Gospel Acclamation

About the Mass Series:

The Mass: About the Mass Vol 2 icon.

 About Alleluia

‘Alleluia’, from the Hebrew means ‘Praise Yahweh’, or ‘Praise God’. In the Old Testament this joyful cry appears at the beginning or end of Psalms 146-150, intended for use in the temple liturgy.  In the New Testament, the alleluia’s only occurrence appears in the Book of Revelation (19:1-9), where it forms part of the victory hymn sung by the redeemed in Heaven. It is the second time-after the Gloria that the earthly liturgy borrows its song from the angels, who will return again in the singing of the Sanctus (Holy Holy). So, in our liturgy, we are surrounded by the angelic multitudes each time Mass is offered. What does this mean to You at Mass?

Structure of Gospel Acclamation

The Gospel Acclamation’s simple order Rite is nevertheless most significant. The deacon takes the Book of the Gospels (Gospel book), the Word of Christ from the altar, which represents Christ, and he carries it to the lectern, the place of the Word of God. In most parishes, there is no deacon, so the priest moves to the lectern, where the lectionary is already placed. The altar servers move, collect their candles symbolically reminding us of Christ as the light.  To hold a candle correctly, the left hand goes under the base; the right hand is around the knob (or about 60 cm above the right hand).  This places the right hand about opposite the breast.  When candle-bearers go in pairs, the outside hand goes above and the inside hand at the base. Candles should be held at a right angle to the floor. It is important to keep them straight. 

We, as the congregation, praise Christ who comes to proclaim the good news of salvation.  The Gospel Acclamation is normally expressive of Pascal joy, a reflection upon the Word of God already proclaimed, and a preparation for the Gospel accompanies the Gospel procession.  At St. Augustine’s, the ‘Gospel book’ is carried through the church reflecting the Gospel Acclamation Rite.

Gospel Acclamation Structure ( Music)

The Gospel Acclamation’s structure is as follows: The choir or cantor intones the alleluia, which is then repeated by congregation. Then the verse, taken from the Gospel, is sung followed by a repeat of the alleluia.  We greet Christ with Alleluia to remind us that we celebrate on Sunday the Lord’s Resurrection.

However, although the Gospel Acclamation’s structure remains unaltered, there are no alleluias sung or said during Lent or Advent. Instead, one of the following phrases are used to replace the word ‘alleluia’

 Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory.

 Glory and praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

 Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.

The change of body posture is important, and as a congregation that we are now standing.  Just as we stand in respect when introduced to an important person, we also stand when meeting Christ in the Gospel as a sign of reverence.

When a deacon (a man usually 6-12mths from ordination of priesthood, or a permanent deacon) reads the Gospel, he asks the Bishop or Priest for a blessing who says

‘the Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim his Gospel’,blessing him with the sign of the Cross and the deacon answers Amen. 

Perhaps, this could be our prayer too- that we too will worthily proclaim the gospel worthily in our lives.