The "Rorate Mass"

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Brandon_Cal

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One of the local parishes that offers Masses in the Extraordinary Form is having a “Rorate Mass” the Wednesday before Christmas and is asking for help with lighting a whole lot of candles. I’ve tried searching for some information about the traditions surrounding this service but can’t seem to find much besides it’s namesake (the Introit for that day).

What are the traditions surrounding this Mass? What is the significance of the candles, and how does all of this relate to the greater season of Advent?

Thanks.
 
We have a Rorate Mass tomorrow morning at 7AM, followed by breakfast. It is the Advent Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and recalls her role in the coming of Our Lord. The words of its opening introit calls to mind the longing of the prophets and patriarchs for the Savior’ as such, it acts as a great connection between old and new testaments.
 
Hmmm. Thanks! So I’m a little confused. Is the Rorate Mass a type of Mass that can be celebrated at various times during Advent, or is it a Mass for a specified date? I notice you say your parish is celebrating it tomorrow while the EF parish near me is having it next week on Wednesday. Also, is this practice retained in the OF? Are there any other (small ‘t’) traditions that surround this liturgy?
 
Normally, the Rorate Mass begins before sunup. Only candles are used, not electric lighting. It represents Mary carrying the" light of the world" within her womb.

We are also having a Rorate Mass at 7:00 am tomorrow at the St. James. proto-cathedral in Vancouver, WA. Fr. Saguto, FSSP is the celebrant. It’s a Missa Cantata. The choir is magnificent. I’ll try and post some pictures tomorrow evening when we get back. :highprayer:
 
Brandon_Cal said:
Hmmm. Thanks! So I’m a little confused. Is the Rorate Mass a type of Mass that can be celebrated at various times during Advent, or is it a Mass for a specified date? I notice you say your parish is celebrating it tomorrow while the EF parish near me is having it next week on Wednesday. Also, is this practice retained in the OF? Are there any other (small ‘t’) traditions that surround this liturgy?
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The Rorate Mass is so named because the first word of the introit is Rorate, drop down. Mass texts are traditionally identified the first words of their introit. This term also appears several times in the Divine Office during the Advent season.The Rorate Mass is the Mass of the BVM for the Advent season, and can be said on any day in Advent that is not a privileged day, such as a first-class feast. My parish is also an EF Mass parish, run by the FSSP. The Rorate Mass is very routine. We will sing it with Mass IX, Missa cum jubilo,of the BVM
 
Just got back from the Rorate Mass. The choir was wonderful. About 200+ folks showed up by 7:00am . Small compared to a Missa Cantata done here in July but still nice. For all our fussing about getting the red missalettes and the Propers printed, we all forgot that this Mass is done only by candle light .and you couldn’t see anyway. :o

10 days ago, we were scrambling to find altar servers, then that problem was solved. At 10 pm last night we found out we were out of charcoal for the thurible. Somehow someone found enough to start them for the incense. 👍

All in all it was a GREAT Mass. :signofcross: Still have to down load the pictures off my camera. Not sure how they’ll be cause it was VERY dark. More later.
 
Well, the pictures were very dark but I’ve tried to load one.
 
corsair said:
For all our fussing about getting the red missalettes and the Propers printed, we all forgot that this Mass is done only by candle light .and you couldn’t see anyway. :o
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We were reminded to bring a candle or a small flashlight. 👍
 
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