What if one of the most hauntingly beautiful liturgies of Holy Week is also one of the least known?
In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens unpacks the rich tradition of Tenebrae, a service that blends candlelight, psalms, and silence to draw us deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. Jess and Chris discuss:
- What Tenebrae is, where it comes from, and how it fits into the rhythm of Holy Week
- The meaning behind the extinguishing candles and the chanting of psalms
- Why Tenebrae is making a comeback—and how to prepare for your first experience of it
Christopher Carstens directs the Office for Sacred Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin; coordinates the Institute for Liturgical Studies at Christendom College; and edits the Adoremus Bulletin. He serves as a consultant to the USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship, and he is author of A Devotional Journey into the Mass and A Devotional Journey into the Easter Mystery (Sophia), as well as Principles of Sacred Liturgy: Forming a Sacramental Vision (Hillenbrand Books). He and his family live in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.
You can check out Chris' book here: A Devotional Journey into the Easter Mystery
