Advent is a time of preparation for the encounter with the Christ Child born in the manger.  Therefore, it is appropriate to deepen our immersion in the mystery of Incarnation through different means: prayer, acts of charity, spiritual reading...

In Croatia, one way people prepare themselves for the great feast of Christmas is through the Rorate Mass, a votive Advent mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary usually celebrated at 6. A.M.  In the past years, Croatian Churches would be full of people who wanted to enter more profoundly into the mystery of Christmas, but this year was different due to the ongoing pandemic.

However, Croatian Jesuits were able to overcome this obstacle by reaching an agreement with a national sports channel (Sportska Televizija).  People could thus follow the Rorate Mass on television.

“Let us be together in prayer.  Let us be connected through the means that God gave to our time. Let nothing hinder us from our preparation for the birth of Jesus.  Let a cry spring from our hearts every day: ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’” wrote Fr. Stipo Balatinac, Superior of the Jesuit Palmotićeva Community, in a public statement.

The Rorate Mass was celebrated in the hall-church next to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Zagreb and thousands of people were able to be together in prayer and communion every day.  According to the statistics of Sportska Televizija, on December 21, 9000 people followed the Rorate Mass.  Thus, in these dark times, being able to follow the Rorate Mass on television has brought consolation, light, hope, and peace to thousands of people.