At Home Rorate Caeli

Roráte, coeli, désuper, et nubes pluant justum: aperiátur terra, et gérminet Salvatórem. Benedixísti, Domine, terram tuam: avertísti captivitátem Jacob.

Drop down dew, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior. Thou hast favored, O Lord, Thy land; Thou hast restored the well-being of Jacob. — Introit of the Rorate Caeli Mass

A Rorate Caeli Mass is an Advent Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the Advent cousin of the Holy Week Office of Tenebrae.

In the early morning hours, while still dark, this Mass is said by candlelight until the sun rises, signifying Christ coming as the Light of the World.

Its name is taken from this Mass’ Introit found in Isaiah 45:8: “Rorate, caeli, desuper,et nubes pluant justum; aperiatur terra, et germinet salvatorem.”

A Votive Mass is a set of Mass propers that may be said on days when there is no assigned feast. And this votive is an off shoot of the Mass for Ember Wednesday in Advent, however, with white vestments used for Our Lady instead of the customary Advent violet.

Going back at least to the Middle Ages, when it was called the Angelic or Golden Mass – Missa Aurea – this beautiful Advent tradition is not to be missed.  It also fits in our liturgical living with boys philosophy of “if in doubt, add fire.”

But even if this beautiful Mass is not offered by your parish or you can’t make it that early in the morning, as my little early Christmas gift to you, your family can still bring this meaningful custom into your home in this final week of Advent.

Light some candles and use this mini missal to pray the Rorate Caeli propers with your family. This Mass is usually celebrated on a Saturday during Advent, but fit it in whenever your family can the remainder of this season.