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The O Antiphons: History, Theology and Spirituality

Note: this is a slightly revised version of an unpublished catechetical talk, given by the author in December 2015.

By Matthew Hazell

History of the O Antiphons

Part III

The O Antiphons and Catholic Spirituality

How, then, can we apply all this in our daily lives? To begin with, we can benefit greatly from the scriptural basis of the O Antiphons. It should be obvious by this point that the antiphons are suffused with scripture and biblical themes. Each of them is an opportunity for us to enter into the Bible, to read the scriptures through the Church’s liturgy—which as Vatican II said, is "the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed" and "the font from which all her power flows" (SC 10)—and also to be led by the scriptures towards "full, conscious and active participation" in the liturgy (SC 14).

Speaking of participation in the liturgy, we should also pay close attention to the liturgical texts of the Advent season, which include the O Antiphons in the Office. The themes of the antiphons also run right throughout the whole of the Advent liturgy. Paying special attention to the liturgy, and familiarising ourselves with the prayers and readings before Mass is a great way to become more open to the graces God gives us in the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The O Antiphons can also help us with the sacrament of Confession. In the mid 15th century, a Brigittine priest named Magnus Unnonis composed an aid to the fruitful reception of this sacrament, based on the O Antiphons. [11] He used each antiphon to describe the seven "advents" of Christ, leading to an examination of conscience based on the seven deadly sins, which are then contrasted with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1830-1831):

Magnus’ scheme might appear rather artificial to us, but there is much truth in his pastoral application of the antiphons to the sacrament of Confession. Each of them can fruitfully be used to help us in our daily examination of conscience at the end of the day. For over the course of the seven days before Christmas, through the O Antiphons we implore Christ to save us (Emmanuel), deliver us (Adonai), redeem us (Radix Jesse), teach and enlighten us (Sapientia, Oriens). What areas of our lives are in particular need of his grace in this regard? When have we refused to be taught by him? Where in our lives do we need Jesus to dispel the darkness of our sins, to be forgiven and be led by the help of his grace to "sin no more", as we pray in the traditional Act of Contrition after Confession (cf. John 8:11)?

There is plenty more that can be said about the O Antiphons, and we have really only scratched the surface of what they have to offer us spiritually, but I hope that this brief introduction encourages readers to delve more deeply into the Bible and the liturgy in these last days of Advent.

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Appendix: Biblical Allusions in the O Antiphons

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter, suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

"He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom. (Isaiah 28:29)

I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, the first-born before all creatures. (Sirach 24:3a)

She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well [Lat. suaviter]. (Wisdom 8:1)

For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. (Wisdom 7:24)

The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. (Proverbs 8:22-23)"

O Adonai, et dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler, the Lord is our king; he will save us. (Isaiah 33:22)

And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6; cf. Micah 5:2)

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. (Exodus 3:2a)

You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. (Deuteronomy 5:15a; cf. 9:29; 26:8)

He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts (Luke 1:51)"

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.

"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots… In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1, 10)

And further Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope.” (Romans 15:12; cf. Isaiah 11:10)

Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)

I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22:16)"

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperuit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

"And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isaiah 22:22; cf. Revelation 3:7)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. (Psalm 106[107]:13-14)

I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:6b-7)

Thus says the Lord: In a time of favour I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, ‘Come forth,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ (Isaiah 49:8-9)

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16; cf. Isaiah 9:2)

To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2)"

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

"Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily. (Isaiah 58:8a)

I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22:16)

Through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high. (Luke 1:78)

The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60:19; cf. Revelation 21:23; 22:5)

But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness [Lat. sol iustitiae] shall rise, with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2a)"

O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

"Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? (Jeremiah 10:7a)

For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. (Psalm 46[47]:7-8)

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. (Revelation 1:4-5)

And I will move all nations: and the desired of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory: saith the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:8)

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes’?” (Matthew 21:42; cf. Psalm 117[118]:22-23; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7)

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘He who believes will not be in haste.’ (Isaiah 28:16; cf. Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6)

For he is our peace, who has made us [i.e. Jews and Gentiles] both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14)

Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

The Lord created man out of earth, and made him into his own image. (Sirach 17:1)"

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, expectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. (Matthew 1:23; cf. Isaiah 7:14)

Take counsel together, but it will come to nought; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. (Isaiah 8:10)

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

And behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age. (Matthew 28:20b)

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler [Lat. legifer noster], the Lord is our king; he will save us. (Isaiah 33:22)"

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