Rogation Days The Rogation Days, or Lesser Litanies, are observed on the three days before the Feast of the Ascension. The other Rogation Day, also known as the Greater Litanies, is observed on 25 April, on which day is usually celebrated the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist. These days are marked liturgically by a procession and the chanting of the litany of the saints, asking for Gods forgiveness and his blessing on newly planted crops. The word rogation comes from the Latin word ROGARE meaning to ask for, to petition. These days originate in the earliest centuries of the Roman Church. +++++++ Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you, alleluia. [Benedictus antiphon, Rogation Monday, Lauds, fifth week after Easter] Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that we who in our afflictions do put our trust in thy goodness, may ever be defended by thy protection against all adversities. Through Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen. [Collect, Rogation Days, fifth week after Easter] For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me, and have believed, alleluia. [Magnificat antiphon, Rogation Monday, Vespers, fifth week after Easter] +++++++ The Lesson from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke Lesson i ch. 11. 5-13 JESUS said unto his disciples: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves. Readings from the Fathers during Matins in Paschaltide. Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop Book 7 on Luke 11 THIS is another instance of the teaching that prayer is to be offered at all times, not only by day, but also by night. For behold, the man who sought out his friend at midnight and asked three loaves of him and persisted in his request, was not denied his prayer. What are these three loaves, except the food of the heavenly mystery? And if you love the Lord your God, you will be able to obtain it, and not only for yourself, but for others as well. For what greater friend have we than he who gave his body for us? Lesson ii FROM him David asked bread at midnight, and received it. He asked when he said, At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee. Thus he gained those loaves which he has set before us to eat. He asked when he said, Every night wash I my bed. Nor was he afraid of disturbing his friends sleep, because he knew him to be always watchful. And therefore mindful of the Scriptures, let us be instant in prayer day and night, and let us ask pardon for our sins. Lesson iii IF David praised God seven times a day, and was always present at the morning and evening sacrifice, he who was so holy and so occupied with the needs of his kingdom, what must we do, who have greater nee€d than he had to beseech God, since we fall so often through weakness of mind and flesh; what must we do to avoid being starved of that bread of life, that bread that strengthens mans heart; when we are wearied by our journey and exhausted by worldly duties and the winding path of earthly life? The Lord teaches us to be watchful, not only at midnight, but at practically every moment. For he comes at evening, and at the second watch, and at the third, and is apt to knock. Then, Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. +++++++ I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy commandments. [Psalm 118[119]:55-56]
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 13:56:42 +0000
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