When celebrating a Catholic Mass, just before the reading of the Gospel, the congregation and choir sing "Alleluia".
It's an old English word, derived from Latin, and originally from the Hebrew word Halleluyah meaning "Praise the Lord!"
Now ... if we look carefully in our Missal, it says "May be omitted if not sung".
Have you ever wondered why it says so?
Well ... let's imagine you are at a Birthday Party and in a straight face you recite calmly:
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear friend
Happy Birthday to you
It doesn't quite have the same effect does it? It just has to be sung.
Some songs have to be sung. They cannot be recited, however well we might try.
And it's the same with the "Alleluia. It is an ancient song of praise to Our Lord giving us all an opportunity, however bad we may think our voices are, to praise Our Lord in song for all He has done for us.
So let us raise our voices in joy and Praise Him now and when we next attend Mass.
