O Emmanuel

Friday, December 23, 2022

Louisa Florentin

Come, Emmanuel, God’s presence among us, our King, our Judge: save us, Lord our God! Who is resting in the manger of your heart? Before we collectively answer “Jesus,” let’s really ponder on this. Christmas is coming tomorrow night. How are you setting yourself, your space, your time, and your heart apart for Jesus? Will […]

O Rex Gentium

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Julian Paparella

Come, King of all nations, source of your Church’s unity and faith: save all people, your own creation! Our poverty meets God’s poverty “Jesus is King of all nations.” We can ask the question: Is Jesus really the King of the nations? Isn’t that a bit presumptuous? What about countries and societies that aren’t Christian? […]

O Oriens

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Hayley Barnes

Come, Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: shine on those lost in the darkness of death! Light, Liturgy and Time “The celebration of the birth of Christ [is] the dawning of the new light, the true sun, of history.” Pope Benedict XVI, The Spirit of the Liturgy, p. 107. Today’s antiphon […]

O Clavis David

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Maria Montemayor

Come, Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: free the prisoners of darkness! Jesus is the key of David, setting prisoners free. I am reminded of Luke 23:42-43, when the good thief said to Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replied to him, “Amen, I say to […]

O Radix Jesse

Monday, December 19, 2022

Marie Anne Torres

Come, Flower of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: save us without delay! When I think of this antiphon I can’t help but think of Mary. In fact, I would consider that this O Antiphon, O Radix Jesse, is inseparable from Mary. But O Radix Jesse, Root of Jesse, is a […]

O Adonai

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Maria Montemayor

Come, Leader of ancient Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: rescue us with your mighty power! “Adonai” means “my Lord,” and is an ancient title of God. The Antiphon prayer reflects on God who spoke to Moses by the burning bush and gave him the Ten Commandments. A few months ago, I […]

O Sapientia

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Matthew Neugebauer

Come, Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: teach us to walk in the path of knowledge! How do we know what’s right? How do we know what’s real? Or true? Philosophers, theologians, scientists and everyone else under the sun have asked those questions since humans became capable of asking […]

What are the O Antiphons?

Friday, December 16, 2022

Salt + Light Media

As we draw near to the coming of Our Lord over the next few days, we’ll be unveiling a series of images and blog posts with Latin titles. The series reflects on the set of “O Antiphons,” ancient prayers for the final phase of the Advent season. December 17: O Sapientia, “Wisdom” December 18: O Adonai, “Lord […]

The “O” Antiphons: O Emmanuel…

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Deacon Pedro

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 23, the antiphon is based on Isaiah […]