Prayers for Rogationtide

prayers arranged by Scott Gunn
commentary by Carl Fortunato

Rogation Days are an old religious custom. The word "rogation" come from the Latin rogare, which means "to ask," and the Rogation Days are four days set apart to bless the fields, and ask for God's mercy on all of creation. The 6th Sunday of Easter is called the Major Rogation; the three days preceding Ascension Thursday are called the Minor Rogations.

The Rogation Days were first instituted in the 5th Century by Mamertus, bishop of Vienne in France from 461 to 475. His Episcopacy was marked by near-continuous disaster. In the space of a single year - around 470 - a fire destroyed the king's palace, a pestilence killed the cattle, the populace was terrorized by attacks of hungry wolves, and there were earthquakes.

In response, Mamertus led his flock in three days of prayer and procession leading up to the feast of the Ascension, In 511, the Fifth Council of Orleans made the three days of prayer mandatory in France. In the 9th Century, Pope Leo III extended the practice to the entire church.

The standard practice in the Episcopal Church is to pray for fruitful seasons on Monday, commerce and industry on Tuesday, and stewardship of creation on Wednesday. When currently observed, the practice frequently has an environmental bent, and is a time to be reminded of the obligations to be good stewards of God's creation. (Collects For Rogation Days on pages 258 & 259)

As we consider Holy Living & Holy Dying during this pandemic, maybe praying like Mamertus once did, may be helpful for us all.


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Just after the postcommunion prayer, we deviate from the usual conclusion of the liturgy.
THE ROGATION PROCESSION

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
Let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has brought forth her increase;
May God, our own God, give us his blessing.
May God give us his blessing,
And may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
Let us pray.

Almighty God, the Giver of all that is good, you promise to hear the prayers of those who ask in your Son’s Name. We pray that in your mercy you will supply all our needs, so that daily we may offer our lives to your praise and glory. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us go forth in peace.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMN 292 (Kingsfold, set by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Words: Ed­ward W. Ben­son, 1860)

AT THE WEST STATION

For hospitals
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For schools
Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the unemployed
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable employment, and receive just payment for their labor, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE SOUTH STATION

For the Parish House
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with all those who gather in our Parish House, that we may continue the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For homes
Heavenly Father, we commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Let your holy angels dwell with them to preserve them in peace, and let your blessing be upon them always. Amen.

For the homeless and poor
Most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons: the homeless and the destitute, the oppressed and rejected, and all who have none to care for them. Rise up, O God, and maintain their cause; help us to share with them as you have shared with us, for the love of your Son who for our sakes became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE EAST STATION (The memorial garden)

For the departed
Almighty and everlasting God, the God of the spirits of all women and men, we pray you to give to those who rest in Jesus the blessings of your love, that the good work which you began in them may come to its true end in the day of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

For justice
Almighty God, you have given all peoples one common origin, and your will is to gather them as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of all with the fire of your love and the desire to ensure justice for all our sisters and brothers. By sharing the good things you give us, may we secure justice and equality for every human being, and a human society built on love and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For workers
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give is all a pride in what we do and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE NORTH STATION (facing the Green)

For gardens
God, our Father in heaven, by your Son Jesus Christ you promised to those who look first for your rule and your justice all things that their bodies need, send us we pray you rain and sun for our gardens as shall be good for them and for our food, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For towns and cities
Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that Holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory; behold and visit, we pray, the towns and cities of the earth. Have mercy upon all who live and work in them. Guide them into the way of justice and truth, establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, and hasten the time when the cities of this world shall become the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For our community
O God, you have brought us together in this place to learn your will and to be your family. We ask you to bless us with your Holy Spirit that we may live and work for you and for each other. Help us to live together in love and joy and peace. Make us strong to bear all trouble that may come to us, that we may know and do your will in all things. Draw us near to you in our prayers, and give us happiness in our feasts and times together. Give us hearts of praise and thanksgiving for all your goodness and mercy; and help us to remember those who are poor, starving, sick, or homeless. Finish in us all good work which we have begun, that we may spread your rule in all the world, to the honor and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE BLESSING

May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the source of all goodness and growth,
pour blessings upon all things created,
and upon you, God’s children,
that you may use God’s gifts to God’s glory and the welfare of all peoples;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

THE DISMISSAL

Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.