Autumn Ember Days This Week.

The following Text is from THE MISSIVE

On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, this week,

we Commemorate the Autumn Ember Days.

The Ember Days take place four times a year, 

near the commencement of the four Seasons: 

On the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 

following Ash Wednesday, and on the same

days following Pentecost, The Feast of The Exaltation

of The Holy Cross, on 14 September,

and The Feast of Saint Lucy, on 13 December.

Observed at Rome, at least as far back

as the 3rd-Century A.D., the practice of The Ember Days aims to offer thanks to God for the gifts of Creation,

to ask for His Grace in using them in moderation,

and to assist the needy.

The Ember Days consist of Prayer, along with Fasting and Abstinence, or other forms of Penance.
The September Ember Days come at a fortuitous time, when a great deal of Reparation and Penance
are necessary to remedy the ills in The Church.

Moreover, The Ember Days were often a time 
during which Ordinations took place, so they are
a good occasion to Pray for Priests.

Although all Penances and extra Prayers on
The Ember Days are voluntary, let us join in, as 
we are able, and Pray for The Church and her Ministers.

Convertére, Dómine, aliquántulum, et deprecáre super servos tuos. Dómine, refúgium factus es nobis, a generatiónes et progénie.

Return, O Lord, a little, and be entreated
in favour of Thy servants. Lord, Thou hast been
our refuge, from generation to generation.

– The Gradual on Ember Friday and after
The Third Lesson on Ember Saturday.