Candlelight, meditation and music planned at Catholic Church, Sunday at 5 p.m.

(March 22, 2018) St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church in Ocean Pines will hold a Tenebrae service on Sunday, March 25 at 5 p.m.

This service provides an opportunity for the Christian community to meditate and reflect on the darkness of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Passion.

Traditionally, a Tenebrae service takes place in a darkened church lit only by candlelight. Each meditation revolves around Christ’s suffering from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion.

The Tenebrae service at St. John Neumann will present periods of meditation and music to commemorate these events. After each period of meditation and music, a candle will be extinguished, representing Jesus’ increasing sorrow and fading life, until only the Christ candle remains.

When the Christ candle is extinguished the church will be left in near total darkness; attendants depart in contemplative silence.

This somber yet beautiful service recreates the emotions of despair, sorrow, agony, humiliation and pain that Jesus experienced on the road to Calvary. The service, entitled “Lamentations of the Lamb: A Service for Tenebrae” written by Pamela Stewart and John Purifoy, will be officiated by Rev. Joseph Cocucci, and music directed by Josephine Cover.

The St. John Neumann Adult Choir will perform alongside musicians Carole Lohmann on piano, Sally Hendon on flute, Kristi Friese on cello, and Kelly Johnson-Harvey on oboe. A goodwill offering will be accepted at the door.

For more information, call the church, located on Beauchamp Road, at 410-208-2956