WAVERLY (SNR) – Father Joseph Wahlmeier will present a retreat on “The ‘O Antiphons’ of Advent” Dec. 2-4 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly.
This retreat will follow the prayers, Scripture, and music of the Church to draw out the deeper spiritual meaning of the sacred time of Advent.
“Advent has always been one of my favorite liturgical seasons,” Father Wahlmeier said. “With its deep violet vestments, the lights of the wreath, and even the world cast into wintery darkness; all these add to my growing anticipation of Christmas.”
He said the Advent hymns have been a source of prayer for him since he was shown in seminary how the song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” captures the spirit of Advent alongside the seven verses of the “O Antiphons.”
The ancient and beautiful prayers are embedded in the Church’s liturgy leading up to Christmas day. Father Wahlmeier said his hope is for all those on the retreat to shape their hearts in accord with the heart of the Church, which is found in Her liturgy: to pray more deeply the prayers the Church prays at Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, to harken more speedily to the voice of Jesus in the Scriptures through Lectio Divina, and to echo more sweetly the music of Advent, singing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” until He comes this Christmas.
Father Joseph Wahlmeier was ordained a priest in 2020 and serves as parochial vicar at North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln. He also teaches theology at Pius X High School.
For more information or to register for the retreat, visit www.goodcounselretreat.org or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 402-786-2705.
Other upcoming retreats are the “Men’s Spiritual Exercises” with Regnum Christi Dec. 8-11, “Incarnational Intimacy” with Father Steve Mills Dec. 16-18, and the “Encounter Ministries” conference virtual watch party Dec. 28-30.
