Myths, folklore, & symbolism
Rogation Days: These are the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day, on which, before the Reformation, priests led processions round the fields, blessing crops and praying for good harvests. A secondary purpose was to bless the main boundary markers of each parish, in towns as well as rural areas. A cross, relics, hand-bells, and banners were carried; those taking part were sometimes given a communal meal supplied from church funds, or received food at the houses they passed. The event was also known as Cross Days or, in northern districts, Gang Days (from gang = walk). (Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore)
They still hold rogation days in some rural Catholic churches; the congregation gathers each day for a week to pray for favorable weather for the growing season, and to bless farmers and fields.
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