from God so long as we have in our hearts hatred against any one
In the sixth petition, " and lead us not into temptation," we acknowledge our frailty, and ask God to remove temptations from us, or, if He permit us to fall into those which the world, the flesh, and the devil prepare for us, to give us grace not to consent to them, but, by combating and overcoming them, to gain the merit and the crown of justice.
In the seventh petition, "but deliver us from evil," we pray to God to preserve us from sin, and the occasions of sin; an evil death and hell; also from all temporal evils, so far as may be for the salvation of our souls.
Rogation Days
THE Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before the Ascension are observed as days of solemn supplication, and are called Rogation Days, from the Latin word rogatio, meaning Litany, because the Litany of the Saints is chanted on those days in the processions which take place.
The Rogation days originated in France. In the year 469
the city of Vienne suffered from earthquakes, failure of crops,
and other calamities. The pious Bishop Mamertus, who saw in
the events the judgment of God, called upon his flock to appease
Heaven by penances, processions, and praters during the three
days before Ascension day. The example of Mamertus was followed by all the French bishops, and the custom finally became
general. These three Rogation days serve also as a preparation
for the feast of the Ascension, which reminds us that we have
the most powerful intercessor in Our Saviour, Who is now enthroned at the right hand of the Father.
The Feast of the Ascension
At the Introit of the Mass the Church sings the words spoken by the angels to the apostles when Jesus ascended to heaven: " Ye men of Galilee, why wonder ye, looking up to heaven? Alleluia. He shall so come as you have seen Him going up into heaven, alleluia! alleluia! alleluia! Oh, clap your hands, all ye nations, shout unto God with the voice of joy." Glory be to the Father, etc.
