The Rorate Mass: Honoring Our Lady During Advent

The Rorate Mass, whose name is taken from the opening words of the Introit in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, Rorate caeli (drop down dew, ye heavens) is an ancient tradition during Advent that honors Jesus Christ, the Light of the world soon to be born and gives praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. The vestments worn are white instead of the Advent violet since it is a votive Mass in honor of Mary.

The Mass is held in the early morning before sunrise, so it is illuminated only by candlelight. As the Mass progresses, the church gradually becomes brighter, just as our faith is illumined by Christ. We are called by the readings and prayers of the Mass to open the gates of our hearts as individuals and of our societies as nations to let Christ the King enter in as we hear of the prophecy of the Virgin who would bear a Son called Emmanuel. It invites us to quiet our minds and hearts as we prepare to welcome our Savior on Christmas. 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 and then the change as the Light enters the world and brings joy and salvation to His people.

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 immaculate, completely without sin. We look to Her during Advent to help us prepare to welcome Christ because She welcomed Him first. She teaches us how to pray and be open to hearing the voice of Jesus and how to make room for Him in our lives. During the Rorate Mass, we ask for Her intercession to help us open up our minds and hearts to welcome Christ just as She did.

The traditions that we have in the Catholic faith are ones that always are there to help us draw closer to Jesus and Our Lady. The Rorate Mass is another beautiful one that draws our attention to waiting in silence and hope during this season of Advent and that highlights Our Lady’s special role in our salvation history. We honor Her and we ask Her to draw us closer to Her Son through Her prayers and the example that She set for us. O Come, O Come Emmanuel!