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The name Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows,” and has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning service 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 a reading from the book of Lamentations and the gradual extinguishing of candles after the recitation of psalms or Canticles until the single Pascal candle, considered a symbol of the Lord, remains. Towards the end of the service, this candle is removed, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil with the death of Jesus. A loud noise is made symbolizing the chaos of the world without the light of Christ. The Pascal candle is restored to its place and by its light (the light of Christ) all depart in silence.