Excita! Are you "excited"? Advent is upon us, and the word "excita" is very prominent in the liturgy at this time of year. This afternoon, we switch to Volume I of the Dominican Breviary, for 1st Vespers of the 1st Sunday of Advent.
This holy season is intended to prepare us by rousing (stirring) up sentiments of contrition and hope in us, as we count down the weeks till we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Contrition for our sins, and hope in the Child Jesus, who is our salvation.
The theme of rousing up (excita) is present in three of the four Advent Sunday collect prayers. In fact, it is also used in the collect prayer for the 24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost. Similar to Lent, the entire point of the season of Advent is preparation for his coming; both for the coming of His birth at Christmas this year, as well as for His second coming as our Judge at the end of time...whenever that may be.
24th
and Last Sunday after Pentecost
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Excita, quaesumus, Domine, tuorum fidelium voluntates: ut divini
operis fructum propensius exsequentes, pietatis tuae remedia maiora
percipiant. Per Dominum nostrum…
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Rouse
up, we beg you, Lord, the resolution of your faithful people. As they more readily seek the fruit of the
divine work may they receive from your goodness even greater helps. Through our Lord…
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1st
Sunday of Advent
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Excita, quæsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: ut ab
imminéntibus peccatórum nostrórum periculis, te mereámur protegénte eripi, te
liberante salvari: Qui tecum
vivit…
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Rouse
up your might, Lord, we implore you, and come, that by your protection we may
be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and by your deliverance,
be saved. For you live and reign…
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2nd
Sunday of Advent
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Excita, Domine, corda nostra ad praeparandas Unigeniti tui vias:
ut per eius adventum purificatis tibi mentibus servire mereamur: Qui vivis et regnas…
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Rouse
up our hearts, Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son, that we
may be worthy to serve you with purified minds, through his coming. Who lives and reigns…
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3rd
Sunday of Advent
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Aurem tuam, quaesumus, Domine, precibus nostris accommoda: et
mentis nostrae tenebras gratia tuae visitationis illustra. Qui tecum
vivit…
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Incline
your ear to our prayers, we implore you Lord; and by the grace of your
visitation, enlighten the darkness of our minds. For
you live and reign…
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4th
Sunday of Advent
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Excita, quaesumus, Domine, potentiam tuam, et veni: et magna
nobis virtute succurre; ut per auxilium gratiae tuae, quod nostra peccata
praepediunt, indulgentia tuae propitiationis acceleret: Qui tecum vivit…
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Rouse
up your might, we implore you, Lord, and come; with great power assist us,
that by the help of your grace, whatever has been impeded by our sins may be
sped forward by your merciful kindness.
For you live and reign…
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Let us implore Almighty God, by the gift of his grace, to rouse up in us true contrition for our sins, charity towards God and our neighbor, and a vivifying Hope in the power of the Child Jesus, who is to be born in Bethlehem on Christmas night, to draw us home to the bosom of our Father in Heaven. Let us heed the "voice of one crying in the wilderness" and "prepare the way of the Lord."
A blessed Advent season to all of you.