6:30 a.m. Mass (Extraordinary Form)
Marian tradition
Our Lady’s Shrine will be participating in an ancient Marian tradition during the season of Advent, when the Executive Director offers a candlelight Rorate Caeli Mass on December 14, 2024, at 6:30 am. Cardinal Burke will again preach the homily at this liturgy.
About the Rorate Caeli Mass
The Mass is named for the Entrance Antiphon, or “Introit”, which begins “Rorate, caeli desuper” or “Drop down, O heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One.” This passage from Isaiah is tied to the Saturdays of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Advent in the Ancient Use of the Mass.
Awaiting Sunrise
We long for the Savior’s coming, to save a parched and barren world in need of His divine life, in the same way we long for rain to end a drought. We see this longing brought to fulfillment symbolically by starting Mass before sunrise and watching the first rays of dawn gradually come into the Church near the time of the Consecration.
The Light of the World
The dawning of a new day’s light at the apex of the Mass beautifully illustrates the coming of Christ the Light of the world at His Nativity. Since Mary “believed what was spoken to her by the Lord [at the Annunciation] would be fulfilled,” we too take great hope in being fulfilled by Christ the true light, Who is born of the Virgin Mary, our mother. After the conclusion of this 6:30 a.m. Mass, the Shrine will still follow its regular Saturday Mass and Confession schedule.
Learn more about the Rorate Caeli Mass or read Cardinal Burke’s Sermon from last year’s event.
