GENESIS 1:31
Rogation Days are an old religious custom which is now seldom observed in the Church. The word “Rogation” comes from the Latin “rogare”, which means “to ask,” and the Rogation Days are set apart to bless the fields, and ask for God’s mercy on all of creation, that things may become beautiful as He created them to be. As the fields are blessed, the parish (geographical area) that they fall in are also blessed. The priests would lead processions, blessing crops and praying for good harvests in towns as well as rural areas.
Rogation Days are tied to the planting season. In our modern revised liturgical calendar, Rogationtide begins the Sunday before the feast of the Ascension and include the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday immediately before Ascension Thursday.
Rogation Days are days of prayer and fasting to appease God’s anger at man’s sins, to ask for protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest.
Looking at our world today, we need another experience of the Rogation. The lands needs God’s visitation of healing and protection. Let us ask once again for His blessings upon our world.
Lord, in Your mercy – hear our prayers!
