Ember Days: Fall 2024
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The Ember Days constitute a highly valuable, extremely ancient, and likely apostolic tradition. They fulfil a healthy natural religious instinct and perfected it in Christ, drawing a new sacramental significance from the agricultural year. They remind us of our dependence upon God and upon the goods of the earth. They link us to our Jewish forebears. They teach us that we ourselves are embodied, and part of nature. They serve as quarterly, cleansing times of penitence. They enjoined humility.
What are “Ember Days”? Four times a year, the Church sets aside three days of prayer and fasting to focus on God through His marvelous creation to bring about a deeper spiritual renewal (Zacharias 8:19). These quarterly periods are organized around the beginnings of the four natural seasons. They are kept on a successive Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, observing prayer and fasting on Ember Days was part of the universal custom. Voluntarily, we are invited to participate in the upcoming autumn Ember Days in the following ways:WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet (perhaps while attending Eucharistic Adoration, which is offered at St. Elizabeth from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.).
Fast from excess clutter by donating extra items to the St. Vincent de Paul store.Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Fast by only eating one full meal (and two meals that do not together do not equal one full meal).Pray for the permanent Deacons who serve throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee -- including those newly ordained on September 7.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Fast from unnecessary commitments.
