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The O Antiphon for December 17 · Thursday, December 17, 2026
O Sapientia — O Wisdom
O Sapientia is the O Antiphon sung before the Magnificat at Evening Prayer on December 17 — in 2026, Thursday, December 17. It is antiphon 1 of seven.
A reflection
The series opens before the beginning: the Word who was with God, through whom everything was made. Before Christ is named king or root or light, He is the reason the world hangs together — and the antiphon's only request is to be taught. Prudence is wisdom applied to the next decision, which is exactly where most of us need it.
Where the words come from
Every phrase of the antiphon is drawn from Scripture. These are the main sources, quoted from the World English Bible:
In the hymn
The 1851 hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” paraphrased only five of the seven antiphons; a verse for this one was added in the twentieth century.
How to pray it
At Evening Prayer it frames the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), said before and after it. At home, say it at the Advent wreath before dinner, then sing the matching verse of the hymn. At Mass it is the Gospel acclamation for the day.
O Sapientia: questions
What does O Sapientia mean?
O Wisdom. It is the O Antiphon for December 17: O Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come, and teach us the way of prudence.
When is O Sapientia prayed in 2026?
On Thursday, December 17, 2026, as the antiphon before the Magnificat at Evening Prayer.
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