The darkest hour of the darkest day came to life again at a Tenebrae Prayer Service. Blessed Sacrament Church in Buffalo hosted a fully immersive recreation of Jesus’ death on Good Friday.
The April 18 presentation of “The Funeral of Our Lord,” a dramatization based on selections from all four Gospels, included theatrical lighting, a special effects soundtrack, slides and videos. It stimulated all five senses of the viewer as they heard cries of anguish, smelled the incense, and saw images of Christ on the cross. Upon arrival, guests were offered a drink of vinegar, the same drink given to Jesus as He thirst. It also included elements of Taizé prayer, a meditative candlelit gathering of song, Scripture and silence begun in France shortly after World War II.
“Do we really understand what Jesus encountered so that you and I could live?” Michael Pitek, host and co-creator, asked. “Tonight, using all your five senses, we hope you can pray deeper and more meaningfully than possible, than we have ever prayed before.”
As the church lights dimmed, a candelabra or hearse with 15 candles was lit. After each story, one candle was snuffed out. Pallbearers brought in a body that was laid in front of the hearse. Live speakers mixed with sound effects acted out Jesus’ final moments. Stained glass-like images of Jesus with a crown of thorns, carrying a cross, then hanging on it were displayed.
Guests were given small stones and told to transfer their anger and hostilities into them. Before exiting the church, guests threw their stones into a caldron along with burdens.
“I thought it was amazing to bring us through the actual process of the Passion,” said Therese Vita, one of the guests or witnesses. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how much He suffered with asphyxiation on the cross.”
She noted the beautiful portrayal of the readings, the instrumental music and singing. “It was a full sensory experience from the moment we walked in,” she said. “It was very visceral. It’s like you were there. It was very immersive.”
The production came from the creative minds of Pitek and Deacon Thomas LaBelle. “We schemed it up together,” laughed Pitek, former managing director of Studio Arena Theatre.
Tenebrae means darkness and the service usually focuses on Jesus’ last moments. Having never seen a Tenebrae service, Pitek became intrigued after seeing “Funeral of Our Lord” announced in a parish bulletin. He studied the traditions both in the contemporary Church and ancient Church. Deacon LaBelle brought his experiences with Tenebrae along.
“The element of a funeral; it’s so real,” Pitek said. “When you love somebody and they die, you gather. That’s what we did. I said we had to do it.”
Along with writing the script and creating the artwork, Pitek and Deacon LaBelle gathered volunteers to read, play music, sing and serve as pallbearers.
He wanted to get the young people involved. “I am so proud of them. They’re committed to this,” he said.
A cast of talent from Blessed Sacrament and St. Louis parishes include: Michael Biedny, Alexa Buzak, Tom Caraher, Mary Jo Carroll, Mark Colon, Roman Conlon, Dominic LaBelle, Leonardo LaBelle, Deacon Thomas LaBelle, Michael Pitek, Mike Reister, George Riedel, Pete Rizzo, Liz Urbanski-Farrell and Tim van Oss. Live music will be provided by Alex Cousins (cello), Donna Docenko (flute), Tony Domzal (organ/piano), Cory Gallagher (cantor), Alex Medina (bass guitar), and Sarah Rice (violin).