The “Great O” Antiphons

December 17 – The “Great O” Antiphons begin at Vespers as Magnificat antiphons –

The importance of the “O Antiphons” is twofold. First, each one is a title for the Messiah. Secondly, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. The Latin antiphons are from the Breviarium Romanum. The popular Advent hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel” is based on these antiphons.

O Sapientia

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
Isaiah had prophesied.