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
YEAR OF MISSION THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The longer version of this Sunday’s Gospel is worth reflecting on because it reveals to us something about Jesus’ mission. Notice in both...Read more
POPE FRANCIS - Audience 27 June
In our continuing catechesis on the commandments, we now consider the text of the Decalogue, the ten commandments given to Moses on Mount...Read more
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
The Catholic Bishops’ Mental Health Project aims to:
* Offer support and resources to local Catholic communities as they respond to...Read more