Post #5913

WEDNESDAY OF ROGATIONS After the disastrous natural and public disasters that struck in the fifth century on the diocese of Vienne, in the Dauphiné, St. Mamertus († 475) established a solemn procession of penance in the three days preceding the feast of the Ascension. The council of Orleans (511) propagated this use throughout France. In 816, the Supreme Pontiff Saint Leo III (795-816) adopted it for Rome and soon the use was extended to the whole Church. The Litany of the Saints, the Psalms and the Orations, which are sung, are prayers of supplication, hence the name Rogations. Their purpose is to ward off the scourges of God's justice, to attract the blessings of his mercy on the fruits of the earth (fruitfulness of the countryside) and to obtain the tranquility of homes, and the holiness of people, in short, the blessing of God in all. how many things. Violet vestments are used as a sign of penance and the Paschal Candle is not lit. The Litany of the Saints sung during the procession are an admirable prayer: they contain brief invocations and ejaculatory prayers in dialogue, in which the charity of the Communion of Saints is manifested, which unites the triumphant Church, the militant Church and the Church in purgatory. Let us follow the example of the Church and put it into practice. The whole Mass demonstrates the efficacy of the prayer of the just, when it is humble, trusting and persevering. With the prayer Elijah closed and opened the heavens (Epistola). Our Lord shows us with two parables that God, who is good, gives his Paraclete to those who ask Him (Evangelium, Alleluja). In afflictions we put our trust in God, and He will hear us as he heard Jesus Christ and exalted him (Introitus, Offertorium).