Hi All. I understand that Tenebrae is a type of prayer service, I read what it's bascially about.
I have the opportunity to attend this service in either Latin or English.

Is it more of a clergy thing? Is it only listening to the priests reading? or is the congregation involved? Will we be given prayer books or sheets to follow along? Would I not know what's going on if I went to the Latin one?

I went to one in English last year and very much enjoyed it. It consisted of readings, chant, and reflection and really helped to set the state of mind needed moving into the weekend.


If you have the chance, I would suggest going.

Peace,

Thanks, I'm going to go to the one in English

Another dimension to consider.

As you move through Tenebrae, the candles are blown out - and you progress to darkness

At Easter Vigil, we start in darkness, and move to light.

Very cool observation about the lights..

I went and it was a great experience. That church has a professional Schola and the chant was beautiful!
It said English service but it was half English half Latin

I've only attended Tenebrae in the old rite, not in the new. Tenebrae is made up of the Matins and Lauds of the three days of the Triduum. In the old days when Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil were celebrated in the morning, Tenebrae would be anticipated the night before (so Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday would have been celebrated on Spy Wednesday evening). Now that those Masses are celebrated later in the day, Tenebrae is generally celebrated in the morning (I have seen Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday celebrated on Wednesday evening, though).

A 15-candle candlestick called a hearse is employed. With each psalm a candle is extinguished (there are 9 Psalms in Matins -- 3 nocturns of 3 Psalms each -- and 5 Psalms in Lauds for a total of 14). The single candle remaining lit represents the light of Christ. The lessons of the first nocturn at Matins each day are taken from Lamentations or Jeremias, the second nocturn from St. Augustine on the Psalms, and the third nocturn from St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews. It is long, usually about 2.5 hours.