Author Archives: Steve Benner

O SapientiaThe Western Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as theContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, December 17, 2025”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/py2kunu6 Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear.Behold, our God will come, and he will save us. Isaiah 35 God of majesty and power,amid the clamor of our violenceyour Word of truth resounds;upon a world made dark by sinthe Sun of Justice casts his dawning rays.Keep your household watchfuland aware ofContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, December 16, 2025”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yv8p7hny Drop down dew from above, you heavens,and let the clouds rain down the Just One;let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior. Isaiah 45 God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,God of the beginning and the end times:As we make this journey through Advent,we remember that your time is different from our time.We mustContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, December 15, 2025”

Antiphon1 Ant. Rejoice in the Lord always; * again I say, rejoice.Let your forbearance be known to all men.The Lord is at hand.Do not be anxious over anything;but in all manner of prayer,let your requests be made known unto God.V. O Lord, you have favored your land, *and brought back the captives of Jacob.You forgave the guiltContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, December 14, 2025”

Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson was born in 1709 and is best known as a writer of dictionaries and a literary editor. Yet in his lifetime he was renowned for his religious beliefs and as a firm supporter of the practice and order of the Church of England. He had been converted to Christianity as young manContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, December 13, 2025”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4xhpruzx Remember your word to your servant, O Lord,by which you have given me hope.This is my comfort when I am brought low. Psalm 119 O God, most high and most near,you send glad tidings to the lowly,you hide not your face from the poor;those who dwell in darkness you call into the light.Take away ourContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, December 12, 2025”

Karl BarthBorn in Switzerland in 1886, Barth studied at several prestigious universities including Tübingen. After completing his studies, he served as pastor in Geneva and Safenwil. The events of the First World War led Barth to critically question the dominant theology of the day, which, in Barth’s view, held a too easy peace between theologyContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, December 11, 2025”

Thomas MertonThomas Merton was born in France in 1915. His early life was unset-tled and it was not until he was at Columbia University in New York that he began to explore Christian faith and the religious life. He was baptised in 1938 and entered the Trappist order at Gethsemani, Kentucky, in 1941. The publicationContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, December 10, 2025”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/knfvtvew Look to your covenant, O Lord,and forget not the life of your poor ones for ever.Arise, O God, and defend your cause,and forget not the cries of those who seek you. Psalm 74 God of majesty and power,amid the clamor of our violenceyour Word of truth resounds;upon a world made dark by sinthe Sun ofContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, December 9, 2025”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/ypfm8yec Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they shall have their fill. Matthew 5 God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,God of the beginning and the end times:As we make this journey through Advent,we remember that your time is different from our time.We must stayContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, December 8, 2025”