The Greater Rogations

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

April 25th is the Greater Rogations, or Litania Major (Major Litanies), a day observed with fasting, abstinence, public prayer and solemn processions. The processions were called litania because participants traditionally recited various litanies while wending their way around the parish. However, in 1601 Pope Clement VIII suppressed the public use of numerous invocations and the Litany of the Saints became the norm. Rogation is simply the English form of the Latin rogatio, which comes from the verb rogare, which means “to ask.”

Though it shares the day with the Feast of San Marco Evangelista the two commemorations are not directly connected. An ancient tradition dating back to pagan times, the custom, like Ember Days, supplanted an old Roman festival (in this case the Robigalia) with a sanctified Christian observance. It was revitalized in the 6th century by St. Pope Gregory the Great to invoke God’s mercy and ask for a bountiful harvest.

The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday are the Lesser Rogation Days, or Litania Minor (Minor Litanies). First introduced in Gaul in the 5th century by St. Mamertus of Vienne to appease Our Lord and protect against natural disasters such as fire, earthquakes and blight, the three days in time became universal and helped prepare the faithful for the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Similarly, they are kept with fasting, processions and prayer.

In celebration, I’m posting the anthem and prayer for Rogation Days from Blessed Be God: A Complete Catholic Prayer Book by Very Rev. Charles J. Callan, OP., S.T.M. and Very Rev. John A. McHugh, OP., S.T.M (Preserving Christian Publications, 2010). The accompanying photo of painted ceramic tiles depicting a procession was taken in Vietri Sul Mare, Salerno.

Prayer for Rogation Days

Ant. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you; for every one that sketch receiveth and he he that seekers finders, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

V. He heard my voice from His holy temple.

R. And my cry before Him came into His ears.

Let us pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who in our affliction confide in Thy loving kindness, may be ever defended by Thy protection against all adversity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.