Bringing the Monastic into My Domestic: Summer in the Little Oratory

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Holy Family - Monastery Road

Oratory. Ever heard of that word? Until a few years ago, I wasn't familiar with it, and believe it or not, I actually remember my first encounter with it. It was July 2010, our first trip to Conception Abbey in Missouri for Joel’s weeklong summer diaconate formation classes. While attending the initial all-you-need-to-know-for-the-week type of meeting, we were told that evening prayer would be held in the Holy Cross Oratory on the third floor of St. Maur Hall. Oratory? Sounded a bit like … [Read more...]

The 7th Great Antiphon: O Emmanuel — God With Us

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O Emmanuel - God With Us

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” The O Antiphons reflections end today with O Emmanuel or God with us. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season: The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. December 23 Antiphon O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our … [Read more...]

The 6th Great Antiphon: O Rex Gentium — King of All the Nations

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O Rex Gentium - King of All Nations

Christ is the cornerstone -- a sure foundation The O Antiphons reflections continue with O Rex Gentium or O King of All Nations. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season: The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. December 22 Antiphon O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. Symbol: The Crown … [Read more...]

The 5th Great Antiphon: O Oriens — O Dayspring

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O Oriens - O Rising Dawn

Christ is the radiant dawn who brings eternal life The O Antiphons reflections continue with O Oriens or O Dayspring. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season: The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. December 21 Antiphon: O Oriens, O Dayspring O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Symbol: The sun with rays: just as the … [Read more...]

The 4th Great Antiphon: O Clavis — O Key of David

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O Key of David

Christ is the key who can unlock prison cells and lead to freedom The O Antiphons reflections continue with O Clavis or O Key of David. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season: The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel December 20 Antiphon: O Clavis, O Key of David O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who … [Read more...]

The 3rd Great Antiphon: O Radix Jesse — O Root of Jesse

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Root of Jesse - Radix Jesse

A Sign For All Peoples The O Antiphons reflections continue with O Radix Jesse or O Root of Jesse. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season: The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. December 19 Antiphon: O Radix Jesse O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from … [Read more...]

The 2nd Great Antiphon: O Adonai, Lord and Ruler

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Adonai

The law that sets us free Today our O Antiphons reflections continue with O Adonai or O Lord and Ruler. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season. December 18: O Adonai (O Lord and Ruler) O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Symbol: The tablets of stone are a picture of the Ten Commandments … [Read more...]

The 1st Great Antiphon: O Sapietia — O Wisdom

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O Wisdom

O Highest Wisdom, come! The O Antiphons reflections begin with O Sapietia or O Wisdom. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season. December 17: O Sapietia (O Wisdom) O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. Symbol: The all-seeing eye represents the all-knowing and ever-present God. During the late Renaissance, the eye was pictured in a … [Read more...]

The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel

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o_antiphons_all

You are most likely familiar with the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” But are you as familiar with its rich history -- a great treasure of the Advent season? In Roman Catholic tradition, the Church begins reciting the Great Antiphons or “O Antiphons” on December 17 through December 23. This is the special period on the Church calendar known as the Octave before Christmas. There are seven antiphons, and a special one is recited each day of the Octave before and after the Magnificat … [Read more...]