Mass day

[Deckie]

Several years in my parish,the clergy announced that a mass would be available at 7.30 on a Sat evening for people who couldnt go to mass on Sunday.This would include shift workers,nurses,etc.Practically this appears to be o.k.,but theoretically is it o.k. to make saturday the Sabbath.If Sunday doesnt suit why cant we go to Mass on a Monday evening? I know we should keep holy the Sabbath,but it is the Church that is saying that we dont have to

 

[Church_Militant]

I found these links that answer your problem with a simple search of the Ask an Apologist forum.

• Does the Saturday vigil Mass fulfill the Sunday obligation?
• Is the Saturday Vigil Mass for everybody?
• Does a vigil Mass satisfy my Holy Day obligation?

 

[Hesychios]

Several years in my parish,the clergy announced that a mass would be available at 7.30 on a Sat evening for people who couldnt go to mass on Sunday.This would include shift workers,nurses,etc.Practically this appears to be o.k.,but theoretically is it o.k. to make saturday the Sabbath.If Sunday doesnt suit why cant we go to Mass on a Monday evening? I know we should keep holy the Sabbath,but it is the Church that is saying that we dont have to

There are a couple of different points that need to be addressed here.

First of all, in church time the day begins at sundown. The modern calendar does not necessarily reflect this, but that is the ancient practice. So an evening before is already of that day, and a Mass in the evening before is actually more correct than an evening Mass Sunday night. However, the bishop has the right to regulate these things for the benefit of the flock, and if he says it’s ok, it’s ok.

Secondly, Sunday is not the Sabbath, it is Resurrrection Day, the ‘eight day’. There is really nothing wrong with sanctifying both days, so I suggest you get into church on both days. It’s a very good thing to do!

May I also suggest that you sanctify Friday, as the Lord was nailed to the tree on that day, and Wednesday, as the Lord was betrayed on that day. On those days you might like to do a suitable act of penance, such as a sacrifice and prayer. This will prepare you for the great feast on Resurrection day.

We have a whole cycle of prayer, to cover the entire week, every week. The Sunday Mass is nothing but the pinnacle of worship, being on the day Our Savior rose. But you can sanctify time for every day in the practice of the ancients. It will connect you with your past in early Christianity.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I found these links that answer your problem with a simple search of the Ask an Apologist forum.

• Does the Saturday vigil Mass fulfill the Sunday obligation?
• Is the Saturday Vigil Mass for everybody?
• Does a vigil Mass satisfy my Holy Day obligation?

Do the Eastern Churches have the same rules as the West on this?

 

[Aramis]

Do the Eastern Churches have the same rules as the West on this?

Some do. Some permit fulfilling the sunday obligation by Vespers on Sat Eve.

 

[Deckie]

so now someone is teling me that Sunday is not the Sabbath

 

[bilop]

so now someone is teling me that Sunday is not the Sabbath

Correct. Sabbath is the Jewish holy day, Saturday.

Sunday is the Lord’s Day, the day of Christ’s resurrection, and that is what Christians celebrate.

 

[Deckie]

The fourth commandment says to keep holy the Sabbath day.It says nothing about sundown the night before or eighth day or Lords day- it says Sabbath.So are we worshipping on the wrong day?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I suggest you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Mainly this section.


Part 3: Life In Christ, Section 2: The Ten Commandments, Chapter 1: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind”, Article 3: The Third Commandment

 

[ciero]

Do the Eastern Churches have the same rules as the West on this?

Some dont even have the notion of “obligation”.

We actually go to church because we want to…not because someone says we are obligated to.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Some dont even have the notion of “obligation”.

We actually go to church because we want to…not because someone says we are obligated to.

I think this is a misunderstanding of the obligation placed by the Church. We go to Liturgy every Sunday the same way we eat when we are hungry. The Church placed the obligation there not because of the Church wanting to obligate us, but because many people forget (intentionally or not) to feed their souls with the word of God and with the Eucharist weekly.

 

[ciero]

I think this is a misunderstanding of the obligation placed by the Church. We go to Liturgy every Sunday the same way we eat when we are hungry. The Church placed the obligation there not because of the Church wanting to obligate us, but because many people forget (intentionally or not) to feed their souls with the word of God and with the Eucharist weekly.

Sounds nice…but I aint buying!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Its the sad reality we face, that people need to be told and reminded for them to do something good for them. If you think about it, we tend to choose sin over whats good, not only in matters of faith, but in everyday life as well. We’d rather sit on the couch and watch TV than exercise, eat something unhealthy rather than healthy. I guess in a way its human nature.

 

[Biedrik]

Some dont even have the notion of “obligation”.

We actually go to church because we want to…not because someone says we are obligated to.

One should always want to fulfill one’s obligations towards God.

 

[ciero]

One should always want to fulfill one’s obligations towards God.

Isn’t that sweet?

 

[Nine_Two]

The fourth commandment says to keep holy the Sabbath day.It says nothing about sundown the night before or eighth day or Lords day- it says Sabbath.So are we worshipping on the wrong day?

The Resurection had not happened when the Ten Commandments were written.

Surely the day of Resurection - the day of our salvation - is of greater importance than the Day of Rest, which as Jesus taught, was made for Man.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

The fourth commandment says to keep holy the Sabbath day.It says nothing about sundown the night before or eighth day or Lords day- it says Sabbath.So are we worshipping on the wrong day?

27* And he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28

 

[Biedrik]

Isn’t that sweet?

Service to God is always sweet.

 

[ciero]

Service to God is always sweet.

I guess …if you need to be told by Rome when to go to church…

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

I think this is a misunderstanding of the obligation placed by the Church. We go to Liturgy every Sunday the same way we eat when we are hungry. The Church placed the obligation there not because of the Church wanting to obligate us, but because many people forget (intentionally or not) to feed their souls with the word of God and with the Eucharist weekly.

I think the term “Obligation” more than anything is what I dislike. Like many things with Rome, the truth of the matter is what is at heart. Not how it is explained. What does Rome’s injunction on her own children really try to convey? That the participation in the Day of Resurrection, the Divine Liturgy, and the reception of the Holy Mysteries are edifying to the soul and we should strive to be present there. Now, insistence on using the term “Obligation” is not respecting our own traditions (Oriental, Byzantine and Assyrian) by letting us teach our flock in our own words.

The image I like to use, is the bridegroom. Be attentive to your soul, for the bridegroom comes in the middle of the night.

Why should I reject partaking of the mystical supper and the glorious mysteries? Because I am golfing? Because I slept in? Because I woke up under a car with a hangover? All these things are inattentiveness to what is priority. Our nourishment by the holy spirit and our growth in Christ. Only the faithless would squander the gifts of the Holy Mysteries on something else.