Rediscovering The Beauty Of Rogation Days.

Illustration: LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at, LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL. By John Paul Sonnen.

The LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL Web-Site can be found HERE

The Catholic Church has always been a culturally creative force. It teaches that, throughout the ages of life and the seasons, mankind is being leavened and permeated by a transcendent principle. 

And every part of nature is capable of being influenced and sanctified by this Divine Influence.

Illustration: LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL

The Resurgence Of Rogation Days.

It is a sheer delight to see many young Catholics discovering the lost Tradition of Rogation Days. 

This time-honoured Liturgical custom, Celebrated in the Late-Spring, is when the Faithful petition God for Blessings on agriculture and industry.

Prayers are offered with Penance and supplication, asking God for mercy and protection against disasters, while petitioning for Him to Bless the Earth. 

For The Mass and Procession, the Priest wears Violet, due to it being a Penitential observance.

The Introit (Psalm xvii, 7) for the Mass of Rogation on Rogation Monday (Saint Mary Major), Rogation Tuesday (Saint John Lateran), Rogation Wednesday (Saint Peter’s).

“He heard my voice from His Holy Temple, alleluia; and my cry before Him came into his ears, alleleuia, alleluia. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my firmament, my refuge and my deliverer”. Versicle: Glory be to The Father . . .

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“Ember Days”

and

“Rogation Days”.

Sermon By: Fr Ripperger.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Unfortunately, like many beautiful Traditions tied to Catholic piety, this ancient practice fell out of favour in the Late-1960s, due in large part to misplaced enthusiasm to prioritise Modernity and all things new.

Nevertheless, an all-encompassing part of Society is also agrarian, and we recognise the need to make supplication to Heaven for successful planting, a satisfactory crop, and a bountiful harvest. 

Decent farmers through the ages have always made this their fervent Prayer.

Needless to say, it is not just rural families that depend on agriculture and farming. All of Society rests on the benefits that come from the land. 

The Ancient Custom of Blessing the Fields.

“Rogation Sunday”.

Hever, Kent, England.

Photo: 9 February 1967.

Source: From geograph.org.uk

Author: Ray Trevena

(Wikimedia Commons)

For this reason, The Church has always been eager to prioritise land ownership and farming interests.

Although Ascension Thursday is today downplayed in many Countries, with the Celebration transferred to the following Sunday (by order of the local Bishops’ Conference), the entire week has immense Liturgical import, with three of the Rogation Days [Editor: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday] leading up to it in the same week.

Advert for a Sung Mass, 21 May 2017,

for Rogation Sunday, at Saint-Eugène-Sainte-Cécile, Paris.

Illustration: FACEBOOK, SAINT EUGENE-SAINTE-CECILE

In the week of Ascension-Tide, Catholics contemplate Christ Rising in Glory, while the Apostles and Our Lady watch in awe. 

Though He returns to The Father, Christ remains ever-present in the Eucharist and in His Mystical Body, The Church. 

This gives hope for our Prayers.

The rest of this Article may be read at LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL HERE