‘Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy” is the mnemonic doggerel by which we remember the Ember. The Ember Day observances of the traditional liturgical calendar of the Roman Church fall in Lent, and near Pentecost, the feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and of St Lucy. These are special days of penance.

The Pentecost Ember Days blend penitential fasting with joy, for they fall during the Octave of Pentecost. This Octave, retained in the traditional calendar, was foolishly eliminated in the Ordinary Form.