O Antiphons - A Tradition for Advent

Greetings in Jesus and Mary.....

The O Antiphons are mentioned as early as the sixth century A.D., and they had entered common use in liturgical celebrations in Rome by the eighth century. Sometimes called the “Greater Antiphons,” these verses are recited at Vespers, one each evening, between December 17 and December 23. Each antiphon is based on a different title for Jesus taken from the Old Testament— titles like Emmanuel, Key of David, Dayspring, and Wisdom. When gathered together, as they are in this hymn, these titles give voice to the Israelites’ longing for the Messiah, as well as our own longing for Jesus to come—both at Christmas and at the Second Coming. 

If Advent is slipping by from us without the intensity of prayer that we had hoped for; this is the time to click into the below link to pray each day now until Christmas. The chant is included and beautiful to listen to as we pray the prayers and meditate on the words.

The O Antiphons suggest to us a means of petitioning prayer continually talked about on this site. Since Our Lady of Fatima warned  that communism would come if we did not repent and pray, the following is pertinent. Even though we have a new president coming in next month; dangers lurk around us because of the sinfulness of man. May we pray for the mercy of God and the coming Reign of the Immaculate Heart of Mary so that Jesus may reign on the hearts of all men.

When the encyclical Divini Redemptoris of Pius XI against Communism was published in 1937, the Pontiff noted in it that the world was in such a bad state that it was in danger of falling to a state lower than it was before the Redemption. And indeed, we can say that it fell. From 1937 to this date, the catastrophe has happened. The many evils described by Pius XI have only increased since his time. The world redeemed by Jesus Christ is now at a lower state than before His coming.

Professor Plinio Correa de Oliveira states:   "In this situation we long for a restoration so radical that it is similar to a redemption. We hope for a renewal of the fruits of Redemption applied to the needs of our times. We have need of the punishment of those who despise Our Lord and have infiltrated into the deepest recesses of His Church. If they could, they would destroy her. We also call for those who can convert to be regenerated and reconciled with Our Lord. We need the Reign of Mary to be implanted. 

So, for us, in the days that precede Christmas, these antiphons should express an appeal and a plea to the Infant Jesus to hasten a stronger and more triumphant and invincible action to re-implant His Kingdom on earth - with Mary, in Mary and through Mary. 

We should ask Our Lady to obtain this from her Son. We also should ask her to increase our hope that this will happen. In this way, we will pass this week in expectation of these graces as Our Lady was waiting for the graces of Our Lord’s coming before the feast of Christmas. "

May we pray these antiphons with great love and hope. Also, may we keep up our daily Rosaries in order to pray for peace. 

​Our Lady of Expectation - pray for us!!

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Praying the O Antiphons

Veni Veni Emmanual ---O Antiphons Come From This Hymn