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I’ve been fighting a cold, and not up to putting too much work into the blog today. So for today, just the collects and today’s O Antiphon. More posts with artwork and other Advent meditations will follow tomorrow, God willing. Today’s Antiphon: O Root of Jesse O Root of Jesse, who stand as a sign for the people, kings stand silent in your presence, whom the nations will worship: come to set us free, put it off no longer. The Traditional Collect: O LORD, raise up (we pray thee) thy power, and come among us, and with great might...

The Great Antiphons The public prayers of the Church consist not only of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass but also of the Divine Office, the prayers of the priets' Breviary. The Office was at one time chanted daily by the faithful, and is still chanted by some religious Orders. Certain parishes are reviving the custom of having Solemn Vespers on the eve or afternoon of major feasts. The Magnificat or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary is chanted near the end of Vespers. Starting on December 17 a series of Antiphons are added to Vespers before and after the...