Good Friday: Tenebrae Service 7PM (SP)

‘Tenebrae’ means darkness or shadows.
As we come to the end of Lent,
we begin a journey into darkness to a place of deep shadows. Today we accompany Jesus in his last hours. We witness the cruelties and the suffering he endures. We listen to the words of condemnation and ridicule. In all this he is innocent. He is the faithful servant of God, doing his Father’s work;
bringing the gospel of love, peace and hope.


In this liturgy, we are invited to walk solemnly and attentively with Jesus.
Better to know.
Better to understand.
Better to be his friend, his disciple, his witness.
Be still and know that God is here.

The Tenebrae Service will be held at 7PM at the St. Peter site.  It will be livestreamed to our parish YouTube channel:
  

Tenebrae (Latin for shadows) is a religious service that was traditionally celebrated by Church on the eves of the last three days of Holy Week characterized by the gradual extinguishing of candles.

The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story of Christ. Tonight’s service is an adaption of the traditional one, with a blend of readings: psalms, Old Testament prophesies and a reading of Mark’s Passion account, along with the singing of contemporary and traditional hymns with some personal reflections. The lighting is gradually reduced throughout the service.

Initially 15 candles (the candlebra used is called a hearse) are lit, which are extinguished one by one throughout the service, with it concluding in total darkness.

The use of a strepitus (Latin for "great noise") is included as part of the service, symbolizing the earthquake that followed Christ's death.

All should depart in silence at the conclusion of Tenebrae.