Backward Mutters

  • O Root of Jesse (O Radix)

    O Root of Jesse (O Radix)

    The Great O Antiphon for December 19th is O Root of Jesse, “O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.” This antiphon is the…

  • Grief

    Grief

    Advent is a time to face the truth about the longings of our hearts, and truth is we carry a lot of sadness in hearts. Here are a few morning words on grief. https://audioboom.com/posts/5349947-grief It rolls Like the swell of waves driven by wind And by a deeper unseen current.…

  • O Wisdom II (Sapientia)

    O Wisdom II (Sapientia)

    This is a sonnet based upon the Great O Antiphon, O Sapientia which is sung on December 17. The antiphon reads, “O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the…

  • O Lord (O Adonai)

    The Great O Antiphon “O Lord” is sung on December 18. Its lyrics are, O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm. We…

  • Above This Pulpit a Planetarium

    Above This Pulpit a Planetarium

    Geoff Manaugh’s , article, “Why Catholics Built Secret Astronomical Features Into Churches to Help Save Souls“, tells how church astronomers used European cathedrals to help track the seasons and thus accurately set the date for the celebration of Easter. In these cathedral’s marble floors are meridian lines which track the movement of…