Today is an ember day. What’s that?

[Michie]

Wednesday, Dec. 18, is a special day in the Catholic Church, though relatively few Catholics probably realize it.

This Wednesday — along with the following Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20 and 21 — is an ember day, a day traditionally set aside for fasting and abstinence from meat. These three upcoming ember days are the last ones of 2024.

But what are ember days, and why do they exist?

Ember days are tied to the four seasons of the year. The reason “ember” is associated with these days seems to be that the word is a corruption of the Latin phrase “quatuor tempora,” meaning four seasons.

Each of the four seasons of the year contains three ember days. The 12 total ember days throughout the year are:

• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Ash Wednesday
• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Pentecost
• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14)
• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the feast of St. Lucy, which is Dec. 13

Continued below.

Today is an ember day. What’s that?

Wednesday, Dec. 18, is a special day in the Catholic Church, though relatively few Catholics probably realize it.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

Wednesday, Dec. 18, is a special day in the Catholic Church, though relatively few Catholics probably realize it.

This Wednesday — along with the following Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20 and 21 — is an ember day, a day traditionally set aside for fasting and abstinence from meat. These three upcoming ember days are the last ones of 2024.

But what are ember days, and why do they exist?

Ember days are tied to the four seasons of the year. The reason “ember” is associated with these days seems to be that the word is a corruption of the Latin phrase “quatuor tempora,” meaning four seasons.

Each of the four seasons of the year contains three ember days. The 12 total ember days throughout the year are:

• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Ash Wednesday
• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Pentecost
• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14)
• The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the feast of St. Lucy, which is Dec. 13

Continued below.

Today is an ember day. What’s that?

Wednesday, Dec. 18, is a special day in the Catholic Church, though relatively few Catholics probably realize it.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

The Ordinariate observes the Ember Days and informs members of them. Aside from them I have NEVER since about 1970 hears a word about Ember Days. I think it could be good to bring them back.

And, while I'm at it, kneeling for communion, which is used for TLM and most Ordinariate masses, is a good thing to bring back too, Cardinal Cupich aside.

 

[RileyG]

The Ordinariate observes the Ember Days and informs members of them. Aside from them I have NEVER since about 1970 hears a word about Ember Days. I think it could be good to bring them back.

And, while I'm at it, kneeling for communion, which is used for TLM and most Ordinariate masses, is a good thing to bring back too, Cardinal Cupich aside.

I very much need to get to St. Barnabas in Omaha someday soon! I don't know how much longer they will be around! I only pray and hope God will raise up many more priests and faithful for the Ordinariate from displeased Episcopalians and Methodists.

 

[RileyG]

I need to get back into fasting and practicing other ancient customs.

Thank God our Church is full of so much tradition and history.

God has definitely been merciful towards us.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I very much need to get to St. Barnabas in Omaha someday soon! I don't know how much longer they will be around! I only pray and hope God will raise up many more priests and faithful for the Ordinariate from displeased Episcopalians and Methodists.

I think they will continue to be around.

The Ordinariate is not a place to be disgruntled but a place to witness how original Christianity had been conducted in an English theme before Henry VIII made a mess, and taking the best of their experiences since then. They are a witness to how one can go from being a WASP to being Catholic, and as such they DO have appeal to Episcopalians and Methodists fleeing the collapse of those groups. But they are also a witness to us for reverent liturgies.