Good Friday

‘Ο εὐσχήμων ’Ιωσήφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου καθελών, τὸ ἀχραντόν σου σῶμα, σινδόνι καθαρᾷ εἱλήσας καὶ ἀρώμασι, ἐν μνήματι καινῷ κηδεύσας ἀπέθετο.

Благообразный Иосиф, с Древа снем Пречистое Тело Твое, плащаницею чистою обвив, и вонями, во гробе нове покрыв положи.

The noble Joseph took down from the Cross Thy spotless Body, and when he had wrapped It in a clean shroud with spices, he laid It for burial in a new Sepulchre.

Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion at the London Oratory

Photographs of Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion at the London Oratory. All photographs of the Oratory Liturgies also appear on the London Oratory Facebook Page with explanatory captions. [Photos: Charles Cole]

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Holy Thursday in Rome

The first three photographs here were taken by our friend Agnese at the FSSP’s Roman Parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini. (I was not able to visit as many churches as I did last year.)

Singing of the Gospel at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Post-Communio 

The Sacrament Chapel of St John in the Lateran on Holy Thursday morning. 

The Sacrament Chapel of Santa Maria Maggiore before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins. 

The high altar prepared for Mass

Matins of the Twelve Gospels at the Russicum

 

The Sacrament Chapel of Santa Maria Maggiore shortly before closing at midnight.

San Martino ai Monti

San Clemente (morning of Good Friday)

San Clemente - Veils for Passiontide are making a notable comeback in Rome.

The Sacrament Chapel of St John in the Lateran (Good Friday morning); Lauds are being sung by the canons of the Basilica.

Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper at the London Oratory

Here are photographs taken this evening at the London Oratory during Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Mandatum and Procession to the Altar of Repose. There are 27 photographs in total, including the Stripping of the Altars, so be sure to click on 'Continue reading this article'. There will be more photographs from SW7 over the next few days. [Photos: Charles Cole]

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Tenebrae at WCC

For the third year running, students at Wyoming Catholic College met on Wednesday of Holy Week to sing the traditional Tenebrae office for Maundy Thursday. The schola led the chanting and the faithful in the pews joined in the antiphonal psalmody. The service lasted a little over two hours.

Once again, I was carried away by how beautiful and rich Tenebrae is, both in its music and in the texts, especially the poignant lections and responsories. The Lamentation tone is perhaps the most exquisite psalm tone of all, in its strange combination of sweetness and detached observation of destruction. The continual focus on Judas, the wicked tradesman (mercator pessimus), restless and vigilant while the other disciples sleep, brings us into the heart of denial, despair, and the urgent call to repentance before it is too late. The psalms of the three nocturns oscillate between utter dereliction and cosmic triumph. The entire service plunges one into the Passion like few other liturgical ceremonies can do. We need a major revival of Tenebrae throughout the church!

I was touched by the comment of a friend. His little girl had begged him to bring her to Tenebrae again because of the big banging in the dark at the end (the strepitus). But, trooper that she was, she had to listen to a lot of psalmody, antiphons, readings, and responsories before we ever got to the strepitus -- and she enjoyed the whole experience.

Below are a few photos, courtesy of Rob Bolin.

In the Second Nocturn

Singing a Responsory

Extinguished

Chanting the Benedictus

Palm Sunday - Your Photos (Part 2 - Updated)

Oratory of St Philip Neri - London (Brompton Oratory)

Old Saint Mary’s - Cincinnati Ohio (Oratory in formation)

St Joseph’s - Richmond, Virginia

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Palm Sunday - Your Photos (Part 1)

Thank you once again for sending these in. They are posted in no particular order, and we received far more than we could post (which is great!) I'll do another set tomorrow, and we will of course be glad to see your photographs of Triduum services, including Tenebrae.

Mary Mother of God - Washington, D.C.

Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary - Indianapolis, Indiana

Holy Wisdom Parish, Latin Mass Community of St. Therese of Lisieux - Pittsburgh, PA

Aquinas College - Nashville Tennessee

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Tenebrae for Maundy Thursday at the London Oratory

Here are some photographs taken at Tenebrae this evening at the London Oratory. Earlier today I was invited to speak about music for Tenebrae on EWTN's Son Rise Morning Show. The radio interview which lasts 9 minutes can be heard here.