Why is the “Alleluia” repeated twice at the beginning of the Gospel acclamation and just once at its end?

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Question

Good evening Father  Angelo,

my question is: why is the “Alleluia” repeated twice at the beginning of the Gospel acclamation and just once at its end?

Thank you and a remembrance in prayer. 

Answer

Dear friend

1.there is no specific reason for reciting the Alleluia twice at the beginning of the Gospel acclamation and just once at its end. It has been established this way, most probably to convey a certain smoothness.

2.This can also be noted when the Alleluia is sung, since it is repeated three times, before and after the acclamation.

3. Nonetheless, your question allows me to underline the preciousness of this same acclamation. Above all, the Alleluia is a shout of joy which in Hebrew means “Give praise to the Lord”.

4. The Talmud, a full recollection of all the Jewish moral and social precepts, prescribes chanting the great  Hallel, containing all the Psalms with the word Alleluia, 17 times a year. This is the reason why they are called the Hallelujah Psalms. The halm contains all the Psalms from 113 to 118 which used to be sung at Easter, Pentecost, Feast of Booths and Dedication. They would be sung in the Temple, while the paschal lamb was sacrificed,in memory of the liberation from slavery in Egypt. They also would be chanted at home at Easter. Jesus Himself sang these Psalms with the apostles at the end of the Last Supper before going towards the Mount of Olives (cf. Mt 26,30 ;Mc 14,26).

5.  The Alleluia was adopted by the Church within the Psalms. St John in the Apocalypse mentions it. He proclaims that all the inhabitants in Heaven, with the loud voices of a huge crowd, would say:”Alleluia!  Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God,for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Ap 19,1-2). 

“They said a second time: “Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.” (Ap 19,3). “The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen. Alleluia.”” (Ap 19,4).

Still: “Then I heard something like the sound of a great multitude or the sound of rushing water or mighty peals of thunder, as they said: “Alleluia! The Lord has established his reign, (our) God, the almighty.” (Ap 19,6).

6. In the  “Apostolic Tradition ” by Hippolytus  (III century), which is a short essay regarding the liturgy of that time, it is written that all should respond with Alleluia to a psalm proclaimed by the bishop. 

7. In the  IV and  V centuries the Alleluia would become so familiar within the Christian practices that it was sung  in the fields during the harvest, fishermen and sailors exchanged it from boats, Christian soldiers used it as a battle cry. It was also used in funerals.

Only later the use of the Alleluia became regulated. It could be recited or sung throughout the year with the exception of the penitential period that ran from Septuagesima Sunday until Easter.

During the Easter season, it is also added in the singing of some verses such as the one provided for the Eucharistic blessing: “You have given them bread that came down from heaven”…

Undoubtedly, even today the singing of the Alleluia, also because of the melody that accompanies it, always arouses a sense of joy and thanksgiving to God.

With the hope that you will always keep the  Alleluia in your heart, I bless you and remember you in prayer.  

Father  Angelo