Note (return) — CHAP. VI.

After the epistle, sung as usual by the subdeacon, another subdeacon (Uditore di Rota) wearing a white tonacella or tunic announces at the foot of the throne the joyful tidings to His Holiness124 by chanting aloud; "Pater sancte, annuntio vobis gaudium magnum, quod est, Alleluja": having then kissed the Pope's foot he returns into the sacristy. This word of joy125 Alleluja, (praise God) which had not been once uttered during the long season of mourning which preceded this solemnity, is now sung thrice by the Celebrant, gradually raising his voice to a higher tone. The choir reechoes it each time, singing it in contrapunto, and then chants the verse Confitemini, and the tract, which is ordinarily recited in penitential times. Throughout the mass the joy of the church is incomplete; for though Christ has risen from the dead, He has not yet appeared to His disciples, and the light of faith is still overclouded, as Alcuin remarks: hence lights are not carried at the gospel; the Creed, offertory, motetto and Agnus Dei are omitted, and the kiss of peace is not given126. Merati adds to the cause already assigned the wish to abridge service; particularly on account of the newly-baptised children, who communicated at this mass; and the unusual shortness of the Vespers confirms this opinion.