The September ("Holy Cross") Ember days have a penitential character and ought to be marked by intentional prayers for vocations. On the recommendation of the Governing Council, the Bishop has decreed that Ember Friday in September is to be kept as an obligatory day of abstinence.
Prayer for Embertide
O ALMIGHTY God, look mercifully upon the world, redeemed by the blood of thy dear Son, and incline the hearts of all whom thou dost call to offer themselves for the sacred ministry of thy Church; that there may never be wanting a supply of fit persons to preach thy Word, and dispense thy holy Sacraments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collects of this autumn Embertide, with their emphasis on the relationship of body and soul, remind us that the good and golden mean we seek in our physical life is an expression of the corresponding good we ask for our spiritual life as well. In these prayers, we seek a harvest of both the fruits of the earth and the fruits of the Spirit.
Ember Wednesday in Autumn
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, to us thy humble servants: that we, who do refrain ourselves from carnal feastings, may likewise fast from sin within our souls; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Ember Friday in Autumn
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that we, who year by year devotedly keep this holy ordinance of abstinence, may serve thee acceptably both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Ember Saturday in Autumn
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who through godly continency bestowest healing both of body and soul: we humbly beseech thy majesty graciously to look upon the devout prayers and abstinence of thy people, granting us in this world the succour of thy grace, and in the world to come life everlasting; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
