By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 14, 2025 / 06:00 am Advent is a season filled with rich Catholic traditions, but a slightly lesser-known one is growing in popularity among younger Catholics. The ancient liturgy of the Rorate Caeli Advent Mass honors the Blessed Virgin Mary through a Mass celebrated …

On December 15, 2018 at 6:45 a.m., a large crowd filled Old St. Mary in Over-the-Rhine. This beautiful Mass begins in darkness, and ends at dawn: a reminder of our journey to Christ.

Each year, Old Saint Mary’s Parish on the Saturday before the Third Sunday of Advent, the faithful set their alarms early so they can attend the Rorate Mass. The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honor, white vestments are worn instead …