The How, When, and Why of Ember Days

Margaret Rash discusses the value of making Ember Days part of your liturgical year celebrations and shares practical ways to observe these days throughout the year. 

Have you heard of Ember Days? I had no idea what they were until a few months ago. I had seen some references to them here and there, maybe a mention of them with no further explanation, until one day I came across an article on the website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion that explained it very well. Then another article in a magazine about them was in front of me a few days later; it seemed like everywhere I turned there was suddenly more information about them.  

So, for any of you who, like me, had never heard of them or only vaguely seen them referenced, here's what I've learned about them and why I think we should bring them back!  

What Are Ember Days?  

Ember Days are three days in a specific week each calendar season which are set aside for prayer, fasting, abstinence from meat, almsgiving, and giving thanks. When we observe these days, there are specific things we are giving thanks for each season, and we always pray for vocations to the priesthood.  

They occur each year on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Ash Wednesday, again after Pentecost, after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in September and after the Feast of Saint Lucy in December.  

On Ember Days, What Are We Giving Thanks For?  

During Ember Days, we are giving thanks for four different things in nature that God has given us to help us celebrate the Mass and participate in the Sacraments. These things change with each of the seasons.   

• In the spring (the Ember Days after Ash Wednesday), we give thanks for the flowers and the bees who make the beeswax used to make the blessed candles 
• In the summer (the Ember Days after Pentecost), we give thanks for the wheat used to make the bread which becomes the body of Christ 
• In the fall (the Ember Days after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross), we give thanks for the grape harvest and the grapes used to make the wine which becomes the blood of Christ  
• In the winter (the Ember Days after the Feast of Saint Lucy), we give thanks for the olives used to make the blessed oils for anointings 
• In every season on these days, we especially pray for our priests and vocations to the priesthood  

Four Practical Ways to Observe Ember Days  

Ember Days are a beautiful way to remember and give thanks for the many blessings God gives us in each season. They are also a wonderful way to remember to pray for our priests year-round and to pray for vocations to the priesthood. If you’re interested in observing Ember Days, here are some practical tips that may help:  

• Mark your calendar so you remember to fast on those days and abstain from meat on that Friday 
• If you have little ones, involve them and make it fun for them by rolling homemade beeswax candles, baking homemade bread, or going grape picking — remember to say a prayer of thanks when you do! 
• Pray a Rosary with your family for vocations to the priesthood (if your kids are too young to sit through a whole Rosary, pray about one decade or just one Our Father together) 
• Say an extra prayer for your parish priest in your morning or evening prayers 
   

The Next Ember Days Are Next Week!  

June 11, 13 and 14 (of 2025) are the next upcoming Ember Days: the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Pentecost. This is the perfect time to mark your calendar and begin incorporating these days into your personal devotions! 

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Copyright 2025 Margaret Rash
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