Tenebrae Sacred Heart, Pullman 8 April 2019, 7:00 pm

What is Tenebrae? The name Tenebrae, meaning darkness or shadows, has for centuries been applied to early morning offices of Matins and Lauds of the last three days of Holy Week, which in the middle ages came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings. The most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of the Lord, remains. Toward the end of the services, this candle is hidden typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, a strepitus (“loud noise”) is made, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection, the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.

Introductory Rites

Entrance: Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days

Greeting

Presider: O God, come to my assistance. (make the sign of the cross)

All: Lord, make haste to help me. (bow) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (stand upright) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Psalmody

Some of the psalms are recited, some are chanted. These texts for the recited psalms are available on the United States Congress of Catholic Bishops’ website. Control-click (or command-click) on the link to open the psalm text in a new browser tab. The psalms that are chanted are reprinted here with pointing, with the permission of the USCCB. Each of the psalms will conclude it the Glory Be. Be seated.

Psalm 24 (recited) Antiphon: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/RGP/psalmDisplay.cfm?psalm_id=236 (bow) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. The first candle is extinguished. Be seated.

Psalm 2 (chanted) Antiphon: Save me, O Lord, in your steadfast love. 1. Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? 2. They arise, the kings of the earth; princes plot against the LORD and his Anointed. 3. “Let us burst asunder their fetters. Let us cast off from us their chains.” 4. He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD derides and mocks them. 5. Then he will speak in his anger, his rage will strike them with terror. 6. “It is I who have appointed my king on Sion, my holy mountain.” 7. + I will announce the decree of the LORD: + The LORD said to me, “You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. 8. + Ask of me and I will give you + the nations as your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as your possession. 9. With a rod of iron you will rule them; like a potter’s jar you will shatter them.” 10. So now, O kings, understand; take warning, , rulers of the earth. 11. Serve the LORD with fear; exult with trembling, pay him your homage, 12. + lest he be angry and you perish on the way, for suddenly his anger will blaze. (stand) Blessed are all who trust in God! (bow) * Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: Save me, O Lord, in your steadfast love. The second candle is extinguished. Be seated.

Psalm 22, part 1: vss 2 – 9 (recited) Antiphon: Save me, O Lord, in your steadfast love.

http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/RGP/psalmDisplay.cfm?psalm_id=234 no Glory Be Antiphon: Save me, O Lord, in your steadfast love. The third candle is extinguished.

First Reading: Hebrews 9:11 – 28

Responsory Presider: He was led like a lamb to the slaughter; no complaint from his lips against the evil done to him. He was given up to death, All: To give his people life. Presider: He surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked, All: To give his people life. The fourth candle is extinguished.

Psalm 22, part 2: vss 2 – 9 (recited) Antiphon: Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope. http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/RGP/psalmDisplay.cfm?psalm_id=234 no Glory Be Antiphon: Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope. The fifth candle is extinguished.

Psalm 22, part 3: vss 18 – 24 (chanted) Antiphon: Lord, remember me, in your love. 18. I can count every one of my bones. They stare at me and gloat. 19. They divide my clothing among them, they cast lots for my robe. 20. But you, O LORD, do not stay afar off; my strength, make haste to help me! 21. Rescue my soul from the sword, my life from the grip of the dog. 22. Save my life from the jaws of the lion, my poor soul from the horns of wild bulls. 23. I will tell of your name to my kin, and praise you in the midst of the assembly; 24. + “You who fear the LORD, give him praise; + all descendants of Jacob, give him glory; revere him, all you descendants of Israel. Antiphon: Lord, remember me, in your love. The sixth candle is extinguished.

Psalm 22, part 4: vss 25 – 32 (recited) Antiphon: O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/RGP/psalmDisplay.cfm?psalm_id=234 * (bow) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. The seventh candle is extinguished. Be seated.

Second Reading: Lamentations 1:1 – 4

Responsory Presider: On the Mount of Olives he prayed to the Father, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by.” All: The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Presider: Be vigilant and pray, that you will not give way to temptation. All: The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The eighth candle is extinguished.

Psalm 51 (recited) Antiphon: Remember your mercies, Lord. http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/RGP/psalmDisplay.cfm?psalm_id=263 * (bow) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: Remember your mercies, Lord. The ninth candle is extinguished. Be seated.

Psalm 147B (chanted) Antiphon: My soul is thirsting for God. 12. O Jerusalem, glorify the LORD! O Sion, praise your God! 13. He has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. 14. He established peace on your borders; he gives you your fill of finest wheat. 15. He sends out his word to the earth, and swiftly runs his command. 16. He showers down snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. 17. He hurls down hailstones like crumbs; before such cold, who can stand? 18. He sends forth his word and it melts them; at the blowing of his breath the waters flow. 19. He reveals his word to Jacob; to Israel, his decrees and judgments. 20. He has not dealt thus with other nations; (stand) he has not taught them his judgments. (bow) * Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: My soul is thirsting for God. The tenth candle is extinguished. Be seated.

Canticle: Habakkuk 3:2-4, 13a, 15-19 (recited) Antiphon: The Lord is my light and my salvation. 2. O Lord, I have heard your renown, and am in awe, O Lord, of your work. In the course of years revive it, in the course of years make yourself known; in your wrath remember compassion! 3. God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, and his praise filled the earth; 4. his splendor spread like the light. He raised his horns high, he rejoiced on the day of his strength. 13. You came forth to save your people, to save your anointed one. 15. You trampled the sea with your horses amid the churning of the deep waters. 16. I hear, and my body trembles; at the sound, my lips quiver. Decay invades my bones, my legs tremble beneath me. I await the day of distress that will come upon the people who attack us. 17. For though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit appears on the vine, Though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment, Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, 18. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. 19. God, my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet swift as those of deer (stand) and enables me to tread upon the heights. (bow) * Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: The Lord is my light and my salvation. The eleventh candle is extinguished. Be seated.

Third Reading: From the Catechesis of St. John Chrysostom

Responsory Presider: The price of your redemption was not something of fleeting value like gold or silver, but the costly shedding of the blood of Christ, the lamb without blemish. All: Through him, in the one Spirit, we can approach the Father. Presider: The blood of Jesus Christ washes away all our sins. All: Through him, in the one Spirit, we can approach the Father. The twelfth candle is extinguished. Psalm 23 (chanted) Antiphon: The Lord leads me in safe paths. 1. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 2. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me; 3 he revives my soul. He guides me along the right path, for the sake of his name. 4. Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,” no evil would I fear, for you are with me. Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. 5. You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. In the LORD’s own house shall I dwell (stand) for length of days unending. (bow) * Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: The Lord leads me in safe paths. The thirteenth candle is extinguished. Remain standing. Canticle of Mary: Luke 1:46 – 55 Antiphon: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Antiphon: The Lord remembers his covenant forever. The fourteenth candle is extinguished. Remain standing. Canticle of Simeon: Luke 2:29 – 32 Antiphon: Guard us, O Lord, while we sleep, and keep us in peace. 29. “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30. for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31. which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32. a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (bow) * Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: (stand upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: Guard us, O Lord, while we sleep, and keep us in peace. When the final candle is taken from the altar area please make noise by stamping your feet and jiggling your keys to simulate the rolling away of the stone, until the candle is returned.

The final candle is returned. The service ends in silence.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-728179.

Pointed texts for the chanting of the psalms are taken from the Revised Grail Psalter. Used with permission.