DIVINUM OFFICIUM Antiphon

Antiphona ad Magnificat (I Vesperis)

Seven Sorrows of BVM - I Vespers Magnificat

From Luke 2:34-35, this antiphon records Simeon's prophecy: 'Et tuam ipsius animam pertransibit gladius' (and thy own soul a sword shall pierce). The 'gladius' (sword) of sorrow fulfills Simeon's prophecy at the Presentation: Mary's privileges entail suffering. The context of Christ as 'signum cui contradicetur' (sign of contradiction) establishes that Mary's sorrow follows from her Son's rejection. At First Vespers of the Seven Sorrows, this antiphon frames the feast's meditation: Mary knew from Christ's infancy that the sword awaited her.

LATINE
Simeon benedixit illis, et dixit ad Mariam matrem ejus: Ecce positus est hic in ruinam et in resurrectionem multorum in Israel, et in signum cui contradicetur. Et tuam ipsius animam pertransibit gladius.
ENGLISH
Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel: and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce.
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Seven Sorrows of BVM - I Vespers Magnificat
HORA
Vespers
GENVS
Antiphon