By Rosie E.
Family Foundation School Catholic students wake at sunrise on Saturday mornings to attend Mass and worship the Virgin Mary.
Father Stephen Morris, FFS Catholic spiritual leader and Dean of Students, proposed a 7:15 Mass on Saturday mornings to continue the worship of the Virgin Mary after the great success of the Rorate Masses, special masses held at dawn in honor of the Virgin Mary during Advent.
These early morning Masses are less extravagant versions of the Rorate Masses, which were held by candlelight before dawn.
“There were seventy-plus people at one Rorate Mass, so it dawned on me that we should probably continue,” Fr. Stephen said.
The students voluntarily wake up fifteen minutes earlier than the usual weekend schedule to meet at the bottom of Chapel Hill. The sky is usually a pink and purple mixture, and a light fog hovers over the small community. The church goers walk up to the chapel in silence, taking in the scenery and preparing to pray.
The procession is followed by a short Mass which is entirely voluntary. The quietness and tranquility in the chapel has deeply struck some.
“I get a real feeling of spiritual unity because everyone’s there voluntarily. There’s energy superior to any regular Mass and I know I’m in the right place,” said America Restiano, a Family School staff who comes in early to attend the Mass.
Students attend Mass because in Catholic tradition Saturdays are devoted to worshiping the Virgin Mary.
According to Catholic belief, Jesus appeared to the Virgin Mary on the Sunday after his death on Friday. The Virgin Mary spent Saturday preparing oils and other amenities to properly bury her Son in the Jewish tradition.
“I like waking up to see the sunrise and to attend an extra day of Mass, and when I leave I feel lighter and more peaceful. I start my day off much more enlightened,” said Kirby C., a Family Two senior.
According to Father Stephen, the Mass will continue “as long as somebody shows up.”
