Bulletin Q&A Article, published 9-17-23:
In Fr. Hurley’s homily last week, he referred to four periods of fasting that used to be observed in the old Church calendar. Can you shed some light on what they were?
It’s time to get back to work after my summer hiatus from the “Ask Deacon Joe” column. I would like to thank everyone who has submitted a question either by email or in the box by the side door. I have a substantial list of interesting questions to keep me busy for a while. But before I start to address those questions, I wanted to answer the above topic because it seems timely to do so.
Father mentioned four periods of fasting that Catholics used to observe throughout the year. These were referred to as Ember Days. According to an article by Fr. Arnaud Devillers, “Ember Days are three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) set apart in each of the four seasons for fasting, abstinence and prayer. Tied to the seasonal cycles of farming and harvesting, the purpose of Ember Days is to render thanks to God for the gifts of Creation and to ask His help in using them well. Since 1966, the fasting and abstinence are no longer prescribed but still encouraged.”
We are no longer required to observe the Ember Days. However, as Fr. Devillers indicates, we are still encouraged to consider following the pre-Vatican II practices. But, when and how? First, the when. The Latin phrase Quatuor Tempora means four times. I think it is a bit of a stretch, but supposedly, the word Ember is a corruption of the Tempora portion of the phrase. There are four sets of Ember Days, one set for each season. Each set of Ember Days includes a Wednesday, a Friday, and a Saturday. So there are 12 Ember Days in the year. The Spring Ember Days occur after the first Sunday of Lent, the Summer Ember Days occur during the octave of Pentecost, the Fall Ember Days occur after the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (September 14), and the Winter Ember Days occur following the feast of St. Lucy (December 13). As an example, for 2023, the Ember Days are Spring: March 1, 3 & 4; Summer: May 31, June 2 & 3; Fall: September 20, 22, & 23; and Winter: December 20, 22, & 23. They can be remembered by the rhyme: “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy”
And now, the how. Ember Days are days of thanksgiving, fasting & abstinence, almsgiving, and prayer for priests. We give thanks for the fruits of the earth. We fast on all of the Ember Days and on the Wednesdays and Saturdays we partially abstain from meat, that is, meat only at the principal meal. Of course, the Fridays are days of total abstinence. And we give alms to support those who do not have enough to eat. Ember Days are also times of prayer for priests and seminarians, and for vocations to the priesthood. At one time, priestly ordinations occurred on Ember Saturdays. By observing the Ember Days, it was a way for the laity to show their support. Here is one suggested prayer:
“Let us Pray God, who wills not the death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted and live; grant, by the intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin and of all saints, laborers for Thy Church, fellow laborers with Christ, to spend and consume themselves for souls. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.”
Observing the Ember Days can be a sort of mini retreat. While celebrating Ember Days is not obligatory, the U.S. Bishops state: “We suggest that the devout will find greater Christian joy in the feasts of the liturgical calendar if they freely bind themselves, for their own motives and in their own spirit of piety, to prepare for each Church festival by a day of particular self-denial, penitential prayer and fasting.”