Tenebrae

Holy Week is approaching and it is an amazing opportunity to connect with Jesus on His journey to the cross. Tenebrae, which takes place Tuesday, April 9th at 7pm, is a beautiful combination of readings and music that allow us to experience the somber and solitary nature of that journey. Below is a detailed snapshot of the night:

“Adapted from the Roman tradition, this service of Tenebrae is centered around the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. It meditates upon the loving sacrifice of Our Lord and Savior. It originally formed the Office of Readings, which is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, during the Middle Ages.

Tenebrae opens with the lighting of the candles. The center candle represents Christ. The prayer that accompanies this is taken from an ancient Christian document, the Didache (circa 95 AD). This blessing over the Christ Candle establishes the centrality of Christ throughout the service. From this candle, the other candles used in the service are lit. During the course of the service, they are extinguished.

The gradual darkening of the sanctuary gives Tenebrae its particular character and tone. Tenebrae is marked by increasing darkness and silence. At its end, the Christ Candle remains in stillness, symboling his presence.

Through the three chanted Psalms and the readings Christ is seen as the one who weeps over Jerusalem (The Lamentations of Jeremiah), the longed for Savior, the true sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), and the true and eternal High Priest (Epistle to the Hebrews). The Old Testament images of the readings are answered in the responsories by the sections of the Passion Narrative, showing how the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the Paschal Sacrifice of Christ.”

Please join us as we connect with the heart and mind of Jesus and prepare to enter into the solemnity of His death, which will soon be followed by the joy of His resurrection.