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The O Antiphons refer to the
seven Antiphons that are recited, or chanted, preceding the Magnificat during
Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours in the Breviary. The ‘O Antiphons’
are chanted in the verses of the famous Advent Hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
They cover a special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before
Christmas, December 17 – 23. Each Antiphon addresses Jesus with a unique
title which comes from the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah. The original
Latin titles are: Sapientia, (O WISDOM), Adonai, (O LORD OF ISRAEL), Radix
Jesse, (O ROOT OF JESSE), Clavis David, (O KEY OF DAVID), Oriens , (O RADIANT
DAWN), Rex Gentium, (O KING OF ALL NATIONS), Emmanuel, (O GOD WITH US).
Notice when they are read in reverse order, the first letter of each Antiphon
forms the word, Eros Cras, which, when translated means, Tomorrow I will Come,
referring to the birth of Christ. On the 24th Of December, Christmas Eve,
the Church uses the prayers for the vigil of Christmas. The exact origin of these
Antiphons is not known but it is thought that they were recited in the
Benedictine Monasteries in France between 480 and 524. In the 8th
Century, they were in use in Rome during liturgical celebrations. We can
conclude that they have been an important part of our Advent liturgies for a
long time. So the ‘O Antiphons’ not only bring intensity to our Advent
celebrations and preparation, they bring the season of Advent to a joyful
conclusion. I hope that you will enjoy praying these short antiphons in anticipation
of the birth of Christ. They are said directly before praying the Magnificat,
Mary’s Prayer of thanksgiving. I have included this prayer for you with
the insert of fridge prayers for week three of Advent.
December 18th
after 11:30 Mass – Decorating the church for Christmas
December 24th
Masses: 5pm-7pm-9:30pm and 12 midnight
December 25th
Masses: 9:30am and 11:30am
December 26thMass
9am
Looking forward to our
celebrations at Christmas!
Fr. Phil 