This is the Major Rogation Day, traditionally celebrated in the Church. The Rogation Days are similar in spirit to the Ember Days, seeking mercy and blessings upon the coming season. These were the celebrations that made people love the Church and feel connected to her. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to bring all these beautiful practices back? This Rogation Day, as the world and the Church continues to suffer, how appropriate a time to observe this ancient tradition! From “Catholic Answers Encyclopedia:”
“Rogation Days, days of prayer, and formerly also of fasting, instituted by the Church to appease God’s anger at man’s transgressions, to ask protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest…The Rogation Days are the 25th of April, called Major, and the three days before the feast of the Ascension, called Minor.” For full text: https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/rogation-days
The “Litany of the Saints” was normally recited on the Rogation Days. Pray it with your family! https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-the-saints-250
Also, if you did not have the chance to perform the Divine Mercy devotion last Sunday, wouldn’t this Rogation Day be a great time to do that? Please see our previous post for our “at home” program. It doesn’t take long! My husband and I prayed it and it was quite a blessing and consolation at this time, especially the closing prayer:
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
This Rogation Day is also the feast of Saint Mark. Saint Mark, pray for us at this hour!