O Antiphons
Below are the O Antiphons in both English and Latin. One is prayed each evening at Vespers time (around sunset), and families can make up their own ceremonies using the Antiphons, Scripture, by singing or listening to sacred music (especially O Come, Emmanuel), adding to their Jesse Trees, etc. Be sure to set the scene, as with all Catholic family devotions: burn incense, lower the lights, light candles, and use sacred music at appropriate times.
To pray the O Antiphons as they are prayed in the Divine Office, begin with the Antiphon, then pray the Magnificat Prayer (located at the bottom of the page) then repeat the Antiphon.
DECEMBER 17: O Sapientia
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter, suaviterque disponens omnia; veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reaches from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!
DECEMBER 18: O Adonai
O Adonai, et dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, eet ei in Sina legem dedisti, veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
Adonai, the Rule of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
DECEMBER 19: O Radix Jesse
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum opulorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
DECEMBER 20: O Clavis David
O Clavis David et aceptrum domus Israel, qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit; veni et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth: that shuttest and no man openth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
DECEMBER 21: O Oriens
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae; veni et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
DECEMBER 22: O Rex Gentium
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum; veni, et salva hominem quem de limo formasti.
King of the Gentiles, yeah, and desire thereof! O Cornerstone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou has made out of the dust of the earth!
DECEMBER 23: O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, Rex et Legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum; veni ad salvandum nos, Domine Deus noster.
Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us O Lord our God!
The Magnificat Prayer
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm: He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent empty away. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
