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HE Ember  Days  were  instituted — 1. To consecrate  by penance  each  of  the  four  seasons  of  the  year;

2. To  pray  to  God  for  the  preservation  of  the  fruits  of  the earth, and  to  give  Him  thanks  for  those  already  received;

3. To  beg  of  God  worthy  pastors  for  the  Church,  and  to implore  His  blessing  on  those  who  are  promoted  to  Holy  Orders.

E beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  mercifully  to  regard  the  devotion of  Thy  people,  that  mortifying  their  bodies  by  fasting, their  minds  may  be  refreshed  by  good  works. Through Christ our  Lord.

Bless the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  never  forget  all  He  hath  done for thee.

Receive, O  Lord,  we  beseech  Thee,  the  offerings  of  our homage, and  mercifully  sanctify  Thy  own  gifts.

Bless and  preserve,  O  Lord,  the  fruits  of  the  earth. Enable us, by  Thy  grace,  so  to  enjoy  these  and  all  other  temporal  blessings, that  we  may  not  lose  those  which  are  eternal.

Lord Jesus  Christ,  Who  didst  institute  in  Thy  Church  a  sacred hierarchy, to  be  perpetuated  without  interruption  to  the  end of the  world,  by  the  Sacrament  of  Holy  Orders,  hear  the  prayers which we  humbly  offer  up  to  Thee,  for  those  who  are  to  be ordained  at  this  time,  that,  strengthened  by  Thy  grace  and directed by  Thy  Spirit,  they  may  please  Thee  to  Whom  they engage themselves,  and  by  word  and  example,  contribute  to the  salvation  of  souls,  redeemed  by  Thy  blood. Who livest and reignest,  world  without  end. Amen.

GOD and  Saviour  of  our  souls,  sweet  Infant  Jesus, Whom the  angels  and  shepherds  adored  in  the stable of  Bethlehem  on  that  holy  night  when  Thou  wert born of  the  Virgin  Mary,  we  offer  Thee  our  profound  adoration and  our  most  earnest  thanksgiving  for  having  become man for  our  redemption  and  salvation;  grant  that  we  may apply all  our  powers  to  fulfil  Thy  gracious  designs,  that  we