From the Rector

Dear friends in Christ, 

With spring unfolding around us, the Church is preparing to observe one of its most venerable traditions: Rogationtide. This year, Rogation Days fall on May 26th, 27th, and 28th, the three days preceding Ascension Thursday.

Dating back to the 5th century, Rogation Days are set aside for special prayers invoking God's blessing upon the fruits of the earth and divine mercy for all creation. "Rogation" comes from the Latin rogare, meaning "to ask." These three days recall our dependence on God's loving care and our responsibility as stewards of creation.

Parishes traditionally mark these days with the Litany of the Saints and processions around the parish boundaries. These processions are sometimes called "beating the bounds" and centuries ago served both a practical and spiritual purpose, establishing parish territory while interceding for God's blessing on the land, crops, and all who worked them. The clergy and faithful would walk the perimeter of their parish, stopping at significant landmarks for prayer and scripture readings.

The Book of Common Prayer provides three beautiful Collects specifically for Rogationtide, focusing on fruitful seasons, commerce and industry, and our stewardship of creation. Each prayer acknowledges our reliance upon God's providence and reminds us of our responsibilities toward one another and the world of which we are a part. 

In our day, with the heaviness of environmental concerns and disconnection from the sources of our daily sustenance, Rogationtide offers an important reminder of God's constant care for his creation and our role as faithful stewards of his gifts. I'm reminded of a bidding from Form IV of the Prayers of the People: "Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation,  that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory" (BCP 388).

Here is one of the three Collects appointed by for Rogationtide, for right stewardship of creation:

"O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the
needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for
your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the
account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards
of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen" (BCP 259).

Peace be with you~

Fr. Peter