4 Advent Rorate Masses: An explanation... The Rorate Caeli Mass is a traditional Advent devotion wherein we celebrate the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent. The interplay of light and darkness speak to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the world. The Mass takes its title, Rorate Caeli, from the first words of the Introit, which are 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 Saviour.” The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honour, white vestments are worn instead of the normal Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honour the Light of the world, Who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. The readings and prayers of the Mass foretell the prophecy of the Virgin who would bear a Son called Emmanuel, and call on all to raise the gates of their hearts and their societies to let Christ the King enter; asking for the grace to receive eternal life by the merits of the Incarnation and saving Resurrection of Our Lord. It is my intention to offer these Rorate Masses as additional Masses on the Tuesday evenings of Advent, namely: 4th, 11th, and 18th of December. The Masses will all be celebrated only in candlelight, as explained above, and, whilst celebrated in the vernacular according to the Ordinary Form, Mass will be celebrated facing liturgical east - ad orientem - as was the traditional practice. In the present Ordinary Form of the Mass with priest and people facing each other there is an emphasis on gathering together around the altar of the Lord, symbolic, in a sense, of the communal gathering at the Last Supper. In ad orientem worship, which has been the norm for the greatest part of the life of the Church, the priest and people face in the same direction, towards the east, towards the direction of the Resurrection and the Second Coming of the Lord, where the sun rises, and together they stand as a pilgrim people, expectantly awaiting the advent of the Saviour - the priest shepherding his flock, walking with them on their journey of faith. As I wrote in last week’s newsletter, it is always good for us, as Catholics, to experience the richness and diversity of the Church’s faith and liturgical practice and to draw upon the treasures of our tradition to help us grow in our faith and understanding of who we are as God’s people. For some this will be a new experience, for others it may be slightly reminiscent of the Extraordinary Form, while still preserving the prayers of the Mass in our own mother tongue. I know of a number of priests both in our Diocese and in other Scottish dioceses who for many years now have been celebrating these beautiful Masses every Advent and will be this year too - often inviting guest preachers. This is something new for me, and it may be a new experience for many of you here in St. James’ and St. Matthew’s, but I assure you that it will be something that will help us to raise our hearts and minds even more to our dear God, looking forward in company with Our Blessed Lady to the birth of Our Saviour and her Son. I will celebrate the Masses at 8.00p.m. on the Tuesdays mentioned above (they will last the standard time of a weekday Mass) and I would encourage you all to attend. After each Mass there will be hot chocolate and biscuits/cakes in the church hall. God bless, Fr. Martin An urgent appeal for your help… We’re looking to support a family who need winter clothing for a 12 year old girl, size age12/13, shoe size 5, and a winter coat, as well as similar clothing for a 16 year old boy of medium build, shoe size 11. Any donations of clothing would be gratefully received, please speak to Fr. Martin or to Mr. Sid Grant if you’re able to donate anything. God bless you for your generosity! 1 St. James’, Kinross & St. Matthew’s, Auchtermuchty In the Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld Scottish Charity Number: SC001810 Parish Priest: Fr. Martin Pletts Postal Address for both churches: 5 High Street, Kinross, KY13 8AW St. Matthew’s Address: 4 Back Dykes, Auchtermuchty, KY14 7AB Parish email address: [email protected] Landline: 01577 863329 Mobile: 07540534480 Parish Website: https://catholickinross.com Diocese of Dunkeld Website: www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk Last Week’s Collections: St. James’ Sunday Collection: (18/11/18) £ 674.60 St. Matthew’s Sunday Collection: (18/11/18) £ 91.10 SVdP Door Collection (St. James’): £81.56 (St. Matthew’s): £20.08 Thank you, as always for your generosity. Please consider Gift Aid if you are a taxpayer, for every pound given we can claim back 25p. Mass attendance: St. James’ Vigil Mass: (17/11/18): 42 St. James’ 9.30a.m. Mass: (18/11/18): 76 St. Matthew’s 11.30a.m. Mass: (18/11/18): 22 Sanctuary Lamp Intentions: St. James’ - Irene Hughes R.I.P. . St. Matthew’s - Moyra & Neil Scully and their intentions A DONATION OF £5.00 IS SUGGESTED FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE THE SANCTUARY LAMP TO BURN FOR A PARTICULAR INTENTION Sunday 25th November, 2018 The last week of the Church’s Year Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Year B. Divine Office - Volume III, Psalter week II Please remember to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially this month.