Wednesday of Holy Week, the diocese is accustomed to celebrating a solemn service of readings, Night Prayer, and powerful symbolism. This year, the bishop was barred from attending, so I, Father Drew, was asked to step in and preside over this ceremony with the seminarians, Fr. Jared Holzhuter, the Director of Vocations, and Fr. Andrew Showers, parochial vicar and Director of the Office of Worship for the diocese. 

The ceremony prepares our hearts for the "Great Three Days" of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday and the events celebrated therein. To facilitate that end, the ceremony consists of alternating longer readings, psalms, and prayers, concluding with solemn celebration of Compline, also known as Night Prayer. Most characteristic of the Tenebrae service is the progressive extinguishing of candles throughout the service, representing the close of the day, the coming darkness at the crucifixion, and the hopelessness we experience without Jesus. The ceremony ends with a period of complete darkness in the church filled with a disturbing and frightful cacophany generated by the thunder sheets, banging, and stomping of the faithful until the light of Christ once again appears. A heavy silence settles over the crowd and the single pillar of light guides the ministers through the darkness and out of the church to conclude the ceremony. 

May our hearts make no room for the evil one and be filled, washed, and purified by the Precious Blood of Christ this Triduum. Lord remove all influence of the evil one, and help us to experience again the effects of your mercy. Amen.

Thanks to all those who helped to prepare Saint Patrick for the ceremony, especially Lucy Ruth and her family, Rob, Philomena, and Thomas, and Rita Prescott, active members of our pastorate family. Additional thanks go to Stacy Blang, one of our adult formation coordinators on staff, for capturing some photos of the evening.