Ember Week

[Ash Wednesday]

Ember Weeks and Ember Days were an old tradition in the Church that were days of prayer and fasting  4 times a year. It was relaxed through Canon Law under Paul VI but a number of people are starting to revive it, especially in light of what's going on right now. It was interesting to hear that these days were once set apart as thanksgiving for nature, but also for the ordination of clergy.

Being the week after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, this is an Ember Week -- which would be a day of fasting and abstinence on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

So just thought I'd share this. It's optional now but you could consider a fast like as prescribed on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, health permitting -- or at the very least maybe consider making note of these days with a small sacrifice and a little extra time for prayer.

Though I suppose those in Pittsburgh might already know about it because the bishop has revived it for this year.

For more on Ember Weeks/Ember Days

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05399b.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ember_days

http://catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2017/12/20/how-observing-the-ember-days-can-enhance-your-spiritual-life/

 

[truthfinder]

Ember Wednesday and Saturday are typically ‘partial abstinence’  meaning that meat or fish can be eaten at the main meal. But you cannot have fish and meat on the same day. 

The ‘traditionalists’ have tended to keep the practice up but it was something that was never supposed to be supressed, and can still be found on current calendars. Only the binding nature of it had been eliminated. 

They really are fruitful days.