Rogationes

Rogationes is a Latin term that has two principal senses in historical and religious contexts. In Western Christianity, it refers to Rogation Days, a set of days of prayer and supplication. In ancient Rome, rogationes could denote legislative proposals or petitions submitted to magistrates or assemblies. The word derives from rogare, “to ask” or “to beg.”

In Christian usage, Rogation Days are days of supplication and intercession for mercy, peace, and agricultural blessings. Their origin is traditionally traced to the 5th century, when Bishop Mamertus of Vienne introduced days of fasting and processions to implore divine favor. Over time, the practice spread throughout the Western Church and came to include a formal litany and public processions, sometimes around parish boundaries or through fields.

Practices during Rogatione include processions, exorcises or prayers, and the recitation of litanies, most notably the Litany of the Saints. In many places, the litany is sung during the outdoor processions, and holy water may be used to bless fields and crops. The Rogation Days are typically observed on the three days preceding Ascension Day (Rogation Monday–Wednesday), although arrangements vary by local calendar. In some regions, the emphasis has shifted toward collected prayers within Mass rather than public processions.

By the modern era, Rogationtide remains observed in several Western churches, including certain Catholic and Anglican communities, though practices can be regional and less common in urban settings. The term rogationes also appears in historical legal contexts to describe proposed measures, but it is primarily recognized today for the liturgical Rogation Days and their agricultural and devotional associations.