• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • ARTICLES
    • ARTICLES BY TOPIC
    • MOST RECENT ARTICLES
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Signs of Life
    • Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    • 5 Marks of Love
    • Growing a Rule of Life
    • It’s Time To…
    • #AdventWord
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Lent/Saying Goodbye to the Alleluia

Saying Goodbye to the Alleluia

“Putting away the Alleluia for Lent is like putting away a favorite toy for a while – to appreciate it better later.”

 

The Etymology of Lent

“Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencton – meaning “spring” or “lengthening” from the time of year when the days grow long. Some believe that the word “Lent” may derive from the Latin lentare, which means “to bend.” This understanding reinforces a sense of Lent as a time of preparation for personal and collective transformation. Having nurtured ourselves through Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, Lent becomes the time to look truthfully at ourselves and make changes.

Putting away Alleluia

The Church has the custom of not speaking or singing the word “Alleluia” during Lent. Alleluias are joyful proclamations, which we put away during the more contemplative season of Lent. Putting it away for Lent is like putting away a favorite toy for a while – to appreciate it better later. Churches often take banners down; eliminate flowers in the sanctuary. Our Sunday readings and prayers take on a more penitential tone.

A Visual Reminder

A symbolic ritual to help children move into this season is to “say goodbye” to the Alleluia. Decorate a banner or poster board with the word “Alleluia” in large letters. Everyone can participate in decorating the poster with markers, glitter, stickers, sequins, etc. Using the below prayer, it can then be ‘veiled,’ put in a dark corner or closet of the church.

The alleluia(s) can also physically buried if the ground in your region is not frozen or covered with snow (make sure you put it in a waterproof bag or container and mark the spot!). On Easter, there can be a celebration as it is unburied!

A Ritual for Saying Goodbye to the Alleluias

Reading: Psalm 112:1-7

Song: A favorite Alleluia song

Leader: It’s time to say goodbye to our friend, the alleluia, to let it rest for a while, so that it will return to us at Easter full of enthusiasm to remind us again who we really are: loved children of God.

Prayer: Lord God, our creator, as we bury this sign of heaven’s song, help us to turn ourselves to living a good Lent. Help us to give up things that stand between us and your love, and walk with Jesus on the road that leads us closer to you. We give up our alleluia only for a while so that we may make a more beautiful music in our heart and life when we sing it again at Easter. Amen.

Leader: You are now invited to say your own good-bye to the alleluia, if you wish.

Prayer: Lord, we have given up for a time the song of heaven so that we may prepare our hearts and minds to be ready for heaven. Help us, in Jesus, to die to selfish habits that keep us from you and to live more fully your peace and joy. Help us to be renewed in your Spirit as we live this Lend. Amen.

 


Sharon Ely Pearson is an editor and the Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI). She is the author/editor of several books, most recently The Episcopal Christian Educator’s Handbook and Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Theologies of Confirmation for the 21st Century. 

 

Print PDF

February 2, 2011 By Sharon Ely Pearson 3 Comments

Filed Under: Lent Tagged With: burying the alleluia, children's ministry, Goodbye, Lent, resources

About Sharon Ely Pearson

Sharon Ely Pearson recently retired as Editor & Christian Formation Specialist with Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI) with 35+ years of experience in Christian formation on the local, judicatory, and church-wide level. Known for her knowledge of the variety of published curricula across the Church, she has also had her hand in the birthing of numerous books, including the best-seller, Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People and the 6-book series of Faithful Celebrations: Making Time for God. A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary (2003) and a lifelong Episcopalian, she lives in Norwalk, Connecticut with her husband John, a 17.5 lb. cat named Shadow, and Chobe, a 7-year-old, tennis-ball-fetching, rescue black lab. They have two adult children (both teachers) and a 5-year-old granddaughter who is a budding environmental activist. Follow her at www.rowsofsharon.com.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search our site

Search by Topic

New Articles

Pandemic Ministry Burnout

Being human over the last eleven months has been challenging in unprecedented ways. Ways that were …

Continue Reading about Pandemic Ministry Burnout

Video Blessings: An Idea for COVID & Beyond

The practice of giving blessings is an important one theologically and for our community life …

Continue Reading about Video Blessings: An Idea for COVID & Beyond

Starting a New Ministry Position: Five Things I Wish I Had Known

First and foremost, you are here to live freely into the Grace of God and fully manifest the love of …

Continue Reading about Starting a New Ministry Position: Five Things I Wish I Had Known

Footer

Keep In Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Upcoming Webinars

Eventbrite Registration

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2021 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get Articles and Resources by Email

Privacy Policy