Does Saturday Vigil Mass every week fulfill Sunday obligation?

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dizzy_dave

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Please read my question carefully.

If we (my wife and kids) go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY week, just because it’s easier for us to do so. Does that fulfill our Sunday obligation if we go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY Saturday? I’m not talking once in a while. Iheard some say yes and some say no. Remember I mean every Saturday - except Easter Sunday.

Thank you and God Bless.
 
Yes … but I think technically it’s not a vigil mass it’s called an anticipatory mass.
 
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dizzy_dave:
Please read my question carefully.

If we (my wife and kids) go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY week, just because it’s easier for us to do so. Does that fulfill our Sunday obligation if we go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY Saturday? I’m not talking once in a while. Iheard some say yes and some say no. Remember I mean every Saturday - except Easter Sunday.

Thank you and God Bless.
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Yes, as the Church does not have any restrictions on who can attend, or why one attends, the Saturday Vigil Liturgy.

Also, the Easter Vigil, that is the Saturday Night before Easter Sunday, has much more going on in it than the Liturgy of Easter Sunday morning.
 
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dizzy_dave:
Please read my question carefully.

If we (my wife and kids) go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY week, just because it’s easier for us to do so. Does that fulfill our Sunday obligation if we go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY Saturday? I’m not talking once in a while. Iheard some say yes and some say no. Remember I mean every Saturday - except Easter Sunday.

Thank you and God Bless.
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Of course it would simply because the law of the Church says it does. Is it necessary for you to attend every Saturday instead of on the Lord’s day? That you will have to answer. I suggest reading Dies Domini by John Paul II.
 
We go on Saturday (4:30pm) because it’s easier because we can sleep in on Sunday, it’s very time consuming getting 4 children 8 and under ready for church on Sunday morning, tha’t why we go on Saturday every week.
Br. Rich SFO:
Of course it would simply because the law of the Church says it does. Is it necessary for you to attend every Saturday instead of the Lord’s day? The you will have to answer. I suggest reading Dies Domini by John Paul II.
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dizzy_dave:
We go on Saturday (4:30pm) because it’s easier because we can sleep in on Sunday, it’s very time consuming getting 4 children 8 and under ready for church on Sunday morning, tha’t why we go on Saturday every week.
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You don’t have to explain or rationalize it at all. The Church permits you to do attend the anticipatory Mass on Saturday.
 
Does that fulfill our Sunday obligation if we go to the Saturday Vigil Mass EVERY Saturday?
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Sure.

Even in the olden days, before the vigil masses started, many folks had regular schedules, attending the same Sunday mass every week, sitting in the same pew.

No need for variation
 
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dizzy_dave:
We go on Saturday (4:30pm) because it’s easier because we can sleep in on Sunday, it’s very time consuming getting 4 children 8 and under ready for church on Sunday morning, tha’t why we go on Saturday every week.
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I think personally that that is a legitimate reason, so that the whole family can worship together.
 
Yes it does.

I prefer the Saturday Mass since I do not like to let my brain function to about Noon during the Weekend.

PF
 
unless saturday is a Holy day of obligation…as monsignor said, you can’t kill two birds with one stone. …
 
The Saturday Vigil mass was brought about because society was changing back in the 60s. (Businesses started to be open on Sundays, making people have to work that day.) Vigil masses for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation was an effort to make sure the faithful would be able to fullfill the obligation.

When I began going to mass again my senior year of high school, I would go to the vigil mass; just because I wanted to sleep in on Sunday. Then I found out that wasn’t the reason for the vigil mass. At my parish the Saturday Vigil Mass has the highest amount of attendence.
 
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jjwilkman:
unless saturday is a Holy day of obligation…
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By the time the Saturday evening Mass is starting, the Holy Day of Obligation is over with…

The Church Day starts at sundown and continues until Sunday just like the Jewish Sabbath…

Hope this helps…
 
Is this true in the Eastern Rite? :hmmm: Or is it Sunday only.

Kathie :bowdown:
 
Hi Everyone!
I’ve read critisisms of the vigil Mass before on other sites. It’s somehow thought of by some as second rate, and indicative of a less devout worshipper who wants to sleep on Sunday and is lazy. I’ve heard it said that if you’re going to use it, you’d better have a good reason other than your personal convenience.

I just want to say that, for one thing, many people in this age are harried and don’t get enough sleep. Many wives work outside of the home and don’t have enough time playing with their children. People are stressed. The pace of modern life is hard on them. Also, their children are lacking in sleep too due to having to get up early every day to get ready for school, daycare, etc.Also, as mentioned already, many people have to work weekends. For example I’m a nurse and am very thankful for the Sat. evening Mass.

I think the Church in her wisdom instituted the vigil Mass (That’s what it’s called in my church bulletin so I will use that term) because Jesus said that the Sabbath should serve Man, not the other way around. The Sabbath is for rest and renewal. And, for many people that includes a restful Sat. vigil Mass, then a nice meal at a good restaurant with their friends afterwards. The vigil Mass where I go has mainly an older crowd and is quiet and prayerful. I like it and attend it frequently.

So, in conclusion, I thank the Church for the Sat. Vigil Mass, which as mentioned already is more keeping with Jewish tradition as well. 🙂
 
When I was working as a nurse years ago it was the only way I could attend Mass. And yes, on my weekends off I slept in. I was either single or newly married or have a newborn, during those times and relished my sleep and I believed the Lord loves and understands. For the past almost 2 decades (I’ve been a stay-at-home mom)I’ve attended mostly Sunday Mass. Not because I feel I’m better then those who attend “Saturday evening Mass” but because trying to round up 3 kids on a Saturday afternoon, clean them up and get to Church, come home make dinner was a hassle for me. Sunday Mornings was more relaxed and calm for my family. Un-rushed I believe we got more out of Mass. Each person must do what right for them.
 
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harinkj:
Is this true in the Eastern Rite? :hmmm: Or is it Sunday only.

Kathie :bowdown:
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In most Eastern Churches there are Saturdays vespers. No Divine Liturgy is celebrated, that is for Sunday only. No you can’t in the Eastern Church attend Saturday and not return Sunday.
 
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Patchunky:
By the time the Saturday evening Mass is starting, the Holy Day of Obligation is over with…

The Church Day starts at sundown and continues until Sunday just like the Jewish Sabbath…

Hope this helps…
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Remember that there are two ways of looking a a day. The Day which is midnight to midnight. Then there is the Liturgical cycle from the Liturgy of the hours from First Vespers to the next. Sundown to Sundown is a broad way of describing this.
 
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Patchunky:
By the time the Saturday evening Mass is starting, the Holy Day of Obligation is over with…

The Church Day starts at sundown and continues until Sunday just like the Jewish Sabbath…

Hope this helps…
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No. Canon law speaks of “the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day.” Therefore, you may fulfill your (Saturday) Holy Day of Obligation by attending a mass at any time before midnight Saturday - it does not end at sundown. As for Sunday, you may fulfill your obligation by attending vigil mass the evening of the day before, even if it is before sundown. Furthermore, you may attend a mass late Sunday, after sundown - neither of these options would fit within the Jewish understanding of a Sabbath.

(Unless there is a decision by your bishop to the contrary, you may not “double-dip” and attend one mass to fulfill both obligations.)

See these threads:

Beginning and end of Sunday

When does Sunday begin and end?
 
Just found a whole long article on this subject. During the 60s and 70s the anticipated Mass was intended mainly for people who had to work etc on Sundays. But the 1983 Code of Canon Law changed this. Section 1248 §1 now states without qualification: “The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening (vesper) of the preceding day.” So there is now no mention of needing any reason. The anticipated Mass can begin any time after 4 p.m.

blessedsacrament.com/theology/emmanuel/huels.html
 
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