Ember days

[taye]

I had never heard of Ember days before today… Are they still obligatory fasting days? If it helps, I’m a Roman Catholic residing in Canada.

 

[laszlo]

In 1966 the obligatory fast on all Ember days was abrogated all over the world.

As far as I know the New Calendar (after 1970) does not recognizes the Ember days at all.

Traditionally the Ember days beginning Pope Damasus (+ 384) were: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

• after the 3rd Sunday of Advent
• after the 1st Sunday of Lent
• in the week of Pentecost
• in the third week of September (this definition changed in 1960)

were the days of fasting (only one full meal and two snacks; abstinence from meat was required only in Lent and Fridays) , and also the regular days of ordinations

 

[corsair]

I still follow the Ember Days. I figure that if I’m going to be an “old fashion” Catholic then I’ll pick a spot in the organic developement of the liturgy and follow the laws.

Now, having said that, watch how the nit pickers on these forums attack/criticize. Sometimes I wonder why I keep this up.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Still being new to the Catholic faith, I wish that I had known about ember days before this. But now I know (and hopefully will remember them)!

 

[NikitaRhea]

Even though it is not required anymore except during Lent (Fridays only), I have been contemplating the idea of actually living up to the Ember days.

God Bless,
Nikita

 

[laszlo]

I still follow the Ember Days. I figure that if I’m going to be an “old fashion” Catholic then I’ll pick a spot in the organic developement of the liturgy and follow the laws.

Now, having said that, watch how the nit pickers on these forums attack/criticize. Sometimes I wonder why I keep this up.

The beginning of the faith for an old fashioned Catholic is the acceptance of the decisions of the Magisterium.

The bulk of the changes related to fasting, abstinence was made during or just before World War II, related to the Holy Days of Obligation in the beginning of the 20th Century (I believe Benedict XV)

Before WWII there was obligatory fast and abstinence during Lent (except Sundays) and during almost all the Vigil days together with the Ember days, a total of more than 70 days.

As for the Holy days of obligations here is the list from the end of the 19th Century from the Breviary

FESTA FERIATA
Dominican omnes
Nativitas Domini
Circumcisio
Epiphania
Feria II et III Paschatis
Ascenslo Domini
Feria II et III Pentecostes
Festum Ssmi Corporis Christ!
Inventio S. Crucis
Conceptio immaculata B. Marine V.
Purificatio E. Manse Virg.
Annuntiatio B. Mariae Virg.
Assumptio B. Mariae Virg,
Nativitas B. Manriae Virg.
Dedicatio S. Michaelis Archangeli
Nativitas S. Joannis Baptistae
Festum S. Joseph, Sponsi B. M. V.
Solemnitas S. Joseph, Sponsi B. Mariae Virg., Conf. et Ecclesiae umversalis Patroni
Festum S. Andreae Ap.
S. Thomae Ap.
S. Joannis Ap. et Ev.
S. Matthias Ap.
Ss. Philippi et Jacobi App.
Ss. Petri et Pauli App.
S. Jacobi Ap.
S. Bartholomaei Ap.
S. Matthaei Ap. et Ev.
Ss. Simonis et Judae App.
S. Stephani Protomartyris
Ss. Innocentium Mm.
Ss. Joachim et Annae Parentum B. Marias Virg.
S. Laurentii Mart.
Omnium Sanctorum
Patronorum principalium Oppidi vel Civitatis, Dlcecesis, Provincise et Nationis.

This is 35 day above the Sundays. The changes were abrupt, not organic. The Church is hierarchy, commanded military system, all changes were abrupt as in our times.

 

[JM3]

In 1966 the obligatory fast on all Ember days was abrogated all over the world.

Not exactly correct.

From the current GIRM:

1. Each diocese should have its own Calendar and Proper of Masses. For its part, the Bishops’ Conference should draw up a proper calendar for the nation or, together with other Conferences, a calendar for a wider territory, to be approved by the Apostolic See.[153]

In carrying this out, to the greatest extent possible the Lord’s Day is to be preserved and safeguarded, as the primordial holy day, and hence other celebrations, unless they be truly of the greatest importance, should not have precedence over it.[154] Care should likewise be taken that the liturgical year as revised by decree of the Second Vatican Council not be obscured by secondary elements.

In the drawing up of the calendar of a nation, the Rogation and Ember Days should be indicated (cf. no. 373), as well as the forms and texts for their celebration,[155] and other special measures should also be taken into consideration.

It is appropriate that in publishing the Missal, celebrations proper to an entire nation or territory be inserted at the correct place among the celebrations of the General Calendar, while those proper to a region or diocese be placed in a special appendix.

 

[laszlo]

Quote:
Originally Posted by laszlo View Post
In 1966 the obligatory fast on all Ember days was abrogated all over the world.
Not exactly correct.

From the current GIRM:

1. Each diocese should have its own Calendar and Proper of Masses. For its part, the Bishops’ Conference should draw up a proper calendar for the nation or, together with other Conferences, a calendar for a wider territory, to be approved by the Apostolic See.[153]

To avoid misunderstanding: The Ember days as feasts with their propers and office were not abrogated in 1966, the ordinations are still close to the ember days as in the good old times, the TLM still has the masses and offices; although the LOTH or the Novus Ordo does not mention the ember days. In 1966 **only the obligation to fast (one full meal and two snacks only) was abrogated. **

Until the Council of Trent the Liturgy antirely belonged to the dioceses without any centralized control. The council of Trent ordered the common rite for the Mass and the Office, but the Calendar itself was left to the individual dioceses. Vatican II only added the role of the National Conferences of the Bishops related to the Calendars.

 

[JM3]

In 1966 **only the obligation to fast (one full meal and two snacks only) was abrogated. **

This is not correct.

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION ON PENANCE

Paenitemini

Issued by Pope Paul VI on February 17, 1966

‘Therefore, the Church, while preserving – where it can be more readily observed – the custom (observed for many centuries with canonical norms) of practicing penitence also through abstinence from meat and fasting, intends to ratify with its prescriptions other forms of penitence as well, provided that it seems opportune to episcopal conferences to replace the observance of fast and abstinence with exercises of prayer and works of charity.’

papalencyclicals.net/Paul06/p6paen.htm

 

[JM3]

Until the Council of Trent the Liturgy entirely belonged to the dioceses without any centralized control. The Council of Trent ordered the common rite for the Mass and the Office, but the Calendar itself was left to the individual diocese. Vatican II only added the role of the National Conferences of the Bishops related to the Calendars.

This is correct. If your diocese does not observe the Ember Days, then you should write or email your Bishop and ask him to start observing them again (a petition might work also).

 

[stuart12]

Whether they are obligatory or not nowadays, you either do your penance on earth or in purgatory. At least you have the choice just now, make use of whatever opportunity in the liturgical calender.