Advent Ember Days - An Opportunity for Additional Sacrifice and Spiritual Growth

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. 

Source(s): SSPX and FSSP

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are all Ember days. This means on Wednesday and Saturday, we observe partial fast and abstinence – two small meatless meals, and one full meal that can include meat.

On Friday, we may take two small meals and one full meal, but observe total abstinence even at the main meal. This is identical to the currently observed fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

We are encouraged to participate in whatever way we are able —  as a counter-measure in today’s troubling times.

Also worth noting: Christmas Eve is traditionally a day of fast and total abstinence as well.


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