What is Rogation Sunday? It is a day that the church celebrates and blesses the earth, seedlings, crops, and nature.
The Rogation Days, the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day, originated in Vienne, France (not Vienna, Austria), in 470 AD after a series of natural disasters had caused much suffering among the people. Archbishop Mamertus proclaimed a fast and ordered that special litanies and prayers be said as the population processed around their fields, asking God’s protection and blessing on the crops that were just beginning to sprout. The Latin word rogare means “to ask”, thus these were “rogation” processions. In an agricultural society, closely connected with the soil and highly vulnerable to the uncertainties of nature, this was an idea that took root quickly, and the custom spread around Europe and over to Britain. The Sunday before the Rogation Days came to be considered a part of Rogationtide (or “Rogantide”) and was known as Rogation Sunday. The Gospel formerly appointed for that day was from John 16, where Jesus tells his disciples to ask, and ye shall receive. (www.fullhomilydivinity.org)
On May 5th, we will celebrate Rogation Sunday at our 10:30AM service. On that day, we ask that you wear comfortable clothing and sensible shoes. During this special service, we will bless flowers to be planted around the church. Special prayers will be said for the planting season, crops, and the good stewardship of our earth. At the conclusion of the service, and weather permitting, we will plant flowers (red impatiens to match our church doors) in the flowerbeds. A light and healthy lunch will be served when the work is done. Say a prayer that our frosty weather will be just a memory by May 5th!