Catholic Activity: The Passover Meal: 8. The Concluding Hallel

A Catholic family can enter more deeply into the Triduum during Holy Week by having a seder meal, similar to the Last Supper that Jesus would have celebrated with his Apostles. With the knowledge that Christ has come and redeemed the world, we can incorporate a Christian attitude during the seder meal. This is the traditional psalm to be recited at the end of the seder meal.

DIRECTIONS

FATHER OR LEADER: We shall all join in reciting the concluding Psalm of the Hallel keeping in mind that St. Matthew tells us

After psalms had been sung, they left for the Garden of Olives (Matthew 26:30).

Alleluia!

Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, his love is everlasting! Let the House of Israel say it, ‘His love is everlasting!’ Let the House of Aaron say it, ‘His love is everlasting!’ Let those who fear Yahweh say it, ‘His love is everlasting!’

Hard-pressed, I invoke Yahweh, he heard me and came to my relief. With Yahweh on my side, I fear nothing: what can man do to me? With Yahweh on my side, best help of all, I can triumph over my enemies.

I would rather take refuge in Yahweh than rely on men; I would rather take refuge in Yahweh than rely on princes.

The pagans were swarming round me, in the name of Yahweh I cut them down; they swarmed round me closer and closer, in the name of Yahweh I cut them down; they swarmed round me like bees, they blazed like a thorn-fire, in the name of Yahweh I cut them down.

I was pressed, pressed, about to fall, but Yahweh came to my help; Yahweh is my strength and my song, he has been my saviour.

Shouts of joy and safety in the tents of the virtuous: Yahweh’s right hand is wreaking havoc, Yahweh’s right hand is winning, Yahweh’s right hand is wreaking havoc!

No, I shall not die, I shall live to recite the deeds of Yahweh; though Yahweh has punished me often, he has not abandoned me to Death.

Open the gates of virtue to me, I will come in and give thanks to Yahweh. This is Yahweh’s gateway, through which the virtuous may enter. I thank you for having heard me, you have been my saviour.

It was the stone rejected by the builders that proved to be the keystone; this is Yahweh’s doing and it is wonderful to see. This is the day made memorable by Yahweh, what immense joy for us.

Please, Yahweh, please save us. Please, Yahweh, please give us prosperity. Blessings on him who comes in the name of Yahweh! We bless you from the house of Yahweh. Yahweh is God, he smiles on us. With branches in your hands draw up in procession as far as the horns of the altar.

You are my God, I give you thanks, I extol you, my God; I give you thanks for having heard me, you have been my saviour. Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, his love is everlasting!

Activity Source: Passover Meal, The by Arleen Hynes, Paulist Press, 1972