During Advent, the Roman Catholic liturgy reminds us repeatedly of the message of Gabriel to our Lady: "The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women" (Antiphon at midday prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours), and prays each day: "Loving Mother of the Redeemer,...you who received Gabriel's joyful greeting; have pity on us poor sinners" (Final Antiphon from the Liturgy of the Hours, antiphon for Advent )

The consent of our Lady, which in God's good pleasure preceded the incarnation, is of the greatest importance in the story of salvation, for the incarnation of the Word initiates the restoration of human nature.

The Roman liturgy recalls this sacrament of our salvation, not only on the solemnity of the Annunciation on March 25 but also, as the Nativity of the Lord approaches, on December 20 and particularly on the Fourth Sunday of Advent in the calendar Year B. The celebration of this mystery fits in admirably with the character and nature of the Advent season. We invite you to pray with the Church the following prayer from the seasonal Mass, The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Annunciation of the Lord:

O God,
you chose that at the message of an angel
your Word should take flesh
in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Grant that we who believe that she is the Mother of God
may receive the help of her prayers.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

December 17: Visitation

It is appropriate to celebrate the Mass of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary during Advent when a memorial of the Mother of the Lord is to be celebrated. Our Lady in visiting her kinswoman Elizabeth is an image of the mystery of salvation, in which God "has come to his people and set them free" (Entrance Antiphon, Luke 1:68). Mary is also the model for the Church, which God nourishes with his gifts and on which he pours out his Holy Spirit as it brings the message of joy to the whole world so that all peoples may "acknowledge Christ as their Savior."

In this Mass Mary is honored as:

• the new daughter of Zion, who in her womb ("in your midst") bears the Lord, the King of Israel (Reading I, Zephhaniah 3:14-18a);

• the new ark of the covenant, bearing the Word of God, brings "salvation and joy to the home of Elizabeth;"

• a new creation, formed by the Holy Spirit, who is bathed in the dew of heavenly grace, and bears the fruit of salvation, Jesus Christ;

• the mother of the Lord, whom Elizabeth recognizes in words inspired by the Holy Spirit and who gives herself completely to the mystery of redemption.

• a holy woman, who, hearing the words of an angel, hastens to play her part in the work of salvation, proclaims God's greatness in her song of praise and thanksgiving; a paragon of loving service, she is rightly hailed as blessed "because she believed in God's promise of salvation" (Preface, see Luke 1:45), whose humility is looked upon with favor by God and will be acclaimed by all generations.

We invite you to pray with the Church the following prayer from the seasonal Mass, The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Lord our God,
Savior of the human family,
you brought salvation and joy
to the home of Elizabeth
through the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the ark of the New Covenant.

We ask that, in obedience
to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
we too may bring Christ to others
and proclaim your greatness
by the praise of our lips
and the holiness of our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

O Antiphon I: Jesus Is Wisdom

Among the many Christian customs in anticipation of Christmas, there is one prayer that has come down to us from the Middle Ages called O Antiphons. The earliest manuscript with the seven O Antiphons is found in the eleventh century. Beginning on the eve of December 18, the monks would chant a different O Antiphon each evening for seven days. Each antiphon addressed Jesus by a title from the First Testament in anticipation of redemption. The prayers are called O Antiphons because they begin with the exclamation "O" when addressing the Lord. They are sung before the Canticle of Mary.

O Wisdom

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.
Based on Wisdom 9:17-18.

Intercessions

• Jesus Christ is the joy and happiness of all who look forward to his coming. Let us call upon him and say:
  Come, Lord, and do not delay!
• In joy, we wait for your coming;
  come, Lord Jesus.
  
• Before time began, you shared life with the Father;
  come now and save us.
  
• You created the world and all who live in it;
  come to redeem the work of your hands.
  
• You did not hesitate to become man, subject to death;
  come to free us from the power of death.
  
• You came to give us life to the full;
  come and give us your unending life.
  
• You desire all people to live in love in your kingdom;
  come and bring together those who long to see you face to face.

O Antiphon II: Jesus Is Lord of Lords

O Lord of Lords

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain,
come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
Based on Psalms 59:6, 103:7.

Intercessions

• To Christ the Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary,
  let us pray with joyful hearts:
  Come, Lord Jesus!
  
• Lord Jesus, in the mystery of your incarnation, you revealed your glory to the world;
  give us new life by your coming.
  
• You have taken our weaknesses upon yourself;
  grant us your mercy.
  
• You redeemed the world from sin by your first coming in humility;
  free us from all guilt when you come again in glory.
  
• You live and rule over all;
  in your goodness bring us to our eternal inheritance.
  
• You sit at the right hand of the Father;
  gladden the souls of the dead with your light.
  

O Antiphon III: Jesus Is Root of Jesse

O Root of Jesse

O Flower of Jesse's stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
Based on Isaiah 11:10.

Intercessions

• To Christ our Lord, judge of the living and the dead, let us cry out with faith:
  Come, Lord Jesus!
  
• Lord, may the world know your justice which the heavens proclaim;
  may your glory fill the earth.
  
• For us you took upon yourself the weakness of man;
  protect us with the strength of your own divine life.
  
• In your humility as a man, you took away our sin;
  now in your glory grant us true happiness.
  
• When you come in glory to judge us;
  gather the dead into your kingdom.
  

Return to The Mary Page

This page, maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390, and created by Kris Sommers was last modified Thursday, 01/10/2008 15:39:15 EST by Ajay. Please send any comments to Johann.Roten@udayton.edu.

URL for this page is http://www.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/advc04.html  

Next