It is not an overstatement to say that Tenebrae is one of the best meditations of the year. — Fr Deprey

This year we will sing the office of Tenebrae at 7:30 am during the Sacred Triduum (i.e. Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week). The word tenebrae is Latin for ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows’. For centuries, this word has been applied to the ancient monastic practice of singing the Office of Matins and Lauds in a special way during Holy Week. It is a haunting service interspersed with mournful readings from Scripture. Its sorrowful character reflects the Church’s sadness concerning the rejection of Christ by His chosen people, and the suffering and death He endured for our sins. As the psalms and readings progress, 14 candles of a 15-candled hearse, as well as the 6 candles of the high altar, are extinguished, leaving one lone candle, which is finally removed from the hearse and hidden behind the altar. This candle represents Christ. The darkness and silence that follows is punctuated by the sudden noise of the strepitus, which evokes the earthquake and convulsions of nature which occurred,  as well as the beating of the breasts made by the onlookers at the death of Christ. The darkness recalls the eclipse of the sun (see St Matthew 27:45ff, St Mark 15:33ff, and St Luke 23:44ff). Afterwards, the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by this light all depart in silence. The light of Christ cannot be extinguished for He is the Light of the World (St John 8:12).

Tenebrae will help deepen one’s appreciation of the mysteries of Holy Week. Booklets will be provided with the psalms and readings in English translation. It is also found in many hand missals.

[The image above shows the Tenebrae hearse, with only the final candle symbolising the Light of Christ remaining lit, during the singing of the office at the Birmingham Oratory. This important church of the Catholic revival in Great Britain was established by the Venerable John Henry Newman, who will be beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict.]