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!

Our School Carol Service will take place at 7.00pm on Thursday 19 December 2019 and we invite all our families to come to join our joyful singing of Christmas Carols. Tea will be served at 7.45pm and will be followed by the excellent Christmas Concert performed by pupils of our Performing Arts Faculty.

“Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith “man freely commits his entire self to God.” For this reason the believer seeks to know and do God’s will. “The righteous shall live by faith.” Living faith “work[s] through charity.” – CCC 1814

On the Second week of Advent, we were led by members of the Fifth Year Catholic Leadership Group as we continued our solemn preparations for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus. The theme for this week was Faith and we reflected on how faith helps us remain on the path towards God in Heaven.

The second purple candle on the Advent wreath was lit as a symbol of Faith in God.

• Advent Reflection 10.12.19 Part 1
• Advent Reflection 10.12.19 Part 2

Many thanks to all pupils, parents and staff who attended the Advent Service on Monday 9 December which marked the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  Thanks to Father Stephen who was the lead celebrant of the Service where we started with introductory prayers and took part in a rosary procession to the Atrium for Eucharistic Adoration.

Well done to Sinead (S6) who led the singing, to Mhairi (S2) and Eoghan (S6) who read and our S6 bearers who carried Our Lady.

The Service can be viewed below:

• Advent Service 9.12.19 Part 1
• Advent Service 9.12.19 Part 2
• Advent Service 9.12.19 Part 3
• Advent Service 9.12.19 Part 4
• Advent Service 9.12.19 Part 5
• Advent Service 9.12.19 Part 6

A simplified explanation of the theology of the Immaculate Conception can be viewed below:

This week there are many opportunities for our young people, staff, parents and friends to join with us to prepare for the Nativity of The Lord.

At 4pm on Monday we mark the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in the Forum with introductory prayers followed by the rosary procession to the Oratory for Eucharistic Adoration.

Mass at 8.25am on Tuesday celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Loreto. A new feast added to the calendar by Pope Francis to recall the mystery of the Incarnation, when in ‘the fullness of time,’ the Virgin Mary responded to the message of the Angel Gabriel.

Our Advent Service on Tuesdy at 3.45pm, in the school’s Oratory, will be led by the S5 Catholic Leadership Group.

Pope Francis has written an Apostolic Letter on the meaning and importance of the incarnation of Jesus made visible in the Christmas crèche. Click on the link below to access the full document:

Pope Francis Apostolic Letter

Click on the following link to read our school Focus for the Week

Admirabile Signum

All are most welcome to join with our pupils, staff, friends and parents each morning in the Oratory to celebrate Holy Mass at 8.25am. No better way to prepare for the day ahead placing our trust in God.

We are delighted that Monsignor Monaghan continues to offer his support to all pupils, parents and staff in St Ninian’s High School.

As part of his ongoing encouragement he kindly produces an Art of the Month.  This complements the weekly prayers by focussing on a topical piece of artwork.

Monsignor Monaghan offers a description of the piece and why it is relevant.  He also poses questions for us to consider in relation to our professional and personal lives.  In doing so, asking us to reflect on our practices, strengthening our faith and improving our Health and Wellbeing.

Art of the Month December

This Sunday we begin the new Liturgical Year (A) with the First Sunday of Advent.  It is also the Year of the Bible. Thanks to Father Stephen, Father Eoin, Monsignor Monaghan, Salesian Sisters and staff for leading religious activities, helping our young people, staff and parents deepen their love for Jesus in His Word and in the Eucharist.

First Sunday of Advent Reflection, St Andrew’s Foundation, University of Glasgow.

We are delighted that Monsignor Monaghan continues to offer his support to all pupils, parents and staff in St Ninian’s High School.

As part of his ongoing encouragement he kindly produces an Art of the Month.  This complements the weekly prayers by focussing on a topical piece of artwork.

Monsignor Monaghan offers a description of the piece and why it is relevant.  He also poses questions for us to consider in relation to our professional and personal lives.  In doing so, asking us to reflect on our practices, strengthening our faith and improving our Health and Wellbeing.

Art of the Month November

We are delighted that Monsignor Monaghan continues to offer his support to all pupils, parents and staff in St Ninian’s High School.

As part of his ongoing encouragement he kindly produces an Art of the Month.  This complements the weekly prayers by focussing on a topical piece of artwork.

Monsignor Monaghan offers a description of the piece and why it is relevant.  He also poses questions for us to consider in relation to our professional and personal lives.  In doing so, asking us to reflect on our practices, strengthening our faith and improving our Health and Wellbeing.

Art of the Month October

On Sunday 15 September a group of pupils and staff celebrated Mass at St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley in honour of the visit of the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux.

Some of our Sixth Year pupils had the privilege of carrying the relics into the Cathedral.

On Monday 16 September, a second group of pupils and staff will have the opportunity celebrate Mass in the presence of these outstanding relics.

Photos of the event can be viewed here.