April 25 is known as the “Major Rogation” which was instituted by Pope St. Gregory the Great (b. 540) after a great plague besieged Rome. It also became associated with the blessing of farms, for a good harvest. It involves a procession and coincides with the Feast of St. Mark. I would invite you all to consider doing a home procession tomorrow for the protection of your family and property. You could begin at your family altar, and go outside (if you can) to do the Litany of the Saints. The priests here will also process around the Church with the same intention. You can download the booklet here to follow the prayers, or use any 1962 daily hand missal:
Rogation Day Procession and Mass Readings
The rogation prayers can be found in most hand missals (see the indications in your missals for April 25th) and begins with an antiphon taken from Psalm 43:26 –“Arise, O Lord, help us and redeem us for Thy name’s sake”. Afterwards, all kneel for the chanting of the Litany of the Saints. At the Litany’s “Sancta Maria”, all stand and the procession begins, which in older times would take place around the boundaries of the territorial parish. Families may also do this at home by processing around their property, sprinkling Holy Water as they go around. One of your boys could hold a cross decorated with flowers to lead the way. After the Litany all can re-assemble at the family altar for the recitation of Psalm 69, followed by a series of petitions for the needs of the Church and for deliverance from general calamity. You could end by reading the following readings from the Rogation Mass: James 5:16-20 and Luke 11:5-14, which emphasize the importance of repentance and prayers of petition.
Let us continue to unite our forces in prayer for the protection of our families and an end to the current COVID-19 crisis. You are being remembered daily at the altar in our masses. Take courage and remember that Our Lord has won the victory over sin and death! He is Risen – Alleluja !