Thread: Eccles: Tenebrae Board: Limbo / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by saecula saeculorum (# 2883) on :
 
My husband wants to organise tenebrae for Wednesday of Holy Week.

We understand that Tenebrae may have been suppressed but are trying to work out how to do it.

There are a number of sites with orders and rubrics for Tenebrae but they are from WELS Lutheran, Uniting (Oz) and Gnostic churches. I am looking for a Catholic version (may well be similar) and also your thoughts on Tenebrae.

So, please help me with rubrics, readings, your experiences, suggestions, stories of ‘how it all went wrong’ and how to do it better.

SS

[edited title for Limbo storage]

[ 08. May 2005, 19:42: Message edited by: Siegfried ]
 

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Posted by Cosmo (# 117) on :
 
Tenebrae is a stunning service and, I am ashamed to say, is often my favourite service in Holy Week. However it is very difficult to do well if you are trying to do a 'proper' Tenebrae.

If you do it on Wednesday evening then you sing the offices of Mattins and Lauds for Maundy Thursday. Matins has three groups of three set psalms (with their antiphons) and three set lessons (with their Responds) and each of these groups is called a 'Nocturn'. Lauds has five psalms with their antiphons and the Benedictus. After that the Our Father is said silently, then there is the Miserere and the final collect said by the celebrant.

The ceremonies are as follows:
A 'hearse' is used which consists of a pole supporting a triangle on which there are fifteen candles. At the beginning of Tenebrae all the candles are alight but after each psalm one candle is snuffed out. During the Benedictus, the six altar candles and the few lights in church are put out one by one and the last candle is removed from the hearse and hidden behind the altar. The Miserere is sung in darkness and the Celebrant says the collect. There is then a loud crash (symbolic of the earthquake at the death of Christ) and some places throw thirty pieces of silver down the altar steps. The lighted candle is then brought out from behind the altar and shown to the people (symbolising the unconquered soul of Christ etc) and the people then leave in absolute silence.

Wonderful isn't it?

I would say though that to do Tenebrae well takes a lot of effort and some good singers. There are harmony settings of the Tenebrae responseries as well as the plainsong settings. But Tenebrae must be sung. To try to do it by saying the words makes it incredibly boring and difficult. Also Tenebrae is one of the increasingly rare opportunities for the congregation to sit and have to do nothing except meditate and pray.

If you and your husband haven't seen a full Tenebrae before then I suggest you might want to put it on hold this year and go and a Tenebrae service and see how it is done. The two places I would suggest (and which have it on Spy Wednesday) are All Saints Margaret St and St Paul's Covent Garden.

Good luck.

Cosmo
 

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Posted by Degs (# 2824) on :
 
saecula saeculorum you might find this useful.

It's the order for Tenebrae from the ECUSA Book of Occasional Services.
 

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Posted by Anna B (# 1439) on :
 
Cosmo, I must take issue with your comment that Tenebrae must be sung. I used to belong to a parish here in Connecticut which did a spoken service quite well. If I remember correctly, the congregation participated in reciting the antiphons. We drew a modest crowd.
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 
I am with Cosmo on this. You really have to experience Tenebrae before trying to do it yourself...

This year I am scooting down to Melbourne after singing the morning service at my own parish: the Choir of St Peter's Eastern Hill are singing Tenebrae which will include three settings I wrote. I am sure they will do a stunning job!
 

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Posted by saecula saeculorum (# 2883) on :
 
Thank you very much for your responses.

Thank you for your enthusiastic reply, Cosmo. I haven't experienced it before but my husband has. He is still keen to go ahead but I will find out more from him tonight. I will let you know his plans. If it goes pear-shaped then maybe we will be at Margeret Street.

Degs, thank you for the link, I didn't find that while I was scouring the 'net.

I hope that S. Peter's Eastern Hill does your music justice, Nunc Dimittis. My Husband used to go there but is now firmly rooted in London.

This is really exciting, my vey first thread, and I will soon be a shipmate .
 

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Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 
Hmmm. I wouldn't mind seeing that if it's happening in Oxford. I guess St. Mary Mags is the best bet; anyone got any firmer info?
 

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Posted by Archimandrite (# 3997) on :
 
I say! What larks. Indeed - let us look out for it in Oxford.
 

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Posted by jugular (# 4174) on :
 
One of the best tenebrae services I've been to was done outdoors in a garden. Just as a general note, though, make sure you print in the order of service that there will be a loud bang. The reason I say this, is that a loud bang followed by "Shit, what was that?" is not conducive to worship.

And yes, that is based on experience.

By the way, if you are saying the service, you can always abbreviate the wordiness of it all. Its really the symbolism that is powerful.
 

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Posted by multipara (# 2918) on :
 
We at St Frank's have had Tenebrae on the Tuesday of Holy Week for some years now. It accompanies a 2nd Rite of reconciliation ( a compromise between the individual penitential rite and the General Absolution or Third Rite). There is congregational participation in prayers and hymnody, with a (visiting) choir singing appropriate music. Last year they sang Robert White's Lamentations of Jeremiah. The "thunder" was provided by the congregation drumming their heels hard on the floor after the Passion Gospel reading.
 

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Posted by Degs (# 2824) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by jugular:
By the way, if you are saying the service, you can always abbreviate the wordiness of it all. Its really the symbolism that is powerful.

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Why would you want to abbreviate it?
 

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Posted by DitzySpike (# 1540) on :
 
When Tenebrae was sung in the middle ages, I am sure the monks knew the nocturn Psalms by heart and when all the lights went off towards the end, the service of Lauds would be very familiar to them, being repeated daily.

Likewise the plainsong of the Psalms and the Responsaries.

I am afraid we do not share the same familiarity.

Skip the traditional responsaries. Repeated Taize or Iona chants work better. The Psalms should be abbreviated and certainly in large print. Minimal lighting is appropriate to the ritual. Have extended periods of silence between each nocturn and do something really dramatic right at the end. Maybe overturning the stand where you place the hearse.

And the Lamentations of Jeremiah must be chanted :-)
 

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Posted by saecula saeculorum (# 2883) on :
 
Yes, we are looking at the problems of requiring darkness and lots of words.

Security in a darkened church might be a problem, too; we’re in a rather volatile inner-city parish.

Jugular, you are soooo right. We don’t want any old ladies losing control of their faculties (another consequence of experience I am told).

We’re not willing to abbreviate any of the words. I guess that we have a lot of learning to do before then.

I’m quite looking forward to the noisy bit. Does anyone else have suggestions for the sound?

Almost a shipmate
 

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Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 
Congrats saecula saeculorum, on 50 posts!
 

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Posted by Sacristan (# 3548) on :
 
I recall making the "noise" two different ways. One was the rector banging on the side of his prie dieu with a piece of 2x4. That was the "bang" effect (danger, see above, although that never happened in our parish). The second method was the rector starting the noise by tapping on his stall seat with the fingers and the palm of his hand. To this was added gradually, but quickly, the tapping of a few and then more and more acolytes and choir members, with an ever-growing loudness, until all were banging at their stalls with their hands for a continuous incremental sound. It was never very loud, but very surreal.
 

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Posted by DitzySpike (# 1540) on :
 
Another important consideration would be the number of participants.
 

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Posted by multipara (# 2918) on :
 
Here in Sydney many moons ago (1950s) the seminarians of St Patrick's College used sing the Tenebrae chants in St Mary's Cathedral. I am told that they simulated the thunder by striking their psalters three times on the stalls.

If a competent choir is available, the polyphonic settings of the Lamentations are wonderful, as are various settings of the Lessons of Tenebrae.
 

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Posted by sakura (# 1449) on :
 
Chorister from St Peter's Eastern Hill logging in to say that Nunc's Tenebrae responses are fantastic and that we are working hard to do them justice. Wish you could all hear the Sepulto Domino. It is spin chilling.

By the time of the Miserere when all the lights go out we choristers use hand held torches covered in blue cellophane to read our music by. it means that the congregation is in pitch darkness. very moving and effective but requiring a degree of coordination which not all choristers possess!
 

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Posted by multipara (# 2918) on :
 
Lucky you... Nunc came and sang with us on Ash Wednesday evening for Imposition and Mass , and she mentioned the responsories then. Our next aim is to get Madame la Directrice to add them to the repertoire of St Frank's choir (aka the Paddington Cacophonic Society).

meanwhile, the run-up to Holy Week has started and nary a sign of the DTs....

cheers,

m
 

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Posted by saecula saeculorum (# 2883) on :
 
Thank you, everyone for your replies. Tenebrae has been cancelled for us now due to 'too many other things happening'. I might make it to Margaret Street.

We are looking forward to doing it next year, it really sounds like a beautiful liturgy.

I hope everyone who wants to get to Tenebrae can make it.
 

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Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 
I would like to go to a Tenebrae service in and arounD Oxford, if one is happening.

Does anyone have any details of a service?
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Don't know about Oxford, but acc to Church Times there are services of Tenebrae at St. Paul's Covent Garden, Bedford St, WC2 (Wed 16 Apr. 7.30pm,) with Allegri Miserere.
Also St. Mary's Cable Street, Good Friday, 7.30pm, responses by Victoria.

(set me thinking about vocab. for those in the know, and wondered whether anyone would turn up to hear how Victoria sings the responses and whether she is a stunner!)
 

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Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
We had tenebrae last year for the first (and probably only) time. We had a Canadian locum vicar with a beautiful voice. Everyone who was there was deeply spiritually and sensationally moved.
 

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Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
We've traditionally done Tenebrae on Good Friday evening.

We did abbreviate it -- we didn't chant all 9 psalms (usually one or two per nocturn). Sometimes some of the responsories were spoken rather than sung.
We sang Lassus settings of several responsories.

This year, alas, we're not doing Tenebrae at all. The rector and music director have designed a "Meditation on the Passion" instead. I'll sing of course but I'd rather be doing a liturgy.

basso (who would really like to get a look at Nunc's settings)
 

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Posted by multipara (# 2918) on :
 
Tenebrae is happening at St Frank's ( along with a 2nd Rite of reconciliation)this Tuesday at 7 pm.

A visiting choir will be singing motets by Josquin during the absolution-which means that this chorister can be part of the crowd for a change.
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 
If I am not having an organ lesson at that time, multipara, look for me. I'd really like to come...

Fancy a lime juice and mineral water over the way afterwards?

And thanks sakura for your kind words - I am sure you will do a stirling job and am very much looking forward to hearing the settings! Especially Sepulto Domino...
 

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Posted by Stephen (# 40) on :
 
I think we're having a form of Tenebrae on Good Friday.I seem to remember Nancy Winningham describe such a service in the Lutheran Church.Isn't the Bible slammed shut with the words 'It is finished' at the end?
 

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Posted by multipara (# 2918) on :
 
Nunc, I'll be looking out for you....and yes, a quick snort at the Light Brigade would be just the thing.

cheers,

m
 

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Posted by LatinMan (# 1892) on :
 

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I seem to remember Nancy Winningham describe such a service in the Lutheran Church.Isn't the Bible slammed shut with the words 'It is finished' at the end?

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About twenty years ago I attended a Tenebrae service celebrated one Good Friday in a Missouri-Synod Lutheran Church. I still have a copy of the Order of Service.

[Rummages around library/bedroom for Lutheran Hymnal and Order of Service.]

Ah yes, here it is. It was twenty-six years ago.

There was no organ prelude, and the pastor and an acolyte were vested only in black cassocks. (I don't recall if the pastor wore a stole.) The six altar candles were lit (as usual), and a "Christ Candle", a plain white candle stands in the sanctuary (used only on this occasion). IIRC, the pastor celebrated from the center of the altar.

The Invocation & Prayer

Confession of Sins: (Recited by all.) I confess to God Almighty, before the whole company of heaven, and to you, my bretheren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault; wherefore I pray God almighty to have mercy on me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.

Absolution: (Given by pastor.) God has promised forgiveness of sins to those who repent and turn to Him. May He keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you to greater faith and obedience, and bring you to live with Him forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded", Hymn 172, verses 1, 2, 8, 10 (All numbered hymns from The Lutheran Hymnal (1941))

Psalm 22, taken from Psalms for Modern Man

Anthem: "Drawn to the Cross" - Gerhard Schroth

The Sermon: "TRULY, THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD", on Matt. 27:54 Delivered from pulpit. I recall nothing of the sermon.

The Offering (Collection)

Anthem: "Behold the Savior of Mankind" - Chris. Tye

THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE -at this point the acolyte extinguished the six altar candles after a Scripture reading, a versicle and response, and a hymn.

1) Scripture- John 18:1-14
Pastor: Christ became obedient unto death:
Congregation: Even the death of the cross.
The first candle is extinguished.
"A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth", Hymn 142, verse 1

2) Scripture- John 18:15-27
Pastor: Christ became obedient unto death:
Congregation: Even the death of the cross.
The second candle is extinguished.
Jesus! and Shall It Ever Be", Hymn 346, verses 1, 3, 4

3) Scripture- John 18:28-40
Pastor: Christ became obedient unto death:
Congregation: Even the death of the cross.
The third candle is extinguished.
"O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken", Hymn 143, verse 1

4) Scripture- John 19:1-16
Pastor: Christ became obedient unto death:
Congregation: Even the death of the cross.
The fourth candle is extinguished.
"O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken", Hymn 143, verses 2-3

5) Scripture- John 19:17-30
Pastor: Christ became obedient unto death:
Congregation: Even the death of the cross.
The fifth candle is extinguished.
Choir: "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy" - Rotermund

6) Scripture- John 19:31-42
Pastor: Christ became obedient unto death:
Congregation: Even the death of the cross.
The sixth candle is extinguished.
"O Darkest Woe", Hymn 167, verses 1-4

The Lord's Prayer-whispered by congregation.

The Exit of the Christ Candle-the acolyte removes the Christ Candle to the sacristy. The church is now darkened except for some walkway lights in the side aisles and the back of the church.

The Closing of the Bible-slammed shut by the pastor, standing at the altar.

Organ Meditation- "The Crucifixion", a tone poem by Marcel Dupre.

The Return of the Christ Candle-the acolyte brings the Christ Candle back into the sanctuary.

The Benediction-The blessing is given by the pastor, and the Christ Candle is carried out as the pastor and acolyte recess. The congregation departs in silence.

The effect of this service was profoundly moving, especially watching the congregation leave in near silence.

I get the idea that the outline of this service was probably circulated as a resource, probably with suggested texts, Scripture readings, and music selections, which individual congregations used and adapted at their discretion. (The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) does not have specific services for the Sacred Triduum, althoug it does have the "Bidding Prayer" from the BCP, "by ancient usage...specially appointed for good Friday".)

Of particular interest to me was the Confession of Sins, which is patently an adaptation of the Confiteor of the Tridentine Mass.
 

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Posted by saecula saeculorum (# 2883) on :
 
Thank you, latinMan for your description. I'm going to keep this thread for future reference.

I am definitely going to go to Margaret Street. Is anyone else going to be there? I tend to feel like a bit of a tourist when I go for an extraordinary liturgy (despite the fact that I attended weekly for about four months).

Also, any idea what time it is? I can pop down to check but you'd save me the bother. Thank you.

I'm looking forward to this.
 

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Posted by Stephen (# 40) on :
 
Thank you LatinMan,for that reply - it was very interesting - and also Fr.Degs for posting the ECUSA link.I don't know what form exactly our service will take but I gather there will be 15 candles involved.....
Looking forward to it actually - it sounds quite dramatic.
 

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Posted by Cosmo (# 117) on :
 
Stephen, if you look at my post above it gives a fairly good description of what tenebrae consists of, including why go have fifteen candles. None of that Lutheran stuff. Just plain, honest tenebrae.

SS, I believe that Tenebrae is sung at All Saints Margaret St at 7.30pm, the same time as at St Paul's Covent Garden. Both are good. The Covent Garden one is just plainsong until the Miserere which is Allegri's. The Margaret St one has more polyphony (the Responds for example) and, I think, a better setting as there is slightly less outside noise.

Cosmo
 

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Posted by Stephen (# 40) on :
 
Thanks,Fr.Cosmo.....I wasn't sure whether we're having the traditional form or an alternative one.Find out soon enough,I suppose!
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
I have a leaflet I picked up from Margaret St. just now.

quote:

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Wednesday 16 April. 7.30pm Tenebrae for Maundy Thursday. A service of psalms and scripture readings with music by Viadana, Victoria, Anerio ands Lassus sung by the Choir of All Saints

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dyfrig:
As it appears nowhere in the BCP, CW or in any other book commended by the House of Bishops, can someone clarify how having Tenebrae sits with reference to canon law and legally permitted services?

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“The Vicar and Churchwardens invite generous offerings at the retiring collection this evening. The expense incurred at this additional Holy Week service is considerable but we nevertheless hope to maintain the tradition we have revived.”

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quote:

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Originally posted by saecula saeculorum:


The earthquake sounded like someone’s fist on a wooden board. It gave me such a shock, even after chanting in my head “I know it’s going to be now, here it comes, right now, here it is, now…” I think there’s a sermon in that.

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I get to make the loud noise when we do Tenebrae. Since I'm in the loft at that point (the final chants are done from the back) I have the director's stand -- a wooden platform -- that I can bash on the floor. It makes a very satisfying crash.
Next time, though, I'll moderate it a bit -- I've been told that it was a bit too startling last year.
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 
Tenebrae at St Peters was cold, but very effective, I thought...

The pauses in the middle of lines (the psalms were all said responsorially) were inordinately long... But the choir made up for this!

I spent most of the time stressing over whether or not my recording gear was working or not - but it all seems to have turned out ok.
 

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Posted by Siegfried (# 29) on :
 
4 local churches listed Tenebrae services this year here in Champaign-Urbana: 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 1 Lutheran and 1 "Bible Church". None of the three local Episcopal churches had them, from what I can tell.

Sieg
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

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Originally posted by saecula saeculorum:

Well, I got to Margaret Street.

[...]

Ken, did you make it?

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quote:

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Lights
I was a bit disappointed that the main lights in the church, though dimmed, remained on until the benedictus. I think it was because we had sheets with all the words on and might have wanted to read them.

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Candle
I got a big scare when the candle was hidden under the alter. The server lifted the corner of the frontal and assorted other cloths and slipped the naked flame through the gap. I was waiting for the altar to become a ball of fire.

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quote:

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Loud noise
At the end there was a pause with just the one candle and whatever light the street lamps spared for us (I liked to think it was the moon ? more romantic), then snap, many lights near the door came on to illuminate the bearers of collection plates as we had been handed sheets saying

quote:

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?The Vicar and Churchwardens invite generous offerings at the retiring collection this evening. The expense incurred at this additional Holy Week service is considerable but we nevertheless hope to maintain the tradition we have revived.?

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I was accosted on my way out so I paid up. It makes sense with such an expensive choir but it did spoil the effect a bit.

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I think the tenebrae is a beautiful service. The Lutheran church I belonged to, lo these many years ago, did it on Good Friday. It was, I think, my favorite service of the year.

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I went on an Easter retreat with the Order of the Holy Paraclete (Anglican nuns in Whitby,Yorkshire) about 20 years ago. We were students, mostly from the RE departments of Lancaster and Nottingham universities, and we joined the sisters in all their services, keeping silence, fasting, and feasting. I think they did two tenebrae services as part of this, which involved getting up in the middle of the night, and it was the most marvellous experience. My only clear memory after all this time, though is the huge triangular rack of candles they had at the front of the chapel, and the feeling of peace.

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I believe Tenebrae was originally Matins of Good Friday but was "anticipated" on Maundy Thursday evening. There are as many lit candles as there are readings, plus an extra candle representing Christ. After each reading a candle is extinguished until finally only the Christ Candle remains lit. This is then removed from the church, signifying Christ's death. After a period of meditation, a loud sound is made, signifying the earthquake that occurred on the day of Resurrection, and the lit Christ Candle is returned to the church, signifying the Resurrection -- the triumph of light over darkness. Many churches in the US observe Tenebrae on one day during Holy Week. I've seen it done most often on Tuesday.

Last year I led an abbreviated Tenebrae service at my office (major US law firm), as one of our lawyers had led a Hannukah service previously. It went over well.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Stephen:
I think we're having a form of Tenebrae on Good Friday.I seem to remember Nancy Winningham describe such a service in the Lutheran Church.Isn't the Bible slammed shut with the words 'It is finished' at the end?

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<groan> Tenebrae is NOT for Good Friday. Why do my Lutheran sisters and brothers insist so often to do it then????

AFH
 

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Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Last year I organized an abbreviated Tenebrae at the office (major US law firm). One of the attorneys had previously conducted a Hannukah service and I thought that Christians should be given an opportunity likewise to share with their co-workers.

I had first surveyed the employees to determine interest, and the service was put together based on their suggestions. We "talked it up" as a service commemorating the triumph of good over evil.

The service began with Opening Sentences recited in responsory fashion:

John 8:12
Psalm 139:10-11
John 3:16-17,20-21

We then had seven readings, each done by one of the participants, with the exception of the Lord's Prayer, which was recited by all:

John 1:1-14
Psalm 3
Psalm 35:17-28

The Lord’s Prayer

Lamentations 1:1-14
John 19:17-30
Isaiah 53:1-9

The service was held in a windowless conference room, and so we were able to achieve total darkness after the Christ Candle was removed. For the loud noise, someone knocked once at the door.

I especially like the Lamentations passage. Although the writer was referring to Jerusalem, I can't help but think of Baghdad.

The experience was quite moving, especially in the context of the workplace, and I think I'll do it again this year.
 

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Posted by ej (# 2259) on :
 
We ran a tenebrae a couple of years back which we were terribly pleased with... And when I say 'we' I mean a group of about 8 people between about 15 and 25...

This was in a fairly traditional Baptist church which usually didn't find much time for 'reflection' or darkness...

The sanctuary was primarily candlelit, and featured the communion table with six large white and one large red candle, and seven large red banners hung across the front of the church, each with a single sentence that represented each of the shadows. Each shadows reading was also accompanied by a suitable item of background music, and with an appropriate image displayed on an overhead projector. At the conclusion of each reading the appropriate banner was pulled down, one of the candles extinguished, and a few minutes for quiet reflection were given. A very quiet heartbeat was also playing through the entire service, which only ended on the death of Christ, thereby leaving the entire congregation in an empty silence.

Went beautifully... The mix of sound, light, word, image, movement... All just came together quite amazingly.

If anybody's interested, I've got the complete order of service, complete with images, words, etc ready to go. Happy to share! Better than gathering dust in my drawers!!!
 

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Posted by Spiffy da WonderSheep (# 5267) on :
 
Apparently my parish choir is doing a Tenebrae service this year the night of Palm Sunday. We're using a Hal Hopson arrangement of both liturgy and music. Only sang through it once so far, and that was a sight-reading 'Here's what's coming up in six weeks' kind of deal. Whatever.

Seems odd to be doing it the night of Palm Sunday, though I guess I'm just used to going to services every night of Holy Week.
 

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Posted by HoosierNan (# 91) on :
 
OK, if Tenebrae is NOT for Good Friday, when IS it for?

It certainly seems to have Good Friday written all over it to me!!!!!!
 

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Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
It's for the Wednesday in Holy Week.
 

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Posted by AdamPater (# 4431) on :
 
I thought it was clearly for Maundy Thursday.
 

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Posted by Cosmo (# 117) on :
 
All of you are wrong.

Tenebrae is set for the last three days of Holy Week; namely Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. However, as it is the combined Office of Matins and Lauds, it is often anticipated and thus sung on the preceding evening. In this way, Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday is sung on Spy Wednesday evening and so on.

Advanced churches will have three sets of Tenebrae but most of us will just have to get along with one. The most common day to have it seems to be the Maundy Thursday set, ie on Spy Wednesday. This is probably because people are scared of overloading the programme later in the week.

Cosmo
 

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Posted by Liber Usualis (# 5193) on :
 
For those of your interested, Tenebrae will be sung on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Holy Week at S. Michael and All Angels, Mount Dinham, Exeter. If anyone intends to join us, let me know via this and I can give you more details.
 

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Posted by irreverentkit (# 4271) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Cosmo:
All of you are wrong.

Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday is sung on Spy Wednesday evening and so on... the most common day to have it seems to be the Maundy Thursday set, ie on Spy Wednesday.

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OK, dumb American here. What is Spy Wednesday?
 

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Posted by lapensiera (# 4057) on :
 
ok ... i'm with irreverentkit - just guessing that Spy Wednesday is the name for Wednesday of Holy Week, maybe? but i'd really love to know for sure ... and speaking of - do Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week have such names as well, or just Wednesday through Sunday?

and how should i go about trying to find out if anyone in this half of the world is having a Tenebrae service anyway?!? would they have posted it on website (if site is updated with any frequency), or will i have to depend on something like the local newspaper's Saturday religion briefs the day before Palm Sunday? sounds like in the US it's most likely to be done by Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and/or possibly Methodists, right?

[ 29. February 2004, 02:30: Message edited by: lapensiera ]
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
On Good Friday, a group of my friends and I traditionally go on a "church crawl" (traditionally=for the past 2 years)

Each year we try to squeeze in one more service but we've hit the limit at seven, so this year we are going to run one of our own.

I've thought of doing Tenebrae, but starting about 45mins before sunrise and using the texts for Good Friday. None of this anticipating on the night before stuff!
 

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Posted by Chesterbelloc (# 3128) on :
 
Spy Wednesday and Tenebrae, for enquiring minds.

CB
 

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Posted by Bishop's Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If anyone's in London on Palm Sunday, the Lutheran Church of St. Anne and St. Agnes, Gresham Street, EC2 (near St. Paul's Cathedral) is holding a service of Tenebrae at 7.00pm with music by Victoria.

This church has a fine musical tradition, so it should be worth attending.

Ian J.
 

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Posted by Stefan Dimitriov (# 40) on :
 
Possibly some kind soul can do a MW report on it or possibly just a report on this thread - assuming anyone goes (it won't be me)
It certainly seems to have a fine musical tradition as you say....
 

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Posted by Spiffy da WonderSheep (# 5267) on :
 
We have been going backwards through the Tenebrae booklet (arr. by Hal Hopson), and got to piece #4 today.

Four verses of boooring stuff. To the tune of 'Kum bah ya'.
 

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Posted by Magnum Mysterium (# 3418) on :
 
I'm conducting at a Tenebrae service on 6 April at 8pm at my place (All Saints Ainslie) if anyone is interested. I'm having responsories by Victoria, Handl, and our own shipmate Nunc Dimittis. The form will be adapted from the 1991 ECUSA Book of Occasional Services.

PS - Allegri's setting of Psalm 51 will be used at the end.

[ 17. March 2004, 23:21: Message edited by: Magnum Mysterium ]
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
One of the people coming on my Good Friday church crawl has to be on a plane at 6am on Good Friday. So we are going to have our first service at 5am on the median strip in the middle of the road leading into the Airport. I wonder if we'll be suspected as terrorists?
 

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Posted by jlg (# 98) on :
 
Now that you've posted that, you just might be. How important is it that said friend be on that flight?
 

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Posted by Magnum Mysterium (# 3418) on :
 
We're having Tenebrae at our place this year, on the Tuesday night of Holy Week. The responsories will be ones set by Victoria, Handl, Pacchioni, and our very own shipmate, Nunc Dimittis. We shall sing Allegri's Miserere at the end. I'm very excited about it as it hasn't been done before in the parish. Anyone feel like MWing it?!!
 

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Posted by Siegfried (# 29) on :
 
bumping so people can ask questions or report on Tenebrae services
 

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Posted by Spiffy da Wonder Sheep (# 5267) on :
 
Well, we sang the H.H.H. Tenebrae again this year (and once again I stated that if I have to sing Kum Bah Ya any more this year, I'll . Turned out well, I think. Turnout was about the same for a service, which was good 'cause usually these extra-Shabbat services have low turnout.
 

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Posted by MarkthePunk (# 683) on :
 
Tenebrae at my favorite barely ECUSA parish was somber. No music or singing. It was two service leaders, four older ladies, and me.

But it was still good worship. Visually, it was quite nice. There's a single round stained glass window of Jesus over the altar. To have the candles a ways in front of that window in a darkened sanctuary gave an excellent setting.

And they did make the earthquake loud. I was startled even though I was expecting it.
 

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Posted by Amazing Grace (# 4754) on :
 
I was under the impression that this was a choral service at my (new to me) church. It's not.

Two people from our choir lead it and took turns being cantor/reader. The service was entirely chanted, except for the responsories, Psalm 51 at the end, and the closing collect.

There were about thirty people present. While it would be nice to hear an excellent choir (such as ours) doing it, I felt like I was participating in the office fully.

The darkness and the noise at the end were quite effective, even though I knew the latter was coming (and had seen the instrument of said noise beforehand).

Charlotte
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
We didn't have Tenebrae last night. But someone did drop their hymnbook with a loud clatter, so maybe, in a way, we did?
 

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