Ember Days after Pentecost

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Does anyone still observe ember days? If so, how? I’ve just started reading up on this old traditional discipline.
 
Archbishop Vlazny re-established Ember Days in the Archdiocese of Portland to pray for the healing with those who have been abused and to pray for their reconciliation with the Church. (This was in 2002, I think.) Three days a year are currently observed; one each in Fall, Advent, and Lent. Unlike days of fasting prescribed by the Church, observance is encouraged, but not compulsory.
 
Ember days are still observed by those who attend the Tridentine Rite. There is a forum for Traditionalist Catholics here on TCA. Find that and you will likely come into contact with someone who knows all about Ember days. I know someone who attends a Tridentine Rite Church, and he always observed Ember days. I can’t remember any details about them, though. :confused:
 
I miss the ember days a great deal…They had charming customs connected to them
 
I do. And, of course, today (Wednesday following Pentecost) is the first of the three Ember Days for summer – with Friday and Saturday to follow. I’m sure there is a reason we “skip” Thursdays . . . but I haven’t a clue what it might be. 😉
 
redrosetea said:
I miss the ember days a great deal…They had charming customs connected to them
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What sort of customs?

There’s no reason not to observe ember days, you’re just not obligated to do so. I abstained today. Friday I’m hoping to spend some time at an outdoor stations of the cross. Hoping… if the tykes will allow.

I think it’s lovely to commemorate the change in the seasons by a few days of reflection on God’s creation. I’m actually not completely dreading the summer. :cool:
 
The Ember days are fast days particular to the Latin Church.

And there are three days at the four seaons (quattuor tempora, aka quartertense), not just three days: Advent, Lent, Pentecost, and Fall.

In the Byzantine tradition (and as far as I can tell, the other Eastern Churches), the week after Pentecost is fast and abstinence free.

As far as I can tell, this is the only example of a pagan celebration influencing the Christian calendar. The pagans would indulge in feasting at these times, and Christians, by contrast, would fast.

These were also the original days for Ordination in the West.
 
Cluny said:
As far as I can tell, this is the only example of a pagan celebration influencing the Christian calendar. The pagans would indulge in feasting at these times, and Christians, by contrast, would fast.

These were also the original days for Ordination in the West.
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I read recently these four fasts are based on the four fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19: [19] “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.”
 
Ember Days: The Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the first Sunday in Lent, Pentecost, Holy Cross Day (September 14), and St. Lucy’s Day ( December 13), which are days of fasting for the special sanctification of the four seasons, and for obtaining God’s blessing on the clergy, for whose ordination the Ember Saturdays are specially set apart. They are of very ancient use but uncertain origin. The propers of the Masses reflect the season in which they occur; those for Wednesday keep the old custom of two Lessons before the Gospel and the ones of Saturday have six Lessons. At capitular high Mass these are sung by the canons in turn.

-Catholic Encyclopedia 1949 Edition

I have a somewhat vague memory of Ember Days when I was growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s. The fasting I do remember (but they were not days of abstinence as well except of course for Fridays) but I am not aware of any other particular customs. I also recall attending a couple of ordinations that occured on the Ember Saturday of Pentecost. My father was a lifelong daily Mass goer and he made sure that his family was aware of and followed the liturgical seasons of the Church. However, I am reasonably sure, from my own experience, that there were a good many Catholics back then who didn’t have a clue about Ember Days. There were not many more people at daily Mass on Ember Days than on any ordinary day. I remember being taken aback my first year in High School (1959) when a visiting priest came into the auditorium where the entire student body had gathered on one of the Fall Ember Days and asked how many were observing the fast for that day. Only a few dozen hands were raised. Why so few? The priest didn’t seem unduly surprised but the response shattered just another of my youthful assumptions. I had always assumed that if I and my family did something that the Church required, everyone else was doing it too! Sadly, the reality was much different as I came to learn over the years.
 
BeeSweet said:
I read recently these four fasts are based on the four fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19: [19] “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.”
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Except that’s not when the Ember Days fall.
 
Related to the issue of the Ember days, weren’t the Rogation Days fast days, as well?
 
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