Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today our lesson focuses upon the relationship between the Praises of God and the O Antiphons. This lesson includes information on the history of the O Aniphons and how to use them. Some of you may have begun saying the O Antiphons yesterday in the Liturgy of the Hours, but others can catch up on these beautiful prayers. Have a Holy Advent Season, Peace, Dona
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Did you ever notice the relationship between the Praises of God and the O Antiphons? Now might be a good time to take a look.
“Leo of Assisi, who was with Francis on LaVerna in the Fall of 1224, wrote in red ink on one side of this piece of parchment: ‘Two years before his death, the blessed Francis spent forty days on Mount LaVerna from the Feast of the Assumption of the holy Virgin Mary until the September Feast of Saint Michael, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and the blessed Michael the Archangel. And the Lord’s hand was upon him. After the vision and message of the Seraph and the impression of Christ’s stigmata upon his body, he composed these praises written on the other side of this page and wrote them in his own hand, thanking God for the kindness bestowed on him.’”
The Praises of God – St. Francis of Assisi
You are the holy Lord God Who does wonderful things.
You are strong. You are great. You are the most high.
You are the almighty king. You holy Father,
King of heaven and earth.
You are three and one, the Lord God of gods;
You are the good, all good, the highest good,
Lord God living and true.
You are love, charity; You are wisdom, You are humility,
You are patience, You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are security, You are rest,
You are gladness and joy, You are our hope, You are justice,
You are moderation, You are all our riches to sufficiency.
You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are the protector, You are our custodian and defender,
You are strength, You are refreshment. 6You are our hope,
You are our faith, You are our charity,
You are all our sweetness, You are our eternal life:
Great and wonderful Lord, Almighty God, Merciful Savior.
About the O Antiphons
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/the-o-antiphons-of-advent
“The Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.”
December 17: O Sapientia “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet gentle care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
“You are love, charity; You are wisdom,
You are patience, You are beauty, You are meekness,…” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
December 18: O Adonai “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. “You are the holy Lord God Who does wonderful things.” (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
You are strong. You are great. You are the most high.
You are three and one, the Lord God of gods;
You are the good, all good, the highest good,
Lord God living and true…” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
December 19: 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 coming to our aid.” (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
“You are security, You are rest,
You are gladness and joy, You are our hope, You are justice,
You are moderation, You are all our riches to sufficiency.” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
December 20: O Clavis 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 dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.” (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
“You are the protector, You are our custodian and defender,
You are strength…” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
December 21: O Oriens “O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
“You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are refreshment. 6You are our hope,
You are our faith, You are our charity,…” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
December 22: O Rex Gentium “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.” (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
“You are the almighty king. You holy Father,
King of heaven and earth.” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
December 23: O Emmanuel “ O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, the desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. (Antiphon: Canticle of Mary, Liturgy of the Hours)
“You are all our sweetness, You are our eternal life:
Great and wonderful Lord, Almighty God, Merciful Savior.” (From the Praises of God by St. Francis)
To discuss or comment on in your journal
+ How does the text of the “Praises of God” help you to see how St. Francis thinks about God?
+ Think about the praises—perhaps at Adoration—How do they influence your closeness to and relationship with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
+ Each day during the rest of Advent, take the O Antiphon for the day and think about it in light of the Praises of God. Discuss or comment on your prayer experience in your journal.
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Recursos en español:
El Significado de las antífonas de la O y la Fiesta de la expectación del Parto
https://www.aciprensa.com/recursos/el-significado-de-las-antifonas-de-la-o-y-la-fiesta-de-la-expectacion-del-parto-1784
ALABANZAS DEL DIOS ALTÍSIMO
http://www.franciscanos.org/esfa/ald.html
Para discutir o comentar en su diario
+ ¿Cómo le ayuda el texto de las “Alabanzas de Dios” para entender cómo piensa San Francisco sobre Dios?
+ Piense en las Alabanzas, tal vez durante la Adoración, ¿Cómo influyen en su cercanía y relación con Dios, Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo?
+ Cada día durante el resto del Adviento, piense en la “Antífona O” del día a la luz de las Alabanzas de Dios. Platique o comente sobre su experiencia de oración en su diario.
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