What are Rogation Days?
"Rogation Days are the four days set apart to bless the
fields, and invoke God's mercy on all of creation. The 4 days are April 25,
which is called the Major Rogation (and is only coincidentally the same
day as the Feast of St. Mark); and the three days preceding Ascension
Thursday, which are called the Minor Rogations. Traditionally, on these days,
the congregation marches the boundaries of the parish, blessing every tree and
stone, while chanting or reciting a Litany of Mercy, usually a Litany of the
Saints".
The real name of this procession is The Greater Litanies.
The word Litany means Supplication, and is applied to the religious rite of
singing certain chants whilst proceeding from place to place in order to
propitiate heaven. The two Greek words Kyrie
eleison (Lord, have mercy on
us) were also called Litany, as likewise were the invocations which were
afterwards added to that cry for mercy, and which now form a liturgical prayer
used by the Church on certain solemn occasions.
The Greater Litanies (or processions) are so called to distinguish
them from the Minor Litanies, that is, processions of less importance as far as
the solemnity and concourse of the faithful were concerned. We gather from an
expression of St. Gregory the Great that it was an ancient custom in the Roman
Church to celebrate, once each year, a Greater Litany, at which all the clergy
and people assisted. This holy Pontiff chose April 25 as the fixed day for this
procession, and appointed the Basilica of St. Peter as the Station.
During
the procession, the Litany of the Saints is sung, followed by several versicles
and prayers. The Mass of the Station is celebrated according to the Lenten
Rite, that is, without the Gloria
in excelsis, and in purple vestments.
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