O Clavis David O Oriens

O Oriens

December 21

The fresco in the abbey church has at top center an image of God the Father, the eternal light, whose splendor shines in the resurrected Christ, whose living body clothed in white forms the victorious cross. When we receive this garment of light in baptism, we are charged to bring it at last spotless before the judge, who will ask if we gave food and drink, welcome and clothing, personal presence and care to the vulnerable among us. The four corners of the fresco depict such acts of mercy both in the life of St. Benedict as preserving a brother from injury and making burdens light, and in the life of our founder as caring for the ill, pastoral care and educating the young. Depicted with subdued colors, such ordinary tasks veil their radiance of eternal light.

Colors of light refracted in the ceiling shine along the course of the church and course through our lives. Witnesses Benedict and Scholastica the twin saints, and on twin peaks Mount St. Scholastica Monastery and St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison – beneath the veil of subdued tones, light scatters darkness and the shadow of death unveils daybreak.

The Spirit hovering between the Father and Son inspires from within and beckons us:

“Arise, my beloved! Let us walk on the path of peace.”

Cantors:

ANTIPHON

* All: Remain standing

MAGNIFICAT Canticle of the Blessed Virgin - Luc. 1:46-55

Cantor: *Cantors: Alternate verses Cantors and All

All: ✠ Make the sign of the cross.O Rising Star, brilliance of the everlasting light, and sun of justice: come and light up those sitting in the dark night and the shadow of death.

2. Et exsultávit spí-ri-tus mé- us * in Dé-o sa-lu- tari mé- o.

3. (Cantors) Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ súæ: * ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dícent ómnes generatiónes. 4. Quia fécit míhi mágna qui pótens est: * (bow) et sánctum nómen éjus.

5. (rise) Et misericórdia éjus a progénie in progénies * timéntibus éum.