O Antiphon Advent Retreat (Event Cancelled)

December 19, 9:00am-11:30am

$25 preregistered/prepaid.

O Antiphons, as known as The Great O’s are seven short verses sung before the Magnificat during the official Evening Prayer of the Church on the seven days before the vigil of Christmas (December 17-23). They each begin with the exclamation “O”. Each ends with a plea for the Messiah to come.

These O Antiphons, as they are known, were composed in the seventh or eighth century when monks put together texts for the Old Testament which looked forward to the coming of our salvation. They form a rich mosaic of scriptural images and became very popular in the middle ages. While the monastic choirs sang the antiphons, the great bells of the church were rung.

Join us for a Visio Divina Advent retreat reflecting on a visual artist’s interpretation, reflections and practices with the seven antiphons!

Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ, an inclusive artist and illustrator, strives through art to reflect her community’s call which is to love God and neighbor without distinction, that neighbor being all creation. Her ideas flow from scripture, neighborhood, experiences in other countries, chance remarks, and the children she taught. She sees the art as a healing force in the world.

Angela Schreiber, CSJ, is a former teacher of young children. She has also taught in the Education Department of St. Catherine University. Angela currently performs Pastoral Ministry for Carondelet Village, the retirement home for the Sisters of St. Joseph and greater community. She teaches creative writing to the residents. She is engaged in immigration word and is committed to a weekly letter to detainees in the Minnesota prisons.