2026-04-01_Tenebrae

HOLY WEEK AT THE MONASTERY

TENEBRAE: A SERVICE OF SHADOWS April 1, 2026

THE SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST 980 Memorial Drive  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138  617.876.3037  www.SSJE.org

A Word about the Liturgy Tenebrae (from the Latin for shadows or darkness) is a service that derives from the ancient monastic services of matins and lauds. It provides an opportunity for sustained reflection on the Lord’s suffering and death.

This evening’s liturgy consists of chanted psalms and canticles set to plainsong, chanted lessons from the Lamentations of Jeremiah (in which each verse is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet), and responsories set to harmonized Anglican chant. At the conclusion of the liturgy, the congregation is invited to join the Community in singing the hymn “O sacred head, sore wounded.”

After the final hymn we depart in silence.

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All stand.

Anthem

Christus factus est (Christ became obedient)

All are seated.

Psalms

Psalm 69:1-23

BCP, p. 679

Psalm 70

BCP, p. 682

Psalm 74

BCP, p. 689

Silent Prayer All stand.

Response

Collect All are seated.

Lesson Responsory Lesson Responsory Lesson Responsory

Lamentations (Aleph-He) In monte Oliveti (On the Mount of Olives) Lamentations (Waw-Teth) Tristis est anima mea (My soul is very sorrowful) Lamentations (Yodh-Nun) Ecce vidimus eum (Lo, we have seen him)

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Psalms

Psalm 63:1-8

BCP, p. 670

Psalm 90:1-12

BCP, p. 717

The Song of Hezekiah

Isaiah 38:10-20

Antiphon From the gates of hell, O Lord, deliver my soul.

In my despair I said, “In the noonday of my life I must depart; * my unspent years are summoned to the portals of death.”

And I said, “No more shall I see the Lord in the land of the living, * never more look on my kind among dwellers on earth.

My house is pulled down and I am uncovered,* as when a shepherd strikes his tent.

My life is rolled up like a bolt of cloth,* the threads cut off from the loom.

Between sunrise and sunset my life is brought to an end; * I cower and hope for the dawn.

Like a lion he has crushed all my bones; * like a swallow or thrush I utter plaintive cries; I mourn like a dove.

My weary eyes look up to you; * Lord, be my refuge in my affliction.”

But what can I say? for he has spoken; * it is he who has done this.

Slow and halting are my steps all my days,* because of the bitterness of my spirit.

O Lord, I recounted all these things to you and you rescued me; * when entreated, you restored my life.

I know now that my bitterness was for my good,* for you held me back from the pit of destruction, you cast all my sins behind you.

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The grave does not thank you nor death give you praise; * nor do those at the brink of the grave hang on your promise.

It is the living, O Lord, the living who give you thanks as I do this day; * and parents speak of your faithfulness to their children.

You, Lord, are my Savior; * I will praise you with stringed instruments all the days of my life, in the house of the Lord.

Antiphon From the gates of hell, O Lord, deliver my soul.

Silent Prayer All stand.

Response

Collect Canticle 16

The Song of Zechariah

BCP, p. 92

Psalm 51

BCP, p. 656

All are seated.

Psalm All stand.

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Hymn

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My song is love unknown

Hymnal 458

All depart in silence.

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Supplementary hymns are used by permission and licensed to be reprinted for this service by OneLicense.Net: #A-725463

The Monastery as Sanctuary We want our Monastery to be a sanctuary for our guests and for the Brothers. Please silence your electronic devices. We also ask you not to photograph, video, or record services in the Chapel, or to photograph other guests or Brothers without their express permission.

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