Dec. 17 - "O Antiphons" begin with "O Sapientia" (O Wisdom)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Those who pray Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours, pray Our Lady’s “Magnificat” each evening with an “Antiphon” which precedes Our Lady’s words from St. Luke’s Gospel. Each Advent, as Christmas draws closer, the “O Antiphons” are prayed in exultation, praising the Christ who is to be born of Mary. These antiphons begin tonight proclaiming Christ as Wisdom:

The Great O Antiphons
December 17: “O Sapientia”

These Great “O Antiphons” at the Magnificat were first used by the Church in the 8th and 9th centuries.

They are said in order, based on various titles for the Christ and are scripturally-based short prayers for the 17th to the 23rd of December.

In these “O Antiphons” the Church expresses her deep longing for the coming of the Messiah.

Christ, Wisdom and Creator of the world
(See Proverbs 1:20; 8; 9 and I Corinthians 1:30)

O Wisdom,
who proceeds from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching out mightily from end to end,
and sweetly arranging all things:
come to teach us the way of prudence.

Mary, Seat of Wisdom, you who who held Him within your womb and brought Him forth to share Him with others, help us to listen to Him as He speaks His Wisdom to us through Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church. Help us to know, love and serve the Word made Flesh, dear Mother, by the power of the Holy Spirit, as you learned and grew in holiness.