04.05.2023 | Tennebrae Wednesday

We've added another Hellebore (Pippa's Purple) to the Carondelet Garden in celebration of Holy Week.  The Lenten Rose is one of my favorite Spring plants and this one is a real stunner.  A beautiful celebration of Spring and all things Holy!

I have taken to an ancient liturgy on the Wednesday of Holy Week the past years: the service of Tennebrae.  Tennebrae is a Latin word which means darkness.  Using music and breaking the story of Jesus' suffering and death into 16 parts.  We light 15 candles and listen and read each part, extinguishing one candle every time until we are in darkness.  It doesn't have to take a very long time, but it is such a moving experience to end Jesus journey as a human and end it in darkness.  The darkness we also experience at this time of year until Easter and all things change.  The light of the world has come.  

It's dark and stormy this morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The winds are blowing and the lightning is flashing.  Darkness has come.  We wait for the light in prayer and anticipation.  The celebration is coming, but first the darkness.  Tennebrae.  Holy Wednesday.  

The Suscipe (Receive) of Saint Ignatius
Take, Lord, receive all my liberty,
my memory, understanding, my whole will.
All that I am and I possess,
You have given me:
I surrender it all to you to be used according to your will.
Give me only your love and your grace;
that is enough for me. Amen.