Churches host Rorate Masses in honor of Our Lady
Several churches recently offered special liturgies called “Rorate Masses,” a Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary during Advent.
This is an ancient Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) offered by candlelight before dawn to symbolize the coming of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.
The name “Rorate” comes from the first word of the Introit (entrance antiphon) taken from Isaiah 45:8: “Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem” (“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.”).
Rorate Masses were offered at St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas churches in Charlotte, St. Mark Church in Huntersville, Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon, and St. Elizabeth Church in Boone.
A Rorate Mass will also be offered at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa. The church is located at 102 Andrews Place in Swannanoa. All are welcome to attend.
— Photos by SueAnn Howell, Amber Mellon, Amy Burger, Paul Johnson, Markus Kuncoro and Mike FitzGerald
CHARLOTTE — Every Catholic household across the Diocese of Charlotte is being asked to consider a donation to help fund the education of our future priests by giving to the seminarian education second collection taken up in all parishes Nov. 6-7.
“Tremendous growth has taken place within our diocese over the last decade. Growth of this nature is paralleled by a need for priests to pastor this increasing number of Catholics,” Bishop Peter Jugis said in an October letter to parishioners urging them to support the collection.
The number of seminarians has almost tripled in the past six years – from 16 seminarians to 45. There are 20 men in major seminary and 24 men at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, with one seminarian taking a pastoral year.
“In our diocese, we are deeply blessed with 45 dedicated and faith-filled seminarians who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. We are both blessed and challenged. As you know, our challenge is to provide the funding needed to educate, nurture and form our future priests,” the bishop noted.
The need for more priests to serve the growing Catholic population has never been greater. There are currently about 77,000 registered households in the diocese, which spans the 46 counties of western North Carolina. By the year 2025, it is estimated that the number of registered households will climb to 86,800 – a population increase of approximately 13 percent.
In addition to considering a gift to support all diocesan seminarians, Bishop Jugis asks the faithful to pray for each of the men by name. The names of the seminarians are listed in the brochure sent to all households with the letter.
“These men desire to commit their lives to Christ and to His Church, and in a very real way, your prayers strengthen them in their commitment,” he said.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Support seminarian education
To make a gift to support seminarian education, drop off or mail your contribution to your parish or make a secure gift online. If making an online gift, consult your parish’s website to see if they offer online giving or go online to www.charlottediocese.org/donate, then click on “Seminarian Education.”