Our final Rorate Mass will take place on Monday 16 December 2019 at 8:25am in the Oratory.

The Rorate Mass takes its name from the opening words of the Introit which is said as the priest approaches the Altar and which comes to 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 Saviour.”

The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honour, white vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honour the Light of the world, Who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ.

At the end of the Mass we will sing the Marian Anthem, Salve Regina.

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae:
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
In hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, Advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos
Ad nos converte.
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis, post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens! O pia! O dulcis Virgo Maria!

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, Our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, O most gracious Advocate, Thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this, our exile, Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary!