EMBER DAYS

Ember days have been kept in the Roman Church since the fifth century, and mark the beginning of each of the four seasons. Vatican Council II retained ember days in principle, but left it to bishops conferences to determine the extent and form of their observance. (The name 'ember' is similar in derivation to the German Quatember, 'quarter day'; the Irish used to speak of Quarter Tense.) The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has now decided that the Australian Church should observe the first Fridays of Autumn and Spring (March and September) as special days of prayer and penance.
On rogation and ember days the practice of the Church is to offer prayers to the Lord for the needs of all people, especially for the productivity of the earth and for human labour, and to give God public thanks (GNLYC 45).

 

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Prayer and Penance

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has decided that the Australian Church should observe the first Fridays in Autumn and Spring (March and September) each year as special days of prayer and penance.
The 1969 General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar (46) and the 1970 Instruction 'Calendaria Particularia' (38) asked bishops conferences to determine the time, number, and purpose of ember days and days for rogations, and indicating the texts to be used.
Ember Days corresponded roughly with the beginning of each of the four seasons. We might also link them with Rogation Days (from the Latin rogare, to ask) which originated at times of calamity and were marked by processions, litanies and intercession. The principal rogation procession was eventually associated with intercession for a fruitful harvest. The final connection which we ought to notice is that all Fridays are days of penance with fast and abstinence, though our Bishops' Conference has substituted other penitential practices such as prayer, self denial and helping others (CCL 1249-1253).

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Themes

On rogation and ember days the practice of the Church is to offer prayers to the Lord for the needs of all people, especially for the productivity of the earth and for human labour, and to give him public thanks (GNLYC 45).
At one level, these days seek God's blessing of favourable weather and a fruitful harvest from the land. In times of drought or flood in Australia, such prayers of intercession take on a particular urgency. In good times, the human heart turns more naturally to praise and thanksgiving. There is also a strong impulse on these days towards the justice of God's kingdom. If we do not take care, prayer for rain or favourable conditions can amount to little more than a request to keep us comfortable and prosperous. Instead we need to turn our attention to those peoples who are devastated by famine and exploitation.
Today, Ember Days will rightly refocus on the environment, climate change, and the responsibility of our stewardship of the world's resources. This is why the bishops wish to place the emphasis on doing penance, on fasting and abstaining in connection with these Ember Days. For we are beginning to see that sustainable use of our resources will cost us, not only financially but in terms of our attitudes and lifestyle.
Ember Days will help us match our intercession for favourable conditions with a conversion of heart in relation to our care of the earth. Fasting and abstaining from meat will encourage us to restraint in our exploitation of natural resources. A day of penance will express our solidarity with those who are disadvantaged, especially those who suffer through famine and the inequitable distribution of the world's goods.

• Liturgical Texts

The Autumn Ember Day in March falls in Lent. The readings therefore should always follow the cycle for Lenten weekdays. The prayers, however, may be taken from the Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, or the
Lenten prayers may be used. The Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions is recommended.

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