Tenebrae (“shadows” or “darkness”) is a Holy Week service that is at least 1,000 years old. Originally held in after midnight but later held at a variety of times, Tenebrae would be sung each day of the Triduum in a church lit only by 15 candles. These were extinguished one by one until the church was left in darkness. At that point, a loud noise (“strepitus”) would be produced – sometimes by slamming a hymnal or other book shut, sometimes by stomping on the floor – symbolizing the earthquake after Christ’s death. Like the “lessons and carols” services familiar at Christmas, Tenebrae consists of hymns and readings, the ones proper to Lauds and Matins for the days of the Triduum. Until the mid-1950s, when the Easter Vigil had been revived, nearly every parish in the United States sung Tenebrae on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today, churches with Tenebrae services usually sing them once, on a Lenten evening – not necessarily during the Triduum. Source Wednesday, March 31, 2021 |
"As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." - John 13:34 |
On Thursday of Holy Week (Maundy Thursday) the Church celebrates the three pillars of the Catholic Church instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper: the priesthood, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Holy Eucharist.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
7:00 PM Extraordinary Form Mass of the Lord's Supper - Seat reservations required HERE Mass Propers for Holy Thursday Pange Lingua Gloriosi - Hymn sung as the Blessed Sacrament is reposed following Holy Thursday Mass Click here to download and/or print the Mass aid |
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Good Friday - April 2, 2021 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Confessions and the Tre Ore Devotions - Stations of the Cross, 3:00 PM: Passion Liturgy - Seat reservations required HERE NOTE: You will need to reserve seats for BOTH the Tre Ore Devotions Resources for Participation: Tre Ore Devotions of Good Friday
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Holy Saturday, April 3, 2021 8:30 PM Extraordinary Form Vigil Mass of Easter
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Easter Sunday of the Mass Schedule: 7:00 AM Ordinary Form English Mass 9:00 AM Extraordinary Form Low Mass 11:00 AM Extraordinary Form Solemn Mass |
For Those Participating in Holy Week at Home
General Suggestions for Watching Live-Streamed Mass
- Rather than watching the Mass, try getting up and getting dressed as you would if actually coming to church. You may not put on a suit and tie, but at least prepare yourself for the liturgy.
- Prepare a special place for Mass. Perhaps prepare a table with space for your laptop, with a crucifix, candles, a Bible, a cloth with the liturgical color of the day, etc.
- Before Mass, print out the worship aid. Plan to join in the singing of the hymns and acclamations, answer the dialogues, and pray the prayers aloud.
- While we all miss physical participation in the Eucharist, remember that Christ is truly present in the Word and in those gathered in prayer.
- Sit, stand, and kneel as you would if in the church.
- All of our liturgies are both live-streamed and recorded. For Holy Week, if at all possible, opt for the live stream. These liturgies are connected through time in a special way, for example, the Good Friday service at three o’clock – the hour it is believed Jesus died on the cross.