Hallelujah is Our Song

“We Are an Easter people and Hallelujah is our song.”

                                      St. Augustine of Hippo

For Catholics, Easter is more than a single day.  It is a season spanning the six Sundays between Easter Sunday and Pentecost.

This is why the word “Alleluia” (which was neither said nor sung during lent) is found in so many of our hymns, songs and prayers.  One example is found in today’s processional hymn; “Jesus Is Risen” (#179).  A second is “Hallelujah Is Our Song” (#171) a wonderful contemporary composition by Sarah Hart based on the quote at the top of this article.

During May the church celebrates Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I’ve chosen the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria as prelude to honor the Blessed Mother as well as all Mother’s on this special day. 

I’ve also chosen Christopher Walker’s, “Like a Child Rests” (#454) as offertory song.  The text is based on psalm 131 which uses the image of a child resting in its’ mother’s arms to describe God’s love for us.  May we keep this in mind as we celebrate the love and nurture of mothers, grandmothers, teachers, religious sisters, nurses, doctors and all the women who have cared for us.

Blessed to be in ministry at St. Mary’s,

Bruce

PS

Congratulations to the Rosarians for a beautiful and well-attended May crowning last Sunday!