Episode 1211: Minor Rogation Days 2023

Rogation Days, comprise the Major Rogation (Major Litany) on April 25 and the Minor Rogations (Minor Litany) on the three days before the feast of the Ascension (40th day after Easter).

The Major Rogation (from Latin rogare, “to ask [for God’s blessings and mercy]”) which we already celebrated on the April 25th originated by Pope Gregory I, in the year 598. The procession always returned to St. Peter’s Basilica, where mass was celebrated.

The Minor Rogations were first introduced by St. Mamertus of Vienne about the year 470 and were made binding for all by the first Council of Orléans (511). Later (c. 800) the festival days were adopted in Rome by Pope Leo III. The Minor Rogations were traditionally observed with processional litanies and fasting as a supplication. In 1969 the Minor Rogations were changed to votive masses.

So what do we as Catholics do over the next three days? The faithful observe the Rogation days by fasting and abstinence in preparation to celebrate the Ascension.