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“And suddenly… Glory to God in the highest!”
For forty long days, the Church has maintained a solemn silence. The most jubilant hymn of the liturgy—the Gloria—has not been heard. The words the angels sang in Bethlehem (“Gloria in excelsis Deo”) have been absent, like a distant echo, waiting for the perfect moment to burst forth once more in praise.
But then comes the Easter Vigil… and suddenly, the Church “breaks” its own rules. The organ resounds powerfully, candles illuminate the temple, and the priest, in a clear voice, intones: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”
Why this change? Why this “breaking” of liturgical norms? The answer is not mere whim—it is a profound theological message that spans centuries of tradition and faith.
I. The Silence of the Gloria: A Liturgical Fast
Lent is a season of penance, reflection, and preparation. In her wisdom, the Church invites us to a “fast of praise,” withholding the Gloria and the Alleluia as signs of mourning for our sins and in solidarity with Christ as He prepares for His Passion.
This silence is no accident. In ancient Christian practice, the Gloria was a hymn reserved only for great solemnities, such as Christmas and Easter. Its absence during Lent makes us yearn for the joy of the Resurrection, just as the Israelites longed for the Promised Land.
“Yet even now—oracle of the Lord—return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments.” (Joel 2:12)
II. The Explosion of Joy at Easter: Why the “Rule” is Broken
The Easter Vigil is not just another Mass. It is the Mother of All Vigils, the night when the Church celebrates Christ’s triumph over death. And here, the liturgy “breaks” the fast because the Resurrection changes everything.
1. The Gloria: The Voice of Angels Announcing Victory
When the priest sings the Gloria at the Easter Vigil, it is not just a hymn—it is a battle cry. It echoes the angelic chorus that announced Jesus’ birth (Lk 2:14), but now proclaims His victory over sin.
2. The Alleluia: The Forbidden Word That Returns to Life
Throughout Lent, the Church omits the “Alleluia” (meaning “Praise the Lord”). It is as if we hold our breath, waiting for the moment to shout: Christ is risen!
St. Augustine once said: “We are an Alleluia from head to toe.” And at Easter, that Alleluia bursts forth with power, because there is no more death to fear, no sin that has not been conquered.
III. The Meaning for Today: Why This Matters Now
In a world where suffering, war, and despair seem to dominate, the Church’s liturgy teaches us an eternal truth: suffering has meaning, but joy always comes.
- The silence of the Gloria reminds us that life has moments of darkness, but Christ’s light is stronger.
- The return of the Alleluia shouts to us that even if we weep today, the Resurrection is our hope.
An Illuminating Anecdote
A tradition tells that in Soviet Russia, when the regime banned religious celebrations, the faithful would gather in secret to sing the Gloria at Easter. They knew that even if the world imposed silence, Christ had already won.
Today, when so many live as if God does not exist, the Church breaks the silence to remind the world that there is a joy no one can extinguish.
Conclusion: A Song That Will Never Fade
The next time you hear the Gloria at the Easter Vigil, do not hear it as just another hymn. It is the sound of victory, the echo of Heaven on earth, the reminder that after every Good Friday, there is always an Easter Sunday.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
Happy Easter! Christ has conquered, the Alleluia is back, and the Gloria resounds for all eternity! 🕊️🔥
