Ember Days are observed four times a year, namely, the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday that follow the First Sunday of Lent, the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), and the Memorial of Saint Lucy (December 13).
This year, Wednesday, June 11; Friday, June 13; and Saturday, June 14, are observed as Ember Days.
The Diocese of Lake Charles, through the Office of Liturgy, offers suggestions as to how to observe Ember Days.
PRAYER
• Consider attending Mass daily on Ember Days.
• Make an effort to pray more than usual offering a Rosary or a period of time before the Lord in the Tabernacle for the intention of healing for victims of abuse, the strengthening of Christian faith, and the reparation and repentance of sins by clergy.FASTING
• Catholics in the United States are especially encouraged to abstain from meat on all Fridays throughout the year, in remembrance of the day Christ died for our salvation, and to observe fasting during the weekdays of Lent. Both fasting and abstinence are, however, obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence from meat is further required on the Fridays during Lent, unless a solemnity falls on a Friday. Consider extending this to the Wednesday and Saturday of the Ember Days.
• Consider a small absence (omitting sugar from coffee, drinking water, etc.) as a way to observe the call to penance.REMAINING EMBER DAYS IN THE YEAR 2025:
• Fall: September 17, 19, and 20
• Advent: December 17, 19, and 20
