Maundy Tenebrae

Tenebrae is the celebration of Matins and Lauds of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. During the three days leading up to Easter, also known as the Sacred Triduum, Matins and Lauds are combined together in a special way, and with ancient rubrics, forming Tenebrae. Throughout the history of the Church, Tenebrae was not said in the morning, but in the evening prior, in anticipation of the day to come (Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday). The only light traditionally came from the Tenebrae hearse, a large triangular candle holder. This was placed in the choir, with fifteen lit candles. Through the service the candles are gradually extinguished - providing a stark visual that Our Lord is slowly but surely left alone in the darkness of the world, fraught with sin; till only one candle remains. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." St John 1:5