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Preparing for Christmas with Mary
O
Sapientia
Adonai
Radix Jesse
Clavis David
Oriens
Rex Gentium
Emmanuel
Virgo Virginum
Antiphons
Join us for eight days of Marian prayers based on the themes of the eight Norbertine OAntiphons. The O Antiphons are the highlight of vespers during the eight evenings before Christmas, during which they are chanted to the solemn ringing of church bells. These beautiful prayers invoke the most ancient titles of Our Lord, begging Him to hastily come to save us on Christmas day.
December 16 - 23
Watch today's O Antiphon
A special Advent event. Join us.
A special Advent event. Join us.
A special Advent event. Join us.
A special Advent event. Join us.
We invite you and your family to pray the O antiphons with us, as we invoke, through the intercession of Our Lady, the ancient titles of Christ, calling upon His Holy Name to come and save us.
Join us this Advent.
Prepare for Christmas with Mary. The Abbot's Circle is offering a special opportunity to join the Norbertine fathers in prayerful preparation for the solemnity of Christmas. For eight consecutive evenings the fathers will pray a Marian reflection with you inspired by the eight O Antiphons according to the Norbertine tradition.
If you haven't yet, sign up to be notified by email as each video is released, and to receive emails from St. Michael's Abbey and the Abbot's Circle. The series runs from December 16-23.
The Lineup
Day 1: O Sapientia PRESENTEDBY Fr. Miguel
Day 2: O Adonai PRESENTEDBY Fr. John Henry
Day 3: O Radix Jesse PRESENTEDBY Fr. Peter Adrian
Day 4: O Clavis David PRESENTEDBY Fr. Edmund
Day 5: O Oriens PRESENTEDBY Fr. Charbel
Day 6: O Rex Gentium PRESENTED BY Fr. Frederick
Day 7: O Emmanuel PRESENTEDBY Fr. Norbert
Day 8: O Virgo Virginum PRESENTEDBY Fr. Hugh
ABRIEFEXPLANATION OF THE
OAntiphons
The O Antiphons are inspired by messianic titles taken from the book of Isaiah and are sung in the season of Advent in the days immediately preceding Christmas. They are sung at the Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) at Evening Prayer (Vespers) beginning on December 16th:
17 December: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
18 December: O Adonai (O Lord)
19 December: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
20 December: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
21 December: O Oriens (O Dayspring)
22 December: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
23 December: O Emmanuel (O With Us is God)
In addition, on December 23rd, in the Norbertine tradition, we sing an additional O Antiphon, O Virgo virginum (O Virgin of virgins).
The O Antiphons make up a lyrical paraphrase in the Christian hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel” (in Latin, Veni Emmanuel).
FUN FACT
Also, if one were to take the first letter of these Latin titles in reverse order (Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia), it forms an acrostic of Ero cras, meaning, “Tomorrow I will be.”
ERO CRAS
"Tomorrow I will be."
At Saint Michael’s Abbey, since our tradition includes the antiphon about the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Latin wordsVero cras are formed, meaning, “Truly, tomorrow.”
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LearnmoreHidden in the stillness of southern California’s desert mountains, St. Michael’s Abbey goes about a timeless and supernatural mission: the common worship of God. This is a place for all to encounter the unfathomable beauty of God and to enter into the mystery of His unrelenting love.
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