The adventus of the Rorate Cæli Mass
In a world often consumed by noise and busyness, the Advent season—and particularly the Rorate Cæli Mass—offers a countercultural invitation to slow down.
This past Saturday, the cherished tradition of waking up in the midst of the night continued. A seventy-five-minute drive brought a few tired Cornellians to a small, humble church in a small, humble town dedicated to St. Dominic. For the third year in a row, a group of about a dozen pilgrims from Ithaca gathered to attend the Rorate Cæli Mass, a unique and deeply moving devotion of the Advent season.
The Rorate Cæli Mass is a votive Mass of the third class, celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It may be offered on any liturgical day during Advent that is not of the first or second class, but it is traditionally said on Saturdays. The name Rorate Cæli comes from the opening words of the Introit, which are drawn from Isaiah 45:8:
Rorate, cæli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.
Translated, these words read: “Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.” This profound verse encapsulates the essence of Advent—a time of longing for the coming of the Savior and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Traditionally celebrated just before dawn, the Rorate Cæli Mass is celebrated in near-total darkness, illuminated only by candlelight. This setting symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role in salvation history as the one who brought the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, into the world hitherto overcome with the darkness of sin and death. It is a powerful reminder of the Incarnation, when Heaven and Earth met in the person of Christ, born of Mary.
This year, I had the privilege of serving at the altar during the Mass. It was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. Despite the occasional mishaps—speedy cantors, shuffling birettas, and diocesan priests with fun quirks—the atmosphere was one of profound reverence. The gentle glow of the candles created an otherworldly sense of mystery, elevating the liturgy beyond the ordinary and drawing all present into deeper prayer and reflection.
The effort of waking up in the early hours of the morning, a penance in itself, transformed into pure bliss for me as the recessional hymn, “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming,” filled the church. The serene melody and poetic verses served as a fitting conclusion to the liturgy, echoing the hope and peace that Advent promises.
During this season of preparation, the Rorate Cæli Mass stands as a luminous example of the Church’s rich liturgical tradition. Advent invites us to embrace silence, penance, and expectation as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Christ. The Mass’s connection to Our Lady highlights her pivotal role in the mystery of salvation. She is the Virgin of virgins, the singular vessel chosen to bear the Savior. Her fiat opened the door to God’s plan of redemption.
In a world often consumed by noise and busyness, the Advent season—and particularly the Rorate Cæli Mass—offers a countercultural invitation to slow down, to wake up early not just physically but spiritually. It challenges us to wait in hope and trust, echoing the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.”
May the remaining days of Advent be for us a time of deepened faith, joyful anticipation, and renewed devotion to Our Lady, who carried the Light of the World within her womb. As we sing the hymns and pray the antiphons, let us join the daughters of Jerusalem in marveling at the divine mystery unfolding before us, preparing our hearts for the glorious coming of our Savior.
O Virgin of virgins! how shall this be! For never was there one like thee, nor will there ever be. Ye daughters of Jerusalem, why look ye wondering at me? What ye behold is a divine mystery.
Augustinus de gratiæ