During the Holy Triduum, the night office of matins and the morning office of lauds have a special liturgy, called Tenebrae. Here, in Wausau in the United StatesThe Office of Tenebrae takes place on the mornings of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, or they are anticipated preceding evening. The Office is made up of psalms, lessons and readings, and sung responses.A triangular structure, called a hearse, has fifteen candles. One candle is extinguished at the end of each psalm.At the office of Tenebrae on the evening of Holy Thursday here in Wausau, one can see the altar of repose on the right and the high altar prepared for Tenebrae on the left.During the chant of the Benedictus in the office of lauds, the six altar candles are progressively extinguished, leaving the sanctuary in greater darkness.Tenebrae in Loisy, FranceThe sisters sing one of the responsesTenebrae at Maria Engelport in GermanyA lesson is chanted during Tenebrae in Preston. The surrounding statues have been veiled in violet since Passion Sunday.Tenebrae in SwitzerlandThe altar prepared for Tenebrae of Holy Saturday, after the Crucifixes have been uncoveredThe candelabra for Tenebrae in Ardee, Ireland.A Canon chants one of the lessons during Tenebrae in Livorno, in ItalyThe darkened church as the candles are gradually extinguished
