Songs of the Season of Waiting

Advent (Year C) in the Liturgy of the Roman Rite

The liturgical season of Advent in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite has two distinct foci: the mystery of the coming of Christ at the end of history (Parousia) and the mystery of the coming of Christ into history. We will explore how the foci are expressed in the hymns (e.g., O Antiphons, Veni, Veni Emmanuel, O Come, O Come Emmanuel), antiphons (e.g., Rorate caeli desuper), collects, prefaces, Eucharistic Prayers, blessings and gospel hymns/hymns of the day. Immersion in these texts should help us to develop Advental spirituality, living in the tension between already and not yet.