On Friday night occurred Las Tinieblas at La Morada,
which the public could attend. La
Morada was lighted by twenty four candles and the flagellants remained in the
rear room where they continued their whipping. Two candelabras, one with six candles and one with seven,
were set on each side of the altar.
Twelve candles were yellow representing the disciples, and one white,
which represented Christ.
The service began with alternating verses of the
Miserere and La Pasion, followed by the reading of twelve psalms to represent
the twelve disciples. After each
was read, a candle was snuffed out until only the white one remained. This one was taken to the back room
leaving the chapel in total darkness.
As soon as the room was dark, the Rezador would say:
-- Salgan vivos y
difuntos a accompanarnos por el amor de Dios.
(“All living and dead come forth to join us for the
love of God.”)
Then he would recite the Apostles Creed, at the end
of which, the congregation would stamp their feet, pound the benches, rattle
pots and matracas (a rattle or homemade clacker) and drag chains across the
floor to represent the earthquake which occurred when Christ died. Then everyone would quiet down when a
light appeared through a hole in the curtain behind the altar. The Sudario (prayer for the dead) was
said, followed by a Pater Noster, Ave Maria, and Salve Regina. Alternate noise, silence and prayer
were repeated four times.
The white candle was brought back to the altar and
one by one the yellow candles were lit from it. The congregation would sing hymns of joy until dawn, when
villagers would return home. The
Penitentes would remain to elect new officers and transact other business.
Source:
Fort Garland Historical Site, Costilla County, Colorado
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