CATHOLIC BELLATOR

Introduction The Church teaches us that it is divided into the Church Triumphant (which includes the members of the Church in heaven), the Church Suffering (thisincludes the members of the Church in purgatory) and the Church Militant (this refers to those members of the Church who are alive in this world). Because we are part of the Church Militant, we are in a spiritual warfare and this spiritual warfare requires that we recognize, as St. Paul teaches us, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” (Ephesians 6:12). The members of the Auxilium Christianorum should always bear in mind the reality of our state as members of the Church living in this world. Despite St. Paul’s teaching, many Catholics do not take seriously their obligation to wage war against the demonic forces. It isfor this reason that the Association of the Auxilium

Advent Ember Days Tomorrow (Wednesday), Friday, and Saturday are Ember Days — An Opportunity for Additional Sacrifice and Spiritual Growth. Though ignored by many in the Roman Church today, this week is traditionally set aside in the year for honoring the Ember Days.  This week contains the Advent Ember Days, which always fall on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of the third week of Advent. The Ember Days take place four times a year, the other occasions being the weeks after Ash Wednesday and Pentecost and the third week of September.  The purpose of the Days is to thank God for the gifts of Creation, to ask His help in using them with wisdom and moderation, and to assist those in need, and they are observed by fasting and prayer in addition to the particular liturgies the Church assigns them. While not obligatory, the Ember Days are a holy practice, of great benefit to the Church and to us, and they constitute a solid preparation for the coming of Our Lord.  Sourc