O Eternal Wisdom, Which Proceedest From The Mouth Of The Most High

Prose Antiphons For Advent

Words: Veni, Veni, Emanuel (the "O" Antiphons),
Authorship Unknown, 8th Century Latin;
Published: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710.

Translator: John Henry Newman

Source: Tracts for the Times by Members of the University of Oxford. Vol. III for 1835-6. Second Edition. (London: Printed for J. G. & F. Rivington & J. H. Parker, Oxford, 1837.), Tract 75, "On the Roman Breviary As Embodying The Substance of the Devotional Services of the Church Catholic," pp. 1-207. The un-credited author was John Henry Newman.

"The Greater Advent Anthems" were found on pp. 183, 206-207.

See: Notes on Veni, Veni, Emmanuel

Saturday, December 17, 1836: "O Sapientia. This is the first of a series of Majores Antiphonae, beginning on this day. They are said whole both before and after the Magnificat."

3d Saturday (17)
O eternal wisdom, which proceedest from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end of creation unto the other, mightily and harmoniously disposing all things, come Thou to teach us the way of understanding.

4th Sunday (18)
O Lord, and Ruler of the House of Israel, who appearedst unto Moses in the flame of a burning bush, and gavest to him the Law in Sinai, come to redeem us with a stretched out arm. [p. 183]

4th Monday (19)
O Root of Jesse, who art placed for a sign of the people, before whom kings shall shut their mouths, whom the Gentiles shall supplicate ; come Thou to deliver us, do not tarry.

4th Tuesday (20)
O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and none shutteth, who shuttest and none openeth, come Thou, and bring forth the captive from the house of bondage, who sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

4th Wed. (21)
O rising Brightness of the Everlasting Light and Sun of Righteousness, come Thou and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

4th Thurs. (22)
O King and the Desire of all nations, and chief Cornerstone, who makest two to be one, come Thou and save man whom Thou formedst from the clay.

4th Friday (23)
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the gatherer of the people and their Saviour, come Thou to save us, O Lord our God.

Editor's Note.

These antiphons were also printed in William Upton Richards, ed., Introits and Hymns, with some anthems adapted to the seasons of the Christian Year, 1852, pp. 14-16, #11.

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