In the darkness of an Advent evening, among the busyness of our world, we gathered by candlelight to worship and be still at our beautiful Advent Rorate Mass. In the stillness a cantor began the mass singing ‘Drop down ye heavens…’ (Rorate Caeli).
We listened to the Scripture and prayed for those who wait in this Advent season – those waiting for peace, those waiting for harmony in their families, those waiting for hope to return… During Communion we heard the Song of Mary, the Magnificat sung, and our praise and stillness echoed Our Lady’s. Heaven felt joined with earth in this timeless moment.
Mass by candlelight
“A wonderful service…lovely peaceful atmosphere, and time to reflect…” said one person. Paul, one of the cantors writes: ” I have long had a deep devotion to Our Lady which helps me to connect with God; seeking her intercession gives me greater confidence in my relationship with the Lord and when I stop to reflect on her steadfast faith which meant she had the confidence to say “be it unto me according to thy word”, I am truly humbled and in complete awe.
The Rorate Mass was such a spiritual gift, the music, the words and the sentiment all contributing to an atmosphere in which, for me, Mary’s presence was real. Personally, I felt honoured to cantor the Magnificat during the communion and it was a delight to be part of a service that gave us all a space in which to reflect on the anticipation of Christmas and the real message of hope it brings”
And here is a link to an earlier blog post with more about the Rorate Mass.
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