At Noon on Good Friday, April 14, 2017, The Church of the Holy Trinity will offer a revision of the 13th century Office of the Passion of the Passion of the Lord by St. Bonaventure.

Somewhat like the Office of Tenebrae, the Office of the Passion is a compilation of shortened monastic offices for one day, all focusing on the Passion, or death and crucifixion, of Jesus Christ.  As we pray through the monastic hours of Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline, we will reflect, listen, and sing.  Our revision uses Bonaventure’s 33-verse hymn from the Office and sets the eight sections of the hymn according to well-known chants and Lenten tunes for congregational singing.  Canticles and psalms have been revised according to the Book of Common Prayer (1979) of The Episcopal Church.  Choral anthems include music by Bach and Barber. Organ meditations include music by Alain, Albright, and Bach.
St. Bonaventure was born Giovanni di Fidanza and lived from 1221 to 1274.  As the Seventh Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, he was an enormous force shaping the Franciscan vision after the death of Francis in 1226.  Though Bonaventure is especially known for his philosophy, theology, and mysticism, he also helped shape the spiritual lives of the Friars Minor through his teaching and preaching. He is thought to have written his Office of the Passion of the Lord (Officium de passione Domini) in the 1250s at the request of King Louis IX.

At 7:00 PM on Good Friday, Holy Trinity will offer the Good Friday Liturgy including scriptures, prayers, a sermon, a choral rendition of the Passion, the Veneration of the Cross, the chanted Solemn Collects, and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament.

More information at www.holytrinity-nyc.org