Do i have an obligation to go to church even if I'm not a catholic yet?

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If sincere about becoming Catholic, why wouldn’t one go to Sunday Mass.
And keep in mind that the commandment of God applies to everyone:

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.” Ex 20:8-10; cf. Deut 5:12-15
 
Are you Catholic at heart yet? A person who truely loves our Lord will desire to go to mass, it is not only as an obligation but to recieve the Eucharist, but also the living word of God and all that the mass contains.
 
Personally, I never use the word ‘obligation’ when it comes to Mass. It’s a gift, a wonderful privilege!

Thank Jesus for giving us the Mass and thank Him again that we live someplace where it’s free and easy to go. Many people risk their very lives or walk miles and miles just to attend.

If you are ‘not Catholic yet’ that seems to say you are joining the Church. Aren’t you looking forward to it?

I converted 40 years ago and still bemoan that I wasn’t raised Catholic. Perhaps it would have made a huge difference in my life, albeit one can’t look backward with the same knowledge one has now and say the choices would have been different.

I sure would have asked God to know His will for me rather than just going on my own. I tried to do what was ‘right’ and chose paths of service to others, but I’d have done far better, far sooner, had I been more knowledgeable.😉

May your path be a smooth one and may you find the true Joy that only He can give and that can only be partaken of in the Mass.

God Bless You,
MaryTeresa, OSSM
 
When I was converting to the Church I choose to attend church whenever I could. I felt that even though I couldn’t receive I still benefitted spiritually by being in a place where the word was proclaimed, God was truly present and in the company of those who recognised the truth.

There were occasions when I couldn’t attend mass for one reason or another - even when the reason wouldn’t be good enough to remove the obligation for a Catholic there was no sin in not attending. The requirement to attend mass only applies to Catholic.
 
Trishie said:
If sincere about becoming Catholic, why wouldn’t one go to Sunday Mass.
And keep in mind that the commandment of God applies to everyone:

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.” Ex 20:8-10; cf. Deut 5:12-15
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👍
 
Trishie said:
If sincere about becoming Catholic, why wouldn’t one go to Sunday Mass.
And keep in mind that the commandment of God applies to everyone:

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.” Ex 20:8-10; cf. Deut 5:12-15
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I’ve been going to church every Sunday for the past few months ever since i wanted to be a catholic, I’m just meaning some Sundays i wouldn’t have to go church.
 
Q. 1. Am I obligated to go to Holy Mass on Sundays?
A. 1. According to the Church precepts, you are obligated to attend Mass on Sunday.
Q. 2. Where do I find information on these Church precepts?
A. 2. “The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.”) requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2042)

(Note: “Eucharistic celebration” means “Holy Mass.”)

The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely:

“On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass. 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 # 1247)

“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 on the evening of the preceding day.” [Canon Law # 1248.1] (C.C.C. # 2180)
Q. 3. Is it a sin not to go to Holy Mass on Sunday?
A. 3. The Catholic Church teaches that the faithful are obligated to attend Holy Mass (Eucharistic celebration) on days of obligation. Those who deliberately fail in the obligation of attending Sunday Mass commit a grave sin.
Q. 4. Where can I find that rule?
A. 4. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church where it states:

“The Sunday Eucharist (meaning “Holy Mass”) is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. [Canon Law # 1245] Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.” (C.C.C. # 2181)
Q. 5. What are the consequences of committing a grave sin?
A. 5. Those who have committed a grave sin cannot receive communion without having gone to confession first.
 
flamez3 said:
I’ve been going to church every Sunday for the past few months ever since i wanted to be a catholic, I’m just meaning some Sundays i wouldn’t have to go church.
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Good for you! No, you are not required attend church as if you are a Catholic. Sunday Obligation (as specified in Canon Law and the Catechism) only applies to Catholics (CCC 2181: “the **faithful **are obliged”), so, until you are received into the Catholic Church (which I hope you are) it is not a sin for you to miss Mass.

Certainly the third commandment applies, in some sense, to all people but the Church does not impose Sunday Obligation, as strictly required of Catholics, on others.

Apart from the issue of “obligation” your weekly attendance at a Catholic Mass, or other Christian worship service, is strongly encouraged, as you are aware.

You could probably have got a quick answer to this question just by asking the parish priest after Mass, or by phoning the parish and asking to talk to the priest. He would have been very happy to meet you, and welcome you to the parish.
 
I think it’s a good idea to attend Mass if you are going through RCIA. I went every Sunday even before beginning RCIA and still go each Sunday. Mass is never an obligation for me. Sunday Mass will become your new way of life when you become Catholic after all,(unless you plan to be an Easter and Christmas Catholic) so why not start now? 🙂
 
Trishie said:
If sincere about becoming Catholic, why wouldn’t one go to Sunday Mass.
And keep in mind that the commandment of God applies to everyone:

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.” Ex 20:8-10; cf. Deut 5:12-15
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I’m confused…isn’t this the 4th commandment?
 
flamez3 said:
pretty much the title
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You have no obligation, but if you are going through RCIA it is a very needed aspect of your formation. The mass is the most important prayer of the Church. Going to mass you will be feed spiritually with the word and come to a fuller understanding of the liturgy. It is also good to start your habit of attending mass early. This prayer of the mass is to give you that spiritual grace for the rest of your week and all your prayers and devotions for the week. It is also entering into the great mystery of the kingdom each week, the joining of heaven and earth with the communion of saints.
As other posters have indicated, are are to keep the Lord’s day holy. Mass is part of that.
 
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