On traditional calendars of the Western church, including traditional Books of Common Prayer, the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after St. Lucy's Day are Ember Days (see 1928 BCP p. li; 1662 BCP p. 31). St. Lucy (or Santa Lucia) was an early martyr. She was from Syracuse, Sicily and is commemorated on December 13. On the Ember Day four times a year, we are asked to pray for those about to be ordained as well as for an increase of the Ministry and for guidance upon those who already serve the Church in various callings. There is a set of propers for the Ember days in the 1928 BCP (p. 260), and there are selections for Morning and Evening Prayer in the 1943 lectionary for the third week of Advent. The Gospel for Advent III is about the ministry of John the Baptist and is also related to the Ember Day theme.
During the Advent season, we think of the ways all are believers called to prepare the way for the Lord. We pray for those already ordained and those soon to be ordained. May all of us, whether ordained and lay, seek to prepare the way as Christ comes into our hearts anew! May we be faithful witnesses to His living presence, and may we also prepare for our Lord's future coming in glory!
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