As we near the end of Advent, Holy Mother Church once again gives us the beautiful and beloved "O" Antiphons. At every Vespers (Evening Prayer), an antiphon is prayed before and after the Canticle of Mary which changes throughout the year according to the season and day. In the seven days leading up to Christmas, these antiphons are particularly unique and profound. Each antiphon begins by addressing Our Lord by a different title, referencing a way that His coming fulfills both the Old Testament prophecies and our present needs. They all begin with the word "O" and then continue with the title and text of the day, such as in the first: "O Wisdom of our God Most High..."
The solemn announcement, spoken of by the prophet, has been proclaimed in Sion: the solemn fast of Lent, the season of expiation, the approach of the great anniversaries of our Redemption. Let us, then, rouse ourselves, and prepare for the spiritual combat.
The holy season of Septuagesima which takes up the bulk—and sometimes the entirety—of the time between Candelmas and Ash Wednesday may yet be little known, however there is another, more common name for this period of time: “carnival”.
Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee
Heart of Mary, I implore Thee Heart of Joseph, good and just… In these three Hearts I place my trust. Sacred hymns hold quite a prevalent place within the life of a Marian Sister, and for anyone who fosters a liturgical spirit. To a religious, the hymns given by the Church become the the very breath throughout one's day.
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster. O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 Listen to the chanted Antiphon
And he shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people: and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war. (Isaiah 2:4)
For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall set them on fire, says the Lord of hosts, it shall not leave them root, nor branch. But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings: and you shall go forth, and shall leap like calves of the herd. And you shall tread down the wicked when they shall be ashes under the sole of your feet in the day that I do this, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:1-3)
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