September Ember Days This Week

This Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are the Ember Days of September. The Ember Days, which take place four times a year at the start of the various seasons, are days of prayer and penance, their intention being to thank God for the gifts of nature, to ask His help in using them in moderation and to assist the needy. They are traditionally observed by means of fasting on all days, partial abstinence (meat only at the main meal) on Wednesday and Saturday, and full abstinence on Friday.

We encourage you to participate in this holy observance in the ways in which you are able. May we always be mindful of the multitudinous gifts of God that He has given to us, and be generous in sharing them with others.

Et convértam captivitátem pópuli mei Israël: et ædificábunt civitátes desértas, et inhabitábunt: et plantábunt víneas, et bibent vinum eárum: et fácient hortos, et cómedent fructus eórum. Et plantábo eos super humum suam: et non evéllam eos ultra de terra sua, quam dedi eis: dicit Dóminus Deus tuus.

And I will bring back the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the abandoned cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them; and shall make gardens, and eat the fruits of them: and I will plant them upon their own land: and I will no more pluck them out of their land which I have given them; saith the Lord thy God.
– Amos 9:14-15, from the Lesson for Ember Wednesday