It was especially long and entirely governed by the figure three: three services, each made up of three nocturnes, which were in turn composed of three psalms and their antiphons, one verset and its response, and finally three readings (or lessons, from the translation of lectione), each followed by its response. The Lauds following the Matins, which also formed part of the service, were composed of antiphons and psalms, canticles with their antiphon, finishing with a prayer. For the first nocturne, the readings are based on the Lamentations of Jeremiah, some of which are sung (these are the Tenebrae lessons). The second nocturne is composed of St Augustine’s commentary on the psalms, and the third of St. Paul’s epistles to the Corinthians and to the Hebrews. All these texts were prescribed by the Council of Trent in the 1560s.

A reminder of the Holy Trinity (though its glory “is revealed through the Passion”), the figure three also has a place in several other points, described in the Office de la Semaine Sainte, translated by Michel de Marolles in 1626, which was to remain in use for more than a century: “The Passion service takes place over three days because that was the time needed by Our Lord for His works or His sepulture or to encourage the Apostles, who were wondrously prepared for the theme. Nine psalms are recited, three at each nocturne, so that we might know that Jesus Christ died for the Virgins, the Wedded and Widows of the three Laws of Life: Natural, Written and Evangelical.”

This service is strongly marked by Trinitarian symbolism and by its visual ritual. In fact, despite the change in time, the tradition of extinguishing fourteen of the fifteen candles in the triangular candlestick after each psalm as night turned to day remains with us. The fifteen candles symbolised the twelve Apostles and the three Marys at the tomb of Christ. The gradual extinguishing of the light was a reminder of the darkness that covered the earth when Jesus died on the Cross. The candle placed at the top of the candlestick remained lit as it represented the body of Christ. At first hidden behind the altar, to represent death, it then reappeared with great clamour to signify the triumph of the Resurrection. The congregation then rose and left in silence.