"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. 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.' [Latin
for:] '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 votive Mass in Mary's honor, white vestments are
worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful
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."
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