Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant…” The inspired writer offers many examples, but the planting-and-harvesting image fits especially well. The Catholic Church moves through the year with a rhythm of feasts and fasts. While many Catholics still celebrate days like the Transfiguration of the Lord or St. Nicholas Day, they have quietly let other feasts fade from popular practice.

One such tradition is the observance of Ember Days. Known in Latin as Quatuor Tempora (“four times”), these are sets of three days—Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—kept at the start of each of the four seasons. They are not holy days of obligation, but they give Catholics a unique way to mark the changing seasons with prayer, fasting, and gratitude.

A Tradition with Ancient Roots

The Church in Rome first observed fasts tied to the seasons as early as the third century. At first, the Church held these fasts in June, September, and December, and local priests announced the exact days. Some credit Pope Callistus (217–222) with ordering the fast, but St. Leo the Great (440–461) traced the custom back to the Apostles. By the time of Pope Gelasius I (492–496), the Church observed them in all four seasons, and he permitted the ordination of new priests and deacons on Ember Saturdays.

From Rome, the custom spread widely: St. Augustine brought it to England, the Carolingians carried it to Gaul and Germany, and by the 11th century Spain had adopted it. St. Charles Borromeo later introduced Ember Days to Milan. The Eastern Churches, however, never adopted the practice.

When Ember Days Happen

Traditionally, Catholics keep Ember Days on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following:

• The First Sunday of Lent (spring)
• Pentecost (summer)
• The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14 (autumn)
• The feast of St. Lucy, December 13 (winter)

While these dates remain in the Church’s liturgical heritage, the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year allow bishops’ conferences to adapt Ember Days to local needs—both in timing and in the way they are observed. This flexibility lets different regions connect the days to local agricultural cycles or other particular intentions.

Why the Church Observed Ember Days

The purpose of Ember Days goes deeper than simply marking the seasons. In the early Church, they were a way to thank God for the gifts of nature, to practice moderation in their use, and to share with those in need. They also served as a Christian “baptism” of older Roman agricultural festivals, redirecting the focus away from pagan deities toward the Creator of heaven and earth.

St. Leo the Great preached that these fasts were meant to train the soul in self-restraint—not just in food, but in all desires—while uniting prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as the three pillars of Christian life.

How to Keep Ember Days Today

The heart of Ember Days is still the same: prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving. Traditionally, fasting meant one full meal (often at midday) and two smaller meals that together did not equal a full meal, along with abstaining from meat. In the United States today, the fasting obligation is not required by Church law, but many choose to voluntarily observe it as a spiritual discipline.

Here are some ways to enter into Ember Days:

• Fast and Abstain: Choose one or more of the traditional practices—fast on Wednesday and Saturday, and fast with abstinence from meat on Friday.
• Pray More Intentionally: Attend daily Mass if possible, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, or set aside extra time for personal prayer.
• Practice Almsgiving: Use these days to give generously to those in need, remembering that gratitude for God’s gifts naturally leads to sharing them.
• Reflect on the Season: Take a walk outdoors, notice the signs of the changing season, and offer prayers of thanksgiving for the beauty of creation.

A Tradition Worth Reviving

Ember Days may not be widely kept today, but they still speak to something timeless—the human need to live in harmony with God’s creation and to sanctify the cycles of time. They invite us to pause at the threshold of each season, to humble ourselves before God, and to renew our spiritual discipline.

Whether you observe them with the traditional fast or simply set aside extra time for prayer and works of mercy, Ember Days can be a powerful way to anchor your faith more deeply in the rhythms of the Church—and in gratitude for the One who made the seasons themselves.

Related Links

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Vatican News

13 Dec – St. Lucy and the Advent Ember Days | Fr. Z’s Blog

The Church’s Birthday: What Pentecost Teaches Us About the Holy Spirit – The Simple Catholic