Tenebrae

Dear fellow travelers through the season of lent,

The days that end the season of lent are dark ones. Dark indeed.

There is a service that is designed to express our reaction to that darkness. It is called Tenebrae, the Latin word for darkness or shadow. The experience is moving. The church hall is lighted only by candles.

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent. --Psalm 22

As scripture is read, one by one, the candles are extinguished until only one white candle is lighted, the Christ candle. Then, that one also is damped.



At the end of this service, all file out quietly, with our thoughts and hearts crying for mercy.

Pie Jesus Domine

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem,
Blessed Lord Jesus, grant them rest,

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem,
Blessed Lord Jesus, grant them rest,

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem, sempiternam.
Blessed Lord Jesus, grant them eternal rest.

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pecatta mundi:
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

dona eis requiem.
grant them rest.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi:
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

dona eis requiem.
grant them rest.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

dona eis requiem sempiternam.
grant them eternal rest.

BRD