Mass attendance question

[jhigh]

As I’ve indicated in other threads, I am just getting ready to start RCIA and have been sporadically attending Mass over the last year or so. I have a question about days of obligation and the requirement to attend Mass.

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?
2. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?
3. Does attending Saturday night Mass count, even if my reason isn’t the greatest? I know that myself and my family, in spite of the best intentions, just aren’t going to get up and get dressed and go to Mass Sunday morning, so I’ve been taking them Saturday just because it’s easier. Is this ok, or should we only attend Saturday night if we can’t go Sunday morning?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[danserr]

1. The way I tend to hear it explained, yes. Going to mass on sunday is a “serious obligation,” missing one week for a very good reason (a sick child and someone needs to stay home with him) would not be a sin, but repeated or frequent missing it would be a sin.

1. . Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully

I’d say yes. If you are baptized, you may already be required to, and if you are not, you’ll be catholic soon enough so you may as well start developing good practices.

Does attending Saturday night Mass count

Yes, as long as the mass is 4pm or later. It counts as going on Sunday. I assume it comes from the Jewish tendency to begin the Sabbath on the previous evening and Christians just continued it. For the first 10 years or so of my life, my family always went to the 5pm saturday vigil mass. It just worked better for us.

 

[KarenElissa]

As I’ve indicated in other threads, I am just getting ready to start RCIA and have been sporadically attending Mass over the last year or so. I have a question about days of obligation and the requirement to attend Mass.

Welcome!

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?

Yes, we are required to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, or the preceding evening. The only exceptions to this are if you are sick or it is impossible to make it to Mass (as in you are in the middle of nowhere and there isn’t a church any where, not as in it is slightly inconvenient).

1. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?

Yes. One of the signs that you are ready to make the commitment to become Catholic is that you are already trying to live as a Catholic. If you aren’t doing these kind of things when it is new and you’re in the “honeymoon” stage, than the likely hood of you following through later when it is hard is pretty slim.

1. Does attending Saturday night Mass count, even if my reason isn’t the greatest? I know that myself and my family, in spite of the best intentions, just aren’t going to get up and get dressed and go to Mass Sunday morning, so I’ve been taking them Saturday just because it’s easier. Is this ok, or should we only attend Saturday night if we can’t go Sunday morning?

There are no qualifications on attending Saturday night mass, you can attend for whatever reason you want. I’ll warn you, others may try to tell you differently, but the Church has made no qualifications.

 

[beth40n2]

I am glad you are starting RCIA. It is a long process and for good reason. It gives your heart a chance to change. For most people by the time they are done with RCIA there is is longing for the Eucharist, and they would not think of missing it. It will also give you the opportunity to learn the faith and answer questions such as you just asked.

Welcome to the journey home! Also I invite you to join the group “Converting to Catholic Resources”, there is lots to learn and people to meet going through the same things you are.

 

[JRKH]

As I’ve indicated in other threads, I am just getting ready to start RCIA and have been sporadically attending Mass over the last year or so. I have a question about days of obligation and the requirement to attend Mass.

WELCOME HOME !!!

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?

Yes

1. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?

Yes -
Your question gives me concern though. Is your desire to attend mass only in order to fulfill some “legal” obligation? Search your heart and discern the reason for the mass and your participation in it. You say that you cannot “paticipate fully” yet the only thing you cannot do is to receive communion (though and can receive spiritually - just ask Jesus into your heart, or you can look up formal prayers for spiritual communion.) Many great graces are yours through the mass even if one does not take communion.
The mass is a great blessing and no one should feel “compelled” to attend, rather they should yearn to attend.

1. Does attending Saturday night Mass count, even if my reason isn’t the greatest? I know that myself and my family, in spite of the best intentions, just aren’t going to get up and get dressed and go to Mass Sunday morning, so I’ve been taking them Saturday just because it’s easier. Is this ok, or should we only attend Saturday night if we can’t go Sunday morning?

I don’t think your reason is particularly poor, I’m sure many people attend the vigil mass for just this reason. The important thing is to go - consistantly - habitually and with Love and Joy.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Hope some of this helps and I apologize if my answer to Q2 sounds harsh. I don’t intend it to be.

Peace
James

 

[thistle]

As I’ve indicated in other threads, I am just getting ready to start RCIA and have been sporadically attending Mass over the last year or so. I have a question about days of obligation and the requirement to attend Mass.

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?
2. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?
3. Does attending Saturday night Mass count, even if my reason isn’t the greatest? I know that myself and my family, in spite of the best intentions, just aren’t going to get up and get dressed and go to Mass Sunday morning, so I’ve been taking them Saturday just because it’s easier. Is this ok, or should we only attend Saturday night if we can’t go Sunday morning?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

You do not need a reason to choose Saturday evening over Sunday. Both fulfill the Sunday obligation.

Canon Law:

Can. 1248 §1 The obligation of assisting at Mass is satisfied wherever Mass is celebrated in a catholic rite either on a holyday itself or on the evening of the previous day.

 

[steve_b]

As I’ve indicated in other threads, I am just getting ready to start RCIA and have been sporadically attending Mass over the last year or so. I have a question about days of obligation and the requirement to attend Mass.

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?
2. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?
3. Does attending Saturday night Mass count, even if my reason isn’t the greatest? I know that myself and my family, in spite of the best intentions, just aren’t going to get up and get dressed and go to Mass Sunday morning, so I’ve been taking them Saturday just because it’s easier. Is this ok, or should we only attend Saturday night if we can’t go Sunday morning?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Consider the following

Heb 10:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27* but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28* A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29* How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?

Notice the points?

• Don’t waver off this instruction
• Don’t miss mass on Sunday. Note, It’s already a law and they are being reminded of it.
• Deliberately missing mass is a mortal sin. Why?
• What is the sacrifice for sin, and blood of the covenant refering to? It’s The Eucharistic language Jesus used.* **Matthew 26:28 *This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.Jesus said these words instituting the Eucharist. Jesus further describes what the Eucharist means for the soul.Jn 6:53 unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. The mass is the celebration of the Eucharist each and every time we meet.
• Those who blow off mass on purpose, the scripture says they spurn the son of God and profane the blood of the covenant and they outrage the spirit of grace. If THAT doesn’t sound like a mortal sin I don’t know what does.
• therefore, The consequences described for missing mass make this sin a mortal sin. Look at what that scripture says. For THAT person once they have the knowledge of the truth, AND have been warned, and purposely misses mass on Sunday, then God treats them as an adversary, and a fury and fiery judgment is coming.

Also consider the following
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0007fea2.asp

1. • Canon law calls it serious. canons 1246-1248 http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
   • the Catechism (CCC) calls it serious #'s 2040- 2042, 2180, 2181 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

 

[rwoehmke]

Part of the RCIA process is to attend Mass with your class. You may be dismiissed after the Liturgy of the Word to break open the word with your class. It is an important part of the process.

 

[thistle]

Consider the following

Heb 10:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27* but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28* A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29* How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?

Notice the points?

• Don’t waver off this instruction
• Don’t miss mass on Sunday. Note, It’s already a law and they are being reminded of it.
• Deliberately missing mass is a mortal sin. Why?
• What is the sacrifice for sin, and blood of the covenant refering to? It’s The Eucharistic language Jesus used.* **Matthew 26:28 *This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.Jesus said these words instituting the Eucharist. Jesus further describes what the Eucharist means for the soul.Jn 6:53 unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. The mass is the celebration of the Eucharist each and every time we meet.
• Those who blow off mass on purpose, the scripture says they spurn the son of God and profane the blood of the covenant and they outrage the spirit of grace. If THAT doesn’t sound like a mortal sin I don’t know what does.
• therefore, The consequences described for missing mass make this sin a mortal sin. Look at what that scripture says. For THAT person once they have the knowledge of the truth, AND have been warned, and purposely misses mass on Sunday, then God treats them as an adversary, and a fury and fiery judgment is coming.

Also consider the following
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0007fea2.asp

1. • Canon law calls it serious. canons 1246-1248 http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
   • the Catechism (CCC) calls it serious #'s 2040- 2042, 2180, 2181 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

1. 
   You keep stressing “don’t miss Mass on Sundays”. It would be clearer to say we are required to fulfill our Sunday Mass obligation which is fulfilled not only by attending Mass on Sunday but also by attending Mass on Saturday evening.

 

[steve_b]

You keep stressing “don’t miss Mass on Sundays”. It would be clearer to say we are required to fulfill our Sunday Mass obligation which is fulfilled not only by attending Mass on Sunday but also by attending Mass on Saturday evening.

Good point.

For purposes of education for our RCIA candidate, in Jewish understanding. a day ends and a new day begins, at sundown, For example, Saturday begins Friday at sundown, and ends at sundown on Saturday. Sunday begins at sundown on Saturday.

 

[Wowbagger]

Sunday begins at sundown on Saturday.

Which is awesome, by the way, especially during Lent, when you have to give something up during the week but Sundays and feast days you’re home-free. I only found out a couple years ago that “Sunday” begins at sundown Saturday. One thing I love about the Catholic Church: it loves its feasts, and isn’t afraid to extend them through questionable means.

According to canon law, RCIA candidates are not required to attend weekly Mass until they are baptized into “the faithful”. Here’s the canon:

Canon 1247
On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass; they are also to abstain from those labors and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy which is proper to the Lord’s Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body.

Canon 1248
1. 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.
2. If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the liturgy of the word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families.

On the other hand, it’s a good thing to start doing. No, you can’t fully participate yet, but, hey, millions of Catholic attend Mass every week and are unable to receive Eucharist because they are in a state of serious sin. Many other graces accompany the Mass, not just Eucharistic graces. So, you’re not required yet, but it’s a Good Idea.

If you find the Mass immensely boring at first, don’t worry. Everyone goes through that, usually for quite a long time (sixteen years for me!), and even once you “get it” and start to see the beauty in the Mass, you will have days when the grace is withdrawn and it’s all you can do to say the responses at the right times and stay awake during the homily. Trust that the Mass is working good things in your life, even though you probably won’t see it for a very long time.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Also its good to see Mass as something not as a requirement, but something that you need to live, spiritually. 3 times a day we eat, if we don’t our body starts sending signals to our brain that we need to eat. We should at least once a week nourish our souls too with God’s Liturgy. And while the Eucharist is only required once a year during the Easter season, we should receive Christ everytime we go to Mass. And this means keeping a worthy soul by going to confession regularly.

If you don’t eat, your body will get sick and die. Same with your soul, if you don’t nourish it with Mass/Liturgy, your soul will get sick and eventually die. Thats why you go to Mass.

 

[thistle]

Good point.

For purposes of education for our RCIA candidate, in Jewish understanding. a day ends and a new day begins, at sundown, For example, Saturday begins Friday at sundown, and ends at sundown on Saturday. Sunday begins at sundown on Saturday.

Except that Sunday ends at midnight on Sunday. The Sunday Mass obligation is fulfilled by Saturday evening Mass and any Mass during Sunday, not just till sundown.
For example, our last Mass on Sundays starts at 8.30 pm and ends at 9.30pm. That starts way past sundown but fulfills the Sunday obligation.

 

[steve_b]

Except that Sunday ends at midnight on Sunday. The Sunday Mass obligation is fulfilled by Saturday evening Mass and any Mass during Sunday, not just till sundown.
For example, our last Mass on Sundays starts at 8.30 pm and ends at 9.30pm. That starts way past sundown but fulfills the Sunday obligation.

Thanks for the clarification

The example I mentioned was merely that the Jewish understanding of a day, was sundown to sundown. I should have included, for purposes of Sunday mass obligation, the Saturday evening provision, was originally introduced for Catholics who had to miss Sunday Mass for a good reason (example work).

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (can. 1248, 1).states: “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”

Ergo on the actual day i.e. Sunday, we consider a day is the entire day up till midnight.

 

[thistle]

Thanks for the clarification

The example I mentioned was merely that the Jewish understanding of a day, was sundown to sundown. I should have included, for purposes of Sunday mass obligation, the Saturday evening provision, was originally introduced for Catholics who had to miss Sunday Mass for a good reason (example work).

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (can. 1248, 1).states: “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”

Ergo on the actual day i.e. Sunday, we consider a day is the entire day up till midnight.

I agree. I wasn’t meaning to be argumentative. We’re in tune on this. Like you I was just wanting to be clear for the OP.

 

[Edmundus1581]

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?

**2. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?
**
…

Several people have already responded “Yes” to the second question. I am sure that is incorrect advice. Wowbagger has already answered the question with a “No” (this post), but I think some extra clarification and emphasis is needed.

The obligation to attend Mass only applies after you have been received into the Catholic Church. While you are still discerning whether to become a Catholic or not, you are no more obliged to attend Mass than anyone else who is not yet a Catholic.

Yes, there are many good reasons to attend Mass while you are in RCIA, but that is not the same as an obligation. You can miss Mass on any Sunday for any reason, and without sinning. Catholics do not have this freedom, but you are not yet a Catholic.

Of course, you should attempt to meet any requirements of your particular RCIA program, as you would for any work or personal commitment, but apart from that it is up to you to decide how often you will attend Mass before you join the Catholic Church.

 

[thistle]

Several people have already responded “Yes” to the second question. I am sure that is incorrect advice. Wowbagger has already answered the question with a “No” (this post), but I think some extra clarification and emphasis is needed.

The obligation to attend Mass only applies after you have been received into the Catholic Church. While you are still discerning whether to become a Catholic or not, you are no more obliged to attend Mass than anyone else who is not yet a Catholic.

Yes, there are many good reasons to attend Mass while you are in RCIA, but that is not the same as an obligation. You can miss Mass on any Sunday for any reason, and without sinning. Catholics do not have this freedom, but you are not yet a Catholic.

Of course, you should attempt to meet any requirements of your particular RCIA program, as you would for any work or personal commitment, but apart from that it is up to you to decide how often you will attend Mass before you join the Catholic Church.

Isn’t the OP just asking if he “should” attend Mass. He is not asking if he “must” attend. I think the advice that he should attend is good advice.

 

[PJM]

=jhigh;7461887]As I’ve indicated in other threads, I am just getting ready to start RCIA and have been sporadically attending Mass over the last year or so. I have a question about days of obligation and the requirement to attend Mass.

1. Are we required to attend Mass every Sunday?

YES! It is a Commandment; not simply a rule of the CC.

Exo. 20: "And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. "You shall have no other gods before me.”

"You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; *** “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day”***

1. Should I take this requirement seriously even though I am technically not Catholic yet, given that I cannot participate fully?

Yes bcause it is God demand; not simply RIGHT Catholic Practice

1. Does attending Saturday night Mass count, even if my reason isn’t the greatest? I know that myself and my family, in spite of the best intentions, just aren’t going to get up and get dressed and go to Mass Sunday morning, so I’ve been taking them Saturday just because it’s easier. Is this ok, or should we only attend Saturday night if we can’t go Sunday morning?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Saturday is FINE AND OK!

Remember that the Jewish Sabbath was on Saturday, and it was the Catholic Mageristerium [Teaching Authority] that BOTH changed it to Sunday [th day of he Ressurection] and more recently permitted a Saturday evening Mas to fulfill ones 's GRAVE moral obligation to attend Mass.

While the Magisterium cannot change the Grave Moral Obligation to attend; the times and days are a matter of " Church-Practce" and can be changed.

Plase look for a PM from me…

God’s continued Blesings,
Pat

 

[jmcrae]

Several people have already responded “Yes” to the second question. I am sure that is incorrect advice. Wowbagger has already answered the question with a “No” (this post), but I think some extra clarification and emphasis is needed.

The obligation to attend Mass only applies after you have been received into the Catholic Church. While you are still discerning whether to become a Catholic or not, you are no more obliged to attend Mass than anyone else who is not yet a Catholic.

At the evaluation just prior to Lent in the year that the person is to be received into the Church, one of the criteria is, “Has the Candidate/Catechumen been attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation?” If the answer is not “Yes,” or “Mostly” then the person could be asked to continue in the Catechesis portion for another year, rather than be advanced to the Elect/Calling to Full Communion.

So, although it’s not “technically” required, it is a sign of spiritual progress that will be taken into account.

 

[Edmundus1581]

Isn’t the OP just asking if he “should” attend Mass. He is not asking if he “must” attend. I think the advice that he should attend is good advice.

The OP question could be interpreted either way. I interpreted it as asking whether the Sunday Obligation binding on Catholics was also binding on him, in which case the answer is “No”. If he is asking whether he “should” attend mass, then I think we are all in vigorous agreement the he should. So, he’s got an answer for both situations. In hindsight, I would have made my premises clearer, rather than saying that the different advice was “incorrect”.