The complete set of 8 'O Antiphons' (artwork by the
Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey) are now available on a durable pvc
material for longlasting use.
The O Antiphons are a highlight of the Church's Advent
Liturgy: from December 17th - 23rd they frame the Magnificat at Vespers.
Rich in symbolism and meaning they take us right from the
beginning of creation, through the centuries of the world's waiting for the
promised Messiah, calling upon him who was hidden in signs and symbols, and
revealed when the fullness of time had come, leading us to the Mystery of the
Incarnation and beyond, to the Paschal Mystery, the coming of the Holy Spirit
and the Parousia (Christ's second coming).
The exact origin of the Latin texts is unknown. They may
date from the sixth century. There is evidence to suggest that the texts were
in liturgical use in Rome in the eighth century. Both the original Latin texts
and an English translation are given here.
Arriving at the 7th Antiphon on December 23rd, we may
discover that the letters of the Latin invocations, read from the last up to
the first, form a wonderful acrostic (ERO CRAS), like God's answer to our
prayer :
Dec. 17: Sapienta
(O Wisdom)
Dec. 18: Adonai
(O Adonai [Lord])
Dec. 19: Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
Dec. 20: Clavis David (O Key of David)
Dec. 21: Oriens (O Rising Sun)
Dec. 22: Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
Dec. 23: Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)
ERO CRAS: I WILL BE HERE TOMORROW
Christmas: O Wonderful Exchange (Antiphon from the Greek
Liturgy "O Wonderful Exchange! The Creator of the human race took to
himself a human body and was born of a virgin, and becoming a man he granted us
divinity.")
Click here to view all 8 images in greater detail (opens in new window).
PVC Poster dimensions:
98cms x 44cms (larger sizes are available - please contact us using
sales@mccrimmons.com for a quotation).
Specification: printed on a photo quality 1080dpi
uv-stable waterproof scratch resistant satin finish posters for indoor and
outdoor use - completely erasing the need for expensive encapsulation - posters
stay beautifully flat without cockling - printed on non-tear 300gsm flexible
PVC.
This set is also available as Lectern Frontals, Roller Banners, Wall Hanging Banners and Laminated Posters.
