Rorate Caeli

Rorate, caeli, desuper et nubes pluant justum:
aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem. 
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Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just:
let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior. 
- Introit: Ember Wednesday in Advent
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With a spirit of joy lingering from Gaudate Sunday, the Church turns toward her first Ember Days of the liturgical year, where - with prayer and penance - she eagerly beseeches Heaven to send the promised Savior. 

Clothed in darkness, with the only light coming the glowing candles, the Rorate Mass invites the soul to unite with the times of old when the earth was without the Savior, and the only light shining was the promises of God coming forth from His prophets, instilling hope into His chosen people .. for He promised that one day He would come. 

The soul cries out "Drop down dew, ye heavens! Send forth the Promised One!" For as dew comes quietly and gently upon the earth, so let Him come upon the soul. Let Him linger, permeating it with His presence. But the heart must be opened to the gifts of Heaven just as the earth is always ready to receive rain. With receptivity and readiness, He Who is the Dew can imbue every recess of the soul. And as deeper roots give forth to a stronger plant, so too does the implanting of the Spirit of God give way to Christ being able to grow in the soul and bud forth His presence to the world. 

As the birth of the Divine King draws near, let us renew our efforts to create an open heart where He can come to dwell - a heart that is empty of all to be filled with only Him. 
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Rorate Mass Slideshow

"Hasten, we beseech Thee, O Lord, tarry not:
nd grant us the help of Thy heavenly power,
that they who trust in Thy loving kindness
may be relieved by the consolations of Thy coming."
- 2nd Collect: Ember Wednesday in Advent