Tenebrae

Tenebrae, which means "shadows" or "darkness" in Latin, is a Holy Week service that was established a thousand years ago. Like the "lessons and carols" services familiar at Christmas, Tenebrae consists of hymns and readings, the ones proper to Lauds and Matins for the day of the Triduum. Originally held in churches after midnight, but later held at a variety of times, Tenebrae would be sung each day of the Triduum lit only by 15 candles. The candles were extinguished one by one until the church was left in darkness. At that point, a loud noise called the "strepitus" would be produced, sometimes by slamming a hymnal or other book shut or stomping on the floor - symbolizing the earthquake after Christ's death.

Until the mid-1950s, when the Easter Vigil had been revived, nearly every church in the United States sung Tenebrae on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today, churches offer Tenebrae services once on a Lenten evening rather than during the Triduum. This year, on Wednesday, April 16th at 7pm, St. Mark Catholic Church will present a Tenebrae Service focused on the Seven Last Words of Christ. Each of the Seven Last Words of Christ will be stated along with a brief reflection, silence for prayer, reading, and meditation. Come and experience this ancient faith tradition and reflect on the Paschal Triduum and true meaning of Easter.