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Join us on Wednesday, 4/1 at 7pm at Holy Redeemer for the beautiful service of Tenebrae of Holy Thursday (which was traditionally "anticipated" the evening before).Tenebrae, meaning “darkness,” is the traditional chanted night and morning prayers of the Divine Office--called Matins and Lauds respectively--for the final three days of Holy Week. It comprises antiphons, psalms, lessons (chanted readings), and chant responsories from psalmody and scripture highlighting themes of Holy Week like penitence, the betrayal of Judas, the Last Supper, and the Passion and death of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Fifteen candles are arranged in the shape of a triangle (historically in a special candleholder called a “hearse”). At the end of each Psalm of Matins and of Lauds, one of the fifteen candles is extinguished, leaving only the candle at the top of the triangle lighted by the end of the psalms.
This final candle is hidden after the Canticle of Zachary at the end of Lauds, and remains hidden during the singing of the Christus Factus Est (“Christ became obedient for us, even unto death”), symbolizing the apparent victory of death over the Light of Christ.
After the final prayer, all present join together in the strepitus, which is a clatter made by knocking on the pews or floor, to imitate the earthquake that struck at the death of Our Lord on the Cross. Before all depart in silence, the final candle reappears, reminding us that death is not victorious, and that our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ will return, and His Light will shine bright forever.
The form of Tenebrae we will use is an abridged form of the traditional Matins and Lauds of Maundy Thursday, with antiphons and psalms adapted to English. The congregation is invited to sing the English antiphons and psalms, while cantors and clergy will chant the lessons and responsories in their traditional Latin forms. The English antiphons and psalms, as well as English translations of the lessons and responsories, will be provided in a booklet. (Note that this presentation of Tenebrae is a devotional practice intended to edify the Faithful and does not fulfill the obligation of clergy or religious who are bound to the Liturgy of the Hours.)
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1325 Gallia St, Portsmouth, OH 45662-4218, United States
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