An ancient liturgical tradition in the Western (Latin) Catholic Church revolves around the changing of the four seasons and consists of three days set apart for fasting and prayer. “Ember Days” and have been celebrated by the Church for centuries.  
               

What are the Ember Days?

The Ember Days are special days for prayer and fasting during the liturgical year.

They correspond to the four seasons, and they focus our attention especially on the blessings of nature. On the Ember Days, we give thanks for blessings we’ve received, but also remind ourselves of our need for penance and grace.

The roots of the Ember Days go back to the Old Testament. The Book of Zechariah describes an ancient Jewish practice of fasting four times a year (8:19). Christians adapted this tradition into what was referred to in Latin as “Quatuor Tempora,” or “four times.” Somewhere through the centuries the Latin “tempora” became “ember” in colloquial speech, and thus the name “Ember Days.”

When are they?

There are four “sets” of Ember Days during the year. Each “set” is a successive Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. They occur every year near the beginning of the four seasons.

• Spring: after Ash Wednesday.
• Summer: after Pentecost Sunday.
• Fall: after Sept. 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
• Winter: after Dec. 13, the Feast of St. Lucy.

A traditional way of remembering these dates is the rhyme “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy” (or the more prosaic “Lucy, Ashes, Dove and Cross”).

In the 1969 revision of the liturgical calendar, the Ember Days are no longer formally observed. But many Catholics still observe them in their homes and parishes. It’s a fruitful practice and a great way to stay in tune with the liturgical year.

How do we celebrate the Ember Days?

Thanksgiving
On the Ember Days, we give thanks for the fruit of the Earth. Even though we don’t live in an agrarian society, it’s good for us to give thanks for the food we have such easy access to. We may not grow it ourselves, but we’re fed because of the work of others’ hands.

Fasting and abstinence
Fasting on the Ember Days reminds us to honor nature’s gifts by using them in moderation. (As G.K. Chesterton quipped, “We should thank God for beer and burgundy by not drinking too much of them.”) At one time, fasting on the Ember Days was obligatory. Now, according to the Code of Canon Law, fasting and abstinence on the Ember Days is commended but not required.

Praying for priests
In the past, priests were ordained on the Ember Days. The laity would pray for the priests getting ordained on that day, and ask that God would send them good priests. The Ember Days still provide a great opportunity for us to pray for priests. In this day and age when priests are stretched thin yet called to heroically witness to the Gospel, they truly do need our prayers.

Almsgiving
The Church has always tied together giving thanks and giving alms, and the Ember Days are no exception. They’re excellent opportunities to support the needy.

 We are blessed to be traditional Catholics and to have these powerful leverages like Ember Days! 

Video by Dr. Taylor Marshall

Derived from revelations made by Jesus Christ to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), the “Nine First Fridays” devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus involves the practice of receiving Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays in reparation to “the Heart that has loved men so and is loved so little in return” (Christ’s own words to St. Margaret Mary).  Among the graces Christ is said to have promised to those faithful who practice this devotion are:  Final perseverance in the Catholic faith, reception of the Sacraments and Last Rites of the Church at the time of death, death in the state of Sanctifying Grace, and the consolation of the love of Christ’s Sacred Heart at the time of death.

Requirements for the Nine First Fridays Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

1. Receive Holy Communion on each First Friday (preferably at Holy Mass) with the intention of honoring Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Most Sacred Heart.  Note:  If you have knowledge that you are not in a state of Sanctifying Grace (that is, you are knowledgeable of mortal sin(s) on your soul, and thus unable to receive Holy Communion) you will also need to go to Confession prior to receiving your Holy Communion on the First Friday.

2. The Nine First Fridays must be consecutive.

3. The Nine First Fridays must be made in honor of and in reparation to Our Lord’s Most Sacred Heart for all the blasphemies, outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences committed against It.

The Twelve Promises of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

1. I will grant them all the graces necessary for their state of life (single, married, widowed, consecrated religious, diocesan priest, etc.).

2. I will grant peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which an Image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, never to be erased.

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge during that last hour (of their life).

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Our Blessed Mother outlined exactly what is involved in observing the Five First Saturdays devotion. There are four main elements of the devotion and two conditions.
 

• The four main elements of the devotion are the following:

1. To go to Confession either on the First Saturday itself or at least one week before or one week after the First Saturday itself.

2. To receive Holy Communion on the First Saturday itself (preferably at Holy Mass).

3. To pray five decades of the Rosary on the First Saturday itself.

4. And to keep Our Lady company for at least fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, following the praying of the Rosary, on the First Saturday itself.

• The two conditions necessary for the devotion are:

1. That the practices be done on the First Saturday of five consecutive months.

2. That the practices be done precisely with the intention of making reparation to Our Lady for the sins of blasphemy and ingratitude against her and her Immaculate Heart.  Note:  Blasphemies against the Blessed Virgin include:  (1)  those against her Immaculate Conception;  (2)  those against her perpetual virginity;  (3)  those against her divine maternity and which are carried out by persons refusing at the same time to accept her as the Mother of mankind;  (4)  those which are carried out by persons who try publicly to implant in the hearts of children an indifference, contempt, and even hate for this Immaculate Mother; and  (5)  those which are carried out by persons who insult her directly in her sacred images.

THE GRAVE NEED FOR FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION (Audio)

Devotion to the Holy Face was revealed by Jesus to Sr. Marie of St. Peter (1816-1848) a Carmelite nun of Tours in France.  The primary purpose of the devotion is to make reparation for sins against the first three commandments: Denial of God, Blasphemy, and the profanation of Sundays and Holy Days.
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TALKS BY FR BART

Parishioners  are encouraged to consecrate their families in a special way by enthroning  the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes.  If you would like to consecrate  your home to the Sacred Heart, and want to plan an enthronement celebration, please use the sign-up sheet in the Narthex or contact Fr. Bart.

TUESDAYS 5:15 PM

Fr. Bart leads the Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each Tuesday at 5:15 pm. 

A brief history of the icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help from the late 15th century  [Here]

Stations of the Cross are a beautiful and traditional devotion of the Catholic Church.  The devotion consists of meditating on 14 events which took place during Christ’s Passion, from His being condemned to His burial.

The time-honored meditations written by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D. 1696-1787) 
Stations of the Cross

The Shrine of Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony boardering the Sanctuary
A Votive Light is a "silent sentinel," and your representative before the shrines. A Votive Light can burn for your special intentions or for someone who is in need of prayers. This is a thoughtful expression of your sentiments and best wishes for any occasion. And your Votive Light is an act of faith and charity—the light is a symbol of the sacrifice you have made in behalf of someone else—and it is a silent reminder of your prayers for them.

By burning lights at the foot of Saint Joseph and/or our Patron, Saint Anthony, you are taking part in an old and beautiful custom. Give the lights a true meaning by your intentions as you venerate the statue. Let it be your presence at the Shrine—your spiritual pilgrimage by which you come to ask for the intercession of Saint Joseph and/or Saint Anthony.  Your candle will be like a prayer in time of need.