Beating of the Bounds - Bonavista, NL

Founded in 2018, All Saints is a small but strong congregation in the historic, predominantly fishing and tourism-based outport community of Bonavista, Newfoundland—the site of the very first Anglican Holy Communion in North America back in 1497.

On the fifth Sunday after Easter, this vibrant congregation conducted a special Rogation Sunday service. We connected with their founding rector, Rev. Shaun O’Connor, to learn more about the history and significance behind the tradition.

“Rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare which means ‘to ask’," Rev. O'Connor explained. "In particular, we ask through the BCP2019 Collect that God’s ‘gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and the seas.' This year, favourable weather allowed us to process the Great Litany outside in what is traditionally called the ‘Beating of the Bounds’, a route that encircles the boundaries of a parish. We simply walked through our Community Garden!”

When asked about his ultimate hope and goal for the service, Rev. O'Connor noted that the procession serves as a tangible reminder of our role in the world.

“a great way to glorify God and honour our community as a whole.”

“Our hope, as a community, is always to glorify God in whatever we do, of course, and to instil a greater connection to and stewardship of God’s creation through the seasons, land and sea," he said. "The physical act of walking heightens this sense and the immediacy of our prayers. It is an act of faith.”

That faith is clearly reflected in how the congregation has engaged and grown through the experience. While the tradition might be centuries old, bringing it into the fresh air has given it a new life.

“Our congregation is used to processions of the Great Litany at Advent, Lent and Rogation, but it is still novel to many," Rev. O'Connor shared. "Daniel, one of our young men, particularly likes the honour of carrying the cross for us. Everyone participates with reverence and enthusiasm.”

All Saints is well-known in the small town for this exact enthusiasm and their ongoing contributions to the local community, whether through supporting the local Food Bank or taking their worship into the public square on major days in the Church Calendar like Palm Sunday. They also occasionally lead a ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ service down in the Bonavista Harbour, further tying their faith to the local culture.

“Rogation Sunday and the Beating of the Bounds is a great way to glorify God and honour our community as a whole,” said Rev. O’Connor. “We hope that other parishes may take up this wonderful tradition.”