Diapositive 1

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The great " O " antiphons
From December 17 the Church begins a
novena until Christmas Vigils
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The great " O " antiphons of Advent
are the bright gems
of liturgical Song which are sung each evening
at the Magnificat at vespers, from
December 17 to December 23. Addressing Christ in
seven magnificent titles, they beg Him with
mounting impatience to come to save His people.



We sing them at the Magnificat to underline that
the Saviour will come through Mary. These
wonderful antiphons contain the marrow of the
Advent Liturgy.
Let us recollect ourselves in order to join the
Church with all the fulness of our hearts and
enter into her spirit.
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" Ô Sapientia ! "
" O Wisvom "
Who came from the mouth of the Most High
Come ! and teach us the way of prudence
Sirach 24, 3
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" Ô Sapientia ! " " O Wisdom ! "
You choose Bethlehem in which to be born for
Bethlehem means House of Bread. Thus you show us
you want to be our bread, our food of Life. O
Wisdom of the Father, living bread from Heaven.
Come into us quickly. Illuminated by your light
may you give us the prudence that leads to
salvation.
December 17
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" Ô Adonaï !"
" O Lord "
Head of the house of Israel You who appeared to
Moses in the flame of the burning bush Come ! and
redeem us with outstreched arm.

Exodus 3, 2
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" Ô Adonaï ! " " O Lord ! "
O Lord supreme ! Adonai, come and redeem us
not anymore by your power but by your humility.
Once You have appeared to Moses in the midst of
the divine flame. You gave the law to your
people with thunders and lightning. What matters
now is not fear, but that you might save us.
Everything is ready, O Jesus. Your swaddling
clothes await You. Come to Bethlehem to redeem
us from the hand of our enemies.
December 18
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" Ô Radix Jesse ! "
" O Root of Jesse "
who stands for an ensign of the people before
whom Kings shall keep silence
and unto whom Gentiles shall make
supplication Come ! to deliver us and tarry not.
Isaiah 11 , 10 52 , 15
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" Ô Radix Jesse ! " " O Root of Jesse ! "
O Son of Jesse, now you go to the city of your
ancestors. The ark of God, the Virgin Mary, with
the Lord in her bosom, rises and hastens to the
place of her rest. Our hearts, follow you, and
like your royal ancestor, desire to become a
dwelling place for the Lord, O Root of Jesse !
O Messiah ! Make haste. Come master
all our enemies and deliver us.
December 19
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" Ô Clavis David ! "
" Ô Key of David ! "
and Sceptre of the house of Israel ,
who opens and no man shuts ,
Come ! and bring forth the captive from his
prison, he who sits in the darkness .
Isaiah 22 , 22 42 , 7
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" Ô Clavis David ! " " O Key of David ! "
O Son of David, Heir of his power and Throne
come speedily, open the gates with your almighty
key.
Our heart, is too often the slave of
its inclinations which it retracts. Come,
O divine Liberator , set free all whom you
deign to give freedom through your
grace and rise in us our
brothers dignity.
December 20
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" Ô Oriens ! "
" O Eastern Dawn ! "
brightness of the light eternal ,
and Sun of Justice .
Come ! and enlighten them that sit in
darkness and in the shadow of death .
Luke 1 , 78-79
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" Ô Oriens ! " " O Eastern Dawn ! "

O Divine Sun, you come to detach us from
eternal Night Blessed are
you for ever !
O Jesus, increase our faith, but also
love. We do not want to leave you until we
arrive with you in the happiness of
Bethlehem.
December 21
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" Ô Rex gentium ! "
" O King of the Gentiles ! "
and their desired One , the cornerstone that
makes both one !
Come ! and deliver man , whom you formed out of
the dust of the earth .
Ephesians 2 , 20 , 14
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" Ô Rex gentium ! " " O King of the Gentiles ! "
You draw ever nearer Bethlehem, O
Jesus, where you are to be born ! Blessed
are you, O Expected of the nations ! In the
wonders of your power and your goodness.

O Heavenly King ! Come soon and save
us, remembering that man is dear to you. O come
! Save us, because you love man for ever and ever.
December 22
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" Ô Emmanuel ! "
Our King and Lawgiver ,
the expected of the nations and their Saviour
! Come ! to save us, O Lord our God .
Isaiah 7, 14 33 ,22
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" Ô Emmanuel ! "
We adore, O Emmanuel, all your footsteps through
The world and we admire you for everything.
Remember that the hour is near and everything is
ready for your birth and come save us.
Come not to be called Emmanuel only, but JESUS,
that is SAVIOUR !

December 23
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O Clavis David !
O Radix Jesse !
O Oriens !
Christmas Vigils
Know that Today the Lord will come . In the
morning you shall see his Glory. Let us enter in
the spirit of the Holy Church, let us prepare
ourselves in all the joy of our hearts to meet
the Saviour who comes to us.
O Adonaï !
O Rex gentium !
O Emmanuel !
O Sapientia !
December 24
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Dom Prosper Guéranger 1805 - 1875 First
Abbot of the benedictine Abbey of
Saint-Pierre de Solesmes
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TEXT Liturgy of the Hours COMMENTARIES
The liturgical Year by Dom Prosper Guéranger
Abbot of Solesmes
MONTAGE and MUSIC Moniales Bénédictines Abbaye
Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes
www.sm2m.ca info_at_sm2m.ca
December 2006