Traditionally Rogation Days were agricultural celebrations, where priests blessed land at the beginning of the planting season. Rogation Days were celebrated during the 50 days of Easter on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day. The word, rogation, has its roots in the Latin word which means to “ask” or “petition” and comes from the ancient introit for the Sunday preceding the Ascension. In some places, the celebrations of Rogation Days were quite elaborate and included processions from the church to and around fields while asking for God’s blessing.
Churches that have maintained the practice of celebrating Rogation Days no longer mark these days specifically before Ascension. Instead, Rogation Days are celebrated at times and places that meet local needs. With more emphasis placed on the need for the stewardship of creation, the themes of thanksgiving for the land and petitions for a fruitful earth may be referenced at any time of the year.
In the practice of Zion (Shaffers) United Lutheran Church in York, Pa., the blessing of the animals is part of the service. The congregation processes out of the church building and is met by children and parents who have assembled a host of young farm animals and household pets. These have included hedgehogs, chameleons, turtles, young rabbits and the obligatory cats and dogs. A tree farmer once brought a bucket of seedling evergreens.
Reprinted from Seeds for the Parish
We will celebrate Earth Sunday at Our Savior’s on Sunday, June 28, 2009.
Watch bulletins and the Creation Care Committee blog for more details!
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