The Office of Tenebrae

This evening we held the first Tenebrae service that I recall, here or anywhere. Maybe it was especially powerful because I had watched "The Passion of the Christ" earlier today. (I saw it in the theatres twice, again last year... and it still shocks me into a heightened awareness of our Lord's suffering. And I still have to look away at times.)

It was my job to put out the lights at various points through the service, starting with the Narthex, Nave and stairwell lights. (Now I wish we'd bought quieter switches back when we were building the church, 20 years ago.) The dimmer for the Nave lights went down just so far... then [click!] off. Oh well.

Next were the Sanctuary (flood)lights. A bit better action on the dimmer but there too was a point where it just went [click!] off.

Finally the candles went out -- except one, which I took into the Sacristy.

Fr. Daniel had explained the symbolism of the apparent vistory of darkness beforehand, and though we still had full (gray) daylight outside it was amazing to observe the feeling this evoked. (Then again, I had watched "The Passion" earlier today.)

Despite our preparations, I was left with a puzzle when taking the lone lit candle to Sacristy: which Sacristy door to use? We have pocket doors each side of the Sanctuary. Fr. Daniel and I had entered and would normally leave by the Gospel-side door. But there's a window there and it would be bright. There was no window on the Epistle-side door and it would be dark... so I chose that. (So, Fr. Daniel, if you read this you'll know why I did what I did.)

The congregation was requested to depart in silence, and largely did.

Those who missed this service really missed something special.