O Antiphons

The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.

The antiphons are formed of verses mostly from the book of the prophet Isaiah. They were seen as prophecies of the coming of Messiah. They go back to the early church. The antiphons are the basis of the popular Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. They are used as the Alleluia verse before the reading of the gospel in the Mass for these final days of Advent. The first words of each antiphon form a Messianic title and they are sometimes known by these titles.

I’ll never forget the catechist that I met in Mexico. His last name was “De la O.” His last name came from the O Antiphons!

Dec. 17 O Sapientia: “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.”

Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).