English/French
Come join the Rorate Masses at the Chapel on Advent Thursdays early morning, at 7:00. Afterwards stay for sharing, breakfast and a nice cup of coffee/tea. In December on Thursday 5, 12 and 19 at 7:00.
The “Rorate” Mass is an ancient Advent tradition that takes its name from the opening words of the Introit (which is an opening psalm or antiphon), coming from Isaiah 45:8.
“Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.”
“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.” – Isaiah 45:8
A Rorate Mass is traditionally celebrated just before dawn during the Advent as a devotion to the Virgin Mary. This Mass in honor of Virgin Mary is a beautiful candlelit Mass that begins in the darkness of early morning. The interplay of light and darkness as the church becomes progressively brighter with the sunrise symbolizes the coming of the Eternal Light, whom we await during the Advent season.
What is the History of the Rorate Mass?
The Rorate Mass originated in the Middle Ages as one of the many Advent devotions to the Virgin Mary. The Liturgy was very popular among the people, especially in German-speaking areas, and was commonly celebrated on all Saturdays during Advent, with some areas having a Rorate Mass several or even all weekdays in the season.