Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts ...

Rogation Days 2012

The prayer we say before meals is but a brief acknowledgement that everything we have, have ever had, will ever have, comes from God.  HIS bounty is endless. So we recently took part in a liturgical celebration at a dairy farm to show our gratitude.  Dairy farm?

Well, Rogation Days, as the Catholic encyclopedia explains it, are three days of prayer before Ascension Day instituted by the Church to appease God's anger at man's transgressions, to ask protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest.  Cows .. milk .. butter .. bread .. harvest -- connection? 
Anyway, this is a beautiful tradition that begins with a procession while chanting the Litany of the Saints ...

Twitter was one of the servers.

Fr. S and big Joe

CoCo prayed along sometimes but mostly kicked up the dust in her cowgirl boots.

Fr. S blessed the field with incense and sprinkled holy water, imploring God to be generous, not just with His provisions for us, but most especially, with His mercy.

Then it was back to the farmhouse ... 

 

 

 

... and mass celebrated outside under a tent ...

... followed by a potluck featuring fresh ground hamburgers (thank you, cows!)

The kids got to play ...

and mingle with their friends.

But as you can see on Little Man's face, he wasn't feeling well. We took leave early, missing out on a tour of the farm and a chance to pet the animals. 

 

 

On the way out we swung past the milking machines ..  giving thanks, once again, to God for His gifts.

 

 

We give you thanks, Almighty God, for these and all thy benefits.  

You who livest and reignest forever and ever.