Bishop leads Rogation Days celebration
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted May 16, 2002

REMSEN - One year after the Diocese of Sioux City was officially established, in 1903, Rogation Days were  celebrated in northwest Iowa.

Held on the three days before Ascension Thursday, this year May 6-8, Rogation Days is a time to pray for the safety of farmers, stewardship of the land and for a bountiful harvest. This observance is believed to have started in the Middle Ages.

In celebration of Rogation Days, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo was on hand in Remsen for a special Mass to pray with and for farmers. Father Randy Schon and Father Thomas Hart concelebrated the liturgy that was attended by St. Mary's K-12 students. Along with praying for assorted farm-related intentions, the liturgy provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the farmers that are stewards of the land.

"Between 25 to 30 farmers processed in with the American flag and papal flag," said Mary Arens, spiritual life director who helped plan the Mass. "It was very moving." Besides Remsen farmers, people from Oyens and Le Mars were among the congregation.

After Communion, Bishop DiNardo blessed samples of soil and seeds that many of the farmers brought in plastic bags and other containers. The farmers took the samples back home and sprinkled the soil on their land and/or planted the seed.

Paul Loutsch, a retired farmer, brought samples of soil, beans and corn to the liturgy to be blessed for his son. He pointed out that for him it has been a tradition to go to Mass on Rogation Days to "pray for good weather and good crops." In recent years, the farmer has attended the special services sponsored by the school in the last three years.

"It was really special with the bishop here," he said. "He gives such a good homily."

Florence Nilles attended the celebration with her husband Lorne. They have farmed for more than 34 years.

"We are never too busy to take time out for Mass and to ask for God's blessing on the land and for the safety of farmers," she said. "He's the one who created the land in the first place, so we realize how important it is to be good stewards."

Father Schon, religion teacher at St. Mary's stressed the fact that agriculture is an important part "of our community, state, country and world. Our church has many teachings about agriculture that our students and farmers should know about. With so many negative things happening to family farms, it is also important for these families to know that the Catholic Church is on their side."

Freshmen students of Father Schon researched various topics relating to the church and agriculture - Rogation Days, St. Isidore (patron saint of farmers), Bible references relating to agriculture and church teachings on agriculture and stewardship. Based on the research topics, they designed 12 posters that were displayed in the church.

The Gospel of the day was the parable of the Sower and the seed. It centered on farmers sowing seeds in four places - on the footpath, in shallow oil, among weeds and in rich soil.

The seeds symbolize the Word of God and the four places symbolize possible reactions by people. There is no acceptance of God's Word when it is sowed on the footpath where birds eat the seed. When sowed in shallow soil, one may listen to God's Word but it doesn't last. Seeds sowed among weeds symbolize other worldly interests are more important than God's Word.

And finally, when sowed in rich soil the Word of God grows in one's life and makes a difference.

"With rain in the forecast, I was impressed by the number of farmers who took time out of the field to prayer. I think that is real admirable," said Arens. "It showed respect for the land and God. It also set a good example for the schoolchildren - that they put God first."