fbpx

Tenebrae Translations

Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts > Tenebrae Translations

Tenebrae Translations

Greeting
Opening Prayer

Reading 1: Lamentations 1:1-5

Responsory 1: In monte Oliveti
Translation: At the Mount of Olives He prayed unto the Father: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me! The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Reading II: Lamentations 1:6-9

Responsory II: Tristis est anima mea
Translation: My Soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me; yet a little while, and ye shall see the multitude close me in. Ye shall flee; and I will go to be offered a sacrifice for you. Behold, the house is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Reading III: Lamentations 1:10-14

Responsory III: Ecce vidimus
Translation: Behold, when we shall see Him, He hath no form nor comeliness: there is no beauty in Him: this is He Which hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; but He was wounded for our transgressions, and with His stripes we are healed. Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

Reading IV: Lamentations 2:8-11

Responsory IV: Omnes amici mei
Translation: All my friends have forsaken me, and mine enemies have prevailed against me; he whom I loved hath betrayed me. Mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me; he breaketh me with breach upon breach: and they gave me vinegar to drink. I am numbered with the transgressors and my life is not spared.

Reading V: Lamentations 2:12-15

Responsory V: Velum templi
Translation: The veil of the Temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom, and all the earth did quake: the thief on the cross cried, saying: Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom! The rocks were rent, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the Saints, which slept, arose.

Reading VI: Lamentations 3:1-9

Responsory VI: Vinea mea electa
Translation: I had planted thee a noble vine. How then art thou turned into a degenerate plant, which willest that Barabbas should be released unto thee, and that I should be crucified? I fenced thee, and gathered out the stones from thee, and built a tower in the midst of thee.

Reading VII: Lamentations 3:22-30

Responsory VII: Sicut ovis
Translation: He hath been brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and while he was evil-entreated he opened not his mouth; he was delivered up to death that he might quicken his people. He hath poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors.

Reading VIII: Lamentations 4:1-6

Responsory VIII: Jerusalem, surge
Translation: Arise, O Jerusalem, and put off thy garments of rejoicing: cover thee with sack-cloth and ashes: for the Saviour of Israel hath been slain in the midst of thee. Let thy tears run down like a river day and night, and let not the apple of thine eye cease.

Reading IX: Lamentations 5:1-11

Responsory IX: Plange quasi virgo
Translation: O my people, lament like a virgin; howl, ye shepherds, in sack-cloth and ashes, for the day of the Lord is at hand, and it is great and very terrible. Gird yourselves, ye Priests, and howl, ye ministers of the altar: cast up ashes upon you.

Reading X: Isaiah 42:1-7

Responsory X: Miserere mei Deus
Translation: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Reading XI: Isaiah 52:13-53:3

Responsory XI: Amplius lava me
Translation: Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Reading XII: Isaiah 53:4-9

Responsory XII: Tibi soli peccavi
Translation: Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Reading XIII: Isaiah 53:10-12

Responsory XIII: Ecce enim veritatem
Translation: Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Reading XIV: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Responsory XIV: Cor mundum crea
Translation: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Reading XV: Luke 23:44-48

Tenebrae factae sunt
Translation: There was darkness over the earth when the Jews crucified Jesus: and about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. Jesus cried with a loud voice and said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.

Once the final candle is removed, the strepitus occurs for 30 seconds.
The candle returns to the hearse as a symbol of the Lord’s Resurrection.

The ministers depart in silence.
Then the congregation departs in silence.