I just returned from Tenebrae, over two and a half hours of psalms and lessons. Really the depth of the old Triduum Office is beyond comprehension. The psalms are about battle, liberation, forgiveness, and defeat of one's enemies. The first lessons are the Lamentations of Jeremiah for the fall of the chosen people, of Jerusalem. The second are of St Augustine on how God can redirect evil for the good. And the first are form St Paul on the Last Supper and the Eucharist. The responsories paint the darkness of Judas' betrayal behind the broader themes of the night and contrast strongly with the festive, celebratory nature of the Mass of the day. And of course the extinction of the candles, leaving us in darkness and the "earthquake" (smashing books) that ends the night. It made quite an impression on myself and many others.
During the strepitus a friend bashed a book containing hymns such as Holy God We Praise Thy Name while I took out my rage lamented Christ's betrayal with a 1962 Missal, possibly damaging the spine.
Tomorrow off to the Maronites for Mandy Thursday, the washing of feet, and a night of Confession. Good Friday Vespers with the shroud burial and Jerusalem Mattins of Holy Saturday the following night. And Divine Liturgy of Pascha with the Melkites in Houston Saturday night/Sunday morning.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDuring the strepitus a friend bashed a book containing hymns such as Holy God We Praise Thy Name while I took out my rage/lamented Christ's betrayal with a 1962 Missal, possibly damaging the spine. LOL
ReplyDeleteThose of us who can't assist at such a magnificent service can at least buy this CD and listen to it in our cars as we go about our worldly affairs.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O54z-k1aoPM&list=PLAA57E8136409B172
Perhaps there is a marketing opportunity for Baronius? They could produce a special edition of the 1962M specifically for use at Tenebrae. After three bashings it would disintegrated and a new one sold for the following year!
ReplyDeleteIt was a Baronious version actually!
DeleteJust got back from "Lumina" about an hour ago here on the East Coast. Despite the time, we use the 1954 reprints of the Liber Usualis, including the repetition of Ps. 50 and the strepitus. Now onto the Little Hours and Vespers at home followed by an early dinner, and oddly waiting til evening to attend Mass. Sigh...
ReplyDelete