Hurricane Supplication Day

Hurricane Supplication Day

Fourth Monday in July

Observed in the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John—Hurricane Supplication Day marks the beginning of the hurricane season. Special church services are held to pray for safety from the storms that ravage these and other Caribbean islands. The custom probably dates back to the "rogation" ceremonies which began in fifth-century England—from the word rogare, meaning "to beg or supplicate." Rogations usually followed a frightening series of storms, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, although sometimes they took place annually on the Rogation Days that preceded Ascension Day.
At the end of the hurricane season in October there is a Hurricane Thanksgiving Day . Church services are held on the third Monday in October so that the islanders can give thanks for being spared the destruction of a major storm.

CONTACTS:
United States Virgin Islands, Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 324
Charlotte Amalie, VI 00804
340-776-0100; fax: 340-776-0588
www.usvichamber.com

SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, pp. 126, 181
BkFestHolWrld-1970, p. 125
BkHolWrld-1986, Oct 18
FolkAmerHol-1999, pp. 319, 423

Celebration days: Jul 25, 2011; Jul 23, 2012; Jul 22, 2013; Jul 28, 2014; Jul 27, 2015