Skip to main content

The ember days

Ember days are no longer an obligation, but it is a definite added option to Lent or Advent. Ember days are four separate sets of three days within the same week. These days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

On Ember days, one must not eat between meals and only eat meat for one meal. If an ember day falls on a Friday, do not eat meat at all.

Before Christianity came, Ember days were for pagan practices. It was abstaining and fasting for renewal. Catholic bishops tried not to take it over but have it adapted for Catholicism.

These days set apart for special prayer and fasting were considered especially suitable for the ordination of clergy. The Ember Days are known in Latin as the quattuor anni tempora (the "four seasons of the year"), or formerly as the jejunia quattuor temporum ("fasts of the four seasons").

The Ember Weeks—the weeks in which the Ember Days occur—are the weeks:

between the third and fourth Sundays of Advent (although the Common Worship lectionary of the Church of England places them in the week following the second Sunday in Advent);

between the first and second Sundays of Lent;

between Pentecost and Trinity Sunday; and

The week beginning on the Sunday after Holy Cross Day (September 14), the liturgical Third Week of September.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Being Catholic and voting for pro choice candidates do not mix

I felt deeply saddened seeing Clinton bumper stickers on cars at the Catholic Church I attend.  I also felt saddened to hear some catechism teachers are also voting for Clinton. How is this possible?  Where is the disconnect? Yes, we do have Church and state, but when we're talking about 700,000 unborn babies being killed a year, abortion takes center stage.  I'm pro life because of biology and loving other human beings.  Jesus Himself has said, that He has loved each one of us before we were born.  Being Christian and Catholic centers around love and compassion.  Abortion isn't either of these things. A baby is killed and a woman is left injured and often in regret. Killing innocent lives is the opposite of love and therefore the opposite of God. I am fully and painfully aware there are other issues in the country.  I know Trump isn't this wonderful, pleasant person.  I don't like him but voting goes beyond personal feelings. But I also know that...

14 ways to say I love you

Expressing your love is essential in any loving relationship.. People need to feel loved in order to believe it. No, not everyday can be Valentine's Day. However, with a little effort you can express it daily.  Use sticky notes and post loving messages where people will find it. Help with chores without being asked.  Keep the house clean. A clean house equals a happy spouse. If something goes wrong, both take responsibility. Don't ever let them feel alienated on a difficult situation.  Never put down their appearance especially weight. Instead offer activities that are healthy to do together. Hold hands and kiss often. Out of the blue, give a random special surprise. It doesn't need to be expensive. Just something that you know you will like. When you are angry, think about all the nice things that they do. It will help dissolve anger. Compliment three times as much as complaining.  Always try to spend time together each day. Don't let the busy life consume you. When...

What are your pearls?

What is your pearl? Pearls are precious to us because they are beautiful and valuable. To God, we are His pearls and He values us so very much.  The homily today was about the pearl and Solomon . Solomon wanted to treat God’s people as pearls.  The priest asked what is your pearl? One of my greatest pearls happened to be standing right before me. My daughter was an altar server today, and it never gets old watching her serve Mass. She moves with such grace, reverence and respect for God.  She and my son are both pearls, and I'd do anything for them. My husband is also my pearl. Marriage is tough especially with work and children.  Finding time, keeping romance alive and actions are so important. Hearing I love you is crucial and the actions follow up are things I try to do daily. Teaching is my pearl because it's a gift from God.  I teach daily to my children and students in Church. I teach by my writings and am now trying to find a job teaching. I tre...