ROGATIONTIDE (MAY 23 - 25TH)

A Procession in the English Tradition of Rogationtide

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” - Proverbs 22:28

By Bp. Joseph Boyd (Ancient Church of the West)

Over the next three days, our Church keeps a solemn fast in realization of Christ’s Ascension and our necessity to watch and wait for His return to rule and reign forever. Customarily, this is a time of mourning, not rejoicing, in that we are separated from the One we love. After modern liturgical reforms, many Western churches teach that it is a time of rejoicing, because we await the Holy Spirit and the work of God in the Church. However, our ancient Western Christian Tradition teaches that we should long to see Christ face to face, and not take this current state of separation from Him for granted. 

It is also customary during this time to “Beat the Bounds” and bless our homes, gardens, fields and properties with processions and holy water. We do this to dedicate our homes and crops to God, and to “baptize” everything that belongs to us, being careful not to remove the ancient landmarks that our fathers have established, and remembering our obligation as stewards of all that we possess. During this time, we pray that God blesses our crops, and we restore any fences or landmarks that have fallen over the last year. Since ancient times, our Patrimony has practiced this customs both liturgically as a Church, processing around the parish grounds with icons, candles, and incense, and also practice this informally as a family in our own homes, using blessed water and prayers from our Prayerbook! 

COLLECTS FOR THE SEASON 

Almighty God, you open your hand and fill all living things with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; send forth your breath, and renew the face of the earth; show your loving-kindness, that our land may yield its increase; and save us from selfish use of what you provide, that the poor and needy may give thanks to your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give us all a right satisfaction in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it may produce what is needed to sustain our life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.