The days at the start of the seasons ordained by the Church as days of fasting and abstinence are known as Ember Days.

The most recent liturgical season is Lent, and Tyler Bishop Joseph Strickland recently called on the faithful to observe ember days.

“Day 8 of Lent- Ember days are traditionally seasonal days of penance, prayer & fasting,” he said in a March 1 Twitter post. “Let us observe the Ember Days of March 1, 3 & 4. Let us offer these days in reparation for the sinfulness & blasphemies that plague our world & in joy for God’s Mercy.” 

The term ember days is a corruption of the Latin phrase Quatuor Tempora, which translates to “four seasons.” Each of the four seasons contains three ember days for a total of 12 ember days throughout the year; taking place on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14), and the feast of St. Lucy (Dec. 13); a Catholic News Agency (CNA) report said. 

Ember days were first mentioned by Pope Leo I in the fifth century as a part of apostolic tradition, suggesting that they are a very old Christian custom, CNA added. Pope Gregory VII (1073–1085) later mandated the observance of ember days for the entire Catholic Church. Hence, for a long time, ember days have been an important part of Catholic life. Although fasting and abstinence on ember days are no longer required, they are nevertheless significant to Catholics in many nations and encouraged by many American bishops. 

In addition to the fundamental goal of prayer and fasting, the introduction of ember days was to thank God for the gifts of nature, instruct people on how to utilize them in moderation, and provide aid to those in need; New Advent said. Ember days also encouraged Christians to fast and pray in order to counter the excesses and revelry of pagan festivals, which were held during that time period in Rome.