This morning I celebrated the traditional “Rorate Mass”, which is a candlelight Mass in honor of Our Lady during the final days of Advent. I’d never celebrated one of these before, and as far as anyone could tell me, it was the first such Mass ever at Visitation. I really had no idea what to expect, so I was so moved when I opened the door to start the Mass and there were almost 300 people in the church at 6:15am.
The Rorate Mass is a venerable Advent devotion centered on the Church’s longing for the coming of Christ, named from the opening word of the Entrance Antiphon: Roráte cæli désuper (“Drop down dew, O heavens,” Isaiah 45:8). Its roots lie in the early medieval period, when Advent was marked by intense penitential and eschatological expectation. By the High Middle Ages, a custom developed—especially in Central and Northern Europe—of celebrating this Mass before dawn, often by candlelight, as a sign of watchful hope awaiting the Light of the world. Traditionally celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose fiat prepared the way for Christ’s coming, the Rorate Mass embodied Advent’s paradox: darkness giving way to light, and expectant longing bearing fruit as true joy.
At Visitation the Mass was of the Novus Ordo, in both English and Latin.
Some takeaways:
Truth, goodness, and beauty are the pathways to God. Do beautiful things with reverence and joy, and the fruit will speak for itself.
When the priests of the parish get excited about things and take initiative, people will come. But we need to discern our gifts so we understand how God has equipped me in ways he hasn’t equipped another, and then focus on what concrete events or initiatives will bring those gifts to fruition.
People of goodwill really don’t mind Latin. Generally, they don’t know anything about it and are open (even eager) to know more about this important part of our tradition. (#3.5 - you do need a good worship aid!)
Anyway, praise the Lord who planted this seed and brought it to fruition this year. As many said after the Mass, hopefully it can become a tradition at Visitation and other parishes for years to come.