If you, like me, grew up in an average parish you may not have ever heard of “Rogation Days.” I certainly had never heard the word at all until my family began attending a parish belonging to the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Here, the tradition of “Rogation Days” are maintained. Rogation Days are traditionally observed on the feast of St. Mark, April 25th, which is known as the Major Rogation Day, and also on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday preceding Ascension Thursday - these are called the “Minor Rogation Days.” Rogation comes from the Latin word rogare which means something to the effect of “to supplicate” or “to ask,” particularly to ask God for His great mercy to be upon us. The tradition of Rogation Days goes back centuries, and there are even mentions from the Church Fathers about days of special supplication before the feast of the Ascension! 

The great supplication of these days is to ask God to bless the fields and the crops as Spring softly turns into Summer. These are days for asking for God’s providence to be upon us as farmers face the elements to grow food and raise livestock. It is a time to remember the natural disasters which often come in the warmer months like tornados and hurricanes. It is a time for remembering how dependent we are on God’s goodness and providence that He will provide the necessary weather for things to grow and the necessary protection from the harsher elements. 

Rogation Days traditionally would be days of abstinence (previously fasting as well but this was disposed of as it always falls during the Easter Season) to remind us that we can offer God a small penance. These days would also include processions around the parish boundaries, which led to the more fun title of the “beating of the bounds” which is used with gusto at my family’s ordinariate parish. At another parish my family attends, a traditional Latin Mass parish, the Rogation Day proceedings happen on a family farm of some parishioners with a procession blessing the fields, followed by Mass, followed by a huge potluck picnic dinner. 

It is a great opportunity to pray for farmers, ranchers, and all those who provide food for those of us who do not provide food for ourselves. This tradition has largely been lost in the decades since the Second Vatican Council, but it is slowly seeing a comeback in more traditional circles. However, this is a tradition that belongs to the whole Church and benefits us all, and shouldn’t be reserved only for those who attend more traditional liturgies. The celebration of the Rogation Days calls to mind and heart that God is ultimately in control of nature, and it provides an opportunity for children and adults alike to learn more about where our food comes from, and to remember our utter dependence on the hard work of those who grow crops and raise livestock as well as their utter dependence on the providence of God. In a world where most of us get our food from the store and many of us are so insulated from the disastrous consequences of a hurricane or tornado, it is important for us to have a regular reminder of our need to pray about these things. Bringing back Rogation Days really does help foster a sense of gratitude for what we have as well as foster an appreciation for our littleness and God's omnipotence. 

The Church has a wealth of blessings available to farmers, ranchers, and home gardeners as well. Even if you can’t convince your parish priest to bring back the Rogation Days at your parish, consider inviting him over to bless your home garden, or if you don’t have any yardspace, maybe your indoor garden if you have plants and herbs inside an apartment or townhome. There is always a need to ask God to bless us and the things He has given us. 

May you have a blessed rogationtide meditating on the providence of God and don’t forget to pray for farmers and ranchers everywhere!