EXPECTATION OF MARY

The Feast of the EXPECTATION  of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY was a  feast that was originally celebrated in Spain, but  later spread to other Catholic countries.countries. It is not on the universal calendar, but is still commemorated on December 18 in places such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland as well as in a few religious orders.

The feast owes its origin to the bishops of the tenth Council of Toledo, in 656. The accompanying of the expectant Mother of Jesus became a prominent theme that spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Italy during the Middle Ages. A High Mass was sung at a very early hour each morning during the octave, and it became customary that all who were with child would attend, that they might honor Our Lady's Maternity, and seek a blessing upon themselves. "

The feast heightens the anticipation of Christmas and makes the last few days of Advent unique opportunities to meditate on what Mary must have been pondering in her heart."  

This feast sometimes goes under the name of Our Lady of O, or the feast of O, on account of the great antiphons which are sung during these days, and, in a special manner, of that which begins O Virgo virginum (which is still used in the Vespers of the Expectation, together with the O Adonaï, the antiphon of the Advent Office)..

The feast heightens the anticipation of Christmas and makes the last few days of Advent unique opportunities to meditate on what Mary must have been pondering in her heart.

Most just indeed it is, O holy Mother of God, that we should unite in that ardent desire thou hadst to see Him, who had been concealed for nine months in thy chaste womb ; to know the features of this Son of the heavenly Father, who is also thine; to come to that blissful hour of His birth, which will give glory to God in the highest, and, on earth, peace to men of good-will. Yes, dear Mother, the time is fast approaching, though not fast enough to satisfy thy desires and ours. Make us redouble our attention to the great mystery; complete our preparation by thy powerful prayers for us, that when the solemn hour has come, our Jesus may find no obstacle to His entrance into our hearts.

                        Abbott Prosper Louis Paschal Guéranger, O.S.B., The Liturgical Year,

                                      Vol. 1    Advent.Westminster, MD: The Newman Press, 1948,

                                               Translation by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.

THE GREAT ANTIPHON TO OUR LADY

O Virgin of virgins! how shall this be? for never was there one like thee, nor will there ever be. Ye daughters of Jerusalem, why look ye wondering at me? What ye behold, is a divine mystery.

The feast heightens the anticipation of Christmas and makes the last few days of Advent unique opportunities to meditate on what Mary must have been pondering in her heart. And it gives us the chance to ponder new life in our own hearts!