Along with the many beautiful and old traditions of the Church, comes the Burying of the Alleluia on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday. As the “Alleluia” falls silent throughout the 40 days of Lent, it makes its grand exit from our church until its grand intonation at the Easter Vigil. Old traditions, especially in France, include processions with incense, holy water, and even a coffin, actually burring the Alleluia in the Church yard. Our continuation of this custom will include grand embellishments of our beloved world of praise throughout the Masses this weekend, until the Alleluia banner is processed out of the Church.
You’re invited to participate in this tradition as well. The front cover of this week’s bulletin is an Alleluia for you to take home and “burry” yourself until Easter. The symbolism of this simple gesture is significant. We burry the ways we fall short and die to our sins, to rise with Christ anew to life on the commemoration of his resurrection! How awesomely beautiful that we are reminded each year of God’s unending faithfulness and love. Consider renewing this old tradition in your family this Lent!