The Tenebrae Service

Tenebrae (which means “shadows” or “darkness”) is a prayer service held during Holy Week. 

Originating from the Liturgy of the Hours, Tenebrae includes chanted psalms that focus on Christ’s Passion. The mournful songs, called dirges, are like a funeral service for our Savior. A row of candles is lit in a stand called the hearse at the beginning of the service, and after each psalm is chanted, a candle is extinguished until only one remains.

This somber service helps us to think about Jesus’s death on the Cross as we await His Resurrection.

Have you ever attended Tenebrae as a family? You can share this coloring page with your kids and read more about it in All About Lent & Holy Week.

These resources were made in cooperation with Shari Van Vranken of Catholic Paper Goods using artwork from our new book!

You can find it at The St. Paul Center here or on Amazon here, or we'd love for you to ask for it at your local Catholic book store. It's also available as an ebook in both places if that's more your style! 

And you can find all of the free resources linked in this post: