Good Friday Tenebrae Service at Home

Since we cannot meet in person on this Good Friday, I decided to offer a way for you to experience our Tenebrae service at home. “Tenebrae” is the Latin word for “shadows.” In a Tenebrae service, candles are extinguished to represent the snuffing out of the life of Christ as He died for our sins. Tenebrae services have been practiced by the Church through the centuries. Below you will find instructions on how to conduct a Tenebrae service at your home this Good Friday.

Before you begin:

  • Decide a spot in your home where you will set up as a family to do this service. Make sure there is sufficient darkness.

  • Decide if you’d like to include any music as part of your time. Queue the music on your computer or phone to be played at certain points that you choose.

  • Decide how many candles to set up. You will be extinguishing seven candles. One candle, the “Christ candle” will be lit the entire time. There are two ways you could do this: You could use eight candles, designating one as the “Christ candle” to stay lit and seven to be extinguished throughout the service. You could use two candles, one designated as the “Christ candle” and one to be extinguished and re-lit seven times.

  • Choose a “leader” for this service. This is an opportunity for fathers and husbands to step up and lead your family. Some of you may be doing this alone. That is perfectly fine. Feel free to comment on or discuss each Scripture reading.

  • Choose who will read each Scripture passage. This could be the “leader” or each family member can take turns .

  • Enjoy and share your reflections with me!

GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE AT HOME

  • Begin with prayer.

  • Read Luke 22: 47-53 “Jesus is arrested”

  • First candle extinguished.

  • Read Luke 22: 54-62 “Peter disowns Jesus”

  • Second candle extinguished.

  • Read Luke 22:63 - 23:12 “Jesus before Pilate and Herod”

  • Third candle extinguished.

  • Read Luke 23: 13-25 “Jesus is sentenced”

  • Fourth candle extinguished.

  • Read Luke 23: 26-43 “Jesus is crucified”

  • Fifth candle extinguished.

  • Read Luke 23: 44-46 “Jesus dies”

  • Sixth candle extinguished.

  • Read Luke 23: 47-56a “Jesus is buried”

  • Seventh candle extinguished.

  • Whisper The Lord’s Prayer.

    • Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

  • Christ Candle Is carried out.

  • The Closing of the Tomb (slam a door) - a King of Glory tradition!

  • Christ Candle is brought in.

  • Spend a time in silence