The word "rogation" comes from a Latin word that means "to ask." In the latter part of the fifth century, the region of Vienne, France, experienced an earthquake, fire and bad weather which combined to ruin their young crops and cause widespread hunger. To ask God's protection against future disasters, the bishop inaugurated three days of penitence and prayer on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday.
This custom spread to the rest of France, and soon to the whole Church.
The penitential character of these days is out of step with the Easter season, and the traditional form of the Rogation Days is no longer observed.
However, particularly in farm areas, there is a growing custom of gathering to pray for God's blessings upon the newly planted crops and the eventual harvest.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw