From the Organist & Choirmaster

The Alleluia, why not use it for 40 days?

Alleluia is an exclamation of praise and joy. We find it in two forms in the Church, in Latin “alleluia,” and in its Hebraic form “Hallelujah.” It’s used in many offices and liturgies that we observe, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and throughout Eastertide in Mass. Perhaps its most significant time is the Great Alleluia used at the Easter Vigil, or the Easter proclamation. Imagine if we used alleluia after everything, woudln’t that diminish the grand festal joy when we get to say or sing it for the first time in 40 days whilst ringing bells?

At our observance of Shrove Tuesday next week, after stuffing our faces with glutinous foods, we will bid farewell to the alleluia by burying them in the ground where they will stay throughout Lent.

On Sunday, as we sing our final alleluias in the hymns and anthems, reflect on the importance of this word to you and look to its triumphant return at Easter.