Holy Week Chants from the Abbey of Jouques - Good Friday 2020

On this day Masses are not celebrated, the death having been announced the night before. The Lamb of God has given himself to die on the Cross. In the Improperia, we are witnesses to the death of Christ, the supreme sacrifice of God to his people, in a dialogue of love, despite enduring the worst torments. “Popule meus, quid feci tibi” - “Oh my people, what have I done to you?” “Eduxi de terra Ægypti: parasti Crucem” - “I took you out of Egypt and you prepared a Cross for me.” Tenebrae The day begins very early with a service made up of three main parts, called Nocturnes. Each nocturn itself has two parts: psalms framed by antiphons, and readings accompanied by responses. The Church accompanies Christ in his despoilation. Indeed, the service begins without the usual introductory prayers, the concluding prayers are expressed in a low voice, the psalms no longer end in “Gloria Patri” - Glory be to the Father. The Work of Redemption, in virtue of its cosmic aspect, tends towards timelessness, simu