The Great O Antiphons: Ordinariate Style

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Madonna of The Book by Sandro Botticelli

The proper Masses for December 17–24 have also been incorporated into the Missal, which allowed for a wider use of the Great Antiphons as the Alleluia verses for December 17–23, with the antiphon O Virgo Virginum serving as the Alleluia verse for the morning Mass on December 24.—A Missal for the Ordinariates: The Work of the Anglicanae Traditiones Interdicasterial Commission (by then Monsignor Steven J. Lopes).

The O Antiphons are set as Alleluia verses in the new Saint Peter Gradual, available from the following source:


Divine Worship: The Missal

December 17 - O Sapientia
O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.

December 18 - O Adonai
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the Bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the Law in Sinai: come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.

December 19 - O Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the peoples, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall seek; Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

December 20 - O Clavis David
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest, and no man shutteth, and shuttest, and no man openeth: come and bring the prisoner out of the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness, and the shadow of death.

December 21 - O Oriens
O Day-spring, Brightness of light everlasting and Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten him that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 22 - O Rex gentium
O King of the nations, and their Desire; the Corner-stone, who makest both one: come and save mankind, whom thou formedst of clay.

December 23 - O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations, and their Salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God.

December 24 - O Virgo virginum
O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? The thing which ye behold is a divine mystery.

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