Rogation and Ember Days

[Psalm45_9]

Hi, I have been reading about how paschaltide was prior to Vatican II. Ascension and Pentecost used to have their own octaves. The three days prior to Ascension were rogation days to prepare for Ascension. During the octave of Pentecost Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of that octave were ember days. I read somewhere that they were days of fasting and prayer for a plentiful agricultural harvest. Is this correct and what is the difference between ember and rogation days? Also, when they mean fasting, does that mean just prior to Vatican II did they require all to abstain from meat on those days?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Psalm45:9:

Hi, I have been reading about how paschaltide was prior to Vatican II. Ascension and Pentecost used to have their own octaves. The three days prior to Ascension were rogation days to prepare for Ascension. During the octave of Pentecost Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of that octave were ember days. I read somewhere that they were days of fasting and prayer for a plentiful agricultural harvest. Is this correct and what is the difference between ember and rogation days? Also, when they mean fasting, does that mean just prior to Vatican II did they require all to abstain from meat on those days?

Ember days are a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday four times a year usually at the start of the agricultural seasons. They can be suppressed by the Bishop’s conference.

Rogation days are special days of Penitential prayer. Two sets were normally observed the feast of St. Mark and the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday. Again their observence is determined by the Bishops conference.