I would like to invite you to celebrate with the Rorate Mass. This Mass is an ancient tradition which takes place during Advent and honors Jesus Christ, the Light of the world and gives praise to God for the gift of Our Lady’s fiat/yes. The Mass is held in the early morning before sunrise, and is celebrated by candlelight. Beginning the Mass in darkness and having the church gradually become brighter as daylight approaches, allows us to contemplate the world in darkness before the coming of Christ. As the light shines brighter we contemplate the joy and salvation He brings to His people. During the Rorate Mass, we ask for our Lady’s intercession to help us prepare our minds and hearts to welcome Christ just as She did.
We honor Mary in a special way with this Mass since She is the one who God chose to set apart from all women in order to be worthy to bear Jesus Christ. She is full of Grace and immaculately conceived without sin. She teaches us how to pray and to be open to hearing the voice of Jesus and make room for Him in our lives. The traditions that we have in the Catholic faith are there to help us draw closer to Jesus and Our Lady. The Rorate Mass is another beautiful tradition that draws our attention to waiting in silence and hope during this beautiful season of Advent. It also highlights Our Lady’s special role in our salvation history. We honor Her and ask Her to draw us closer to Her Son through Her prayers and the example that She set for us.
The Rorate Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7th at 6:30 a.m.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne