Canonists have generally held that for all laws promulgated by the Holy See two months' time is granted before in places outside the City of Rome the obligation of observing the law begins. 1248 §1. We are not used to the slowness or the silence of the liturgy. Back in 1953, Pope Pius XII helpfully defined “vigil” for us as “not before 4 PM” (Latin text here, on p. 23), which is why we can fulfill our Sunday obligation by attending Mass on Saturday evening at 4:00 or later. The Mass took place at 3 PM, and the readings were not the day’s readings but rather readings associated to what we were celebrating. Moreover, it is his obligation to see to the celebration of the Masses until such time as he has received evidence that the obligation has been undertaken and the offering received. Are Catholics (Maronite, Latin or otherwise) required to attend Mass to hear the Sunday readings, or is attendance at any Mass on Sunday sufficient? Can. Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. It can be easy to forget that Sunday marks the beginning of our week, not the end. But despite our parental hardships, we recognize that we have a moral duty to be there. 1247). Canon 1248.1 provides an explanation. 208 From their rebirth in Christ, there exists among all the Christian faithful a true equality regarding dignity and action by which they all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ according to each one’s own condition and function. The Catholic Church reflects this obligation in its Code of Canon Law: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass” (can. Did the Holy See issue a proclamation eliminating the Sunday Obligation? 1. etc.—while other kinds can. The novelty came with the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which permitted the faithful to satisfy their obligation of assisting at Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day either on the day itself or the afternoon or evening beforehand (canon 1248, §1). 1247). Boniface VIII, De Regulis Iuris , no. Although the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” according to the Catechism, it is not uncommon for a Catholic—through no fault of his own—to feel almost nothing when he receives it (1324). Commentary on the Code of Canon Law 1246. So despite the popular misconception, no particular rites or ceremonies are needed, and any Mass on Saturday evening–Easter Vigil Mass included–will satisfy the obligation for Sunday. None of the content of this website may be reproduced, either in whole or in part, without the advance written permission of the author. The essential moral prescription of the third commandment nonetheless remained: man ought to set apart a full day each week for rest and worship. The following canon should be no surprise either. This relief from the Sunday obligation was removed in the 1983 Canon Law. . Moral laws are like signposts: they properly orient us, and once we have been properly oriented we cease to notice them. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body." CANON LAW RELATED TO CONFIRMATION PART I : THE SACRAMENTS Can. Canon 1246.1 tells us what we already know: Sunday is a holyday of obligation. So, for example, if a funeral Mass is celebrated on a Sunday—which is entirely possible, by the way, although for pragmatic reasons it is normally scheduled on another day of the week—attendance at that Mass would satisfy a Catholic’s Sunday Mass obligation. The 1983 Code of Canon Law simply states: "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or … We are not used to the language of the Bible readings and the prayers. That may surprise some folks, but that’s what canon law indicates Only Mass satisfies the Sunday obligation (1983 CIC 1247-1248) under Roman Catholic canon law. But if you happen to be a Latin Catholic, and the only Catholic church in the region where you live is Ukrainian Catholic, or there’s a Ukrainian Catholic parish which has a Sunday liturgy scheduled at a convenient time for you … there’s no reason why you can’t attend Mass/liturgy at that Catholic parish on Sunday. 10:17). In some parts of the world, there are Catholics who have figured this law out for themselves, and are unfortunately using it as an excuse to give God the least possible worship they can get away with. Where is the reference in the 1917 canon law that removed the Sunday Mass obligation should a person have to travel more than certain distance. Do Bishops Have the Authority to Cancel Masses Completely? For many years now, the Sunday obligation — observed by a minority of Catholics — was in the intensive care unit. The key to understanding why Catholics must attend Sunday Mass lies above all in the essence of the Mass itself. Thus specifically arranging to celebrate a sacrament like marriage in such a way that we “don’t have to” attend Sunday Mass the next day doesn’t say much for a Catholic’s appreciation of this tremendous gift, given to us by Our Lord Himself. 840 The sacraments of the New Testament were instituted by Christ the Lord and entrusted to the Church. I have been properly oriented. “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them,” Jesus said (Matt. When (and How Much) Can a Bishop Tax a Parish. Even for a devout Catholic, it can be difficult to slow down and settle into a day of rest—and especially into a solemn hour of prayer and worship. The holy days of obligation for Latin Rite Catholics are indicated in canon 1246 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law: Can. 22:38). We are God’s first. Two grave dangers to the human soul are a lack of contemplation and lack of love. All rights reserved. The signs are still there—they still hold their objective force—but I no longer notice them. Let’s take a look at what the law says. Strictly speaking, of course, this is entirely within the law; but it’s always sad when Catholics use canon law as an excuse to do the bare minimum for God. * If a member of the faithful cannot attend Mass on Sunday, that impossibility excuses the obligation. This relief from the Sunday obligation was removed in the 1983 Canon Law. 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