The Improperia are a series of antiphons and responses, expressing the remonstrance of Jesus Christ with his people. Also known as the Reproaches, they are sung In the Catholic liturgy as part of the observance of the Passion, usually on the afternoon of Good Friday. In the Byzantine Rite, they are found in various hymns of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The Improperia appear in the Pontificale of Prudentius and gradually came into use throughout Europe in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, finally being incorporated into the Roman Ordo in the fourteenth century.
In their present form in the Roman Rite, the Improperia are a series of three couplets, sung antiphonally by cantors and followed by alternate Greek and Latin responses from the two halves of the choir; and nine other lines sung by the cantors, with the full choir responding after each with the refrain "Popule meus, quid feci tibi?..." Besides the Kyrie, this is the only usage of the Greek language in the Roman Rite. Thus the Improperia begin with this couplet that includes parts of the Trisagion:
The second couplet is sung antiphonally by two cantors of the second choir, and the third couplet by two cantors of the first choir; after each the two choirs respond as above. The nine following reproaches are sung alternately by the cantors of each choir, beginning with the second, with the full choir responding after each reproach with the line, "Popule meus...":
After the last Improperium and its refrain, the hymns Crux fidelis and Pange lingua are sung.
In the Presbyterian Church, the Reproaches were incorporated in its 1993 Book of Common Worship, pp 287-291. They are part of the Good Friday liturgy, and follow the Solemn Intercessions and Lord's Prayer. They may involve a rough-hewn cross carried in procession and placed before the worshipers, and thus begin, "Behold the cross on which was hung the salvation of the whole world." The people respond, "Come, let us worship." After the third repeat of this antiphonal call to worship, the reproaches begin. There are nine, each introduced by the congregation saying, "Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal One, have mercy upon us." and concluded with the congregation praying "Lord, have mercy." Though all nine can be read, they are chosen at the option of the liturgist. They can be followed by a psalm or hymn or other musical offering, and the congregation, thereafter, departs in silence. If used in the service of Friday Tenebrae, they are read at the end of the lessons, once only the Christ candle is still burning. At their end, the Christ candle is extinguished. Often a bell or chime is stuck 33 times in remembrance of Jesus' years, as the people sit in silence. Thereafter, the people depart in silence and darkness.
In Lutheranism, the Reproaches are commonly chanted each Good Friday during the Tenebrae service. The Reproaches begin with the first of three exchanges between the pastor and congregation. The priest or cantor begins: The congregation or choir responds: The congregation then sings, The pastor continues: The congregation or choir responds: The congregation sings The pastor or Kantor continues: The congregation or choir sings: The congregation sings,
Methodism
The Reproaches are included in the Methodist Church of Great Britain's liturgy for Good Friday and in the United Methodist Church's Good Friday service. They were included in the ritual of the American Methodist Church, one of the predecessor denominations of the United Methodist Church, in its "Order of Worship for Good Friday Evening".