Amelia’s “Fun Fact”: Day-spring means the beginning of day!
Welcome to today’s post for the Consecration Journey to the sacred heart of the Baby Jesus. Today, we will explore the O antiphon “O Dawn of the East” and talk about the Immaculate Conception with the help of Fr. Chris Alar’s video:1
“The Immaculate Conception: How to Answer All Questions”
John 3: 16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
AS WE JOURNEY TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS, during this Consecration Journey, we have lifted the words from Fr. Elias’s “O Antiphons” talk from Griswold, CT, USA, and shared in audio format above for you to download and also transcribed below for your quick study (Shared for Educational Use Purposes Only).
FR. ELIAS MARY MILLS
TALK ON THE O ANTIPHONS
“LONGING FOR CHRIST”“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Our Lady Mother of the Word incarnate, Saint Joseph, our patron saints and guardian angels. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
“Today is, of course, the beginning of the novena in preparation for Christmas. If you are doing a novena in preparation for Christmas, then today is the day you begin that.
If you do a novena for Christmas itself, then you begin on midnight Mass or Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and go until January 1st, 2024.
But this novena time period also, the before Christmas, is also further accented by the O antiphons, which we all begin tomorrow.
These ancient antiphons that the church composed as a way of calling to mind our preparation for the Messiah.
And all the O antiphons, of course, they begin with O. That's why they're called O antiphons.
Isn't that a neat way of remembering that?
But the reason why they start with O is because it's like the sighing, the longing of the church.
Of that period before our Lord came, they were really, those who were true believers were longing and sighing for the coming of the Messiah. That they could not wait for that. And they were just desiring him with all their heart. So they all begin with that.
Very kind of haunting all throughout that period.
So that's something that the church wants us to remind us is that we should have this longing also for Christ, longing for all that God wants to grant to us, that he before anybody else, he was longing for that. He was sighing for the opportunity to come and save his people. So you might say the O antiphon first reflects God's longing for his people to do them, to bless them and to give them all that he wants to give to them, but also the people, the bride of Christ longing and sighing for him.
And today in the gospel, our Lord gives us an example of that. He came to convince the people of who he was, that he had the credentials, that he was the Messiah because the Messiah would do great works.
And those great works, of course, were his miracles that he performed.
Not just the testimony of John, which he said he didn't really, he doesn't need it, but it was part of that prophetic line that had to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.
And John, of course, was the last and the greatest of the prophets that would speak that voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord.
So it doubly begins, you know, this mindset that we ought to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. And of course, he has come.
So we're on the other side.
So how do we prepare for him now that he has come?
Well, because for each and every one of us, we all have to go through this process of the people of God, of preparing for God's coming to us, whether it be in the sacrament of Holy Communion, preparing for him when we go to confession, where we encounter him, all these many encounters that we will have with Christ in the graces that he offers to us.
The church is trying to use this period of helping to prepare us and to train us how to prepare for the Lord and how to receive him into our hearts. And that he gives these signs and wonders still for us to call to mind so that to further convince us and to remind us, because we always need reminders.
Those are things that, you know, we soon, Especially as we get older, we forget the things that we knew before, but we always need reminders because we are human and we do need to be constantly the repetition of the cycles that the church has and the liturgy are there to help us to keep these things always in front of our memories so that we can call them to mind and therefore make use of them.
If you don't have a memory, you can't do much.
And we can see that so clearly with people who suffer from Alzheimer's, that they don't know who they are or where they're going. And we don't want to be like that in our spiritual life.
There's so many people out there today who have lost their way. They don't know where they are and they don't know where they're going.
And when I was reflecting on, you know, when our Lord came, you know, there was corrupt officials running the country of his day.
There were even, you might say, the leaders were claiming to be Jews, but they didn't live like it. They were slaughtering babies, you know, of course.
And we say, well, as times change, they really remain the same in so many ways that we have the opportunity also in our day as part of now we are the Mystical Body of Christ, we have the opportunity to witness the same truths to those around us today.
And that we have the opportunity to be sanctified through the things that we undergo and encounter, the persecutions, the sufferings that we endure.
But one thing that I'm reminded as we prepare for Christmas, that Father Peter always used to say, when he would remind us about St. Bonaventure, whom he loved to always quote, that the mode of the incarnation is Marian, not only in the first moment, not only in that first Christmas, but it's Marian in every day, in every moment.
It'll be Marian until the last day, till when Christ comes again.
And so one of the ways in which we prepare is in a Marian way.
We follow after Our Lady.
We contemplate with her the words and actions of her son with the help of the liturgy.
The church will even show us as we get closer to Christmas, will show us the, remind us of, the incarnation of Our Lady's preparation and reception of Christ into her own life and how she responded.
And that really, that's what we want to do today.
We want to be with our lady and respond like our lady and those who have consecrated themselves to her realize that this is how we try to, to fulfill that — the will of Christ that he wants us to prepare for him with our lady as our maternal spiritual mother to receive him into our hearts as she received him first and foremost into her heart and then into her womb.
So today, as we begin this novena in preparation for Christmas, let us pray in a special way. For the grace is needed for all those today, beginning with ourselves who are in need of conversion, who need God's grace to to change our lives and to become more and more fervent in following Christ, that as he may be born in our lives, in our words and our actions, then that'll come about because first and foremost, we have as St. Maximilian Kolbe always reminded his followers, to the degree that we look and reflect Our Lady, then that degree we will also reflect her son.
So that truly it is the mode of the incarnation is Marian.
And the mode of our sanctification is Marian.
Praise be Jesus and Mary.
Amen. Thank you.”
ORIGINAL VIDEO FROM HOMILY on AIRMARIA, “LONGING FOR CHRIST”
ROSARY365.SUBSTACK.COM | CHRISTMAS CONSECRATION JOURNEY
a.k.a. O ANTIPHONS CONTINUED FOR NIGHT PRAYER REFLECTION
(1st Edition posted PACIFIC TIME)
The Fifth “O Antiphon” that is prayed with the Magnificat on December 21st with a focus on Psalm 106, 10
LATIN:
O Oriens, splendor lucis ætérnæ, et sol justítiæ: veni, et illúmina sedéntes in ténebris, et umbra mortis.
ENGLISH
O Day-Spring, Brightness of the Light Eternal and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
FOR DAY 18, DECEMBER 21st, try listening to the next great “O Antiphon” with the MAGNIFICAT prayed in LATIN below:
(PLAINSONG: Please see the score below for “O Oriens”)
WATCH THE VIDEO: ENGLISH, “O Oriens”
SEE OUR PLAYLIST HERE:
Breviary: Night Prayer
INTRODUCTION2
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Examination of Conscience
A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.
PRAY 5 DECADES OF THE HOLY ROSARY
PSALMODY FOR NIGHT PRAYER3 (*POSTED PACIFIC STANDARD TIME)
Prayers
To you before the close of light,
Creator of all things, we pray:
Be our protector, keep us safe
in your unfailing clemency.
Incline our hearts to dream of you,
to sense your presence as we sleep;
as light returns, so let us sing
your praise and glory evermore.
Grant us the grace of health and strength,
renew our warmth and joy of life;
and let your radiant light dispel
the dreaded darkness of the night.
Almighty Father, grant our prayer
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who reigns with you from age to age,
one with the Spirit, ever blest. Amen.
PSALMODY
Antiphon: “Do not hide your face from me; in you I put my trust”.
Psalm 143:1-11
Prayer in distress
Only by faith in Jesus Christ is a man made holy in God’s sight. No observance of the law can achieve this (Galatians 2:16).
Lord, listen to my prayer: *
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer. †
Do not call your servant to judgment *
for no one is just in your sight.
The enemy pursues my soul; *
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness *
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails; *
my heart is numb within me.
I remember the days that are past: *
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought †
and to you I stretch out my hands. *
Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.
Lord, make haste and answer; *
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face *
lest I become like those in the grave.
In the morning let me know your love *
for I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk: *
to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; *
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will *
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me *
in ways that are level and smooth.
For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life; *
in your justice save my soul from distress.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon: “Do not hide your face from me; in you I put my trust”.
READING: 1 Peter 5:8-9a
”Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.”
RESPONSORY
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
— Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
— I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Antiphon : “Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace”.
Canticle of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32 - Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel
Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation *
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon:“Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace”.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Lord,
fill this night with your radiance.
May we sleep in peace and rise with joy
to welcome the light of a new day in your name.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.
BLESSING4
May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.
— Amen.
Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Or:
Ave Maria,
gratia plena,
Dominus tecum,
benediicta tu in mulieribus.
Et bendictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.
Amen.
SING VENI EMMANUEL | THE O ANTIPHONS
Day 18/33 — We continue our study of the “O Antiphons” recommended to the Rosary Hour Podcast by Fr. Elias Mary Mills, FI, Spiritual Director for Season 3 supporting Fr. Nuno and Fr. Thad as part of the Knowledge of Self segment of the Consecration, Day five of seven.
Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, joined the podcast yesterday to talk about his Christmas traditions, to reflect on Christmas Joy, and to pray the decade Rosary for our Consecration Journey pilgrims preparing to encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Fr. Elias returns for another visit at the end of this week, followed by Fr. Thad Lancton. We wish to thank the Marians of the Immaculate and the Franciscans of the Immaculate for their prayerful Spiritual Direction during this Consecration.
Tonight, we begin to celebrate Our Lady in a special way as we recall the Final Apparition of Our Lady Fátima in Tuy, Spain since December 10, 2025 marks 100 years since that first “First Saturday” vision in 1925 when Our Lady of Fátima appeared to Venerable Lúcia in Tuy, Pontevedra a province on the Camino to Santiago in Spain, just 1 hour North of Portugal. Sister Lúcia’s vision involved Our Lady’s vision. Here is the original Portuguese with a translation below it:
Data: 10 de dezembro de 1925 [SOURCE: fatima.pt]
Local: no quarto da Lúcia, em Pontevedra
«Apareceu-lhe a SS. Virgem e, ao lado, suspenso em uma nuvem, um Menino. A SS. Virgem, pondo-lhe no ombro a mão e mostrando, ao mesmo tempo, um coração que tinha na outra mão, cercado de espinhos. Ao mesmo tempo, disse o Menino:
– "Tem pena do Coração da tua SS. Mãe que está coberto de espinhos, que os homens ingratos a todos os momentos Lhe cravam sem haver quem faça um acto de reparação para os tirar."
Em seguida disse a SS. Virgem:
– Olha, minha filha, o Meu Coração cercado de espinhos, que os homens ingratos a todos os momentos Me cravam, com blasfémias e ingratidões. Tu, ao menos, vê de Me consolar e diz que todos aqueles que durante cinco meses, ao primeiro sábado, se confessarem, receberem a Sagrada Comunhão, rezarem o Terço e me fizerem 15 minutos de companhia, meditando nos 15 Mistérios do Rosário com fim de Me desagravar, Eu prometo assistir-lhes, na hora da morte, com todas as graças necessárias para a salvação dessas almas.»SOURCE: Carta da Irmã Lúcia, a partir de Tuy, datada de 17 de dezembro ele 1927, em Memórias da Irmã Lúcia I. 14.ª ed. Fátima: Secretariado dos Pastorinhos, 2010, p. 192.
FIRST SATURDAY APPARITION, ROUGH TRANSLATIONS BY THE RHP TEAM as of DECEMBER 9, 2024:
"Tem pena do Coração da tua SS. Mãe que está coberto de espinhos, que os homens ingratos a todos os momentos Lhe cravam sem haver quem faça um acto de reparação para os tirar" translates as:
Have pity on the Heart of your most Holy Mother who is covered with thorns that ungrateful men at every moment pierce into her without performing any acts of reparation to remove them.
Our Lady also said, “Olha, minha filha, o Meu Coração cercado de espinhos, que os homens ingratos a todos os momentos Me cravam, com blasfémias e ingratidões. Tu, ao menos, vê de Me consolar e diz que todos aqueles que durante cinco meses, ao primeiro sábado, se confessarem, receberem a Sagrada Comunhão, rezarem o Terço e me fizerem 15 minutos de companhia, meditando nos 15 Mistérios do Rosário com fim de Me desagravar, Eu prometo assistir-lhes, na hora da morte, com todas as graças necessárias para a salvação dessas almas” which translates as:
– Look, my daughter, at My Heart surrounded by thorns, that ungrateful men nail into Me at all times, with blasphemies and ingratitude. You, in the least, try to console Me and tell all those who for five months, on the first Saturday, confess, receive Holy Communion, pray the Rosary and keep me company for 15 minutes, meditating on the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary with the end to make amends for Me, that I promise to assist them, at the hour of our their death, with all the graces necessary for the salvation of these souls.”
Visit our YouTube channel here to receive notifications on future posts and Fr. Elias’s reflections on this apparition.
https://www.youtube.com/@travessadasenrahousepress
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Posted Pacific Standard Time.
SEASON 3: SANCTITY & THE SECRET OF JOY | TRAVESSA DA SENRA HOUSE PRESS, PORTO, PORTUGAL == > Christmas Consecration & Episode Spiritual Directors / Executive Producers
Fr. Nuno Rocha, Pastor on the Camino in the Porto Region of Portugal; Fr. Elias Mary Mills, FI, former rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, USA; Fr. Thaddaeus Lancton, MIC Formator for the Marians at the Seminary in Steubenville, Ohio; and Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, Assistant Rector at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, MA. Narrated by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC w/ Izzy Nunziato, Karen Rocha, and Amelia.
Visit back later for the updates. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel by clicking the link below:
For this segment of the Consecration, we will focus still on Night Prayer. However, for the final part from December 17-25, etc. we will include Evening Prayer of the Magnificat with the specific O Antiphons which we will finish teaching after “O King” (Dec. 22) tomorrow and “O Emmanuel” (Dec. 23).
CARDINALS join POPE FRANCIS DECEMBER 8, 2024:
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