The 1st Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
after ‘Lucy, Ashes, Dove and Cross’

The term ‘Ember Days’ finds its origin in the Latin Quatuor Tempora (‘four times’). Ember Days are observed  on the successive Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the beginning of the four seasons of the year and are an ancient practice instituted by the Church to thank God for blessings received and to implore further graces for the season ahead. They are intended to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation and to assist those in need.

Ember Days are days of fasting and abstinence and fall annually after :

“Lucy, Ashes, Dove, Cross”

• 13 December (St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr)
• Ash Wednesday
• Whitsunday (Pentecost)
• 14 September (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

From Blessed Be God: A Complete Catholic Prayer Book:
“Wednesday, Friday and Saturday were days of particular devotion in the early Church: Wednesday as recalling the betrayal of our Lord, and Friday in memory of His Passion, Saturday was later added to these days of prayer and penance as a continuation of Friday, and as far back as the second century they were set apart as Stational days, that is, as days of special religious service and fasting.”

The origins of Ember Days date from the ancient Church (at least the fifth century) and the modern format was arranged and prescribed by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085).

As the dismantling, deconstruction and open disregard for the practice of traditional Catholicism gained momentum after Vatican II, veiled in stratagems of ambiguity and seeded generationally, the observance of Ember and Rogation Days were among the early casualties.

Ember Day Prayers

Ant. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee.

V/. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge.
R/. From generation to generation.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that as year by year we devoutly keep these holy observances, we may be pleasing to Thee both in body and soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for God’s Blessing on Our Labours

O Lord, graciously look down upon Thy servants and upon the work of their hands, and do Thou, Who givest food to every creature, bless and preserve the fruits of the earth, that the needy may be filled with good things and that all may praise the glory of Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For more, please visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/emberdays.html