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Ember Days and the Third Week in Advent |
Ember Wednesday
The Angelus
Ember Friday
Advent Prayer
Ember Saturday
Ember Days, The Third Week in Advent
Taken from "True Christmas Spirit" by: Rev. Edward Sutfin
The Ember Days are special days of fasting in the Church. The Ember Days mark a very
pronounced advance in preparation for Christmas. Today the Church teaches us that the King
will first arrive in human form: He will assume the humble garment of our human nature.
The Masses of the winter Ember Days present us with the antecedents of the birth and
coming of the Savior.
In his Ember Days sermon, the great Pope St. Leo the Great exhorts us with the following words: These Ember Days "remind us, dearly beloved, that it is our duty, as shepherd of your souls, to exhort you to the observance of the December fast. Now that all the fruits of the earth have been gathered in, it is most fitting that this sacrifice of abstinence should be offered to God, who has so bountifully bestowed them upon us. And what can be more useful to this end than fasting? For by fasting, we draw near to God, we resist the devil, and overcome the temptations of sin. Moreover, from abstinence proceed chaste thoughts, Godly desires, and wise counsels; and by voluntary fasting and mortification, the flesh dies to its evil desires and the spirit is renewed in strength. But since fasting alone will not obtain health for our souls, let us add to our fasting, works of mercy to the poor. Let us be zealous in the protection of widows, in the support of orphans; let us try to comfort the afflicted, to reconcile those who are enemies with one another. Let us receive the stranger and help the oppressed; let us clothe the naked and care for the sick. And then may every one of us who shall have spent himself in offering this sacrifice of love to God, the Author of all good, deserve to receive from Him the reward of the heavenly kingdom."
As we keep these holy Ember Days, even as the 20th Century Popes have so strongly urged us to do, mother and father and teacher may easily explain the merits of "giving up" things for God and neighbor in imitation of Our Lord; how to become courteous and thoughtful of others; how always to give good example; how to avoid "fights" and quarrels; how to share toys and time as well as self with other children.
These Ember Day gifts, joined to all our Advent devotions and works, become even more sacred if we remind the children to offer them before the altar of God at Holy Mass and in regular visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Advent Ember Days are:
Wednesday-of the third week of Advent
Friday-of the Third Week of Advent
Saturday-of the Third Week of Advent
Ember Wednesday
The Mass of Ember Wednesday is known as the Missa Aurea, or Golden Mass, because on this
day the Church celebrates the "golden Mystery" of the Faith. This "Golden
Mystery" is Mary's fiat (Thy will be done to me) at the Annunciation. It is
Her fiat which brought about the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity in her
virginal womb. Throughout the ages, this Mass has been celebrated with great solemnity. In
the Middle Ages, the great St. Bernard of Clairvaux preached his homilies on the Gospel of
the day which begins with the words "Missus est". If it is at all possible, we
should teach our children to observe this solemnity by participating in Holy Mass on this
Ember Wednesday of Advent. It is a good and holy practice to give a gift or offering to
the poor on this day as an appropriate act of thanksgiving.
On this day, why not participate more fully in the "Golden Mystery" by having the children re-tell around the dinner table or reenact the Gospel of the Annunciation. Or if this is not possible, the father of the family could read aloud the prophecy of the Virgin Birth from (Isaiah, 2:2-5 and 7:10-15). Then, in the interim all sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel". Then the father continues the reading from the words of the Gospel (Luke 1:16-38). Conclude with the Advent Wreath prayers and, the "O"Antiphon and opening of the Advent House window and the recitation of the Magnificat. The prayer could end with the last great Advent psalm, number 18 since it so perfectly fits with today's Mass. The Introit of Ember Wednesday and the fourth Sunday of Advent both use this beautiful psalm:
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands. There He has set up His tabernacle for the sun, which goes forth like a bridegroom from his chamber and rejoices like a giant, to run the course. From one end of the heaven is its rising, and its course ends at the other, nothing is hidden from its heat."
No more appropriate day could be chosen, to explain to the children the beautiful custom of the recitation of the Angelus. All of this beautiful prayer is taken from the liturgy of Advent, and especially from the Golden Mass. The first two versicles and responses are taken directly from the Gospel of Ember Wednesday; the third versicle and response are taken from the Last Gospel of St. John. The oration at the end is the Postcommunion prayer of the Mass of Our Lady on Saturdays in Advent. The evening Angelus, recited at 6:00p.m., is recited in honor of the Incarnation. 6:00 p.m. has long been piously believed to be the very hour the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. This prayer was accompanied by the jubilant ringing of bells. This is still a loved custom in many Catholic homes.
Together with their new knowledge of the Angelus, the children should also be taught a little more about the beautiful Angelical Salutation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, and how this greeting became our familiar prayer the "Hail Mary". The first line is said in memory of the Annunciation and is found in Luke 1:28. The next part is taken from the scene of the Visitation and greeting of St. Elizabeth. (Luke1:42) The remainder was written by the Church as a prayer for sinners.
The Angelus
Leader: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
All: And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
All: (Recite together) The Hail Mary
Leader: Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
All: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
All: (Recite together) The Hail Mary
Leader: And the Word was made flesh;
All: And dwelt among us.
All: (Recite together) The Hail Mary
Leader: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
All: that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Leader: Let us pray,
All: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the
Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son,was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His
Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection; through the same Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Ember Friday
The Theme of this Ember Friday follow closely upon that of the Golden Mass of Ember
Wednesday. It is the second mystery of the Incarnation, which is the VISITATION of Our
Lady to St. Elizabeth. If we could put the spirit of this day into one word, that word
would be "Christopher" which means Christ Bearer. We honor our Blessed
Mother as the Christ-bearer par excellence, and we ourselves try always to bear Him with
us in a soul filled with the purity of sanctifying grace.
Mass is celebrated today in Rome at the Church of the Twelve Apostles. It is the only church in Rome built in the style of the Greeks, and it was always considered as a symbol of the union of all peoples, Eastern and Western, in Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism.
The spiritual renewal and unity of Faith expressed in the Mass today lead all to preparation for the coming of the Savior. We are purified and repent of our sins as a preparation for the visit of Christ at Christmastide. As the Blessed Mother brings the quickening grace of her Son to St. Elizabeth and to St. John the Baptist in Elizabeth's womb, so we are taught to increase His grace in our souls in order that we may carry the sanctifying power of Jesus Christ into the world.
On this Ember Friday, father should read the Scriptural account of the Visitation to the whole family. The prophecy of Isaiah in the Lesson at Holy Mass should be explained and read. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit repose in fullness upon Mary, the Flower that springs from the Root of Jesse. Its fulfillment is in the Visitation of Mary with her Son. Centering our discussion around the "Hail Mary" once again, and the meaning of being Christophers, we shall find that this is an appropriate occasion to tell the children the story of St. Christopher. It is time for them to learn what it means to be and act as Confirmed adult Catholics who possess the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and who are called upon to carry Christ into the world. The Advent Candle which bears the brilliant flame upon it teaches us how to carry the light of Christ always in our daily living. The Advent Candle can be a focus for our discussion tonight because it impresses the meaning of being a Christopher very simply and very forcefully upon the mind of a child. Mary is our best model if we would increase in grace and become bearers of Christ to others. St. John the Baptist is our model of penance and the preparation of the way of the Lord.
Besides the other customs in association with evening prayer and the Angelus, this is the seasonable moment to begin our caroling. The children should bring Christ to others by means of song, which is really and exterior expression of love and piety. From now until Christmas, Advent songs may be sung from home to home, and the children could be taught many wonderful and doctrinally sound carols which would impress the meaning of Advent and of the COMING of the Savior upon their neighbors.
Advent Prayer
God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, always faithful to Your promises and ever with
Your Church;
The earth rejoices in hope of the Savior’s coming,
and looks forward with longing to His return at the end of time.
Prepare my heart during this Advent Season.
Increase my longing for Christ my Savior and give me the strength to grow in love of Him.
Jesus, my Lord, save my from my sins.
Come, protect me from all dangers to soul and body, and lead me to salvation.
Sanctify me in mind and body, Lord, keep me without sin till the coming of Your Son.
Make me walk these days in holiness, Lord, and live an upright and devout life in this
world.
Prepare a path in my heart for the coming of Your Word and let His glory be revealed
through my good works.
Bring low the mountains of my pride, Lord, and fill up the valleys of my weakness.
Keep me in Your Spirit, Lord, that I may receive
the mercy of Your Son who is to come.
I long for the grace of Your coming, Lord, console me with the gift of your own divine
life.
I ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Ember Saturday
The celebration of this last Ember Day is really a summary of all that has been developed
in the Advent season. The Mass is quite different in character from the themes of
Wednesday and Friday, which had an intimate and familiar flavor appealing to the
imagination and to the senses of the children. Today the universal Church celebrates a
solemn vigil in the great basilica of St. Peter's in Rome. The symbol of the spiritual
passage from the darkness of sin to the light of Redemption is easily seen throughout
today's Mass. It was on this day that the ancient Church held the rite of ordinations of
new priests in preparation for the Christ Mass of Christmas Day. Priests were ordained as
shepherds of the Church commissioned by Christ to guard over His flock until He shall
come, especially in His second coming at the end of time.
It is somewhat difficult to help children understand the meaning and significance of this solemn watch or vigil. Probably the point to emphasize would be the virtue of PIETY, as we explain to them the nature of filial love toward the Church and toward parents. If the Cathedral Church of the diocese is close enough, a little pilgrimage may be organized to this see of the apostle, which is their own "St. Peter's". At least a visit to the parish church should be part of the program of the day, and perhaps a little gift could be made to the pastor in gratitude to the shepherd of their spiritual life and in remembrance of his ordination to the priesthood.
This evening the children may be allowed to stay up a little later than usual. There should be a little more serious note about the occasion, recalling the Gospel of the First Sunday of Advent, with its rather fearful descriptions of the last days and the coming of Christ at the end of time. For if Christ comes at Christmas, the purpose of His incarnation was our redemption from sin. He is present at Mass, and in the Blessed Sacrament, and by means of the other Sacraments, as well. He is present especially through the other- Christs (His priests) who serve as shepherds and ministers of His flock under the Pope. Finally, when all of the many centuries have passed, Jesus will come once more to bring us to our heavenly home forever provided we are found to be in the state of sanctifying grace. A joyful note, however, enters into all the seriousness of this evening as we explain these mysteries to the children and meditate on them. For today's Gospel tells us in the person of St. John the Baptist that Christmas is ALMOST HERE. In the Gospel St. John says: " make ready the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth; and all mankind shall see the salvation of God". (Luke 3:5-6) This joyful note echoes that one sounded on the Third Sunday of Advent at the beginning of this Ember Week when the Liturgy told us "He is already near; therefore rejoice!" For this reason the Mass vestments were not violet but rose, a softening of the penitential violet. The organ played and the altar was at least sparsely dressed in flowers. So, again, this evening, we intersperse the serious tone with this echo of joy. "He is already near; therefore, rejoice!!!"
All the prayerful and penitential Advents of our life, whether they be many or few, are not only preparing our soul for the Coming of Christ with His special graces at each Christmas. They are also a most necessary preparation for His coming at our death bed or at His second coming, which ever comes first for us. The fasting and abstinence of these past 3 Ember Days, have intensified our longing and made us ever more ready spiritually for His coming.
