The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE TENEBRAE SERVICE

THE TENEBRAE (SHADOW) SERVICE IS SPECIFICALLY CATHOLIC. IT IS
HELD ON THE WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK IN THE EVENING. AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE SERVICE, THE CHURCH IS DARKENED. ONLY A CANDELABRA WITH
NINE BURNING CANDLES LIGHTS THE CHURCH. GREGORIAN CHANTS
FORETELLING THE PASSION OF CHRIST ARE SUNG BY THE CHOIR. AFTER
EACH PSALM A SINGLE CANDLE IS EXTINGUISHED. WHEN ONLY ONE CANDLE
REMAINS, THE PRIEST PLACES IT BETWEEN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS AND
WALKS SOLEMNLY TOWARD THE SANCTUARY. UPON REACHING THE SANCTUARY
HE WITHDRAWS BEHIND ITS PURPLE CURTAIN, LEAVING THE CONGREGATION
IN TOTAL DARKNESS. IT IS AT THIS TIME THAT THE PEOPLE BEGIN TO
BANG ON THE PEWS WITH THEIR FISTS OR WHATEVER THEY HAVE BROUGHT
WITH THEM, REPRESENTING AS THEY DO SO, THE QUAKING OF THE EARTH
AT CHRISTS DEATH. FINALLY, THE PRIEST RETURNS WITH THE LIGHTED
CANDLE INTO THE CHURCH PROPER. THE SINGLE LIT CANDLE
REPRESENTED THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST. THE PRIESTS DISAPPEARANCE
BEHIND THE CURTAIN REPRESENTED CHRIST IN THE TOMB. THE EMERGENCE
OF THE PRIEST WITH THE CANDLE SIGNIFIED THE RETURN OF CHRIST, THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Submitter comment: MR. LEBLANC BELONGS TO THE DETROIT CATHEDRAL CHOIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 04-03-1968

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