O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis. This antiphon invokes Christ as a luminous star. When we ponder our lives, we may find much darkness surrounding the future still unknown or the darkness arising from past infidelities or spiritual mediocrity. Jesus is the star that […]
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israël, qui aperis, et nemo claudit, claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis. Today we call on Jesus as the “Key of David”. Jesus is the key that opens our eyes, that have been obscured by our human […]
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare. In today’s antiphon we invoke Christ as the “root of Jesse”. A root recalls the foundations without which, life can not exist. It is the same too for us with reference […]
O Adonai, et dux domus Israël, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et in Sinai legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento. We have exclaimed the Lord’s name, “O Adonai” or “O Lord”. This invocation is very beautiful. The citation of “O Adonai” at the start of this antiphon is amazing. […]
One of the most beautiful Christmas traditions brought to our Community by our sisters from Latin America is ‘Las Posadas’. This tradition emulates the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. As we know from the Scriptures, “there was no room for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:7) After searching everywhere for a […]
O Sapientia, quæ ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter, suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiæ. O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet gentle care. Come and show your people the way of prudence. In our prayer today, we invoke the […]
Ecce Rex veniet Dominus terræ, et ipse auferet jugum captivitatis nostræ. Behold, the King will come, the Lord of the earth, and He will remove from us the yoke of our captivity. On the first day of Novena, the Lord is celebrated as King. He came to earth to establish the kingdom of the Father […]
Introduction to the Christmas Novena and the O Antiphons How can one explain the greatest, most singular event in human history? How can the extraordinary event of God becoming man in a Child be described? How do we account for the fact that God revealed His love in Jesus Christ? The Advent Liturgy invites us […]
The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because, in the words of the entrance antiphon, we are called to, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” (Ph 4:4-5) In St Peter’s Square, Rome there is another tradition that emphasises the closeness of the Lord and brings […]
Each year, on the 1st Sunday of Advent, the Church heralds the start of a new year. A new year is often a time of ‘resolutions’, ‘new start’ or even renewal. The Church’s year is no different! As the Lord prepared Israel for the coming of the Messiah over the course of 4,000 years, it […]