Rorate Dawn Mass in Honor of Our Lady- Saturday, December 7th, 6:00am

On Saturday, December 7th, we will have a sung mass at 6:00 a.m., which is a traditional Advent custom in honor of Our Lady, who as the dawn announces the coming of Christ the Sun of Justice. 

Confessions will be heard before Mass at 5:30 a.m. and after Mass, but will not be available during Mass.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place for one hour immediately following Mass.

Homily for the Rorate Caeli Mass:

Rorate Caeli—Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just

To not interrupt the beautiful setting of the candlelit Rorate Caeli Mass, I thought to publish my homily here in the bulletin so that all might read and know why we celebrate Mass in this magnificent setting on Saturday during Advent. 

The Rorate Caeli Mass is a traditional Advent devotion wherein the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn. The interplay of light and darkness speak to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the world.

We celebrate this beautiful Mass known as Roráte caeli which is the Introit of the Mass and is taken from the Book of Isaiah (45:8), “Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened, and bud forth a Savior: and let justice spring up together” 

The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honor, white vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. 

We celebrate by candlelight because by this dimly lit setting, we prepare to honor 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 sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ.

The readings and prayers of the Mass 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 societies to let Christ the King enter; asking for the grace to receive eternal life by the merits of the Incarnation and saving Resurrection of Our Lord.

Father van Zee