Liturgical
The O Antiphons of Advent
Catholic prayer
The seven antiphons sung before the Magnificat at Evening Prayer from 17 to 23 December, each addressing Christ by a title drawn from the Old Testament and ending with a plea that he come. Their Latin initials read backwards spell ERO CRAS, “Tomorrow I will be there”. The hymn Veni, veni Emmanuel is a paraphrase of them. The English given here is Catholic Online's modern rendering, not the translation used in the Liturgy of the Hours.
O Sapientia - December 17th O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth. O Adonai - December 18th O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power. O Radix Jesse - December 19th O stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay. O Clavis David - December 20th O key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. O Oriens - December 21st O Rising Sun, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. O Rex Gentium - December 22nd O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay. O Emmanuel - December 23rd O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Savior. O come and save us, Lord, our God.
When it is prayed
- advent
- december-17
- vespers
- christmas-novena
