ROGATION DAYS

 

ROGATION DAYS

The tradition of Rogation Days and prayer processions goes back to the 4th century, when a large prayer procession was introduced across the fields on St Mark's Day (April 25) in Rome (Major Rogation Day).

MAJOR ROGATION DAY

In the late 5th century, after an earthquake and crop failures in southern France, Bishop Mammertus of Vienne ordered three days of atonement before the Ascension, combined with fasting and prayer processions. The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the Feast of the Ascension are also traditionally observed as days of solemn supplication, these are the Minor Rogation Days.

MINOR ROGATION DAYS

This custom was adopted throughout the Roman Church in the 8th century. People asked God for mercy, for fertility in fields and fields, for protection from hail, frost and other storms. The Litany of the Saints and the associated prayers are recited in procession.

BLESSING OF THE FIELDS

To this day, the prayer days are a living tradition in many places, either on one or more days before Ascension Day, including the blessing of the fields.

FRUITS OF THE EARTH 

On these days the Church prays “for the manifold human concerns, especially for the fruits of the earth and for human creativity”; this is traditionally associated with the weather-blessing.

GOD WILL WORK OUT EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST

Because Christians entrust themselves in happy and difficult hours to God, on whom they ultimately know they are dependent, they present their worries and the needs and fears of all mankind to him in prayer, knowing that God will ultimately work everything out for the best. 

(Based on a text of the Archdiocese of Vienna - https://www.erzdioezese-wien.at/site/glaubenfeiern/christ/unserglaube/glaubekonkret/article/65541.html - 🎨 Blessing of the Wheat Fields in Artois, Jules Breton, 1857 - detail)