Today is Holy Wednesday.
Traditionally, this is the first night during Holy Week that the Latin rite celebrates a Tenebrae service. "Tenebrae" means darkness. The service consists of the praying of psalms, reading of Scripture, the chanting of the lamentations and the singing of the choral music. During the service, the lights of the Church and a candelabrum are slowly extinguished, symbolizing Christ's suffering during the Passion and Satan's temporary triumph over the world. At the end, a loud noise is made to call to mind the earthquake that followed Christ's death on the Cross.
I have never been to one before, but will be going tonight to the Tenebrae service at Holy Name Cathedral. Consider doing the same in your area!
It seems that in the Kansas City area, Tenebrae services are held in Methodist, Luthern, and Nazarene churches, but not in any Catholic ones. I was able to participate in one when I lived in New York . . .
Posted by: Fred K | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 01:42 AM