The word Tenebrae is Latin for "shadows" or "darkness." 

This solemn prayer service calls to mind the somber events that occurred in Jesus’ life from the exuberant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through the night of Jesus’ burial on Good Friday.

The most distinctive aspect of Tenebrae is the use of a tenebrario, a holder for several lit candles. The flames of these candles are extinguished one by one as Scriptures are read and Psalms are sung to tell the story of Holy Week. This gradual descent into gloom alludes to Jesus’ increasing sorrow as the events of Passion Week unfolded.

A loud noise may be sounded in the blackness, using a crotalus, to represent the closing of Christ’s tomb. At this point, another lit candle, which has been hidden from view, is put at the top of the tenebrario, symbolizing Christ’s resurrection. The service ends, and the participants are traditionally expected to leave in contemplative silence.

It is a beautiful part of Holy Week that immerses the faithful into the death of Christ and makes the lighting of candles at the Easter Vigil even more meaningful. During Tenebrae, the Church is shrouded in darkness. The Easter Vigil begins in that same darkness, but the light of Christ, symbolized by the Paschal Candle, expels the shadows and the entire Church becomes ablaze with light when the candle reaches the sanctuary.

This is the good news of our faith. However dark our world may get, the light of Christ conquers the darkness and leads us all to Eternal Life! 

Join us at the Cathedral of Christ the Light 

for this Tenebrae Service tomorrow, April 4 at 6:30AM.