Heritage Talks - The Rorate Mass: Tradition and Custom Part 2 - Dr. Geraldine M. Rohling

Heritage Talks Dr. Geraldine M. Rohling The Rorate Mass: Tradition and Custom Part 2 December 20, 2025 Easter Sunday 2024 marked the centennial anniversary of the celebration of the first Public Mass held inside the National Shrine. The celebration of the inauguration of the liturgical life of this grand and noble votive church in honor of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, will be celebrated throughout 2024 and 2025. On Friday, December 19, 2025, at 7:00 a.m., please join the Basilica of the National Shrine and Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, rector and celebrant, at the Crypt Church for the celebration of the ancient and beloved Advent tradition of the Rorate Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother, as part of our celebration of “100 Years of Worship.” This Advent tradition, dating from the eighth century, takes its name from the incipit of the Introit of the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Advent votive Masses of the Blessed Mother: roráte, coeli, désuper (drop down, ye heavens). Traditionally, the first Mass of the day was celebrated after Lauds or dawn. The Rorate Mass is celebrated before Lauds and before dawn. In the winter darkness, the faithful would walk to their churches carrying their lanterns or candles to light their way. Upon their arrival, they would illuminate the church with their lanterns and candles around the altar. As Mass was celebrated the sun rose, illuminating the interior of the church. Thus, the symbolism of “Mary, the Dawn” and “Christ the Perfect Day.” Everyone is invited to bring a lantern or a candle to “light their way” and to illuminate the Crypt Church during the celebration of the Eucharist. Join us every Sunday for a livestream of the Noon Mass. The Mass is the greatest act of Evangelism the Church can offer the world. Our Sunday Catholic Mass livestream continues today due to God’s grace and the generosity of our viewers. If you would like to support the mission and ministry of our D.C. Basilica during the coronavirus pandemic, visit: https://www.nationalshrine.org/mass The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., is a Catholic church dedicated to the Blessed Mother, patroness of our nation. It is a place of worship, pilgrimage, evangelization, and reconciliation. Mary’s Shrine invites people from across the country and beyond to share in Christ’s ever-living presence. For more information on the Basilica, visit: https://www.nationalshrine.org Thank you for watching! Please LIKE and SHARE this video as well as SUBSCRIBE to our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/marysshrine?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalshrine Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarysShrine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marysshrine/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/marysshrine?sub_confirmation=1 Visit our Basilica in D.C. and share in the history, artwork, beauty and peacefulness of Mary’s Shrine. http://www.nationalshrine.com/visit/