The Office of Stations of the Cross Wednesday April 12th, 7:30pm Friday April 14th, 7:00pm A Service of Shadows A Spiritual Pilgrimmage

The haunting Office of Tenebrae is a medita- On the evening of we retrace tion on Christ’s suffering. We are enveloped in the path took on the day of his cruci- shadows as candles are gradually extinguished fixion, experiencing a spiritual pilgrimage as during the service, symbolic of how Christ’s we move together in procession, visiting each life was snuffed out on our behalf. The re- of the 14 Stations and contemplating Christ’s emergence of one candle at the end of the suffering and ultimate sacrifice. Each stage of Office is a reminder of Jesus’ triumph over Jesus’ journey is acknowledged, and prayers death, through His resurrection. and Psalms are offered. As we move from one station to the next we sing the Trisagion: As the shadows approach, we ponder Christ’s “Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal Passion as it is retraced through readings and one, have mercy on us.” This rich experience sung Tenebrae using the setting by Healey Willan, alternating concludes as the choir sings the anthem for of the Dead, set by with Psalms sung to . The Cathedral Choir also sings George Christóbal de Morales in the 16th Century, Peccantem me quotidie: Thalben-Ball’s setting of the Benedictus, and the service concludes with the motet Christus Factus Est by Felice Anerio: “Christ became obedient I who sin every day and am not penitent the fear of death troubles me: for us unto death, even unto death on the cross.” For in hell there is no redemption. Have mercy upon me, O God, and save me. Easter Vigil Thursday April 13th, 7:30pm Saturday April 15th, 8:30pm The Altar is Stripped and ...Light Shines In the Darkness, The Christ is Dragged Away… Proclaiming ‘His Resurrection Will Mark the Way’

This service marks the beginning the Great Three Days, the Paschal The Great Vigil of Easter, the culmination of the three-day Paschal Trid- Triduum and the first part of the three-day liturgy. The name Maundy uum liturgy, begins outside the west doors of the cathedral. The paschal Thursday is taken from the Latin mandatum candle is blessed and lit, and its bearer leads novum, “a new commandment”: After Jesus the congregation into the church, lighting the washed the feet of the disciples he said “A candles held by choir, clergy and members of new commandment I give you, that you love the congregation as it processes into the unlit one another. Just as I have loved you, you also sanctuary. Lessons are read and Psalms sung should love one another.” John 13:34 as we recall the history of our redemption. Then, suddenly, the lights come on and a great During the washing of feet the choir sings set- fanfare erupts, followed by the singing of the tings of the medieval text Ubi caritas, and as Gloria – “Glory to God in the Highest!” – for the altar is stripped and darkness descends the the first time since Ash Wednesday. choir sings Gregorio Allegri’s stunning setting of Psalm 51: “Have mercy on me, O God, ac- The choir sings Taverner’s anthem for Easter, cording to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot Dum Transisset Sabbatum: “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that my sin...” they might anoint Jesus. Alleluia. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.” Good Friday Friday April 14th, 12:00pm Easter Sunday Sunday April 16th, 8am and 10am …We Remember the Day on Which He Died… He Is Risen! The second part of the liturgy takes place on Good Friday. The name comes from “God’s Friday,” and on God’s Friday, we At Easter Sunday’s 10am Sung Eucharist the Cathedral Choir is joined by commemorate the Crucifixion. It is a continuation of the Maundy Thurs- St. Paul’s Cathedral Brass for an uplifting, celebratory service. The mass day service and begins in silence as the night before ended in silence. setting is Gerre Hancock’s Missa Resurrectionis and the motet is William Byrd’s setting of the Gradual for Easter Day, All of the music is a cappella, with hymns led Haec Dies: “This is the day which the Lord by the choir from the back of the church. The hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein. choir sings the motet O vos omnes by Carlo Ge- Alleluia.” At the end of the service, choir and sualdo, as well as the setting of The Reproaches congregation join together in the singing of by English composer, John Sanders: the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah by G.F. Handel. O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Come celebrate the risen Christ with us! Answer me.

Holy Week & Easter St Pa u l ’s Ca t h e d r a l London, Ontario | Anglican Diocese of Huron