This week is the week of the Fall Ember Days...as well as our Diaconate Couples Retreat Weekend!
You can find out about Ember Days HERE
Shorter version is below:
While it is no longer a world-wide Catholic observance, many places still observe Ember Days...
Ember has nothing to do with Ash Wednesday, or burning coals...
Like other words we use in the Church...it has to do with Latin.
The Ember Days take place on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday in a week of each of the four season of the year. They fall after Ash Wednesday, after Whitsunday, and after Sept. 14th, and after Dec. 13th.
Wednesday, Friday & Saturday were particular days of devotion in the early Church: Wednesday as recalling the the betrayal of our Lord, 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 2nd century they were set apart as Stational days, that is, days of special religious service and fasting.
The Ember Days are a reminder of these ancient days of devotion. Their purpose is to thank God for the fruits of the earth and other gifts of nature, to teach moderation in their use, and to assist the needy. From the time of Pope Gelasius in the fifth century it has been allowed to confer the diaconate & priesthood on the Saturdays of Ember Weeks.
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 thee holy observances, we may be pleasing to Thee both in body and soul. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN
~ Taken from Blessed Be God (Prayer book)
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