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O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! David is the King of Jerusalem with the keys to the kingdom of Israel. Christ is the King of Creation with keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. "And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." Isaiah 22:22

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! Jesse was a landowner in the town of Bethlehem and the father of King David. It is through his lineage that Joseph brought his wife, Mary, to the little town where Christ was born.

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! In ancient times it was unthinkable for faithful to use the name of God, so they would refer to him with the title "Adonai". The word "Adonai" simply means "Lord". The title is also used in the Old Testament for King Saul and King David. Jesus is the true Lord and King, the "Adonai" of heaven and earth.

The O Antiphons are part of the Vespers office recited during the seven days leading up to Christmas. This culmination of prayer contains an Old Testament promise of the Messiah. At the end of Advent, the Incarnation of Jesus on Christmas Day is the fulfillment of the desire of every human heart. The first antiphon is "O Sapientia" meaning, Wisdom. Together we pray: O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

ROME (12-10-2021) - The traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square and the blessing of the Nativity scene was held on December 10 during an evening ceremony in the Vatican's audience hall. Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, gave the closing remarks, acknowledging the masterful artistic work of the Peruvian artists who created the Nativity scene, and those who made it possible to erect the 91' spruce tree from Andalo, Italy, for this year's [...]

ROME (12-09-2021) - As Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, will preside with Archbishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, over the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree and presentation of the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square on December 10, at 5:00 p.m. Rome time. Sister Raffaella will present words of greeting during the ceremony. Delegations from the places of origin of the tree and the Nativity scene will be [...]