After the hopeful Maundy Thursday, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist, the priesthood, and the diaconate, Good Friday seems almost sombre by comparison. It is the day on which the suffering and death of Jesus take centre stage, a moment of profound human and spiritual intensity. Many experience this day as Mary or John beneath the cross: in silence, in mourning, in solidarity.
In the side chapels of the majestic Basiliek van Tongeren, the images speak volumes. Christ on the Cold Stone and the heartbreaking Pieta are silent witnesses to that intense suffering. The Pieta in particular, in which Mary's sorrow becomes almost tangible, touches many to the very depths of their souls.
Between the traditional Way of the Cross at 3 p.m. and the Veneration of the Cross at 8 p.m., Musica Sacra offers a unique moment of reflection. Under the direction of cantor Jan Peeters, De Kleine Cantorij, together with actress and performance artist Magda Rouffaer, presents a restrained meditation of song and word. This musical and spiritual pause invites stillness and reflection.
The programme offers a rich variety of classical Passion music. De Kleine Cantorij performs fragments from the Passion narrative according to John, composed by Jan Valkestijn. In addition, choral works by Tomás Luis de Victoria and Antonin Tucapský are heard, composers deeply rooted in the liturgical tradition of Holy Week. Their music, imbued with ancient devotion, seamlessly fits the atmosphere of the day.
The word meditation by Magda Rouffaer forms a connecting link between the musical works. With her warm voice and intense presence, she invites the audience to contemplate the depths of suffering, but also the quiet trust that death does not have the final word. Her texts touch the heart of what Good Friday means: compassion, hope and expectation, on the way to Easter.
With this initiative, Musica Sacra aims to deepen the experience of Good Friday. In a world full of haste and noise, it is a rare opportunity to pause, listen and find inner peace. The ancient walls of the Basilica provide the perfect setting for this. Entry is free, with a voluntary contribution supporting the choir work of the basilica.
Everyone is cordially invited to experience this special moment. Let the silence speak, let the music console, and let the word touch your heart. For even on Good Friday, in the depths of suffering, the light of the Resurrection already gleams.