Postcards From New York: 4/5/09

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Easter Sunday in New York

Sculpture on facade of St. Bartholomew Church

Dear Postcard from New York Reader,

The restraints of Lent now over, this weekend Christians celebrate the high point of the Liturgical year. Easter services, with baptisms and candle lighting ceremonies, are traditionally the most beautiful. Richly embellished by full choirs and exquisite organ music, they are even more special when celebrated in one of the city’s extraordinary architectural wonders.

So, if you are on vacation or accustomed to attending a particular church, make the occasion one to remember. Choose from high vaulted cathedrals to jeweled chapels. Here's a schedule of some particularly beautiful services.

St. Bartholomew Church, Park Avenue at 51st Street, 212-757-7013, http://www.stbarts.org./
Holy Saturday - The Vigil of Easter 7 PM
Easter Sunday - Services 8, 9, 11, & 1 PM

St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street, 212-757-7013, http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/
Holy Saturday - The Great Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter 5:30 PM
Easter Sunday - Services 8 and 11 AM, 3 PM Evensong

St. Patrick, Fifth Avenue at 50th Street, 212-753-2261, http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil Mass 8 PM
Easter Sunday - Services 7, 8, 8:45, 12, 1, 4 (Spanish), 5:30. 10:15 Mass Cardinal Egan celebrant (reserved seating only by ticket.)

Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive at 120th Street, 212-870-6700, http://www.theriversidechurchny.org
Easter Sunday - Services 11 AM and 1 PM

Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 West 138th Street, 212-862-7474, http://www.abyssinian.org/
Easter Sunday - Services 9 and 11 AM

Calvary Baptist Church, 123 West 57th Street, 212-975-0170, http://www.cbcnyc.org/
Easter Sunday - Services 9 and 11 AM

St. George, 30 East 7th Street 212-674-1615, http://www.brama.com/stgeorge/
Holy Saturday April 18th - Compline 9 PM, Mass 10 PM
Easter Sunday April 19th - Services 8:30, 10, 12 Noon

Have a Wonderful Easter.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

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Photo by Joseph Knight

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Begin Easter Triduum with Gregorian Chant: Tenebrae

Candles of Tenebrae

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

It last only an hour, the prayers and readings of Tenebrae sung in Gregorian chant, but memories of the hour will linger with you for months, perhaps longer.

Tapered candles aflame with flickering lights in six foot candle holders prominently displayed on the high altar or presented in an impressive free standing candelabra (a hearse) at the altar entrance, immediately captures ones attention. Intermittently, between the chanting of psalms, Old and New Testament readings and writings of the Fathers in Latin by soloists and a choir of young men, one by one candles will be extinguished and the lights of the Church turned off.

When the last candle is snuffed out, a loud crashing noise meant to symbolize the earthquake that followed upon Christ’s death, shatters the quiet attention of the congregation. The Church is in complete darkness as the assembly bundles up and departs in silence. It is rare to hear any voices, not even muffled whispers as people solemnly exit.

Tenebrae, a prelude to celebrate the Lord’s Passion (Sacred Triduum--Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday/the Vigil of Easter), signals the “light of the world” leaving the world. It is a medieval service celebrated on the eve or mornings of these three days. Tonight is the eve of Holy Thursday. Tomorrow the door of the tabernacle will visibly be left wide open after the Eucharist is removed.

In recent years, the resurgence of the Latin Mass has stimulated interest and participation in near extinct practices like the Liturgy of the Hours and Tenebrae. There are now several places where you can experience the timeless beauty of Gregorian Chant, (some of the oldest music that exists) just as it was sung by cloistered monks in the 7th and 8th century.

St. Agnes Church, Tenebrae will be sung on Wednesday April 8th at 6 PM completely in Gregorian Chant.

The Church of the Holy Innocents, Tenebrae will be sung on Wednesday April 8th at 6:15 PM, before the service, Tenebrae is explained. Parts will be recited and chanted in English.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Tenebrae will be sung on Good Friday April 10th at 9 AM in English.

St. Jean Baptiste Church, Tenebrae will be sung on Holy Saturday April 11th at 9 AM in English.

Have a Happy Easter!

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

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Addresses and Directions to Remember:

St. Agnes Church, 143 East 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, 212-370-5791. From Times Square MTA 7 or S to Grand Central, walk one block east to Lexington Ave, then one block north to 43rd. St.

The Church of the Holy Innocents, 128 West 37th St., New York, NY 10018, 212-279-5861. From Times Square MTA N, R, Q, W to 34th St., walk west to Broadway, then north to 37th St.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, 5th Avenue and 50th St, New York, NY 10022, 212-753-2261, http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/. From Times Square MTA 7 or S to Grand Central, 6 to 51st St., walk west 3 blocks to 5th Ave.

St. Jean Baptiste Church, 184 East 76th St., New York, NY, 212-288-5082. MTA 7 or S to Grand Central, 6 to 77th St., walk one block south on Lexington to 76th St.