How is Saturday Mass good enough?

[homewardbound]

I’m stuck in this issue. God commands that we keep the Sabbath, which is Sunday, holy. Yet many Catholics attend Mass on Saturday and treat Sunday as any other day. Is this not sinning? Well, of course not because the Church says it isn’t. I’m not a confirmed Catholic yet, so thats not good enough for me. I want a real reason. I have just been told that vespers for Sunday start on Saturday evening, so that is why Saturday Mass is good enough and counts. But, it still makes no sense to me. To me, it seems having a Saturday mass is nothing but a convenient thing for us so we don’t have to sacrifice sleeping in or any other Sunday plans. I see no reason to think otherwise. If I’m missing some other information please let me know. Because to me, its breaking the Commandment to think Saturday is good enough. I just can’t shake it. It has me questioning to whole infallibility claim. Thanks.

 

[JLSacred]

From our Catechism regarding this:

Sunday - fulfillment of the sabbath

2175 Sunday is expressly distinguished from the sabbath which it follows chronologically every week; for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces that of the sabbath. In Christ’s Passover, Sunday fulfills the spiritual truth of the Jewish sabbath and announces man’s eternal rest in God. For worship under the Law prepared for the mystery of Christ, and what was done there prefigured some aspects of Christ:107

Those who lived according to the old order of things have come to a new hope, no longer keeping the sabbath, but the Lord’s Day, in which our life is blessed by him and by his death.108
2176 The celebration of Sunday observes the moral commandment inscribed by nature in the human heart to render to God an outward, visible, public, and regular worship "as a sign of his universal beneficence to all."109 Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of the Old Covenant, taking up its rhythm and spirit in the weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer of his people.

Since the Church also has approved of a vigil Mass as fulfilling our Mass obligation, then that’s okay. It doesn’t mean that we aren’t supposed to rest on Sunday, if I’m not mistaken.

 

[water]

Under some circumstances, some people cannot attend Sunday Mass;thus, Saturday’s evening Mass is for them.

The Church allows us to attend Saturday evening’s mass in replace of Sunday’s.If someone who just goes to Saturday Mass …just to get the Mass out of their way, then it is not a good reason, but that is for God to judge them.

 

[JLSacred]

Under some circumstances, some people cannot attend Sunday Mass;thus, Saturday’s evening Mass is for them.

The Church allows us to attend Saturday evening’s mass in replace of Sunday’s.If someone who just goes to Saturday Mass …just to get the Mass out of their way, then it is not a good reason, but that is for God to judge them.

I hadn’t heard about that disqualification regarding the Saturday Mass. I think some people just prefer that Mass, especially older folks, I’ve noticed. It seems to be quieter.

Can you provide a supporting citation regarding the Vigil Mass being only for those who will not have the opportunity otherwise? At my parish, the people who go to that Mass are like those who frequent any of the other Masses; they seem to prefer it and make a habit out of going to that Mass regularly.

 

[Aramis]

I’m stuck in this issue. God commands that we keep the Sabbath, which is Sunday, holy. Yet many Catholics attend Mass on Saturday and treat Sunday as any other day. Is this not sinning?

Under jewish law, the day ended at sundown. So, for example, a devout jew goes home before sundown friday, and can work again after sundown saturday, for it is the beginning of the next day.

The church-wide indult was granted a long while back to establish a fixed time for the vigil liturgies, rather than waiting for sundown. In Alaska, for example, there are catholic parishes which go months without sundown, and many that got 2-3 months with no true darkness.

 

[MusicMan]

Didn’t Jesus say that the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath?

 

[LilyM]

I hadn’t heard about that disqualification regarding the Saturday Mass. I think some people just prefer that Mass, especially older folks, I’ve noticed. It seems to be quieter.

Can you provide a supporting citation regarding the Vigil Mass being only for those who will not have the opportunity otherwise? At my parish, the people who go to that Mass are like those who frequent any of the other Masses; they seem to prefer it and make a habit out of going to that Mass regularly.

There isn’t any documentation so restricting Saturday Mass only to those who can’t attend on Sundays.

 

[teachccd]

I’m stuck in this issue. God commands that we keep the Sabbath, which is Sunday, holy. Yet many Catholics attend Mass on Saturday and treat Sunday as any other day. Is this not sinning? Well, of course not because the Church says it isn’t. I’m not a confirmed Catholic yet, so thats not good enough for me. I want a real reason.

When the Church proclaims a decision it must be good enough for you. If not, then you just broke down Catholicism into the hundreds of protestant denominations. The Church says which books belong in the New Testament. The Church says that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord. The Church was left by Christ to perpetuate Himself by the guidance of the Holy Spirit until He comes again. Not being confirmed in the Catholic faith has no bearing on this. If you use Scripture you’ve already submitted to Church decisions.

We are a Judeo-Christian faith. For Jews, the sabbath begins on sundown friday to sundown saturday. Just as the Mass transformed the passover so does the resurrection dictate our day of worship. This Judeo-Christian transition does not abolish but fulfills the revelation of God. Therefore, a saturday vigil Mass is in full compliance with the Lord’s day; including not abolishing Sunday. And yes, the Church (the Mystical Body of Christ) including it’s leader and bishops approves. The Church and Christ are one. You cannot separate the two.

May God Bless you this Holy Week…teachccd

 

[1ke]

I have just been told that vespers for Sunday start on Saturday evening, so that is why Saturday Mass is good enough and counts. But, it still makes no sense to me. To me, it seems having a Saturday mass is nothing but a convenient thing for us so we don’t have to sacrifice sleeping in or any other Sunday plans.

The obligation to keep Sunday holy is not fulfilled merely by attending Saturday evening mass. Only the Mass obligation is fulfilled.

Saturday Vigil Mass fulfills the Mass obligation and is given as an option to assist people in doing so. Remember, some people have jobs such as being a nurse, doctor, firefighter, etc, who sometimes have to work on Sunday. Also, there could be sick/ill relatives, small children, people traveleing, etc

The vigil has ancient roots, Easter Vigil being a primary example.

 

[Ignatius2000]

There isn’t any documentation so restricting Saturday Mass only to those who can’t attend on Sundays.

Correct, but what Homewardbound wants is documentation allowing Saturday mass to fulfill the Sunday obligation. The closest I’ve come is with the notion that when praying the Liturgy of the Hours, Saturday has morning prayer, but the evening prayer is Sunday Evening (I). I guess this hearkens back to Jewish Law and the day ending at sundown (with preparations for the Sabbath beginning Friday evening). The difficulty with using this idea to support the allowance of Saturday evening masses that fulfill the Sunday obligation is that, well, we DON’T follow Jewish Law and that Friday evening was spent in preparation, not celebration of the Sabbath. Yes, Christians moved the Sabbath to Sunday to correspond with the Resurrection (and also the tradition/law of the Sabbath beginning the evening prior), but does this make the Christian idea of “Keeping the Lord’s day” permissible for Saturday evening? Therein lies the rub, I cannot find any documentation that articulates this theory of mine as Church Teaching. If anyone can come up with a better answer as to where we got the notion of the vigil, I’d love to hear it.

 

[water]

Can you provide a supporting citation regarding the Vigil Mass being **only **for those who will not have the opportunity otherwise?

I didn’t say it was only for them; so, there is no documentation for this. However, I tried to emphasize the benefit for those who can’t come to Sunday mass to the OP.

 

[JLSacred]

I didn’t say it was only for them; so, there is no documentation for this. However, I tried to emphasize the benefit for those who can’t come to Sunday mass to the OP.

You said otherwise, actually. You strongly implied that people were merely using the Saturday Mass for their own convenience, that it was a no no, but then magnanimously added that God would be the final judge of their questionable behavior.

This was what you said:

Under some circumstances, some people cannot attend Sunday Mass;thus, Saturday’s evening Mass is for them.

The Church allows us to attend Saturday evening’s mass in replace of Sunday’s.If someone who just goes to Saturday Mass …just to get the Mass out of their way, then it is not a good reason, but that is for God to judge them.

 

[homewardbound]

Thank you all for your answers. I think I’m slowly starting to understand it. It has a lot to do with Tradition and history. I think I just still have issues sometimes with the whole one true Church guided by God thing. Its something I never heard of before April of 2006, and I have kind of thrown myself into Catholicism head first without stopping or hesitating much so I still hit road bumps from time to time as the devil and his demons try to get me to doubt everything. Today, I think I’m beginning to realize why I’m not going to be confirmed yet. I’m just not ready. I still question and am shaky on my new faith. God willing, I will be stronger next Easter.

 

[Ahlman]

From Sacramentum Caritatis:

"Sunday thus appears as the primordial holy day, when all believers, wherever they are found, can become heralds and guardians of the true meaning of time. It gives rise to the Christian meaning of life and a new way of experiencing time, relationships, work, life and death. On the Lord’s Day, then, it is fitting that Church groups should organize, around Sunday Mass, the activities of the Christian community: social gatherings, programmes for the faith formation of children, young people and adults, pilgrimages, charitable works, and different moments of prayer. For the sake of these important values – while recognizing that Saturday evening, beginning with First Vespers, is already a part of Sunday and a time when the Sunday obligation can be fulfilled – we need to remember that it is Sunday itself that is meant to be kept holy, lest it end up as a day “empty of God.” " (73)

 

[Ignatius2000]

From Sacramentum Caritatis:

"Sunday thus appears as the primordial holy day, when all believers, wherever they are found, can become heralds and guardians of the true meaning of time. It gives rise to the Christian meaning of life and a new way of experiencing time, relationships, work, life and death. On the Lord’s Day, then, it is fitting that Church groups should organize, around Sunday Mass, the activities of the Christian community: social gatherings, programmes for the faith formation of children, young people and adults, pilgrimages, charitable works, and different moments of prayer. For the sake of these important values – while recognizing that Saturday evening, beginning with First Vespers, is already a part of Sunday and a time when the Sunday obligation can be fulfilled – we need to remember that it is Sunday itself that is meant to be kept holy, lest it end up as a day “empty of God.” " (73)

Thanks Ahlman, I knew this was written somewhere, I just couldn’t find it myself.

 

[agapewolf]

Dear homewardbound,

Please understand the difference between discipline (practice) and doctrine.

Doctrine (truth) cannot change. It won’t change. This is where the matters of faith and morals come in, with our pope and magisterium being infallible. (what is bound on earth shall be bound in heaven).

Discipline is the practice of our faith, the WAY we celebrate liturgy, rules during Lent, etc. Infallibility is not a part of this… although, if our Church proclaims that something should be practiced, then we are to obey.

You say that the Saturday night mass rule is making you question the infallibility claim. They are two completely different areas. the practice of it (or allowance) has no bearing on who holds the fullness of truth of salvation.

 

[kangnamdragon]

Sunday begins on Saturday evening, liturgically, so Saturday mass is on Sunday. There is no difference. Fortunately, Sunday evening mass is also on Sunday…

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m stuck in this issue. God commands that we keep the Sabbath, which is Sunday, holy. Yet many Catholics attend Mass on Saturday and treat Sunday as any other day. Is.

Sunday is not the sabbath, Saturday is the Sabbath.

The Church replaces the old law, and has established Sunday as the day of the celebration of the resurrection and established the law for Catholics on Sunday, which through the same authority–that given by Christ–she has declared begins with Evening Prayer I on Saturday evening, and has further allowed an anticipated Mass Saturday evening to satisfy the Sunday obligation.

It is the Church who defines the Sunday obligation, and it is the Church who declares how the faithful meet that obligation.

Are you so intimate with the activities and intentions of all Catholics who choose to fulfill their obligation by attending the Saturday evening Mass that you can pronounce upon them? You know for a fact that these Catholics are in fact failing to keep Sunday as a holy day? How prescient of you.

 

[teachccd]

Thank you all for your answers. I think I’m slowly starting to understand it. It has a lot to do with Tradition and history. I think I just still have issues sometimes with the whole one true Church guided by God thing. Its something I never heard of before April of 2006, and I have kind of thrown myself into Catholicism head first without stopping or hesitating much so I still hit road bumps from time to time as the devil and his demons try to get me to doubt everything. Today, I think I’m beginning to realize why I’m not going to be confirmed yet. I’m just not ready. I still question and am shaky on my new faith. God willing, I will be stronger next Easter.

God Bless your journey. Do remember that the original Church was made up of twelve men chosen by Christ and of course His mother, Mary, and foster father Joseph. This was the one true Church guided by God. And so evolves us; a bit larger with more problems and challenges. But, none the less, one true Church guided by Christ. You cannot have one Gospel (good news of Jesus) and divided doctrine. Perhaps the series" Surprised by Truth" by Patrick Madrid may be of some help. These are many stories of converts to Catholicism who faced the same hurdles as you. Read the early Church Fathers and Church history.

A lifetime is not enough time to learn and fully appreciate our ancient faith. But once you get on board you’ll be in for a ride that compares to none. Jesus Christ left us a full and beautiful faith with all of creation as a tangible access to Him. You are in my prayers. Feel free to PM me if you wish. God Bless you this Holy Week and always…teachccd

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I like Saturday Vigil Mass because:

1.) Less people are there- usually.
2.) While the girls are neat, clean and pressed for Vigil Mass, I do not have to go to extremes to dress them as I would for THE Sunday Mass involving the schola.
3.) My husband and I can sleep late Sunday morning. As middle-aged parents of young children, we need rest where we can find it. Sleeping late is about as restful as a person can get.

Does that help any, an example of how a person can goto Saturday Bigil Mass and still keep Sunday restful?