How the Lenten Season Is Observed
Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. The Lenten season is a time when many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ—his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection.
Why Don't Roman Catholics Sing the hallelujah During Lent?
During Lent, however, our focus is on the Kingdom coming, not on the Kingdom already having come.
The readings in the Masses for Lent and in the Liturgy of the Hours (the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church) focus heavily on the spiritual journey of Old Testament Israel toward the coming of Christ, and the salvation of mankind in His death on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Christians today are on a spiritual journey as well, toward the Second Coming of Christ and our future life in Heaven.
In order to emphasize the penitential nature of that journey, the Catholic Church, during Lent, removes the hallelujah from the Mass.
Hallelujah ...... Alleluia.
Both are of the same literal and Biblical meaning.
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