It is only one form of the ministry that is overcrowded.Īlittle attention to the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel suggested (the optional character of the psalms and lessons certainly seems to imply that these also are not strictly prescribed) for the Ember Days shows them capable of a wider application. We know of several priests in secular employment whose aid has been a great blessing to overworked parish clergy and poor parishes. An ordained farmer or garage man could bring even a daily Eucharist, not to mention the certainty of the last rites when needed or priestly counsel and absolution when desired, to communities which can now have nothing but the monthly ministrations of the Archdeacon. Paul by whatever labor they can do or find, is so far from being too great that it is practically nonexistent.

The supply of priests to go out at the utmost personal sacrifice among the poor of our cities or into the smaller agricultural communities, living like the people they serve, supported like St. But there do not begin to be enough monastic clergy to meet the calls for the sort of work which they, and they only, can do. If we think only in terms of the secular pastor, settled on the field and drawing his entire support either from the field or from the missionary funds of the diocese or the National Council, overcrowding certainly is a fact. We suspect that this attitude has to some degree retarded the growth and activities of the Ember Guild.īut the priesthood is not really overcrowded. Many have, not unreasonably, objected to praying for the increase of an already overcrowded profession. The Ember Day collect is a prayer for the increase of vocations to the ministry. The connection of the Ember Days with ordination, while not inherent, is very ancient, and our bishops might save themselves much valuable time and much trouble by insisting on the maintenance of this connection. The bringing up of the subject of ordination four times each year cannot fail to stir up some people to ask, some clergymen to each and preach, about the nature and work of the ministry. We might wish that the prayers be extended to cover the examining chaplains who scrutinize, and the vestries and standing committees who certify these men. It is good to pray, as our Prayer Book directs, that the bishops may exercise proper discretion in choosing persons to ordain. It is worthwhile to unite the whole Church in intercessory prayer and fasting for the candidates for ordination. To be sure the service provided in the Prayer Book may be faulted for dwelling too exclusively on one aspect of the Ember fast. It is a pity that these days are not more strictly observed. The Prayer Book gives us no option in the matter of the abstinence, nor in that of adding to the regular service at least the prayer for those who are to be admitted to Holy Orders. That is to say, the services for these days are optional. In 1892 they were given proper lessons, and in 1928 the addition of proper psalms and a collect, epistle, and gospel gave them a complete, though optional, liturgical office. They have always been in our Prayer Book as days of abstinence, and in every revision have gained in importance.

256– 57, 929).įour times a year the notices on Sunday call our attention to the Ember Days. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer appoints proper collects and readings for the observance of Ember Days under the title “For the Ministry (Ember Days).” It also provides propers “For those to be ordained,” “For the choice of fit persons for the ministry,” and “For all Christians in their vocation” (pp. From The Living Church, September 19, 1936, pp.

Ember days 2019