Greetings and Blessings,
I hope you are having a Blessed Advent as we await the birth of our Savior! As part of your Advent preparations, I'd like to invite you to join me as I celebrate a very special Mass -- the Rorate Coeli Mass -- this Saturday, December 20, at 6:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lincoln.
The Rorate Coeli Mass is a devotional candlelight Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It's a traditional Advent liturgy offered according to the 1962 Roman Missal. The words Rorate Coeli are the first two words of the entrance antiphon which is “Drop down ye heavens from above…” from Isaiah 45:8.
Pope Paul VI noted that Advent should be "a time particularly suited to devotion to the Mother of the Lord." (MARIALIS CULTUS, Part One, Section One) He wrote about the way Mary awaited the birth of her Son. He said we are also awaiting Jesus' birth during this season, as we are awaiting His return at the end of time.
During Advent, Pope Paul VI explained quoting the Roman Missal, we "must be vigilant in prayer and joyful in...praise." He went on to write, "the Advent liturgy, by linking the awaiting of the Messiah and the awaiting of the glorious return of Christ with the admirable commemoration of His Mother, presents a happy balance in worship." (MARIALIS CULTUS, Part One, Section One)
Please take a minute to watch the short video message I have for you below regarding the Rorate Coeli Mass. I hope you will join me for this Mass this Saturday, December 20, at 6:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lincoln. It's a great way during this Advent to slow down, put aside the busyness, and be "vigilant in prayer and joyful in... praise" as we prepare for Jesus, now and in the future.
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God, pray for us.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop James D. Conley
