What are Ember Days and Rogation Days

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I remember seeing an old version of the BCP and the old Calendar used by the Catholic Church and both mention Ember Days as well as Rogation Days.

What exactly are these about?
 
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=36142&highlight=rogation

a quick search of ‘rogation’ using the above search feature yielded a bunch of threads. This just being one.

Under the norms before the Council, certain Wednesdays and Saturdays, called Ember Days, were special penitential days, of partial abstinence (meat could be taken only at the principal meal), and of fast (one main main and two smaller meals, together not equal to the main meal). They were celebrated in Advent, in Lent, after Pentecost and in connection with the Triumph of the Cross (September 14). Rogation Days were days of prayer for God’s forgiveness and for the bounty of the land. There were celebrated on April 25th, and on the three days before the Solemnity of the Ascension.

Within the Church, these days continue to be observed on the liturgical calendar by those using the Indult to follow the Tridentine liturgical regulations. However, while they do not occupy fixed days on the calendar of the current Roman Rite, the General Instruction provides for the establishment of such days by episcopal conferences. As adapted to the United States the text reads,

373… Days or periods of prayer for the fruits of the earth, prayer for human rights and equality, prayer for world justice and peace, and penitential observances outside Lent are to be observed in the dioceses of the United States of America at times to be designated by the Diocesan Bishop.

In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 21 of the “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.

394… In the drawing up of the calendar of a nation, the Rogation and Ember Days should be indicated (cf. above, no. 373), as well as the forms and texts for their celebration, and other special measures should also be taken into consideration
 
The archdiocese of Portland has been declaring ember days in atonement for the sex abuse scandal for the last couple years.

Josh
 
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