Rorate Cæli Mass on the Feast of Santa Lucia

Parishioners held candles during Mass
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Roráte, cælí, désuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiátur terra, et gérminet Salvatórem.*

The Mass is lit only by candlelight

Before dawn Friday, members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) joined some seventy parishioners at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan for the Rorate Cæli Mass. A traditional Advent devotion, the church was illumined only by candlelight, lending an atmospheric setting as the faithful honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and prepare for the coming Light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form was celebrated by our Pastor, Fr. James Miara. Seeing as it was a votive Mass in honor of Our Lady, Fr. Miara wore white sacred vestments instead of the violet customarily used during the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent.

After Mass, as the others set off for work, the shops or some other destination, I hung back a while near the statue of Santa Lucia di Siracusa. Paying homage to our glorious patroness on her feast day, I lit a candle, prayed for the poor and forgotten Souls of Purgatory, and offered thanks for graces received through her miraculous intercession. Evviva Santa Lucia!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, December 13th, Feast of Santa Lucia

* Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior. ~ The first words of the Introit, which are from Isaiah 45:8

The tenebrous high altar

Santa Lucia, prega per noi