Advent is decided by the Sunday closest to the 30th of November, and this year it is actually falls on the 30thThis Sunday marks the beginning of our Advent journey that spans twenty-five day ending on Christmas Eve. It is a joyful journey of expectation that has two aspects, the preparation for the remembrance of the Incarnation of CHRIST that is celebrated during the Christmas season, and it looks forward to Christ’s second coming at the end of time.
Our current Advent season was fixed by Gregory the Great, he established the four-week cycle and also composed seasonal prayers and antiphons, along with arranging the Mass and Office lectionary. The first two Sundays focus on the Christ’s second Coming, the last two on the Incarnation. . It is also the start of our Liturgical year, Year “A”, Matthew becomes the dominant gospel for our Sunday readings
Advent is the time when we are coming to the end of the darkness, and our days begin to get longer bringing more light.
There are many sacramentals that are prominent during Advent. Advent wreaths with three purple candles and a pink one, each candle presents a focus for the coming week the first purple candle is “Hope”, the second “Peace”, the third week ( known as Gaudete Sunday) we light the Pink candle “joy” which signifies joy during the Advent season. It also marks the middle of the season of Advent. The fourth candle is “Hope”. Each candle reflects the gifts that Jesus brings
We see nativity creches being displayed , lights, Christmas trees decorated with lights, the green signifies Eternal Life, Jesse Trees – The rise and fall of the Israeli nation and their waiting for the Messiah
Fr. Mariusz has introduced us to an old mass, The Rorate Mass
In the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, this Mass is celebrated very early in the morning on all Saturdays. It is a very spiritual experience.
The Mass is held in the early morning before sunrise, so it is illuminated only by candlelight. As the Mass progresses, the church gradually becomes brighter, just as our faith is illumined by Christ. We are called by the readings and prayers of the Mass to open the gates of our hearts as individuals and of our societies as nations to let Christ the King enter in as we hear of the prophecy of the Virgin who would bear a Son called Emmanuel. It invites us to quiet our minds and hearts as we prepare to welcome our Savior on Christmas. Beginning the Mass in darkness and having the church gradually become brighter as daylight approaches allows us to contemplate the world in darkness before the coming of Christ and then the change as the Light enters the world and brings joy and salvation to His people.
We honor Mary in a special way with this Mass since She is the one who God chose to set apart from all women in order to be worthy to bear Jesus Christ. She is full of grace and immaculate, completely without sin. We look to Her during Advent to help us prepare to welcome Christ because She welcomed Him first. She teaches us how to pray and be open to hearing the voice of Jesus and how to make room for Him in our lives. During the Rorate Mass, we ask for Her intercession to help us open up our minds and hearts to welcome Christ just as She did.
The traditions that we have in the Catholic faith are ones that always are there to help us draw closer to Jesus and Our Lady. The Rorate Mass is another beautiful one that draws our attention to waiting in silence and hope during this season of Advent and that highlights Our Lady’s special role in our salvation history. We honor Her and we ask Her to draw us closer to Her Son through Her prayers and the example that She set for us. O Come, O Come Emmanuel!
