Advent: The "O" Antiphons
“O” My times Seven!
In Advent, from December 17th-24th, the Church – in its Liturgy of the Hours (the official prayers of the Church) – observes the “O Antiphons”. In the praying of Vesper (Evening Prayer)—part of the Liturgy of the Hours – Priests everywhere, as well as all who pray these prayers, recite or sing the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary, Luke 1:46-55). Each night, immediately before the recitation of the Magnificat, there is a short antiphon that is read. This antiphon – which reads like a short prayer or focusing statement – helps to frame the thoughts of the person to the mind of the Church as he goes on to pray the Magnificat. These antiphons vary from night to night depending on day and season. During Advent, from December 17th-24th all of these antiphons begin with the word “O” followed by a title of Christ. This is a way of identifying who it is we are preparing for during the final prayerful week of Advent.
The titles of Christ prayed during the “O Antiphons” are:
Each one of the titles for Jesus is a referent back to the Old Testament, specifically to the prophecy of Isaiah, regarding the coming of the long-expected Messiah.
In Advent, from December 17th-24th, the Church – in its Liturgy of the Hours (the official prayers of the Church) – observes the “O Antiphons”. In the praying of Vesper (Evening Prayer)—part of the Liturgy of the Hours – Priests everywhere, as well as all who pray these prayers, recite or sing the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary, Luke 1:46-55). Each night, immediately before the recitation of the Magnificat, there is a short antiphon that is read. This antiphon – which reads like a short prayer or focusing statement – helps to frame the thoughts of the person to the mind of the Church as he goes on to pray the Magnificat. These antiphons vary from night to night depending on day and season. During Advent, from December 17th-24th all of these antiphons begin with the word “O” followed by a title of Christ. This is a way of identifying who it is we are preparing for during the final prayerful week of Advent.
The titles of Christ prayed during the “O Antiphons” are:
- O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
- O Adonai (O Lord)
- O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
- O Clavis David (O Key of David)
- O Oriens (O Rising Sun)
- O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
- O Emmanuel (O God with us)
Each one of the titles for Jesus is a referent back to the Old Testament, specifically to the prophecy of Isaiah, regarding the coming of the long-expected Messiah.