CHARLOTTE — Parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ann churches in Charlotte gathered to welcome the dawn with a “Rorate Mass,” a votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that is celebrated during the Advent season.
For this special liturgy held traditionally before sunrise, the church is lit with only candlelight. The name for the Mass comes from the first word of the Introit: “Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant iustum,” or “Drop down dew, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness.”
The celebrant at St. Thomas Aquinas Church was Father Matthew Kauth, assisted by Father Patrick Winslow and Father Jason Christian. At St. Ann Church, the Mass was offered by Father Jason Barone, assisted by Father Tim Reid and Father Joseph Matlak.
— Photos by John Cosmas | Catholic News Herald
