Rogationtide

Rogationtide is a period of prayer, processions, and liturgical rites in Western Christianity, observed in the Roman Catholic Church and in some Anglican and other Protestant traditions. It is traditionally devoted to asking God for favorable weather, fruitful harvests, and protection of communities from calamities, with emphasis on rural life and the opening of fields to blessing.

The name comes from the Latin rogare, “to ask.” Rogationtide originated in the late antique church in Gaul, and is commonly linked to the 5th-century bishop St. Mamertus, who introduced days of prayer and processions to avert disasters. The practice spread across western Europe and often included processions around fields and parish boundaries, a custom sometimes described as “beating the bounds.” A Rogation Sunday typically marks the start of the period, followed by the three Rogation Days (Monday to Wednesday) of intensifying prayer and liturgical rites, and, in many places, a blessing of crops and land.

Liturgy and practice vary by tradition. In the Roman Catholic Church, Rogationtide features penitential elements, the Litany of the Saints, and processions, with prayers asking for mercy and good harvests. In the Anglican Communion, Rogationtide is observed similarly, though practices may differ by parish or province and can be blended with regional harvest customs. In modern times, the influence of Rogationtide varies, with some communities maintaining traditional processions and field blessings, while others emphasize occasional liturgical prayers rather than full observance.

See also: beating the bounds, Rogations, litany of the Rogations.