“The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up.” Matt. 4:16
For the past two weeks, the faithful have been rising earlier on Saturday to attend the Rorate Caeli Masses at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel. This traditional Advent Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary is said before dawn, and is lit only by candlelight.
The Mass takes its name from the words of the Introit: Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem (“Drop down dew from above, ye heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.” (Isaiah 45:8)).
The darkness and silence surrounding the Rorate Mass is an awe-inspiring meditation on the intimacy of Our Lady’s joyful expectancy with the coming of her Divine Son, Who will soon bring His radiant Light to the world. We humbly ask Our Lady to purify and prepare our hearts for our Emmanuel – God with us, and that His heavenly dew may water our parched and longing souls with His grace and love.
Veni Jesu, amor mi!
Come, Jesus, my Love!
