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Introduction

Tenebrae is a Latin word meaning “shadows or darkness.” It designates a special form of prayer that is prayed by the Church on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The service consists of the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the Church. While for several centuries this form of prayer was understood to be the prayer of clergy and religious, the Second Vatican Council made it clear that it belongs to all the Church’s faithful:

“Wherever possible…groups of the faithful should celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours communally in church. This especially applies to parishes…. The laity must learn above all how in the liturgy they are adoring God the Father in spirit and in truth; they should bear in mind that through public worship and prayer they reach all humility and can contribute significantly to the salvation of the whole world.”-General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours #s 21, 27

The Tenebrae Service is dramatically marked by the extinguishing of the seven candles placed in a candle stand in the sanctuary. Originally, the service began before dawn, with candles lighting the darkness. As daylight became stronger, fewer candles were needed, and one by one they were put out. The gradual extinguishing of light, however, took on symbolic meaning associated with these solemn days of the Triduum. Over the centuries, as the Church commemorated the death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the decreasing candlelight became a sign of the apparent triumph of evil and of the apparent failure of God’s plan of salvation.

At the great Easter Vigil, we celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and evil. The light of the one Paschal Candle, the symbol of the risen Christ, is passed from one to another in the darkness of night. This growing light, which shatters the dark, signifies the good over evil and the spread of the reign of God.

Adapted from Tenebrae: Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for Good Friday and Holy Saturday, prepared by the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of New York, 1990

Good Friday Office of Readings

Celebrant: Lord, open my lips. (on lips)
All: And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Invitatory

Antiphon

Reader: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who redeemed us with his blood.

Psalm 95

Reader: Come, let us sing to the Lord
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.

Let us greet Him with praise and thanksgiving and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

All: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who redeemed us with his blood.

Reader: The Lord is our God, the mighty God, the great king over all the gods.

He holds in His hand the depths of the earth
and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea, it belongs to Him,
the dry land too, for it was formed by His hands.

All: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who redeemed us with his blood.

Reader: Come, then, let us bow down and worship, bending the knee before the Lord, our Maker.

For He is our God and we are His people, the flock He shepherds.

All: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who redeemed us with his blood.

Reader: Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: “Do not grow stubborn,as your fathers did in the wilderness,
when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me,
although they had seen all of my works.

All: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who redeemed us with his blood.

Reader: Forty years I endured that generation.
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray

and they do not know my ways. So I swore in my anger,
they shall not enter into my rest.’”

All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen

Antiphon
All: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who redeemed us with his blood.

Hymn: Were You There

1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

2 Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? 

3 Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? 

4 Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Psalmody

Antiphon 1:  In peace, I will lie down and sleep.

Psalm 4

Thanksgiving

The resurrection of Christ was God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work. (Saint Augustine)

When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

O men, how long will your hearts be closed,
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

It is the Lord who grants favors to those whom he loves;
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.

Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.

“What can bring us happiness?” many say.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy
than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Glory…

Antiphon 1:  In peace, I will lie down and sleep.

1st Candle (lower left) is extinguished. Brief period of silence.

Antiphon 2:  My body shall rest in hope. 

  • Psalm 16
  • The Lord himself is my heritage
  • The Father raised up Jesus, freeing him from the grip of death (Acts 2:24)

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to you Lord “You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone.”

You have put into my heart a marvelous love
for the faithful ones who dwell in your land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
Never will I offer their offerings of blood.
Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup,
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight,
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. Glory…

Antiphon 2:  My body shall rest in hope. 

2nd Candle (lower right) is extinguished. Brief period of silence.

Antiphon 3:  Lift high the ancient portals. The King of glory enters. 

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, 

the world and all its peoples. 

It is he who set it on the seas; 

on the waters he made it firm. 

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? 

Who shall stand in his holy place? 

The man with clean hands and pure heart, 

who desires not worthless things, 

who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor. 

He shall receive blessings from the Lord 

and reward from the God who saves him . 

Such are the men who seek him, 

seek the face of the God of Jacob. 

O gates, lift high your heads; 

grow higher, ancient doors. 

Let him enter, the king of glory! 

Who is the king of glory? 

The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, 

the Lord, the valiant in war. 

O gates, lift high your heads; 

grow higher, ancient doors. 

Let him enter, the king of glory! 

Who is he, the king of glory? 

He, the Lord of armies, 

he is the king of glory. 

Antiphon 3:  Lift high the ancient portals. The King of glory enters. 

3rd Candle (center left) is extinguished. Brief period of silence

FIRST READING
From the letter to the Hebrews       4:1-13

Let us strive to enter the Lord’s rest

Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.

For we who believed enter into that rest, just as he has said:

  “As I swore in my wrath,
    ‘They shall not enter into my rest,'”

and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works”; and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.”

Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, he once more set a day, “today,” when long afterwards he spoke through David, as already quoted:

  “Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
    ‘Harden not your hearts.'”

Now if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards of another day. Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.


Brief period of silence

SECOND READING

From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday
(PG 43, 439, 451, 462-463)

The Lord descends into hell

Something strange is happening — there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and Hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, He who is both God and the Son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the Cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone, ‘My Lord be with you all.’ Christ answered him: ‘And with your spirit.’ He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in Hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I in you; together we form one person and cannot be separated.

For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the Cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in Paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in Hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly Paradise. I will not restore you to that Paradise, but will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The Bridal Chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The Kingdom of Heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Brief period of silence

Stand for Hymn

Refrain:

Lift high the cross

The love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world

Adore His sacred name.

Led on their way

By this triumphant sign,

The hosts of God

In conquering ranks combine. (Refrain)

Each newborn servant

Of the Crucified

Bears on the brow

The seal of Him who died. (Refrain)

O Lord, once lifted

On the glorious tree,

As Thou hast promised

Draw the world to Thee. (Refrain)

So shall our song

Of triumph ever be:

Praise to the Crucified

For victory.

SIT

PSALMODY

Antiphon 1:  Though sinless, the Lord has been put to death. The world is in mourning for an only son.

Psalm 64

Prayer for help against enemies

This psalm commemorates most particularly our Lord’s passion. (Saint Augustine)

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,
guard my life from dread of the foe.
Hide me from the band of the wicked,
from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords;
they aim bitter words like arrows
to shoot at the innocent from ambush,
shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course;
they conspire to lay secret snares.
They say: “Who will see us?
Who can search out our crimes?”


He will search who searches the mind
and knows the depths of the heart.
God has shot them with his arrow
and dealt them sudden wounds.
Their own tongue has brought them to ruin
and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear;
they will tell what God has done.
They will understand God’s deeds.
The just will rejoice in the Lord
and fly to him for refuge.
All the upright hearts will glory. Glory…

Psalm Prayer: Father, you gave your Son victory over those who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony, you delivered him from the fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.

Antiphon 1:  Though sinless, the Lord has been put to death. The world is in mourning for an only son.

4th Candle (center right) is extinguished. Brief period of silence

Antiphon 2:  From the jaws of hell, Lord, rescue my soul.

Canticle  –   Isaiah 38:10-14,17-20 

The Song of Hezekiah

Once I said,
“In the noontime of life I must depart!
To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned
for the rest of my years.”  

I said, “I shall see the Lord no more
in the land of the living.
No longer shall I behold my fellow men
among those who dwell in the world.”  

My dwelling, like a shepherd’s tent,
is struck down and borne away from me;
You have folded up my life, like a weaver
who severs the last thread.

Day and night you give me over to torment;  
I cry out until the dawn.
Like a lion he breaks all my bones;
day and night you give me over to torment.  

Like a swallow I utter shrill cries;
I moan like a dove.
My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward:
O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety!

You have preserved my life
from the pit of destruction,
When you cast behind your back
all my sins.  

For it is not the nether world that gives you thanks,
nor death that praises you;
Neither do those who go down into the pit
await your kindness.  

The living, the living give you thanks,
as I do today.
Fathers declare to their sons,
O God, your faithfulness.  

The Lord is our savior;
we shall sing to stringed instruments
In the house of the Lord
all the days of our life. Glory…

Antiphon 2:  From the jaws of hell, Lord, rescue my soul.

5th Candle (top left) is extinguished. Brief period of silence

Antiphon 3:  I was dead, but now I live forever, and I hold the keys of death and of hell.

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord

Let mind and heart be in your song: this is to glorify God with your whole self (Hesychius)

Praise God in his holy place,
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his powerful deeds,
praise his surpassing greatness.

O praise him with sound of trumpet,
praise him with lute and harp.
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals,
praise him with clashing of cymbals.
Let everything that lives and that breathes
give praise to the Lord.Glory…

Psalm Prayer: Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and of all created things, you make your just ones holy and you justify sinners who confess your name. Hear us as we humbly pray to you: give us eternal joy with your saints. 

Antiphon 3:  I was dead, but now I live forever, and I hold the keys of death and of hell.

6th candle (top right) is extinguished. Brief period of silence.

Third Reading:   

Hosea 6:1-2 

 Thus says the Lord:

In their affliction, they shall look for me: 

“Come, let us return to the LORD, 

For it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; 

 he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.

He will revive us after two days; 

 on the third day he will raise us up, 

 to live in his presence.

STAND

BENEDICTUS(Canticle of Zechariah)

Antiphon: Save us, O Savior of the world. On the cross you redeemed us by the shedding of your blood; we cry out for your help, O God. 

(While making the Sign of the Cross, we pray the following)

Blest be the God of Israel who comes to set us free

and raises up new hope for us: a Branch for David’s tree.

So have the prophets long declared that with a mighty arm

God would turn back our enemies and all who wish us harm

.

With promised mercy will God still the covenant recall,

the oath once sworn to Abraham from foes to save us all;

that we might worship without fear and offer lives of praise,

in holiness and righteousness to serve God all our days.

My child, as prophet of the Lord you will prepare the way,

to tell God’s people they are saved from sin’s eternal sway.

Then shall God’s mercy from on high shine forth and never cease

to drive away the gloom of death and lead us into peace.

Antiphon: Save us, O Savior of the world. On the cross you redeemed us by the shedding of your blood; we cry out for your help, O God. 

7th candle (center) is extinguished. Brief period of silence.

INTERCESSIONS

Our Redeemer suffered and was buried for us in order to rise again. With sincere love we adore him, and aware of our needs we cry out:
                         Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our Savior, your sorrowing Mother stood by you at your death and burial,
 – in our sorrows may we share your suffering.

Christ our Lord, like the seed buried in the ground, you brought forth for us the harvest of grace,
 – may we die to sin and live for God.

Christ, the Good Shepherd, in death you lay hidden from the world.
 – Teach us to love a life hidden with you in the Father.

Christ, the new Adam, you entered the kingdom of death to release all the just since the beginning of the world,
 – may all who lie dead in sin hear your voice and rise to life.

Christ, Son of the living God, through baptism we were buried with you,
 – risen also with you in baptism, may we walk in newness of life.

Lord’s Prayer
Pater noster, qui es in cælis
Sanctificétur nomen tuum
Advéniat regnum tuum
Fiat volúntas tua
Sicut in cælo et in terra
Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie Et dimítte nobis débita nostra
Sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem
Sed libera nos a malo.  Amen. 

Presider:

All-powerful and ever-living God,

your only Son went down among the dead

and rose again in glory.

In your goodness

raise up your faithful people,

buried with him in baptism,

to be one with him

in the eternal life of heaven,

where he lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God,

for ever and ever. 

Final Blessing and Dismissal

All depart in silence