Holy Days of Obligation in Germany

[catholicboy2]

Hi,
I’m currently an exchange student in Germany and I see that they have a holy day of obligation on the second day of Christmas (the 26th) or St. Stephen’s Day. Since it is not a holy day of obligation in the US, must I go to this mass? I also noticed that Germany has different holy days, such as Easter Monday, should I go to those too? And if there were US holy days that aren’t official holy days in Germany, should I still go to mass on those days?

 

[malphono]

Hi,
I’m currently an exchange student in Germany and I see that they have a holy day of obligation on the second day of Christmas (the 26th) or St. Stephen’s Day. Since it is not a holy day of obligation in the US, must I go to this mass? I also noticed that Germany has different holy days, such as Easter Monday, should I go to those too? And if there were US holy days that aren’t official holy days in Germany, should I still go to mass on those days?

From the CIC

Can. 100 A person is said to be: a resident (incola) in the place where the person has a domicile; a temporary resident (advena) in the place where the person has a quasi-domicile…

A resident student would come under the heading of having a quasi-domicile. It follows from Canon 107 that such a person is bound to the rules established by the Ordinary of the place of residence.

Can. 107 §1. Through both domicile and quasi-domicile, each person acquires his or her pastor and ordinary.
§3. The proper pastor of one who has only a diocesan domicile or quasi-domicile is the pastor of the place where the person is actually residing.

 

[1ke]

Since it is not a holy day of obligation in the US, must I go to this mass? I also noticed that Germany has different holy days, such as Easter Monday, should I go to those too?

Yes. You follow the Holy Days in the place where you are.

And if there were US holy days that aren’t official holy days in Germany, should I still go to mass on those days?

You can go to Mass on these days. They will not be a Holy Days. And you have no obligation to attend Mass on these days.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

An old truism that is applicable here: “When in Rome do as the Romans do”.

 

[Margarete_Faust]

I loved Holy Days in Germany, because I used to live in Bavaria (which is very Catholic) and they counted (as far as I was aware) all holy days of obligation as public holidays, which meant that school and work never interfered with my ability to go to Mass. Are you living in a more Catholic or a more Protestant area?

 

[flameburns623]

As a military serviceman stationed in West Germany, we observed American holy days of obligation. Of course, military personnel have their own bishop–and US military bases, like US embassies, are “territories” of the United States, just as foreign embassies here are “territories” of the respective nations which occupy them. Anyhow, I’m guessing all that gets figured in to how canon law applies to servicemembers.

 

[catholicboy2]

I loved Holy Days in Germany, because I used to live in Bavaria (which is very Catholic) and they counted (as far as I was aware) all holy days of obligation as public holidays, which meant that school and work never interfered with my ability to go to Mass. Are you living in a more Catholic or a more Protestant area?

I live in a more Catholic part of Germany, in Paderborn, but not many actually practice. I was mainly worried about this because the times are conflicting with my host family’s times (they are Evangelical, but do not practice), and the Church times for masses aren’t easy to get to today. The only time I could possibly get to is 6:00pm, which is the time my host family was planning a big dinner for us. I looked for other churches in my area, but none have anything in between now and 6:00pm my time.

 

[catholicboy2]

The only time I could possibly get to is 6:00pm, which is the time my host family was planning a big dinner for us. I looked for other churches in my area, but none have anything in between now and 6:00pm my time.

And my host family really doesn’t want me to miss their dinner.

 

[Immacolata]

And my host family really doesn’t want me to miss their dinner.

Have you explained to them the importance of fulfilling your obligation to attend Mass? I’d also suggest trying to see if there will be a Vigil Mass on Saturday for the Sunday obligation.

God bless.

 

[catholicboy2]

Have you explained to them the importance of fulfilling your obligation to attend Mass? I’d also suggest trying to see if there will be a Vigil Mass on Saturday for the Sunday obligation.

I know they’d probably let me, but they wouldn’t be happy about it. And it is not on Sunday, it’s today. In Germany, Christmas and the second Day of Christmas are both obligations. So the 25th and 26th are both obligations, without any Vigil Masses.
I’ll tell them I should go, but I know they won’t like it. They might move the dinner time until I come back, but I’m not sure.

 

[Immacolata]

I know they’d probably let me, but they wouldn’t be happy about it. And it is not on Sunday, it’s today. In Germany, Christmas and the second Day of Christmas are both obligations. So the 25th and 26th are both obligations, without any Vigil Masses.
I’ll tell them I should go, but I know they won’t like it. They might move the dinner time until I come back, but I’m not sure.

I beg pardon for my mistake; I see how you would not feel good with going to Mass knowing they will not like it because they will have to delay the dinner. I’d suggest telling them that you have an obligation to fulfill, as you plan to do. Hopefully they will understand and will not be frustrated.

God bless.

 

[Margarete_Faust]

Hmmmm, that is odd that there is only a 6pm. I know how difficult it is trying to practice the faith in Europe, and the Catholic/Protestant divide in Germany produces some problems (but is still relatively harmonious in comparison to other countries).

Seriously, do what your heart tells you is right. That is tricky, and I cannot tell you what I would do in your situation. I hope you have peace in your heart with whatever decision you make.