Text Box: LENTEN VESPERS Bitter Lamentations at St. Margaret Mary Church in Oakland 1219 Excelsior Ave. Every Sunday of Lent: February 10 and 17, March 2 and 16 at 5pm February 24 & March 9 at 4.30pm and on Good Friday afternoon. Ancient chants retracing the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ; The devotion incorporates prose and verse, chant and reading, prayer and meditation, inviting participants to reflect on the mystery of Christian redemption, the Passion and death of the Christ. The Lamentations take the shape of a three-part cycle; one part is sung each Sunday afternoon service. Each of the three parts has a parallel form and structure, with repeated musical motifs. The text changes from one part to the next. The Lamentations highlight the very emotional nature of Christian spirituality, inviting a personal identification with the Suffering Lord and His Mother. The devotion is followed by Benediction and Holy Mass. Everybody is welcome.