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. Antiphon, Divine Office
Tonight, it begins; at Vespers, before the Magnificat, we take up the gorgeous “O”Antiphons. We chant them in full solemnity, with their wandering air, their voice of deep longing.
We have been wandering, and longing, for a long, long time; we seek an end to the journey, and the wanting.
As the whole nation is gripped in an enduring sense of division, and wondering — if we are wise — what first to correct in ourselves and our society, have we ever needed these powerful antiphons more than this year? Tonight, let us pray:
O Sapientia! 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: come to teach us the way of truth. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Learn this haunting chant, and these antiphonal words. You will be surprised at what they do for you and within you, and when.
Tomorrow: O Adonai
And today we celebrate...