Illustrated Catholic Family Annual – Gospel-trees

New Catholic Dictionary illustration of a rogation processionArticle

The old custom of processions in Rogation Week gave a sacredness to boundary-lines by stopping to pray or read the Gospel at certain trees which marked the limits, many of which are still preserved in England. These are called “Gospel-trees.” Herrick alludes to them:

“Dearest, bury me
Under that Holy-Oke, or Gospel-tree;
Where (though thou see’st not) thou may’st think upon
Me, when thou yeerly go’st Procession.”

MLA Citation

  • “Gospel-trees”. Illustrated Catholic Family Annual, 1880. CatholicSaints.Info. 14 January 2017. Web. 18 May 2024. <>