Course 4, Chapter 41: Christianity visible. — Rogations. — Procession of St. Mark

1. What are the rogations?

The rogations are three days of procession, prayer and abstinence, which precede the Ascension, to obtain the blessing of God on the fruits of the earth.

2. But are not the laws of nature immutable?

The laws of nature are not immutable; they?re dependent on the will of God who made them.

3. What other prayers does the church say for the fruits of the earth?

The passion of our Lord is recited, which takes place in some countries before mass every morning from the third of May, the feast of the Finding of the Cross, till the fourteenth of September, the day of the Exaltation of the cross.

4. Who established the rogations?

St. Mamertus, bishop of Vienne in Dauphiny, established the rogations towards the close of the fifth century to arrest the scourge which desolated the city of Vienne and all Dauphiny.

5. What is necessary in order to sanctify the rogation days V

We must: 1st, abstain during those three days; 2d, assist at the processions, if we can, with piety and compunction.

6. Who established the procession of St. Mark?

The procession of St. Mark was established by St. Gregory the G'reat, to deprecate the wrath of God and arrest the plague which was desolating the city of Rome in the sixth century.

NOTE — The 2d, 4th, and the latter part of the last question in this chapter are omitted. Abstinence on the Rogation-days is not obligatory in the U. States.