Rogation Days

The calendar in my prayerbook tells me that April 28, 29, and 30 (that is, today, tomorrow, and Wednesday) are Rogation Days. And here's what the note on the backside of the calendar's April page tells me about Rogation Days:

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before thie festival of the Ascension of Our Lord have long been observed as days of prayer for the fruits of the earth and have been more recently expanded to include prayer for human labor and for peace. Congregations may observe the Rogation Days on these days or, preferably, on days days closer to seed time in their areas. The traditional observance consists of Holy Communion preceded by an outdoor procession. This procession may take place at the fields and other locations where labor is perfomed or out of doors on teh church grounds. At various stoppoing point or "stations,"
appropriate Scripture lessons and prayers may be read. Hymns may be sung during the procession. The Litany is begun as the procession enters the church. Petitions concerning the care and fruitfulness of the earth may be inserted into the Litany following the final set of petitions with the response "We implore you to hear us, good Lord." After the Kyries which conclude the Litany, a prayer for the Stewardship of Creation is said as the Prayer/Collect of the Day.

Now, to be quite honest, I have never participated in a Rogation Day Eucharist with Litany, but I'd surely like to, especially with a bunch of farmers, field laborers, gardeners, nursery workers, and anyone who likes to get his or hands soiled up from planting seeds and flowers. From what I know, it's still done in and around country parishes, especially in the mid-West. If anyone knows of a parish observing a Rogation Day in the area, let me know. For now, however, June and I will most likely go out by the garden one evening early this week and say evening prayers with special thanksgiving for God's gift of plants and trees around the house.

Here's a particularly fitting prayer for your Rogation Day; I found it at the conclusion of an exceptionally fine homily, "An Earth Day Sermon," by Steven Whitney, an Anglican professional environmentalist:

Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to reflect on your creation, your covenant with all living things, and our obligation to be good stewards of the gifts you have provided. Help us to understand that each of us has an important role in Caring for Creation, by the choices we make and by the actions we take. Give us the wisdom to choose thoughtfully, and to act with care, in accordance with your will, and your love of this good Earth, our island home.