FASTS, TABLE OF

The Reformers of the English Church retained and enjoinedone hundred and twenty-threedays in each year, to be sanctified wholly or in part as Fasts and days of abstinence. These, with the exception of the Table of Vigils, have been retained in the American Prayer Book and are the following:

ABSOLUTE FASTS, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

OTHER DAYS OF FASTING,on which the Church requires such a measure of abstinence as is more especially suited to extraordinary acts and exercises of devotion, namely:

I. The Forty Days of Lent.

II. The Ember Days at the four seasons.

III. The Three Rogation Days.

IV. All Fridays in the year, except Christmas Day.

These Fasting Days must always be announced to the congregation in Church, the rubric in the Communion Office requiring that "Then the Minister shall declare unto the People what Holy Days or Fasting Days are in the week following to be observed."