Liturgy/leiturgia/Rogation Day Procession 2006

These are photographs taken at the Blessing of the Fields - Rogation Day Procession and Mass at Tom Tragardh and David Cortez's country home in Sebastopol, California.

We gathered at the chapel to first talk about what a Rogation Day procession means to urban people.
O God, our first home was a garden of your own making. Bless + these plants that they may not only be food for our bodies, but a sign of our dependence on your wonderful creation, and your love for us. Amen.	The first station was at the Vegetable Garden where we blessed the plants, and...
...blessed earth, water, and seed.	Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon this seed, this earth, and this water, and grant that they may serve to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
You showers and dew, ´bless the Lord -* praise him, and magnify ´him for ever. You winds of God, ´bless the Lord;* praise him, and magnify ´him for ever. You winter and summer, ´bless the Lord -* praise him, and magnify ´him for ever.	A Canticle was sung as the congregation moved from station to station.
In the Wild Area we prayed for animals of all kinds, and asked God's blessing on them.	O God, you are the creator of all things. Even the wild beasts know the touch of your finger, and the protection of your eye. Bless +, O God, this wild area and the deer who live here. Protect the new fawns, for they are a sign of our love for you. Protect all the creatures of this place from fire and starvation, for all things look to you. Amen.
O God, it is you who made the orchard a home. It is you who dappled a field with trees full of fruit so that Adam and Eve might live and delight in your presence. Bless + these fruit trees, and this field, that we might always be reminded of our first home, and the love you have for us. Protect these trees from disease and from the ravages of other hungry creatures that we may feast on your goodness. Amen.	The Apple and Apricot Trees are blessed.
Next the fir trees, cedars, and meadow are blessed.	O God of forest and mountain, we praise you for the mighty trees that formed your temple, and became the arms of the cross. In these signs you have appeared to us, and have blessed us with worship and salvation. Bless + these trees that they may remind us as well of the Babe of Bethlehem who brings delight and mercy to troubled hearts. Amen.
O God, you walk with your people on this earth. In Jesus, we have a brother who shared life with us. In the Spirit, we have a friend who stands beside us in all things. Walk with us in this garden, and bless + it with your presence. May these waters remind us of our baptism and our kinship with you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen	The Walking Garden and its Fountain are blessed, and the people are sprinkled in remembrance of their baptisms.
At the house, prayers are said for the house, David and Tom, and the chapel	Visit, O blessed Lord, this home and chapel with the gladness of your presence. Bless Tom and David, who live here, and all who visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them, and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

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