A Repeating Alleluia

Yes, it's a little early for an Alleluia, so I'll translate it to the English to get around the ban on Alleluia until Saturday. I realize that we have alot of music to review in the next few days, as we get ready for the celebration of the Triduum. While this is the most stressful time of the year for me, it is also my most favorite. It is my fervant desire that we get beyond the music making and enter into the fullness of the Paschal mysteries.

On Holy Thursday, we remember and honor Christ's institution of the Eucharist and how through our reception of Christ through the Body and Blood in the Sacrament, we are called to serve the least of those around us, by remembering how Christ stooped down and washed the feet of the ones around him. (Don't forget that there weren't pedicures or daily baths back then and no concrete streets either, so when he washed, he was washing!)

On Good Friday, we honor that great tool of our salvation, the Holy Cross, which served as the tool of our salvation. We will spend some precious time hearing that great story that tells of Christ's Passion and death for us.

We finish the Triduum with what Pope Benedict calls the "mother of all Vigils." Here we bless the night where Christ has risen from the dead and breaks the powers of death and brings us everlasting life. We begin with the Easter Proclamation which blesses the light of the Paschal candle, which for us represents the light of Christ, present in our community as we gather together. We then tell of our salvation history as a people. We hear the great story of how God created each and every one of us and how He has worked throughout history to bring us back into fellowship with himself. We are also bringing over 20 children and adults into full communion with us through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. We then conclude this celebration with the first Communion of Easter. We proclaim a Christ that is risen from the dead and has brought us back into communion with the Father.

Throughout these three days, which are in fact one great liturgy that last over 75 hours long, we hear a resounding and repeating Alleluia, which I pray we are able to hear and proclaim in the moment and cast our praises to God and to Christ his Son, who is our great Redeemer. We also give praise to the Holy Spirit, who walks with us and not only serves as our Companion, our Comforter but also our Advocate with the Father.

Thanks for all of your work that you have put into this celebration and I hope that the community expresses to you their appreciation of your beautiful gift of music to the Community.