The "Rorate Mass," so called because it begins with the words of Isaiah 45:8, "Rorate caeli desuper, et nubes pluant iustum…" (Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One…), is a votive Mass offered within the season of Advent in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Celebrated by candlelight, and traditionally held before dawn.
As the Mass ends the sky is just starting to glow with the new day and we journey from darkness to light and the coming of the Word Made Flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mother is upon us.
Will we be the darkness who receive Him not or will we be children of the light?
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Resources:
- Overview of Rorate Mass by a German priests who works out of Assumption Grotto –Te Deum laudamus!
- Images of a Rorate Mass – New Liturgical Movement
- A Reflection on Our Lady in Advent –Sermon was given during Rorate Mass by Rev. Mr. John Rickert, FSSP
- Rorate Mass Text – Booklet – EWTN
- Rorate Mass Text – Scrollable – EWTN
- Video of a Solemn High Rorate Mass (Homily is 1/4 – 1/2 way into the Mass)
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