We also need to insert this focus in our current lives. We need to stop and realign our lives with our Creator instead of allowing ourselves to be consumed by the world’s “busyness.” Modern man needs reminders of our agrarian daily needs and gifts we receive from God. Currently the Northern Hemisphere is entering the summer season, with the school year ending and the start of summer traditions (vacations, cook-outs, picnics, swimming). Although Ember Days were originally an agrarian focus, the context can shift and expand. The themes of thanksgiving and petition to God especially at the shifting of the seasons of the year answer a natural pull or inner urge of man’s physical nature to respond to the change of seasons, and our need to turn to God to thank Him for His blessings and ask for further help as we enter the next season. The focus on priestly ordinations is no longer emphasized except as personal devotion. The fasting and partial abstinence requirements are lifted. The purpose is almost the same, but there is no particular liturgy as in the Extraordinary Form 1962 calendar. ( Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 45). On Rogation and Ember Days the Church is accustomed to entreat the Lord for the various needs of humanity, especially for the fruits of the earth and for human labor, and to give thanks to him publicly. In the current General Roman Calendar, Ember Days are optional, and usually only celebrated by rural communities. Ember Days became days of prayer, fasting and abstinence, stressing personal spiritual renewal. As the observances were added to the Liturgical Year, the themes expanded to asking for blessings on mankind and prayer for priests, especially for those being ordained. In the Extraordinary Form there are certain Propers and Readings for the Mass and Divine Office for each set of Ember Days.Įmber Days are a quarterly observance of three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), with the original focus on gratitude to God for various harvests, fixed near the beginning of each season of the solar cycle (winter, spring, summer and autumn). Ember Days have the distinction of being a feria (a day without a certain feast attached or not within a liturgical season) with special privileges. I did not realize until recently that these little mnenomic devices were really necessary, because Ember Days do not show up on the General Roman Calendar list of feasts, either before of after Vatican II. John XXIII), which usually is the week following September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, but not always.
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