Canon Law: Which holy days of obligation apply?

[Bookcat]

To further think about this - I am not speaking of “dispensation”.

But of Conference of Bishops - deciding in their territory - to “suppress” or “transfer” one of the Universal Holy Days. And thus if one leaves that territory and goes where that Universal Holy Day is not “suppressed” or “transferred” -then it being a universal Holy Day - it would seem to bind.

Note the below (tis not about dispensation).

Can. 1246 §1. 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. The following days must also be observed: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints.

§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4N.HTM

 

[FrDavid96]

To further think about this - I am not speaking of “dispensation”.

But of Conference of Bishops - deciding in their territory - to “suppress” or “transfer” one of the Universal Holy Days. And thus if one leaves that territory and goes where that Universal Holy Day is not “suppressed” or “transferred” -then it being a universal Holy Day - it would seem to bind.

Note the below (tis not about dispensation).

Can. 1246 §1. 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. The following days must also be observed: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints.

§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4N.HTM

I realize that this isn’t about a dispensation anymore.

It is however about a law that looses. When laws loose, they are to be interpreted generously. Since people are loosed from the law (even though it’s “by the law itself”) they take that relaxation of the law with them when they travel. This is a matter of not placing undue burdens on people. If people come from a country where they’ve never even heard that Corpus Christi or St Joseph day are HDOs the Church doesn’t expect them to consult local calendars every time they travel on the off chance that “there might be a Holy Day that I’ve never hear about in that place.”

 

[Bookcat]

I realize that this isn’t about a dispensation anymore.

It is however about a law that looses. When laws loose, they are to be interpreted generously. Since people are loosed from the law (even though it’s “by the law itself”) they take that relaxation of the law with them when they travel. This is a matter of not placing undue burdens on people. If people come from a country where they’ve never even heard that Corpus Christi or St Joseph day are HDOs the Church doesn’t expect them to consult local calendars every time they travel on the off chance that “there might be a Holy Day that I’ve never hear about in that place.”

Still seems universal laws would be in effect.

So I can fly to the UK and have a hamburger on Friday?

(oh oh look a Catholic having a Hamburger…oh he is an American - he is ok).

Still not convinced.

There are* only 10 Holy Days*. Does not seem to be a very big burden.

Is the time I am going to be traveling include a Holy Day of Obligation for the Universal Church? Lets see…look at list. Nope. Ok done.

Oh it does? Ok - lets check where I am going to be that day and see if that place has suppressed or transferred? --oh it they have it. Ok I go to Mass when I am there.

This is not about “Local Holy Days” -they do not apply to travelers who are not going to live there for a period. But about “Universal Holy Days”. Of which there are only 10.

And “invincible ignorance” would come into effect for many who do not know to look.

 

[Bookcat]

The law in that territory is loosened -that is suppressed or transferred -for that territory.

 

[Bookcat]

The law in that territory is loosened -that is suppressed or transferred -for that territory.

Such is referring to that done by Bishops Conferences.

As to a local Bishops -they can choose to * dispense *their subjects (CIC 87 .1) as I understand it. But that is a different matter.

 

[FrDavid96]

The law in that territory is loosened -that is suppressed or transferred -for that territory.

Yes, and as a general principle in canon law, when people are loosed from the law, they continue to be so, even when they leave the territory, unless the law (or decree) that looses them contains a restriction.

 

[Bookcat]

Yes, and as a general principle in canon law, when people are loosed from the law, they continue to be so, even when they leave the territory, unless the law (or decree) that looses them contains a restriction.

They though would not seem to be “loosed” as persons (who can then do what they want other places in the world). Rather it is a decision of the Conference of Bishops -confirmed by the Holy See - and such is regarding a* territory*. Not persons.

 

[Bookcat]

But of Conference of Bishops - deciding in their territory - to “suppress” or “transfer” one of the Universal Holy Days. And thus if one leaves that territory and goes where that Universal Holy Day is not “suppressed” or “transferred” -then it being a universal Holy Day - it would seem to bind.

Note the below (tis not about dispensation).

Can. 1246 §1. 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. The following days must also be observed: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints.

§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4N.HTM

Tis very much about “territory” (not persons) -where the persons that are there are not obliged when the Holy Day is suppressed or transferred by the Conference with the confirmation of the Holy See.

Again I could be incorrect (I recall that I have seen both understandings -that travelers are to attend where they are according to the Universal Law that is then again in effect - or not…)

 

[SMHW]

There are* only 10 Holy Days*. Does not seem to be a very big burden.

True. But knowing the universal Holy Days of Obligation is not something that Catholics should have to know to be good Catholics. Neither is there a law that says Catholics can’t travel unless they receive special education.

In the United States the current six Holy Days of Obligation were decided on in 1884. All the others were suppressed. I know many good Catholics who have no idea that those Holy Days of Obligation are not the same as those for the Universal Church.

(I sometimes see people here at CAF get upset because some universal Holy Days of Obligation, such as the Epiphany, have been transferred to Sundays rather than remaining on the traditional day. Well often that was not to relieve people’s obligation to attend Mass on a weekday; rather it was so they would be regularly be in attendance at the celebration of a solemnity for which they previously never had an obligation to assist at Mass.)

Church law wisely holds travelers to the least restrictive of the laws and dispensations of home and destination. The laws are for the protection of Catholics; they aren’t there to trip them up!

 

[Vico]

It also varies with the Catholic church sui iuris, for example for the Byzantine Catholic Church (USA the particular law is:Canon 198
The eparchial bishop is to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the people on all Sundays and the days of precept. The days of precept are:

January 6 - Theophany of our Lord
Ascension of Lord
June 29 - Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
August 15 - Dormition of the Mother of God
December 25 - Nativity of our Lord
Canon 294
The pastor is to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the people of the parish entrusted to him on all Sundays and days of precept. The days of precept are: January 6 - Theophany of our Lord
Ascension of Lord
June 29 - Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
August 15 - Dormition of the Mother of God
December 25 - Nativity of our Lord​

 

[Bookcat]

True. But knowing the universal Holy Days of Obligation is not something that Catholics should have to know to be good Catholics. Neither is there a law that says Catholics can’t travel unless they receive special education.

In the United States the current six Holy Days of Obligation were decided on in 1884. All the others were suppressed. I know many good Catholics who have no idea that those Holy Days of Obligation are not the same as those for the Universal Church.

Tis right in the Catechism:

The Sunday Eucharist

2177 The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. "Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church."110

"Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension of Christ, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christi, the feast of Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, the feast of Saint Joseph, the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints."111

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#2192

---

There is much that an ordinary good Christian may not yet know …such does not change the reality.

But

As I noted above “invincible ignorance” can step in for those who do not know they should know…

(and again I noted above what I have understood (my wife too who also has a degree in Theology - though from a Pontifical academy in Europe -also believes it is “where your at” that determines things). Could I be incorrect? sure. Or I may be correct. I would be happy either way).

 

[SMHW]

Tis right in the Catechism:
.
.
.
There is much that an ordinary good Christian may not yet know …such does not change the reality.

But

As I noted above “invincible ignorance” can step in for those who do not know they should know…

For better of worse I suspect that’s the majority of Catholics.

(and again I noted above what I have understood (my wife too who also has a degree in Theology - though from a Pontifical academy in Europe -also believes it is “where your at” that determines things). Could I be incorrect? sure. Or I may be correct. I would be happy either way).

Perhaps she is right. But then why include ANY special considerations for travelers? Even if one argues that knowing the universal list of Holy Days of Obligation is expected of Catholics I don’t see how knowing the Holy Days of one’s destination is expected.

 

[Bookcat]

But then why include ANY special considerations for travelers? .

(and of course as I noted I could be incorrect…)

But to answer the above–because:

If I am traveling to a place where the Universal Holy Days is are not in effect in an area - and I was bound to attend due to it being a Holy Day where I am from - the getting to Mass would pose more of a difficulty (Holy Days normally have several Masses of possibility) -ordinary week days have less. So if it is not a Holy Day (even though it is universally so) in that place - my being there in the territory I will not have to seek out some early daily Mass etc.

“Local Holy Days” or other local laws would seem not to be binding for the reason that every country could have various unexpected days (unlike the universal calendar of 10 fixed days) so that would be a burden - hence it does not seem binding if it is a local Day on me -unless I am say living there for I think three Months. And they are “local” days for a “local reason” and I am just passing through - I am not “a local”.

It is as one notes not often something one is aware of. I know I did not think of checking if there was a Holy Day of Obligation that was in effect in Rome (but not at home) the first time I went there on Pilgrimage - it and I have a degree in Theology (and was reading Canon Law at lunch way back in High School!). But I found out from someone there – and attended Mass (though being on Pilgrimage I was attending Mass more often anyhow…). But then I now know and if I travel I check. And as to abstaining - following the understanding I have had – the falling back on the Universal Law of not eating meat on Friday’s normally is easy. And if want to eat meat somewhere on a Friday while traveling - I check with a Priest say -and if I find that there is other possible penances there - I then know I can meat that Friday if I wish and do that Penance.

 

[SMHW]

It is as one notes not often something one is aware of. I know I did not think of checking if there was a Holy Day of Obligation that was in effect in Rome (but not at home) the first time I went there on Pilgrimage - it and I have a degree in Theology. But I found out from someone there – and attended Mass (though being on Pilgrimage I was attending Mass more often anyhow…). But then I now know and if I travel I check. And as to abstaining - falling back on the Universal Law of not eating meat on Friday’s normally is easy. And if want to eat meat somewhere on a Friday while traveling - I check with a Priest say -and if I find that there is other possible penances there - I then know I can meat that Friday if I wish and do that Penance.

I still find the idea that one is bound by “universal holy days” which are not obligatory in one’s home location crazy. That kind of thinking leads to the idea that one has an obligation to attend Mass whenever he is traveling on a universal day of obligation even if it turns out that it is not actually a day of obligation in that place.

 

[Bookcat]

I still find the idea that one is bound by “universal holy days” which are not obligatory in one’s home location crazy. That kind of thinking leads to the idea that one has an obligation to attend Mass whenever he is traveling on a universal day of obligation even if it turns out that it is not actually a day of obligation in that place.

I don’t.

So if I travel to say Poland where one must abstain from Meat on all Fridays of the year (except solemnities and Holy Days of course) - and it is Friday -just go ahead and order some kielbasa?. No I am going to follow the Universal Law which is in effect there.

So in my pilgrimage to Rome – it happened that it was Epiphany --all the shops are closed down for it is a Holy Day of Obligation -and I find this out - so I will just not go to Mass? Hey I am an American! No I will go. (I did go). Tis a Universal Holy Day. And I maybe even in the Vatican…

 

[SMHW]

I don’t.

So if I travel to say Poland where one must abstain from Meat on all Fridays of the year (except solemnities and Holy Days of course) - and it is Friday -just go ahead and order some kielbasa?. No I am going to follow the Universal Law which is in effect there.

So in my pilgrimage to Rome – it happened that it was Epiphany --all the shops are closed down for it is a Holy Day of Obligation -and I find this out - so I will just not go to Mass? Hey I am an American! No I will go. (I did go). Tis a Universal Holy Day. And I maybe even in the Vatican…

Who said anyone should disregard a KNOWN obligation?

The point is, travelers are not required to know. To the best of my knowledge, no one is required to know the universal days of obligation. One is only required to know the days that actually bind him under normal circumstances.

Chances are that American days of obligation are more restrictive than the travel location’s days of obligation to observe universal days of obligation (unless one is visiting the Vatican.)

 

[Bookcat]

To the best of my knowledge, no one is required to know the universal days of obligation.

They are* listed* in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And Holy Days of Obligation are one of the precepts of the Church…

The Sunday Eucharist

2177 The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. “Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church.”

“Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension of Christ, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christi, the feast of Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, the feast of Saint Joseph, the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints.”

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#2192

But heck for some - they may not even know there is an obligation to attend Mass on Sunday!

 

[Bookcat]

Who said anyone should disregard a KNOWN obligation?

The point is, travelers are not required to know.

To who is given much…

(but as I noted - people may simply not have a clue…)

 

[FrDavid96]

We have to make a distinction between knowing the obligation and actually being bound by the obligation.

The “knowing” part is the reasoning behind the law. It’s not the law itself.

In general, when people are loosed from the law in the place where they live, they continue to be loosed from the law when they travel.

 

[Bookcat]

In general, when people are loosed from the law in the place where they live, they continue to be loosed from the law when they travel.

I repeat what I have noted above (regarding the aspects of territory, universal law, not being a “dispensation” etc)