Ember Days

by Paul Turner

Ember days were observed on the Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays following the feast of St. Lucy (December 13), the First Sunday of Lent, Pentecost and the feast of the Holy Cross (September 14). The faithful fasted, eating only one full
meal, and abstained from meat on each of those days, just as we do today on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All the Masses included special prayers. The Ember Saturday Masses became a vigil that increased the number of readings to seven: five from the Old Testament, one from the epistles and a Gospel. The expanded liturgy of Ember Saturdays made them popular days for the
ordination of priests. Many priests ordained prior to 1969 can trace their anniversary date to an ember Saturday.

The four sets of Ember days no longer appear on the universal church calendar nor do we distinguish Ember days from Rogation days. Instead, the date, frequency and theme for days of prayer have been entrusted to conferences of bishops. On these days the regional church prays for the needs of all people, especially for the productivity of the earth, for human labor and to give public thanks. Other themes may include the harvest, peace, the unity of the church or the spread of the faith.

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Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.