Rogationtide 2020

Rogation Days

In the Easter Season there are three Rogation Days just before Ascension Day.
These are known as minor Rogation Days.
The major day is 25 April (which is also the feast of St Mark).

These days begin on Rogation Sunday (6 Sunday of Easter) and continue on the three days following: this year Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 18, 19, 20 May.

Historically, on these days there were prayers for a good harvest
Processions took place in the fields and around boundaries.
According to the Book of Common Prayer these three days are days of fasting.

George Herbert a 17th century poets and Anglican priest, in his guidance to clergy in A Priest to the Temple, as well as discussing prayer, preaching, and the sacraments,
advises on farming, and other every day matters.  In chapter 35 with regard to traditions he says:

‘if they be good, and harmlesse; and the rather, because Countrey people are much addicted to them, so that to favour them therein is to win their hearts, and to oppose them therin is to deject them…. . Particularly, he [the parish priest] loves Procession, and maintains it, because there are contained therein (4) manifest advantages. First, a blessing of God for the fruits of the field: Secondly, justice in the Preservation of bounds…’

Rogation could be thought of as the starting line or kick off for Harvest Festival:

Prayer:

Almighty God, whose will it is that the earth should bear its fruit in their seasons:
direct the labours of those who work on the land,
that they may employ the resources of nature to your glory,
for our own well-being, and for the relief of those in need;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(ASB)

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To preserve the boundaries “Beating the Bounds”
marked and maintained the boundaries of the parish.  This ancient ceremony may have been occurring
since Anglo Saxon times. Over the centuries it has been banned and then revived.
Youngsters would hit the fence, hedge, field boundary
or wall with a branch of willow or similar plant.

Its other purpose was to bless the land
and pray for a good harvest.

A litany (a series of petitions) is often used as the procession beats the bounds of the parish.
The group walks round the perimeter of the parish.
As the leader calls the petition the group responds (hear us, good Lord)

Alternatively the group may stop at a station, or particular landmark, for prayer.

Reading: Ezekiel 34. 25 – 27

I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild animals from the land,
so that they may live in the wild and sleep in the woods securely.
I will make them and the region around my hill a blessing;
and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.
The trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase.

Prayer:

Almighty God, you have provided
the resources of the world
to maintain the life of your children,
and have so ordered our life
that we are dependent upon each other.
Bless all people in their daily work, and,
as you have given us the knowledge to produce plenty,
so give us the will to bring it within reach of all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(ASB, adapted)

Reading: Colossians 3. 25

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord.

Prayer:

Remember, Lord, your mercy and loving-kindness towards us.
Bless this good earth, and make it fruitful.
Bless our labour, and give us all things needful for our daily lives.
Bless the homes of this parish and all who live within them.
Bless our common life and our care for our neighbour.
(Times and Seasons – Rogation Litany)

(With thanks to Joan for the text and Becca for the photos)