CHARLOTTE — St. Thomas Aquinas’ pastor Father Matthew Codd offered the first Rogation Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the parish’s history April 25.
The name “Rogation” comes from the Latin word “rogare,” which means to ask or petition, and had its origins in 6th Century Rome when Pope Gregory the Great instituted the commemoration to beg God’s intercession to end a plague.
The ancient Rogation Mass is a penitential Mass, with the priest wearing violet vestments, and Mass is preceded by the chanting the Litany of the Saints, and an outdoor procession.
Besides this being Father Codd’s first Rogation Mass, this Mass was likely the first public Rogation Mass offered since the diocese was established in 1972.
The Extraordinary Form commemorates two sets of Rogation Masses each year.
The first, celebrated on April 25, is called the “major” Rogation day or “Greater Litanies,” while another set of Rogation Masses are commemorated during the three days prior to Ascension Thursday.
These Ascension week Rogation Masses are of French origin from the 5th Century and were instituted to implore God’s protection against natural disasters. These latter Masses, called the “minor” Rogation day or “Minor Litanies,” are occasionally accompanied by a blessing of fields or farms.
The Rogation Mass in Charlotte wasn’t the only commemoration in the diocese this year. Father Jason Christian, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon, also offered a special Rogation Mass and procession April 25.
— Markus Kuncuro and Mike FitzGerald, correspondent