rogation days

New Catholic Dictionary illustration of a rogation processionDerivation

  • Latin: rogare, to ask

Also known as

  • Gang Days
  • Cross Week
  • Bittage
  • Bittwoche
  • Kreuzwoche

Dates

  • 25 April
  • the three days before the Ascension

Article

A devotion observed to appease God’s wrath, ask protection, and invoke a blessing on the harvest. The Litany of the Saints is chanted in the procession, and the Rogation Mass follows. The older procession of 25 April, called therefore Major Litany, Christianized a pagan procession in honour of the god Robigus. The institution of the others, adopted in Rome under Pope Leo III as Minor Litanies, is ascribed to Saint Mamertus of Vienne who, c.475, ordered processions with special prayers because of calamities which were afflicting the country. Rogation days were dropped from the Church‘s calendar in the reform of 1970, but since 1988 have been revived.

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “rogation days“. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 September 2022. Web. 18 May 2024. <>