Diocesan News
Diocese of Portland

Holy Week: Tenebrae Services Set for Augusta, Lewiston, Norway, and Windham on Monday

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Tenebrae

Tenebrae services are scheduled for the Monday of Holy Week in Augusta, Lewiston, Norway, and Windham, and all are welcome to attend any of the gatherings. Tenebrae (Latin word meaning “darkness”) is a service that grew out of a combination of night prayer and early morning prayer, with an additional focus on the commemoration of the Passion of our Lord. The service includes a series of Scripture readings commemorating Jesus’ final week, ending with his burial. At the conclusion of each reading, a candle is snuffed out, until the final candle, the Christ candle, is carried out, leaving the room in darkness and allowing for participants to reflect on the great emotional and physical pain that was very real for Jesus during his Passion. The experience helps set the mood for the approaching Sacred Triduum:

Augusta
Monday, April 3, 7 p.m.
St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue

Lewiston
Monday, April 3, 7 p.m.
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash Street
Livestream: www.facebook.com/PrinceOfPeaceME or www.princeofpeace.me

Norway
Monday, April 3, 7 p.m.
St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street

Windham
Monday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail

Holy Week, the most solemn week of the entire year, will begin with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and culminate with the Sacred Triduum, during which Catholics commemorate the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Passion and death of Christ on Good Friday, and the resurrection during the Easter Vigil and on Easter Sunday. A special Holy Week section includes Mass times and locations at all Maine parishes, listings of parish events, daily prayers and reflections, and many other resources.

In addition, stories from many Masses and services, messages, and other resources throughout Holy Week will be posted here on the diocesan website, the diocesan Facebook page, the diocesan Twitter page, the diocesan Instagram page, and on Bishop Deeley’s personal social media pages on Twitter and Instagram.