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

By -
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Catholic Perspective on Why Pride Month (lgbtqxyz) is Problematic

By -
Image
  Photo:  Иван, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." —Saint Augustine The doctrines and moral values of the Catholic church are based on the teachings of the Bible, the teachings of the Church, and the traditions of their faith. Only this specific type of relationship—marriage—is permissible to engage in sexual activity, according to the Catholic Church's doctrine. The union of a man and a woman is referred to as marriage. Homosexual acts are considered to be  gravely disordered  according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexua...
Read more

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart Devotion

By -
Image
  A French nun named Margaret Mary Alacoque, received a divine vision of Jesus in 1673, where He urged the Church to pay homage to his Most Sacred Heart.  Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary 12 specific promises made to all who venerated and promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart. The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart Devotion 1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. 2. I will establish peace in their homes. 3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.  4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.  5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.  6. Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.  7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.  The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion 8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.  9. I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honor...
Read more

Happy Feast of St Charbel!

By -
Image
  Image Credit: Unknown (Old Photo), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Happy Feast of St Charbel! Saint Charbel, also known as Charbel Maklouf, was a Lebanbese monk who lived in the 1800's. His life and teachings continue to inspire believers around the world. Born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf in 1828 (and venerated as Saint Charbel) in a small village called Bekaa Kafra. Charbel grew up in a humble family and was deeply devoted to his faith from a young age. He later entered the Lebanese Maronite Order, where he dedicated his life to prayer, asceticism, and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. Saint Charbel became renowned for his holiness and his mastery of the contemplative life. His disciplined lifestyle and profound humility became a model for other monks and clergy seeking to deepen their spiritual journey. One of the most remarkable aspects of Saint Charbel's life was his commitment to silence and solitude. He spent several years living as a hermit in a small room adjacent...
Read more