Praying with the O Antiphons | Unleash the Gospel

Show Notes

Cohosts Nicole and Tara continue to discuss the Advent season, focusing on the third week of Advent and noting the shortness of the final week this year. They propose praying with the “O antiphons,” ancient prayers prayed by the Church, to help us enter into the final days of Advent, and share how praying reflecting on them might be particularly impactful for you and your family.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada’s most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

(02:07) Nicole and Tara talk about how the fourth week of Advent is literally one day this year, given where it falls on the liturgical calendar. They talk about “pink week” and how they like to spend the week rejoicing. They share some of their favorite family traditions.

(06:12) They introduce the “O antiphons,” ancient prayers to be prayed during the final days of Advent. They discuss some of them, unpacking what they reveal about God and his love for his people throughout salvation history.

(12:36) They talk about the importance of being vulnerable with our kids about traditions that are especially meaningful to our faith and emphasize the impact sharing our faith can have on our kids. They also share how traditions like praying the “O antiphons” can help our kids better understand the universality of the Catholic Church.

(17:43) Continuing to unpack the “O antiphons,” they discuss the reality of darkness but the hope that Jesus brings to the darkness. They share how they invite their children to recognize the light of Christ in their own lives. They highlight the beauty of a lighted Christmas tree and how it symbolizes the reality that we celebrate at Christmas: Christ has come to “shine on those who dwell in darkness.”