The 'O' Antiphons
The ‘O’ Antiphons
Beginning on the 17 December of each Advent season, and for the next seven days, a special antiphon known as an O Antiphon is read before the Magnificat during Evening Prayer. Sometimes called the Greater Antiphons, or the O’s of Advent (because they begin with that exclamation), the O Antiphons differ from the daily antiphons because they herald the coming birth of Christ. Originally written in Latin around the seventh or eighth centuries, these special antiphons express humanity’s desire and longing for God, a longing which has existed throughout the history of God’s people, from the beginning of time through Abraham, Moses and David, and fulfilled on the night when Emmanuel (God with us) was born. Each prayer begins with one of the seven titles attributed to Jesus’ Old Testament title for the Messiah.
More News
From Yvonne Fox on reaching 104
Baptism provides the roots of our Christian culture, but the roots will not develop unless nurtured. We are attended first by our mothers and...Read more
Letter and Prayers from Pope Francis for May
Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Faithful for the Month of May 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
...Read more
Congratulations to Tommy Dwyer on reaching 100
Congratulations to Tommy Dwyer, 100 today (4 May), Tommy was a regular Mass attender for years, as was his wife Mary who died...Read more