Rorate Caeli Mass, at dawn on December 15, 2018

This is a special homily given by Fr. Hamilton for the Rorate Mass on Dec. 15, 2018. Rorate is a traditional Advent devotion wherein the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn.

The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ.

The Mass takes its title, Rorate Caeli, from the first words of the Introit, which are 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 Savior.”