What are Ember Days? Everything You Should Know About This Season of Prayer, Fasting & Abstinence

What are the Ember Days?

Ember Days are “an ancient liturgical tradition that revolves around the changing of the four seasons and consists of 3 days set apart for fasting and prayer,” and are held on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Here is a great diagram that will help you remember Ember Days:

Kendra Tierney, Catholic All Year

Fr. Alex Schrenk, a priest in the Diocese of Pittsburg, recently provided an in-depth explanation about Ember Days.

Here’s his Twitter thread:

@schrenk, Twitter

(If the images above do not appear, click here for the full thread)

The Baltimore Catechism states that”The chief means by which we satisfy God for the temporal punishment due to sin are: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving, all spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and the patient suffering of the ills of life.”

The saints also spoke highly of this practice, as it is a sure way to purify souls!

St. John Chrysostom said,”Fasting is the support of our soul: it gives us wings to ascend on high, and to enjoy the highest contemplation! ….God, like an indulgent father, offers us a cure by fasting.”

St. Basil the Great said, “The fast is a weapon of protection against demons…Our Guardian Angels more really stay with those who have cleansed our souls through fasting.”

Many people are participating or inviting others to join in on the Ember Days. Here’s some examples:

@J____A_G, Twitter

@austinruse, Twitter

Here is a great diagram that will help you remember Ember Days:

Here’s his Twitter thread:

The saints also spoke highly of this practice, as it is a sure way to purify souls!

Many people are participating or inviting others to join in on the Ember Days. Here’s some examples:

Are you taking part in the Ember Days?