Heralds of Hope

This book shares the fruits of several years of research on the Advent Hymns of the Roman Office. It provides an opportunity to gain fresh insights into the gradual development of the liturgical season of Advent and the particular characteristics assumed in its Roman form. The journey of the exquisite treasure of the Western Church that is the Latin hymn is explored before each of the three Advent hymns of the Roman Office is mined for its theology and rich scriptural associations. Its sometimes rocky journey through successive revisions of the Roman Office is considered through the lens of the three Advent hymns. Finally, a number of important pastoral issues dealing with the celebration of the Advent Season in our contemporary Church are considered, taking into account the nature of Advent as revealed in the traditional hymn texts, the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council and current liturgical texts for Advent.