Tenebrae April 1,2026 7:30p.m. The name Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows,” and has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night of the last three days of Holy Week. In medieval times Tenebrae came to be celebrated on evenings earlier in the week as a devotional prelude to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
This service is marked by readings from the book of Lamentations and the gradual extinguishing of candles until the single Pascal candle, a symbol of the Lord, remains. This candle is removed at the climax of the service, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil with the death of Jesus. A loud noise symbolizes the chaos of the world without the light of Christ. The Pascal candle is restored with prayers by the priest. We depart in silence.