Posted on 02/15/2005 10:11:23 PM PST by Mike Fieschko
The fast of quarter-tense, or ember-day fast, was instituted by Pope Calixtus. It occurs four times a year, according to the seasons. Four arguments justify this fast.First, since the Spring is a humid season, we fast in order to chasten our pernicious humours, namely, the vices of the flesh. The Summer is a hot and dry season; hence we fast in order to temper the dryness of greed. The Autumn is also dry, but cold; therefore we fast to amend the cold dryness of pride. The Winter being a cold, wet season, we fast in order to thaw the cold of faithlessness and malice.
Second, the quarter-tense is intended to remind us of the fast of the Jews, who fasted four times a year, before the Pasch, before Pentecost, before the feast of Tabernacles, and before the dedication of December.
Third, since man's body is formed of four elements, and his soul of three faculties, we should fast four times a year, for three days each time.
Fourth, the Spring is related ot childhood, the Summer to adolescence, the Fall to the age of manhood, and the Winter to the declining years of life. Hence we fast in the Spring in order to be as innocent as children, in the Summer to have the strength of youth, in the Fall to be ripe with merit, as befits the virile years, and in the Winter to acquire the wisdom and solid worth of mature old age. Or again, we should fast in Winter in order to atone for the faults which we have committed in the earlier seasons.
ping
"Ember days are the 16th, 18th and 19th this year"
Did you mean "this month?"
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