St. Gabriel Church to offer early morning Rorate Mass

On Saturday, December 14 at 6:30 am Saint Gabriel Church, Stamford,  will celebrate an extraordinary form Mass: a  “Rorate Mass.”  This is a Votive Mass of Our Lady usually celebrated on Saturdays in Advent by candlelight in the early morning hours.

From the pastor Fr. La Pastina: “The Rorate Mass takes its name from the first word of its introit: “Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant iustum,” or “Drop down dew, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness.” It is a Mass in honor of Mary in which the interplay of light and darkness convey the meaning of Advent.

“Historically, it has been celebrated early mornings in darkness. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter. Because it is a votive Mass to Mary, blue or white vestments are worn instead of the seasonal purple.”