A Catholic Prescpecive on Ember Days

These are the last Ember Days of the Church Calendar year. Unlike the secular calendar with January 1 marking the start of a new year, the cycle of the Church is governed by the Liturgical Year. And it all begins with the birth of Christ.

Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent, signals that the year is coming to a close. The new year begins with the First Advent Sunday, four Sundays before Christmas. Should Christmas Eve happen to fall on a Sunday, it is both Christmas Eve and the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

This year Christ the King Sunday is November 22, making November 29 the beginning of a new year within the faith. Ember Days in December follow the Feast of Lucia, as a part of the Advent Season. Hence, today is the last set of three Ember Days for the the 2025-2026 Church year.

If you were to pick up any prayer book or flip through a Church Calendar prior to 1969’s reforms of Vatican II, you would find reference to Ember Days. I didn’t know about these observance of old until I began researching my faith more deeply, using Catechism books that once belonged to my parents. The point of Ember Days was to give thanks to God for the changing of the seasons, for the blessings of the harvest, and the hope of God’s graces in the future. These were also days of fasting. Fasting and abstinence serve a deeper spiritual purpose in our lives. So often we take for granted that which we have been given. It is through loss, or a forfeiture those things, that we gain a greater appreciation for what we have. Fasting also strengthens our self discipline. I truly don’t understand why observing Ember Days today is purely a matter of choice and not an obligation.

Since we are free to choose, I choose to acknowledge the day with prayer. I fast in the sense that the only meal of the day will be an evening meal. (For the record, at my age fasting is no longer an requirement even on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, the only two days remaining each year with fasting restrictions). There are benefits to getting old. I’m even allowed to eat before Mass. But that’s not here or there. Today is all about prayer and asking God to be with us.

Let us pray,
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God,
That as we devoutly keep Your days holy,
That we may be made more pleasing to You
Both in body and soul, through Christ our Lord
Amen

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Onion Ring Barbecue Patty Melts
1 lb Ground Beef
Hamburger Seasoning
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
6 frozen Onion Rings
Oil for frying
6 slices Sourdough Bread
6 tablespoons Mayonnaise
6 slices Monterey Cheese
Barbecue Sauce as desired

Divide beef into 3 third-pound patties. Flatten out to a size just slightly larger than the sourdough bread. Season with Hamburger Seasoning, Salt and Pepper to taste.

Heat about an inch or so of oil in a deep skillet. Once oil has reached 350-degrees, carefully add onion rings. Fry for just a few minutes, turning as needed, until rings are floating at the top. Drain on paper towels.

Heat a grilled to medium heat. Grill hamburger patties about 2 or 3 minutes per side. Remove, wrap in foil to keep warm.

Wipe griddle clean. Spread mayonnaise on 3 slices of bread. Place on griddle, mayo-side-down. Top with a hamburger patty, sliced cheese, onion rings and drizzle with barbecue sauce. Place remaining bread on top, then spread remaining mayonnaise on the bread. Grill until golden, just a few minutes, carefully flip and continue to grill. Serve with fries and enjoy.

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Lord, when Your glory appears, my joy will be full.