Alleluia

   Latin spelling of the Hebrew expression for "praise the Lord," which also refers to a proper chant of the Roman Catholic mass, sung immediately preceding the Gospel except during Lent. In the Gregorian tradition, the Alleluia is a responsorial chant that includes a proper psalm verse. The cantor(s) begin by singing "Alleluia," which the choir repeats and then appends a melismatic extension of the last syllable, called the jubilus. The cantor follows with the psalm verse, the choir joining in for its conclusion. Then the Alleluia is sung again as before, except that the choir does not repeat the cantor’s music, but sings the jubilus only.

   In modern liturgy the congregation, taking the place of the choir, mimics the cantor exactly, who then follows with a versicle, to which the congregation responds with one more iteration of the Alleluia tune. Some modern settings ignore the ancient tradition of singing the word "Alleluia" three times to symbolize the Trinity.

   See also Halleluyah.