Do all Sunday obligations apply to holy days?

[hopeforfaith]

Hi, it’s the first time that I am aware that All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation. I want to ask, do we have to abstain from “demanding unnecessary work from others” as stated in the catechism on that day too? I find it weird that our school, which is a catholic school, is having the school picnic day on that day, which involves making people to drive for us. Another thing, before I realized that day is a holy day, I have made a dental appointment. What should I do now? Besides, what do you really do on holy days, aside from attending mass? Thanks!

 

[JM3]

Code of Canon Law

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4N.HTM

Catechism of the Catholic Church

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7O.HTM

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Holy Days are not days of rest. There is no need to avoid work or school. We should, of course, make sure to attend Mass.

 

[PaulGH]

From the Code of Canon Law linked above:

Can. 1247 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and aVairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.

My understanding is that we do have the same obligation to avoid work on holy days as we do on Sundays. However, that obligation (for both Sundays and holy days) is not an absolute obligation to avoid work. For example, it would seem to me, in my understanding, that if we do things like small chores around the house that do not “hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body,” then that is fine. Also, my understanding is that *necessary *work is acceptable on Sundays and holy days. Some examples of necessary work could be preparing meals for one’s self or one’s family, or working to support one’s self or one’s family if such work is required by one’s employer – and especially if such work is of a nature where someone must be available to do that work even on Sundays and holy days (e.g., police officers, hospital staff, prison guards, etc.).

 

[chevalier]

My understanding is also that the obligation is the same. It does matter that a certain day of obligation (which is not the same as just about any holy day! every day is the holy day of a saint, only few specially designated days are days of obligation) is not a public holiday in a certain country and so it might be impossible to abstain from working or even demanding work.

My understanding is that a Catholic business owner or other employer should as long as at all possible offer a day free of work to the employees. It might be a good idea to make use of one’s own leave to free up a holy day, I guess, although I’ve never seen this angle covered anywhere (in fact, in some jurisdictions there is a small number of days an employee can call off at his own discretion).

One must note, however, that some establishments are necessary to work even on Sundays or at least help other people live out a good Sunday. There’s no obligation, for example, to spend Sundays strictly home or in church, so it’s not like cinemas, restaurants, parks etc. should be closed, let alone police patrols called off.

 

[PaulGH]

It does matter that a certain day of obligation (which is not the same as just about any holy day! every day is the holy day of a saint, only few specially designated days are days of obligation) . . . .

Good clarification. In my post, I was using “holy day” as shorthand for “holy day of obligation.”

My understanding is that a Catholic business owner or other employer should as long as at all possible offer a day free of work to the employees. It might be a good idea to make use of one’s own leave to free up a holy day, I guess, although I’ve never seen this angle covered anywhere (in fact, in some jurisdictions there is a small number of days an employee can call off at his own discretion).

In fact, I have begun in the past few years to use a few of my vacation days each year to take off work on all holy days of obligation – at least as much as possible. I am not saying that Catholics are obligated to do this, but it is something that some people may want to consider, if they have a job where they have the flexibility to take those days off.

I am a bit disappointed that the Catholic school which my children attend does not close on holy days of obligation. Instead, they follow very closely with the schedule of the local public schools. The one good thing though is that all of the students and many of the parents can attend Mass together for the holy day of obligation, because Mass is always celebrated at school on those days.

 

[JM3]

Holy Days are not days of rest. There is no need to avoid work or school. We should, of course, make sure to attend Mass.

CCC

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. the faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure - the necessity of charity accepts just work.124

Code of Canon Law

Can. 1247 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.

Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.