What is "rogation days"

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.

Rogation days are days of prayer and fasting in Western Christianity. They are observed with processions and the Litany of the Saints. The so-called major rogation is held on 25 April; the minor rogations are held on Monday to Wednesday preceding Ascension Thursday. The word rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning "to ask", which reflects the beseeching of God for the appeasement of his anger and for protection from calamities.

The beginnings of the major rogation can be traced to the Roman holiday of Robigalia, at which a dog was sacrificed to propitiate Robigus, the god of agricultural disease. The practitioners asked the god for protection of their crops from wheat rust.