It may be either sung or recited. The Gospel acclamation is actually the 2-verse line which comes in-between the alleluias (or during Lent the alternate lines such as “Glory and praise to You…”)the GIRM says the gospel acclamation is to be sung. What is the reason why it is sung? during lent, which is a penetential season, it is not used. what is the specific reason we don’t use the gospel acclamation during a penetential season? one more ? How is the gospel acclamation introduced musically? The answers will be greatly appreciated.
Interresting. I’ve noticed that in the US, unofficial publications (like the missalettes) use the same phrase, but the GIRM itself says that it “may” be omitted. Is that from the official Canadian GIRM?The Canadian Lectionary say simply: "If the Alleluia is not sung the acclamation is omitted.
This is from the Geenral Introduction to the Lectionary, here in the US:Interresting. I’ve noticed that in the US, unofficial publications (like the missalettes) use the same phrase, but the GIRM itself says that it “may” be omitted. Is that from the official Canadian GIRM?
c) THE ACCLAMATION BEFORE THE READING OF THE GOSPEL
- The Alleluia or, as the liturgical season requires, the verse before the Gospel is also a “rite or act standing by itself.” [41] It serves as the greeting of welcome of the assembled faithful to the Lord who is about to speak to them and as an expression of their faith through song.
It pretty much states that it must be sung. I hope this helps.The Alleluia or the verse before the Gospel must be sung, and during it all stand. It is not to be sung only by the cantor who intones it or by the choir, but by the whole of the people together. [42]
These 3 questions were given to me at my last ecclesial ministry school class. The answers are supposed to be found in a book entitled "The Mystery of Faith by Lawrence Johnson. I couldn’t afford to buy it. $600 online. one used one for $80.Traditionally the Alleluia has been sung - in the early Church it would have been chanted and then followed by a psalm, then the Alleluia was chanted again. We keep a similar format before the Gospel - Alleluia, a verse (normally from Scripture), Alleluia. The word is an expression of praise to God, so it is not surprising that it is most appropriate that it be sung. Music really does bring life and meaning to the expression - something that is often lacking if the Gospel Acclamation is merely spoken.
The Alleluia is omitted during Lent and in it’s place is sung “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ; King of Eternal Glory”, or some similar acclamation. The word “Alleluia” in the Christian tradition is strongly linked to our belief in Christ’s resurrection, so I suppose it’s probably in anticipation of our celebration of the Resurrection at the Easter Vigil that we omit the Alleluia for the weeks of Lent.
I’m not quite sure what you mean about introducing the Gospel Acclamation musically… Immediately after the second reading (the reader may invite people to stand for the Gospel) the music may start to give people a suitable to the particular tone that’s going to be sung. The Alleluia tone may be sung once or twice, followed by the verse of the day, and then the Alleluia is repeated. If you are interested in getting the congregation to sing it, perhaps you could tell them before Mass starts and then you could guide them through it once or twice so as they are familiar with it when the time comes to sing it “for real”.
I stand by what the General Inroduction to the Lectionary has to say. Simply put, if it ain’t sung, it ain’t done.As regards the Gospel Acclamation being omitted if not sung, I am all but certain I have read this elsewhere. I have been doing a search around the internet tonight and am finding a whole mess of conflicting ideas on this point.
I have found a great many sites which simply point out that it is to be either sung or omitted, but I cannot find the original document. One person I came across mentioned that the instruction is in the Sacramentary, which I do not have access to at this moment. I found this piece here: ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur197.htm in which the author is asked the same question and cannot seem to come to any conclusion, although he finds some interesting information about various documents.
I’ll continue poking around.
Yes… I specifically remember the phrase “is to be sung or omitted.” I just can’t find it anywhere now that I am looking!I stand by what the General Inroduction to the Lectionary has to say. Simply put, if it ain’t sung, it ain’t done.
Please re-read my post, which is #6. You will find the citation.Yes… I specifically remember the phrase “is to be sung or omitted.” I just can’t find it anywhere now that I am looking!
Oh, no, I saw that. I am recalling something else, which had the precise wording that I mentioned. Your citation is good as well. What edition is it you are quoting?Please re-read my post, which is #6. You will find the citation.
I hope this helps.
I think that it is the 1981 version; however, I do not believe that much has changed since the new translations came into use some time later, between 1998-2002. If memory serves, the only thing that was changed was the translation for the readings; however, the instructions remain the same.Oh, no, I saw that. I am recalling something else, which had the precise wording that I mentioned. Your citation is good as well. What edition is it you are quoting?
I don’t know where you were looking for that book but it costs maybe $15. I have it on my bookshelf.These 3 questions were given to me at my last ecclesial ministry school class. The answers are supposed to be found in a book entitled "The Mystery of Faith by Lawrence Johnson. I couldn’t afford to buy it. $600 online. one used one for $80.
If praise is to always be sung that’s probably the answer he’s looking for. You probably hit the nail on the head on the lent reason for no acclamation because the alleluia is linked to the resurrection. Thanks for the response. Terry
Those were the prices at Amazon. they had 4 of them priced at $80 for a used one and $600 for the other 3 new or almost new. I was wondering what the book had to say about the three ?'s I asked?I don’t know where you were looking for that book but it costs maybe $15. I have it on my bookshelf.
We still function with the 1975 GIRM which says “If not sung, the Alleluia or the verse before the gospel may be omitted.”Interresting. I’ve noticed that in the US, unofficial publications (like the missalettes) use the same phrase, but the GIRM itself says that it “may” be omitted. Is that from the official Canadian GIRM?
I just checked the 2002 GIRM and apparently, this has been changed. The old GIRM versions used to have it as an option of either singing or reciting. The new one uses only the word “sung”We still function with the 1975 GIRM which says “If not sung, the Alleluia or the verse before the gospel may be omitted.”