The Golden Mass
Mary in Joyful Expectation
This feast was instituted during the Bishops' Conference of Toledo on December 18, 654; it was led by Bishop Eugene II († 657; feast November 13). The Spanish prelates considered how the feast of the Annunciation on March 25 often fell during Lent or Easter, and that it could not be celebrated appropriately. Therefore, it was considered useful to once again pay attention to the mystery of the Incarnation and to Mary's yes to God's invitation to become the Mother of his Son a week before Christmas.
The Golden Mass (Missa Aurea) is a special votive Mass, or Rorate Mass, that is celebrated on the first Wednesday after the feast day of Saint Lucy of Syracuse (Lucy's feast day: December 13). During this Mass, special attention is paid to the joyful expectation of Mary.
Attending this Mass has special value, hence the word 'golden' (which means excellent, powerful). This is especially true for people in need.
Throughout the centuries, this Mass was celebrated with great solemnity, and was known as the “Golden Mass”, because in this Mass the Church draws attention to the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Incarnation.
It is an old custom to celebrate the Golden Mass in the last days of Advent. In honor of Mother Mary. This Mass usually takes place early in the morning in a dark church, lit only by candles.