Rorate Mass

Fr. Marius 23 November 2023 Hits: 418

Dear Parishioners,

The Rorate Caeli Mass is a traditional Advent devo0on popular in many places in the Catholic Church. I still remember as a child bringing my own lamp to the Rorate Mass with my brothers and other people in my parish. The Mass is for the Blessed Virgin Mary in Advent and is offered just before dawn. This Mass captures the hearts and minds of many people, the interplay of light and darkness speaking to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the World. The Mass takes its Title, Rorate Caeli, from the first words of the Introit, which are from Isaiah 45:8 “Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.” “Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour.”

The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a vo0ve Mass in Mary’s honour, white vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, the Priest and faithful prepare to honour the Light of the World, who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and the sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our faith is illumined by Christ. The readings and prayers of Advent foretell the prophecy of the Virgin who would bear a Son called Emmanuel, and call on all to raise the gates of their hearts and their socie0es to let Christ the King enter; asking for the grace to receive eternal life by the merits of the Incarna0on and saving Resurrec0on of Our Lord.

This Mass will be on every Saturday during Advent morning at 7.00 am.