Tenebrae: Chanted Lessons from the Lamentations of Jeremiah
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The service of Tenebrae is a choral offering by the Community, with chanted psalms and canticles set to plainsong, chanted lessons from the Lamentations of Jeremiah (in which each verse is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet), and responsories set to harmonized Anglican chant.
Listen to the Lamentations by clicking on the links below:
Aleph, Beth – Sung by Br. David Vryhof
Gimel, Daleth, Heth – Sung by Br. James Koester
Yodh, Kaph, Lamedh, Nun – Sung by Br. Curtis Almquist
The evening service of Tenebrae (from the Latin for shadows or darkness) is a service that derives from the ancient monastic services of matins and lauds. The most conspicuous visual aspect of the liturgy is the use of darkness and the gradual extinguishing of candles, until only a single candle remains, a symbol of our Lord. The service provides an opportunity for sustained reflection on Jesus’ suffering and death.
I am in a quiet space where I can embrace the solemnity of this beautiful tenebrae. Very spiritual, thank you so much, I needed this so much.
Beautiful Tenebrae service which I listened to this Holy Wednesday evening with candles and no other light.
Thank you!
This is the second year in a row I’ve come back to find this page so I could listen to the brothers sing the Lamentations. So beautiful!
your daily inspiration means so very much to me. Thank you. Roger+
I also testify that this puts me into deeper inflections and pacifies me.
Praise be to God. Amen.