Tenebrae

The Tenebrae Liturgy (an ancient custom) is a musical and homiletic contemplation of the price Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, paid to enter and scatter our darkness. Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness.” The gradual extinguishing of all candles in the church symbolizes the temporary triumph of the prince of darkness over the Light of the World. The loud noise, or strepitus, at the conclusion of the service suggests the earthquake described in the Passion narratives. The single candle left burning, the Paschal candle, is the symbol and promise of Christ’s triumph over death and darkness. Please join us for this reflective evening.