Author Archives: poetry

Has the Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris emerged as a national nail-biter or a deeply surprising congeries of wonders and beauty?   I find myself staying up very late these days, wanting to open space to savor surprise after … Continue reading →

Late during the Lenten season of 1965, the small group of “Province Consultors” met with Pedro Arrupe, (newly named the Superior General of the world wide Jesuit Order) in an O’Hare hotel meeting space to address a crisis.   The … Continue reading →

Our first post of this season is not really a poem but it gives the reader a sense of the bravery and organizational ability of Mary Tobacco and her work crew trying to create livable places for very poor people … Continue reading →

This photo was taken, probably by my Dad, in 1946.  Dr. Redeman, a family friend, was Santa. He visited the homes of parents with children on Christmas Eve in our small town. Three of us four children sit in little … Continue reading →

Wednesday, December 23  —   “my little heart loses its limits in joy” Advent ends today: three plus weeks of prophecy daring us to see the world as beautiful and beloved.   That dare can shake us when Advent’s antiphons compete … Continue reading →

Tuesday, December 22 Tuesday before Christmas O Antiphon #6   O Rex Gentium – O King of the Nations O King of all nations and keystone of the world: come and save us, whom you formed from the dust!   Today’s … Continue reading →

Dec 21 shortest daylight = solstice Saturday, December 21  –  O Oriens At Detroit’s latitude, we will have 9 hours and 3 minutes of daylight, 14 hours and 57 minutes of night time. Our shortest day. Today’s O Antiphon, “O … Continue reading →

Today’s Post:  O Antiphon #4   O Clavis David – O Key of David “O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one closes, you close and no one opens Come and lead us who … Continue reading →

Today’s Post:  O Antiphon #4   O Clavis David – O Key of David “O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one closes, you close and no one opens Come and lead us who … Continue reading →

For a range of interpretations of the Root of Jesse, maybe start with Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Jesse.  Or just listen to the sung version and read the original Latin along with the English translation. “O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, … Continue reading →