What is "rogation"

Rogation \Ro*ga"tion\, n. [L. rogatio, fr. rogare, rogatum, to ask, beg, supplicate: cf. F. rogation. Cf. Abrogate, Arrogant, Probogue.]

1. (Rom. Antiq.) The demand, by the consuls or tribunes, of a law to be passed by the people; a proposed law or decree.

2. (Eccl.) Litany; supplication.

   He perfecteth the rogations or litanies before in use.
   --Hooker.

   Rogation days (Eccl.), the three days which immediately precede Ascension Day; -- so called as being days on which the people, walking in procession, sang litanies of special supplication.

   Rogation flower (Bot.), a European species of milkwort ( Polygala vulgaris); -- so called from its former use for garlands in Rogation week.
   --Dr. Prior.

   Rogation week, the second week before Whitsunday, in which the Rogation days occur.

late 14c., from Latin rogationem (nominative rogatio) "an asking, prayer, entreaty," noun of action from past participle stem of rogare "to ask," apparently a figurative use and meaning literally "to stretch out (the hand)," from PIE *rog-, 0-grade form of root *reg- "move in a straight line" (see regal). Related: Rogations.\n

\nRogation days were the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day, a time for processions round fields blessing crops and praying for good harvest, also blessing the boundary markers of each parish. Discouraged by Protestants as superstitious, but continued or revived in modified form as beating the bounds.

n. 1 A deeply serious and somber prayer or entreaty. 2 (context historical Roman antiquity English) The demand, by the consuls or tribunes, of a law to be passed by the people; a proposed law or decree.

n. a solemn supplication ceremony prescribed by the church

Rogation may refer to:

• Rogation days, as marked on the Christian calendar of the Western Church
• Rogatio, the constitutional procedure by which a bill became law in ancient Rome