most is not his past, but his final act of faith. In his last moments, he turned to Jesus with humility and trust—and received mercy.

He is the patron saint of:

• Prisoners, especially the condemned
• Funeral directors
• Repentant sinners

Dismas reminds us that it is never too late to turn to Christ. Even in our final breath, grace is possible.

Saint Longinus — The Centurion

Saint Longinus is believed to be the soldier who pierced Jesus’ side with a lance. In the Gospel of Gospel of John (19:34):

One soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

In the Gospel of Luke (23:47), we read:

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.”

Christian tradition identifies this centurion as Longinus. Legend holds that he was partially blind. When blood and water from Christ’s side touched his eyes, he was healed. Through this miracle, he came to believe in Jesus.

He is the patron saint of:

• Military personnel
• The blind

Longinus reminds us that even those who participate in suffering can be transformed by encountering Christ. Mercy can reach even into the hardest hearts.

Saint Simon of Cyrene — The Cross Bearer

Saint Simon of Cyrene is introduced in the Gospel of Luke (23:26):

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus.

Cyrene was located in what is now modern-day eastern Libya. Simon was likely in Jerusalem as a Jewish pilgrim to celebrate Passover when Roman soldiers seized him from the crowd.

His life changed forever in that unexpected moment. Tradition holds that Simon was initially reluctant, but his heart was changed by grace after encountering Jesus—walking beside Him, carrying the weight of the Cross, and witnessing His suffering. Scripture also tells us he was the father of Rufus and Alexander, suggesting his family later became known in the early Christian community.

Simon reminds us that sometimes we are called to carry crosses we did not choose. Yet in carrying them with Christ, we find transformation.

A Good Friday Reflection

Three men.
A criminal.
A soldier.
A passerby.

None planned to meet Jesus that day. Yet each one encountered Him at the Cross—and none left unchanged.

Good Friday invites us to ask:

• Will we turn to Jesus like Dismas?
• Will we recognize truth like Longinus?
• Will we carry the cross like Simon?

Because the Cross is not only something we remember. It is something we are invited to enter.

And even in the darkest hour, grace is still being offered