ZEPHYRINUS.: Ember Wednesday In September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Ember Wednesday in September.

Station at Saint Mary-Major.

Violet Vestments.

Iona Abbey,

Scotland.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

As on other Wednesdays in Ember Weeks, The Station is held at Saint Mary-Major.

The Prophet Amos had foretold in the 8th-Century B.C., the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel and its coming restoration (Lesson). Later on, indeed, Nehemias and Esdras brought back the captives from Babylon and rebuilt Jerusalem.

When this work was completed, they all assembled on the first day of the seventh month, when Esdras read to them The Law of Moses and said: "This is The Holy Day of The Lord, be not sad for The Joy of The Lord is our strength" (Epistle and Communion).

English: Basilica of Saint Mary-Major, Rome,

where The Mass is said on Ember Wednesday in September.

Italiano: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma.

Photo: 23 May 2016.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pierre-Selim Huard.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Wednesday in September Ember Week, which month was formerly, as its name shows, the seventh of the year, recalls this joyous Anniversary, which was a figure of our redemption by Jesus; indeed, the Introit tells us to be thrilled with joy in God our protector.

This joy is accompanied by the spirit of penitence expressed in the Violet Vestments used, and The Church Prays that we, depriving ourselves of bodily nourishment, may also abstain from sins of the mind (Collect). The Gospel, indeed, speaks of the impure spirit, which can only be dispelled by Prayer and Fasting.

Having fallen into sin through our weakness, let us Pray and Fast that God may give a remedy by His merciful help (Collect before the Lesson).

Mass: Exsultáte Deo.