The week leading up to the Ascension includes three Rogation Days: opportunities to plead for the mitigation of Divine Justice and to ask for a blessing on our crops.
History of Rogation Days
“Earthquakes and other calamities afflicted the diocese of Vienne in Dauphiny (France) in the fifth century, and St. Mamertus, who was bishop of that Diocese, instituted a penitential procession with public supplications on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day.
In 816, Pope Leo III introduced it into Rome, and soon after it became a general observance throughout the Church.
The Litany of the Saints, the Psalms and Prayers sung during the Procession on these days are supplications; hence the name of Rogation Days (‘rogare’, to ask) applied to them.
The object of the rogation supplications is to appease the anger of God and avert the scourges of His justice, and to pray for the harvest.”1
Rogation Days Antiphon
Arise, O Lord, help us and deliver us for Thy Name’s sake (Alleluia). We have heard, O God, with our ears: our fathers have told us. Glory be to the Father …..
- The Daily Missal, Baronius Press. ↩︎
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