This Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are the traditional autumn Ember Days (after the feast of the Holy Cross on September 14). The traditional Ember Days are days of fasting and prayer near the changes of the four seasons. These days seem to have originated in Rome during the third century, and they may have been established as Christian days of fasting in contrast to pagan feasts near changes of the seasons. Gradually, the observance spread throughout the Western Church, and in the early Middle Ages, the days also became associated with ordinations. Until liturgical revisions of the 1960s and 1970s, Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic calendars included Ember Day prayers. However, as newer calendars made them optional, the Ember Days practically disappeared in many places.
Among the general prayers, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer contains two Ember Day prayers for those about to be ordained. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer has an additional general prayer for the increase of the ministry and a set of Ember Day propers. The Collect for the Day focuses on increasing the number of candidates for ministry. The Gospel from Luke 4:16ff is about the beginning of Christ's public ministry in Nazareth. The 1962 Canadian BCP includes propers for each set of Ember Days. The autumn theme focuses on Christian labor.
Seasonal days of prayer and fasting are certainly appropriate. It is also fitting that we pray for sound vocations to ordained ministry, especially in societies where clergy and church membership are aging. The Church always needs candidates with sound spiritual, moral, and mental qualities to pursue ordination. Those already ordained also need the Church's prayers that they may fulfill their vocations in a godly manner.
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