The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself. St Augustine
Ember Days Preserved In The Ordinariate
from the Catholic Herald
The Ember Days recall an age when the rhythms of human life were still bound to the changing of the seasons. A corruption of the Latin Quatuor Tempora (“Four Times”), the Ember Days were an attempt by the ancient Church to preserve and sanctify the pagans’ observation of equinoxes and solstices. Our predecessors in the faith marked the cycles of Creation with fasting, prayer and acts of charity – giving thanks to “the Lord of the Harvest”, as Jesus called his Father.
The Ember Days are seldom marked by Catholics today, when every fruit and vegetable is available in the supermarket all year round. Harvest festivals can mean little to the New Yorker who buys fresh pineapples in the middle of December to garnish his Christmas ham.
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We in/of the Personal Ordinariate have retained the Ember Days. An article at this blog may help to bring other Catholics to a deeper appreciation of the celebration of the Ember (and Rogation) Days:
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SAINT JOAN OF ARC
Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well.
SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE
When we appeal to the throne of grace we do so through Mary, honoring God by honoring His Mother, imitating Him by exalting her, touching the most responsive chord in the sacred heart of Christ with the sweet name of Mary.
SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES
Have patience with all things - but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are perfectly valuable, creative, a worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin.
MARK TWAIN
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
MARCUS AURELIUS
There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
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