A joyous Easter to all of you! 

 

Having experienced the Triduum last week, we are now in full celebration of Christ’s Resurrection! And, just as the season has changed, so has the chant! I am always amazed at the Easter Vigil as we sing our first “new” alleluia, each time rising in pitch. Then, at Lauds on Easter Sunday morning, the extraordinary simplicity of the psalm antiphons is overwhelming as they are based on one word — Alleluia!

 

Perhaps, though, most moving is the Alleluia from the Propers for Easter Morning Mass — Alleluia Pascha Nostrum. I know of no other “Alleluia” which soars like this one. I heard Mary Berry describe this work as “sheer Resurrection joy!”  It is truly remarkable that the chant goes through such an audible transformation from Lent, through the Triduum, to Easter. No one could ever mistake these chants for any other time of year!  Again, the chant takes us to this new season and rings clear Christ’s Resurrection!