Mass attendance question

[PJM]

=Edmundus1581;7475462]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.

Hmmmmm

Isn’t “Keep Holy the Sabbath Day” A Commandment? And are not all of humanity to follow them?

God Bless,
Pat

 

[Edmundus1581]

Hmmmmm

Isn’t “Keep Holy the Sabbath Day” A Commandment? And are not all of humanity to follow them?

God Bless,
Pat

Thanks Pat!

Well, that is a very good observation, for two reasons. It’s a reminder that the Church’s requirement for Sunday Obligation is based on Divine law, and it also suggests that even those who are not in the Church are bound, in some way, to honor the Sabbath. So an atheist who willingly works 365 days a year may be sinning by his over-work, in addition to any other sins.

However, I still believe that obligation to attend Mass, as defined by the Church, only applies to Catholics (and not those in RCIA). I refer again to Canon 1248, as posted previously by Wowbagger.

*On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass
*
If this were an absolute law, then it would admit of no exceptions, however one is permitted to miss Mass because of illness, whereas one is not permitted to murder, due to illness. For this commandment, ie the commandment to honour the Sabbath, the application of the Divine principle, is determined by the Church, and the Church has not, as far as I know, made any ruling on non-Catholics.

So, I continue to say that someone in RCIA is strongly encouraged to attend Mass on Sunday’s and Holy Days, and that they should also follow any specific requirements of their RCIA program, but they are not “obliged” to attend Mass in the same way Catholics are.

 

[PJM]

=Edmundus1581;7481801]Thanks Pat!

Well, that is a very good observation, for two reasons. It’s a reminder that the Church’s requirement for Sunday Obligation is based on Divine law, and it also suggests that even those who are not in the Church are bound, in some way, to honor the Sabbath. So an atheist who willingly works 365 days a year may be sinning by his over-work, in addition to any other sins.

However, I still believe that obligation to attend Mass, as defined by the Church, only applies to Catholics (and not those in RCIA). I refer again to Canon 1248, as posted previously by Wowbagger.

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass

If this were an absolute law, then it would admit of no exceptions, however one is permitted to miss Mass because of illness, whereas one is not permitted to murder, due to illness. For this commandment, ie the commandment to honour the Sabbath, the application of the Divine principle, is determined by the Church, and the Church has not, as far as I know, made any ruling on non-Catholics.

So, I continue to say that someone in RCIA is strongly encouraged to attend Mass on Sunday’s and Holy Days, and that they should also follow any specific requirements of their RCIA program, but they are not “obliged” to attend Mass in the same way Catholics are.

My dear frind in Christ;

You have built a strong case, however I’m not yet 100% convienced.

I have read Our Canon Law, and came away with he feeling that it is a “Catholic Document;” by which I mean it seems to be written expressly for us Catholcis. Therefore I’m not surprised at the quote you share.

I Do agree that non-Catholics get a by-pass on “Mass”, but that does nor exclude them from an Obligation of Sabbath Worship. It seem reasonable that one considering entry into the CC, ought to participate in Weekly Mass, as it is the Normative practice of Catholic Worship.

Where might I look for the Official position of the Church on this issue?

God Bless,
Pat

 

[Edmundus1581]

My dear frind in Christ;

You have built a strong case, however I’m not yet 100% convienced.

I have read Our Canon Law, and came away with he feeling that it is a “Catholic Document;” by which I mean it seems to be written expressly for us Catholcis. Therefore I’m not surprised at the quote you share.

I Do agree that non-Catholics get a by-pass on “Mass”, but that does nor exclude them from an Obligation of Sabbath Worship. It seem reasonable that one considering entry into the CC, ought to participate in Weekly Mass, as it is the Normative practice of Catholic Worship.

Where might I look for the Official position of the Church on this issue?

God Bless,
Pat

Greetings, my Friend in Christ!

As you say, the Code of Canon Law is written for Catholics. The Catechism does, however, talk about natural law in the Ten Commandments, and I suspect that it will talk about Sabbath observance as Divine law, binding in some way on all persons - but especially on Catholics and non-Catholic Christians in the form of Sunday worship and rest (in addition to the well known obligations placed directly on Catholics). It may be interesting to look it up.

I do not know where there is an official Church position on Sunday Obligation for those planning to enter the Church (eg. through RCIA). I did a quick google search before my first post on this topic. I suspect there is no official position, and hence, by omission, Sunday Obligation as defined for Catholics would not apply. So the guidance would be on a case-by-case basis, by, for instance, the RCIA program in effect in a diocese, and as applied by the particular parish.

Thanks again, Pat! I had never thought that the Third Commandment might apply to non-Catholics until you emphasized it!

~ Edmundus