Tenebrae - April 1, 2026

Almighty God, to you all hearts are Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, open, open, all desires known, all desires known, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. and from you no secrets are hid. and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, that we may perfectly love you, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name and worthily magnify your holy name and worthily magnify your holy name through Christ our Lord. >> Incipit

>> Incipit lamentatio Jeremiae Jeremiae prophetae. Quomodo sedet sola Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo! civitas plena populo! civitas plena populo! Facta est quasi vidua >> A reading from the Holy Gospel according

>> A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Then Jesus came with them to a place Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane called Gethsemane called Gethsemane and said to his disciples, "Stay here and said to his disciples, "Stay here and said to his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." He took with him Peter and the two sons He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and he began to be grieved of Zebedee, and he began to be grieved of Zebedee, and he began to be grieved and agitated. and agitated. and agitated. Then he said to them, Then he said to them, Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, "I am deeply grieved, "I am deeply grieved, even to the point of death. even to the point of death. even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me." And going a little further, he threw And going a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, himself on the ground and prayed, himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, "My Father, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass if it is possible, let this cup pass if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. from me. from me. Yet, Yet, Yet, not what I want, not what I want, not what I want, but what you want."

Then he came to the disciples and found Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, them sleeping, and he said to Peter, them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me "So, could you not stay awake with me "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? one hour? one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not Stay awake and pray that you may not Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial. come into the time of trial. come into the time of trial. The spirit indeed is willing, The spirit indeed is willing, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

>> A reading from the Holy Gospel according >> A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. to Matthew. to Matthew. Again, he went away for the second time Again, he went away for the second time Again, he went away for the second time and prayed, and prayed, and prayed, "My Father, "My Father, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink if this cup cannot pass unless I drink if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, it, it, your will be done." your will be done." your will be done." Again, he came and found them sleeping, Again, he came and found them sleeping, Again, he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. for their eyes were heavy. for their eyes were heavy. So, So, So, leaving them again, leaving them again, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third he went away and prayed for the third he went away and prayed for the third time, time, time, saying the same words. Then he came back to the disciples and Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, said to them, said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your "Are you still sleeping and taking your "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? rest? rest? See, the hour is at hand, See, the hour is at hand, See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. into the hands of sinners. into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. Get up, let us be going. Get up, let us be going. See, my

>> Reading from the Holy Gospel according >> Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown and put it on his head and put it on his head and put it on his head and dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him saying, They kept coming up to him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews." and striking "Hail, King of the Jews." and striking "Hail, King of the Jews." and striking him on the face. Pilate Pilate went out again and said to Pilate Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, them, "Look, them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you I am bringing him out to you to let you I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." So, Jesus came out wearing the crown of So, Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. thorns and the purple robe. thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, Pilate said to them, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man." When the chief priests and the police When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, saw him, they shouted, saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him, crucify him." Pilate said to them, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him.

"Take him yourselves and crucify him. "Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no case against him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law The Jews answered him, "We have a law and according to that law, he ought to and according to that law, he ought to and according to that law, he ought to die die die because he has claimed to be the son of because he has claimed to be the son of because he has claimed to be the son of God." >> A reading from the Holy Gospel according

>> A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. And when they came to a place of And when they came to a place of Golgotha, Golgotha, Golgotha, which means place of a skull, which means place of a skull, which means place of a skull, they offered him wine to drink mixed they offered him wine to drink mixed they offered him wine to drink mixed with gall. with gall. with gall. But when he tasted it, But when he tasted it, But when he tasted it, he would not drink it. he would not drink it. he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, And when they had crucified him, And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among they divided his clothes among they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots. themselves by casting lots. themselves by casting lots. Then sat down there Then sat down there Then sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge Over his head they put the charge against him, against him, against him, which read, which read, which read, "This is Jesus, "This is Jesus, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Then two bandits were crucified with Then two bandits were crucified with him, him, him, one on his right and one on his left. one on his right and one on his left. one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, Those who passed by derided him, Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, shaking their heads and saying, shaking their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and "You who would destroy the temple and "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, build it in three days, build it in three days, save yourself.

save yourself. save yourself. If you are the Son of God, If you are the Son of God, If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." In the same way, the chief priests also, In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were along with the scribes and elders, were along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, mocking him, saying, mocking him, saying, "He saved others. "He saved others. "He saved others. He cannot save himself. He cannot save himself. He cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel. He is the King of Israel. He is the King of Israel. Let him come down from the cross now, Let him come down from the cross now, Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. He trusts in God. Let God deliver him if he wants to, Let God deliver him if he wants to, Let God deliver him if he wants to, for he did say, for he did say, for he did say, "I am God's Son."

>> A reading from the Holy Gospel according >> A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. to Luke. to Luke. One of the criminals who were hanged One of the criminals who were hanged One of the criminals who were hanged kept deriding him and saying, kept deriding him and saying, kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? "Are you not the Messiah? "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." Save yourself and us." Save yourself and us." But the other rebuked him saying, But the other rebuked him saying, But the other rebuked him saying, "Do you not fear God, "Do you not fear God, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of since you are under the same sentence of since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? condemnation? condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned And we indeed have been condemned And we indeed have been condemned justly, justly, justly, for we are getting what we deserve for for we are getting what we deserve for for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds. our deeds. our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, Then he said, "Jesus, "Jesus, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your remember me when you come into your remember me when you come into your kingdom." kingdom." kingdom." He replied, He replied, He replied, "Truly, I tell you, today you will be "Truly, I tell you, today you will be "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." It was now about noon and darkness came It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until 3:00 in the over the whole land until 3:00 in the over the whole land until 3:00 in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed.

afternoon, while the sun's light failed. afternoon, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn And the curtain of the temple was torn And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, said, said, "Father, "Father, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, place, he praised God and said, place, he praised God and said, "Certainly, this man was innocent." And when all the crowds who had gathered And when all the crowds who had gathered there for the spectacle saw what had there for the spectacle saw what had there for the spectacle saw what had taken place, taken place, taken place, they returned home beating their they returned home beating their they returned home beating their breasts. breasts. breasts. All his acquaintances, including the All his acquaintances, including the All his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, women who had followed him from Galilee, women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance stood at a distance stood at a distance watching these things.

>> A reading from the Book of the Prophet >> A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Let me sing for my beloved my love song Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard. concerning his vineyard. concerning his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill. hill. hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones He dug it and cleared it of stones He dug it and cleared it of stones and planted it with choice vines. and planted it with choice vines. and planted it with choice vines. He built a watchtower in the midst of it He built a watchtower in the midst of it He built a watchtower in the midst of it and hewed out a wine vat in it. and hewed out a wine vat in it. and hewed out a wine vat in it. He expected it to yield fine grapes, He expected it to yield fine grapes, He expected it to yield fine grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, people of Judah, people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. judge between me and my vineyard. judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my What more was there to do for my What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? vineyard that I have not done in it? vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield fine grapes, When I expected it to yield fine grapes, When I expected it to yield fine grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?

And now, I will tell you what I am going And now, I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard. to do to my vineyard. to do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge I will remove its hedge I will remove its hedge and it shall be devoured. and it shall be devoured. and it shall be devoured. I will break down its wall I will break down its wall I will break down its wall and it shall be trampled on. and it shall be trampled on. and it shall be trampled on. I will make it a waste. I will make it a waste. I will make it a waste. It shall not be pruned or hoed. And it shall be overgrown with briars And it shall be overgrown with briars and thorns. and thorns. and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they I will also command the clouds that they I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. rain no rain upon it. rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel the house of Israel the house of Israel and the people of Judah are his pleasant and the people of Judah are his pleasant and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting. He expected justice, He expected justice, but saw bloodshed. but saw bloodshed. but saw bloodshed. Righteousness, Righteousness, Righteousness, but heard a cry.

>> A reading from the book of the prophet >> A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. We had all gone astray like sheep. We had all gone astray like sheep. We have all turned to our own way. We have all turned to our own way. We have all turned to our own way. And the Lord has laid on him the And the Lord has laid on him the And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and he was afflicted. He was oppressed and he was afflicted. Yet, Yet, Yet, he did not open his mouth. he did not open his mouth. he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb that is led to the Like a lamb that is led to the Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, slaughter, slaughter, and like a sheep that before its and like a sheep that before its and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, shearers is silent, shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice, he was taken By a perversion of justice, he was taken away. away. away. Who could have imagined his future? Who could have imagined his future? Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the For he was cut off from the land of the For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression living, stricken for the transgression living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich.

and his tomb with the rich. and his tomb with the rich. Although he had done no violence Although he had done no violence Although he had done no violence and there was no deceit in his mouth. and there was no deceit in his mouth. and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet, Yet, Yet, it was the will of the Lord to crush him it was the will of the Lord to crush him it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. with pain. with pain. When you make his life an offering for When you make his life an offering for When you make his life an offering for sin, sin, sin, he shall see his offspring and shall he shall see his offspring and shall he shall see his offspring and shall prolong his days. prolong his days. prolong his days. Through him, the will of the Lord shall Through him, the will of the Lord shall Through him, the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish, prosper. Out of his anguish, prosper. Out of his anguish, he shall see light. he shall see light. he shall see light. He shall find satisfaction through his He shall find satisfaction through his He shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. knowledge. knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall The righteous one, my servant, shall The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, make many righteous, make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, Therefore, I shall allot him a portion with the I shall allot him a portion with the I shall allot him a portion with the great, great, great, and he shall divide the spoil with the and he shall divide the spoil with the and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, strong, strong, because he poured out himself to death, because he poured out himself to death, because he poured out himself to death, and he was numbered with the and he was numbered with the and he was numbered with the transgressors.

transgressors. transgressors. Yet, he bore the sin of many, Yet, he bore the sin of many, Yet, he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the and made intercession for the and made intercession for the transgressors.

For to this you have been called, For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, because Christ also suffered for you, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow leaving you an example for you to follow leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin, He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. and no deceit was found in his mouth. and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, When he was abused, When he was abused, he did not return abuse. he did not return abuse. he did not return abuse. When he suffered, he did not threaten, When he suffered, he did not threaten, When he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who but he entrusted himself to the one who but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself He himself bore our sins bore our sins bore our sins in his own body in his own body in his own body on the cross, on the cross, on the cross, so that, so that, so that, free from sins, free from sins, free from sins, we might live for righteousness. we might live for righteousness. we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, By his wounds, By his wounds, you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, For you were going astray like sheep, but now but now but now you have returned to the shepherd you have returned to the shepherd you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

>> A reading from the letter of St. Paul to >> A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. the Romans. the Romans. Do you not know Do you not know Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized that all of us who have been baptized that all of us who have been baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his into Jesus Christ were baptized into his into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death by baptism into death by baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from so that, just as Christ was raised from so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so the dead by the glory of the Father, so the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in the newness of we too might walk in the newness of we too might walk in the newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a For if we have been united with him in a death like his death like his death like his we will certainly be united with him in we will certainly be united with him in we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified We know that our old self was crucified with him with him with him so that the body of sin might be so that the body of sin might be so that the body of sin might be destroyed destroyed destroyed and we might no longer be enslaved to and we might no longer be enslaved to and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. sin. sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin.

But But if we have died with Christ if we have died with Christ if we have died with Christ we believe we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from We know that Christ, being raised from the dead the dead the dead will never die again. will never die again. will never die again. Death has no dominion over him. So, you also must consider yourselves So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin dead to sin dead to sin and alive to God and alive to God and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

[music] [music] [singing] >> In this time of the Lord's passion, when >> In this time of the Lord's passion, when Christ offered prayers and supplications Christ offered prayers and supplications Christ offered prayers and supplications to his Father to his Father to his Father with loud cries and tears with loud cries and tears with loud cries and tears let us humbly beseech God let us humbly beseech God let us humbly beseech God that in answer to his son's reverent that in answer to his son's reverent that in answer to his son's reverent submission submission submission he may in mercy hear our prayers also.

That the church, the bride of Christ may That the church, the bride of Christ may be more fully cleansed by his blood in be more fully cleansed by his blood in be more fully cleansed by his blood in this time of his passion. this time of his passion. this time of his passion. let us pray to the Lord. let us pray to the Lord. let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. That through the blood of Christ's That through the blood of Christ's That through the blood of Christ's cross, cross, cross, all things in the world may be brought all things in the world may be brought all things in the world may be brought to peace for the sake of salvation, to peace for the sake of salvation, to peace for the sake of salvation, let us pray to the Lord. That God may grant fortitude and That God may grant fortitude and patience to all who through sickness or patience to all who through sickness or patience to all who through sickness or hardship have a share in Christ's hardship have a share in Christ's hardship have a share in Christ's passion, passion, passion, let us pray to the Lord. That we may all be led through the That we may all be led through the Lord's passion and cross Lord's passion and cross Lord's passion and cross to the glory of his resurrection, to the glory of his resurrection, to the glory of his resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

>> At the Savior's command and formed by >> At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, divine teaching, divine teaching, we dare to say, we dare to say, we dare to say, Our Father, Our Father, Our Father, who art in heaven, who art in heaven, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. hallowed be thy name. hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. earth as it is in heaven. earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and Give us this day our daily bread, and Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, forgive us our trespasses, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against as we forgive those who trespass against as we forgive those who trespass against us, us, us, and lead us not into temptation, and lead us not into temptation, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Be present, oh Lord, to your people at Be present, oh Lord, to your people at prayer, prayer, prayer, so that what they do not have when so so that what they do not have when so so that what they do not have when so what they do not have the confidence or what they do not have the confidence or what they do not have the confidence or presumption to ask, presumption to ask, presumption to ask, they may obtain by the merits of your they may obtain by the merits of your they may obtain by the merits of your son's passion, son's passion, son's passion, who lives and reigns forever and ever. who lives and reigns forever and ever. who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.