When the fourth season was added cannot be ascertained, but Gelasius (492-496) speaks of all four. Leo the Great (440-461) considers it an Apostolic institution. The “ Liber Pontificalis” ascribes to Pope Callistus (217-222) a law ordering the fast, but probably it is older. At first the Church in Rome had fasts in June, September, and December the exact days were not fixed but were announced by the priests. The Church, when converting heathen nations, has always tried to sanctify any practices which could be utilized for a good purpose. At the beginning of the time for seeding-and harvesting religious ceremonies were performed to implore the help of their deities: in June for a bountiful harvest, in September for a rich vintage, and in December for the seeding hence their ferioe sementivioe, ferioe messis, and ferioe vindemiales. The Romans were originally given to agriculture, and their native gods belonged to the same class. The immediate occasion was the practice of the heathens of Rome. The purpose of their introduction, besides the general one intended by all prayer and fasting, was to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy. Lucia), after Ash Wednesday, after Whitsunday, and after September 14 (Exaltation of the Cross).
They were definitely arranged and prescribed for the entire Church by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) for the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after December 13 (S. Quatuor Tempera, four times) are the days at the beginning of the seasons ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence.
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