3.3 acclamations used in the mass

• what are acclamations?

  certain parts of the Mass which highlight the praise and celebration of God
• what are examples of acclamations ?

  • The Gloria
  • Alleluia
  • Sanctus
  • Mystery of Faith
• what is the Gloria ?

  • a hymn to praise God's glory and goodness
  • begins with the words ' Glory to God in the highest heaven ' ( Luke 2:14 )
• when is The Gloria used?

  • used near the beginning of mass
  • not used during the more sorrowful seasons of advent and lent
• what is the Alleluia?

  • a Hebrew word meaning ' praise to God '
  • a hymn of joy and triumph that praises God
  • announces the presence of Christ
• when is the Alleluia used?

  • used to introduce the reading of the Gospel at mass to greet the presence of Christ
  • also sung three times during the Easter Vigil to announce the resurrection
  • not used during Lent
• what is the Sanctus?

  • a Latin word meaning ' Holy '
  • a hymn to praise God's holiness
  • based on Isaiah's vision in the Temple when the angels cried out ' Holy, holy , holy is the Lord of hosts ' ( Isaiah 6:1-3 )
• when is the Sanctus used?

  • used before the Eucharistic Prayer in mass
  • not used during the more sorrowful seasons of Advent and Lent
• What is the Mystery of Faith ?

  • an acknowledgement that the whole saving event of Christ's life, death and resurrection has been made present through the consecration
• When the Mystery of Faith used?

  • used after the consecration when the Bread and Wine have become the Body and Blood of Christ
• what do the settings of the Gloria include?

  • more complex
  • designed to reflect God's glory and greatness
• what are the settings of the Alleluia ?

  • much simpler
  • whole congregation to join in
  • a simple plainchant is an example
• what are the other three musical settings of the acclamations?

  • some are more modern appealing to a younger generation : 'the Mass of Saint Ann ' by Ed Bolduc is an example
  • some are more upbeat and joyful in their praise of God, the Sanctus from the Missa Leba is another example
  • same are more reflective to give a sense of peace and harmony, the Sanctus can be sung in this way to show the peace and harmony of heaven