Back to All Events

Advent Reflection: Encountering Christ through the “O Antiphons” of Advent

  • Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT, 06107 United States (map)

Encountering Christ through the “O Antiphons” of Advent

Advent Evening of Reflection
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Noel Terranova

The “O Antiphons” have been prayed by Christians in the season of Advent since at least the 8th century. These antiphons (invocations before a longer prayer) are prayed during Evening Prayer on the days leading up to Christmas: December 17th-23rd. Each of these invocations uses Old Testament imagery to name the coming Christ in diverse and fascinating ways. The Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” is based entirely on the O Antiphons! On this Advent Reflection, Noel Terranova will offer a conference explaining and exploring the rich symbolism of these antiphons and their meaning for our lives today.

The evening of reflection will be offered in-person and online via Zoom and include dinner, a presentation, and Mass. The same program will be offered during the day, in-person only, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Offering: $50, includes dinner


Presenter Profile

Noel Terranova

Noel Terranova is a retreat team member at Holy Family.  He studied theology and liberal arts as an undergraduate at Villanova University and holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Notre Dame. Before joining the retreat team in 2021, Noel served as the editor of the online publication FaithND and as a residence hall rector at the University of Notre Dame. He also worked as the university liturgist in the Office of Campus Ministry at Villanova.  He is currently completing a Ph.D. in theology, also from Notre Dame, with a concentration in Liturgical Studies. His research focuses on Catholic sacramental theology after Vatican II and contemporary continental philosophy.


Dietary restrictions? Holy Family is committed to making your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, and to that end, we can accommodate most dietary needs. Please email Ted, our registrar, at tjastrzebski@holyfamilyretreat.org, if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, so that we may make preparations in advance of your retreat.

Earlier Event: December 4
Retiro de Adviento en Español
Later Event: December 5
Advent Baking Retreat: Stollen