CLARIFICATION: More Cows is right, Ember Days are a Catholic/Anglican thing. From the ECUSA's glossary:
Three days which occur four times a year: the Wednesday,
Friday, and Saturday after St. Lucy's Day (Dec. 13), Ash Wednesday, the Day of
Pentecost, and Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14). The name comes from the Latin title
Quattuor tempora, meaning "four times." In ancient Italy the times (originally
three) were associated with sowing, harvest, and vintage, for which one prayed,
fasted, and gave alms. Later the four times became occasions for ordination, for
which the Christian community prayed and the candidates prepared themselves by
prayer and retreat. The BCP appoints proper collects and readings for this
observance under the title "For the Ministry (Ember Days), including propers
"For those to be ordained," "For the choice of fit persons for the ministry,"
and "For all Christians in their vocation" (BCP, pp. 256-257,
929).
What the glossary doesn't mention is that postulants and candidates must write to their bishops during Ember Weeks-- sort of a "State of the Postulant" letter.
I'm in such a weird place. I'm not technically in the process (whole diocese is on hold) but my bishop has SENT me to a seminary to visit. So, umm, I have no idea if a letter is expected or appropriate or would seem presumptive or what.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Wouldn't it be nice if this could be simple for once?
Tandaina
Duh. What are Ember Days?
ReplyDeleteyeah, i'm lost too.
ReplyDeleteclearly it is an anglican thing...
They're days when those in process for ordination are required to write a "status report" letter to their Bishop. Where they come from and why we do it I haven't go a clue. Might be an Anglican thing, I've no idea. :P
ReplyDelete