Rorate Caeli Masses, an ancient Catholic tradition, celebrated across the Diocese of Green Bay
By Roy Rasmussen | For On Mission
Photography courtesy of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
If you’ve attended candlelight Mass for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or the Easter Vigil, you know how spiritually moving it can be to wait in the dark for the light of Christ to appear. The Rorate Caeli Mass, also called the Rorate Mass for short, is a predawn candlelight Mass celebrating the Annunciation as we join Mary in awaiting the light of Christ to come into the world at Christmas. Attending a Rorate Mass or marking time during Advent to celebrate the Annunciation can deepen your devotion in preparation for Christmas.
The Origins of the Rorate Mass: Preparing for Christmas
The Rorate Mass, also known as the Golden Mass (Missa Aurea), comes from a popular Marian Advent devotion practiced during the Middle Ages in Central European countries such as Germany, Poland and Hungary. At that time, Advent combined both joyful and penitential devotions, reflecting practices in different parts of Europe.
Advent was a time of joy in looking forward to the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. But it was also a time of penance in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus, because Advent coincided with one of four quarterly fasting periods known as Ember Days, as well as a longer 40-day fasting period that began on St. Martin’s Day (November 11), known as St. Martin’s Lent. This penitential practice also served as preparation for the ordination of priests and deacons during this season.
In the spirit of preparing for Christmas, the Rorate Mass celebrated the Annunciation. In some places, the Rorate Mass was celebrated every morning before dawn for nine days before Christmas. The Polish King Sigismund I loved the Rorate Mass so much that he built a special chapel to celebrate it daily throughout the year.
While celebration of the Rorate Mass has become less widespread since changes to the Church calendar, it continues to be a cherished tradition in many parishes. Where it is practiced, it is one of the most memorable liturgical highlights of the Advent season.
The meaning of the Rorate Mass: Christ’s light comes into the world from heaven through Mary
The symbolism, songs, prayers and readings of the Rorate Mass highlight the Annunciation as the time when the light of Christ entered the world from heaven through Mary. The predawn candlelight setting invokes the image of Christ as the light of the world, who comes into the world to dispel the darkness of sin and death. The Mass is timed to coincide with the rising of the Sun, dramatizing our anticipation of the Incarnation and the Nativity. Through this symbolism, the creation points us to the Creator: to paraphrase St. Augustine, the Sun reminds us of the One who created it. The Sun points us to the Son.
Our predawn vigil also unites us to Mary’s nine-month anticipation of her Son’s birth. It recalls Mary’s own title, “Morning Star,” invoking the image of Venus in the morning sky as the herald of the Sun.
The name of the Rorate Mass is taken from the first line of the opening antiphon, which comes from the Latin translation of Isaiah 45:8, “Rorate caeli desuper et nubes pluant justum.” In English, this translates, “Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just.” Catholic tradition interprets this passage as a prophecy of Christ’s coming.
The Rorate Mass opening antiphon, Epistle reading, Gradual (song before the “Alleluia”), Gospel reading, and Communion antiphon all come from the Ember Wednesday Mass, which focuses on the Annunciation. The prayers likewise come from the Feast of the Annunciation. The Offertory comes from the Fourth Sunday of Advent, which focuses on John the Baptist as the one who paves the way for Jesus. Contemplating this reminds one how the Visitation bridges the Annunciation with the Nativity in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
Celebrating the Rorate Mass
As we enter the building to begin the Rorate Mass before dawn, the church is only lit by candles. We see the priests wearing white vestments instead of the purple vestments typical of Advent, reminding us of Mary’s purity, which reflects the light her Son brings into the world.
The songs, prayers, and readings unite us with Mary’s anticipation as she awaits the birth of her Son and the fulfillment of God’s promise in the Old Testament to send a Messiah who would bring light to those living in darkness. We receive the fulfillment of this promise as we receive the Eucharist, just in time for the rising of the Sun at the closing antiphon. We exit into the sunlight, as we go forth to bring Christ’s light with us into the world.
Where to find a Rorate Mass in the Diocese of Green Bay
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion celebrates a Rorate Mass every Advent. This year’s celebration on Saturday, December 13, was followed by a breakfast and was so popular that reservations were required due to space limitations, so start planning now if you want to attend next year. St. Pius X Parish in Appleton will celebrate a Rorate Mass on Saturday, December 20, at 6:30 a.m. If you can’t find a Rorate Mass near you, consider meditating on the Annunciation by praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary before Mass at your parish.