Remember the Ember

In the Venerable Roman Calendar

Today is the second emberday this week of three - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday they are traditionally days of fast - their history is long and complex but also very ancient (check the Catholic Encyclopaedia - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05399b.htm). They are also known as Quarttuor tempore  four groups of them which correspond with the four seasons of the year.  The word Ember is probably derived from the German "Quartember"

Prayers where offered for the harvest both in terms of crops and vocations.  The Pentecost Ember days were usually associated with  ordinations the various minor orders being conferred between the lessons.

They where never suppressed after Vatican II and where meant to be continued at a Diocesan Level for different needs.  Oddly they exist in the new ordo but no, one to my knowledge uses them.

Their absence can only mean that every thing is hunky dory in the diocese and it does not need our prayers, fasts or penances.  Oh thank God for the Wollongong Diocesan Pastoral Plan and our Models of Church!

Musically the emberdays never have the Gloria in excelsis nor alleluias instead there are tracts  and like Lent the organ is not played.  The Ember Saturdays are a little like the Easter Vigil in that they have additional reading, sometimes up to six and like the Easter Vigil they have tracts in between each - the vestments are violet and the ferial Mass ordinary (missa primitiva) is used.

Let us pray for a bountiful harvest, let us pray for priests.