Sat the 25th is a Rogation Day

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CF_Mathews

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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! Litany of the Saints | EWTN

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 below 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.

Divine Mercy Sunday At HomeA Project of Nomen Christi Apostolate
 
The SSPX and other TC communities practice the Rogation days and encourage the faithful to do so as well. Unfortunately this year they probably won’t have processions.
 
The Ordinariates also observe Rogation Days including “beating the bounds”.
 
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When the Liturgical Calendar was revised in 1969, it delegated observance of both Ember Days and Rogation Days to the bishops’ conferences. The bishops apparently chose not to have them. I think in UK they were regarded as agricultural festivals, where people prayed that God protect their crops from blight and such, so maybe they thought the context was lost. The one on April 25 also conflicts with the feast of St. Mark, which, though not a solemnity, is important enough of a feast that it seems a bit odd to fast, which is one reason why I’m only abstaining. Also, between Easter and Pentecost it seems weird to be fasting when we just got done with Lent.

One is still free to commemorate the day privately in any event.
 
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Today is also the feast of St Mark, which is a full feast not a memorial. I wonder if it’s not his feast on the EF calendar? Not sure it’s fair to St Mark if I fast on his feast day ;).
 
It was his feast on the EF calendar as well. My old missals from the 1800s and such, that I use for this sort of thing, have him on this day.

Like I said, I just do the abstinence. I’m sure St. Mark would be okay with me eating a grilled cheese sandwich and grapes on his day.

Some old missals only refer to the Minor Rogation Days, which precede Ascension and would thus fall into the “Fast before a Feast” category, Some old missals refer to doing the procession on April 25 for the Major Rogation (same day as St. Mark’s feast if St. Mark’s feast is not transferred) and don’t talk about fasting or abstinence.

I’ve also read that the Major Rogation on April 25 pre-dated the Church putting the feast of St. Mark on April 25. The feast of St. Mark apparently used to be later.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
he one on April 25 also conflicts with the feast of St. Mark, which, though not a solemnity, is important enough of a feast that it seems a bit odd to fast, which is one reason why I’m only abstaining. Also, between Easter and Pentecost it seems weird to be fasting when we just got done with Lent.
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Good points. I am doing a half abstinence (meat at one meal). And special prayer.
 
Fortunately I found my little prayer plan with readings, litany etc. that I made up for the last Major Rogation day. The missals I have focus more heavily on the Minor Rogation days. The Major Rogation day pretty much just says to say a couple of prayers and, if the procession is taking place, to say the Litanies.

Anyway I “beat the bounds” of my tiny little yard by processing in bare feet (I’m usually barefoot anyway) with a holy card of the Divine Mercy while praying the Litany, and did the preceding and ending prayers and readings in the house.
 
Didn’t see this until the evening of the 25th, but thankfully in time to have a simple supper and pray the Litany. Thanks, @CF_Mathews.
 
It’s the Feast of St. Mark on the Byzantine calendar too but we don’t have Rogation Days. Afaik that’s only in the Latin Church.
 
Don’t forget the Byzantine calendar!
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
Anyway I “beat the bounds” of my tiny little yard by processing in bare feet (I’m usually barefoot anyway) with a holy card of the Divine Mercy while praying the Litany, and did the preceding and ending prayers and readings in the house.
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wonderful and it sounds like you “grounded” as well-very healthy!
 
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