The Advent Ember Days have a penitential character, and on the recommendation of the Governing Council, the Bishop has decreed that Ember Friday in Advent is to be kept as an obligatory day of abstinence from meat.

The Ember days are four seasonal times of prayer and fasting, and an ancient part of the Ordinariate's Catholic patrimony that come through the English Church. The word comes from “Quattember” or “the four times of the year” as the Ember days take place in Advent, Lent, Whitsuntide (the season of Pentecost), and in September following Holy Cross Day.

The Catholic Church invites us to fast and pray for the Lord Jesus to send new vocations to ministry in His holy Church, and for Christians to take up bravely their vocations in the world.

The Latin Catholic Church sets minimal fasting guidelines for persons between 18 - 59 as one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together would not equal a full meal. All persons who fast are asked to maintain their health, particularly if they choose to make a more demanding fast.

Catholics in the Ordinariate ages 14 and up are required to abstain from meat on Ember Friday (unless health reasons demand otherwise).