Priest says must go to Christmas Day Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter Oren
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I have looked at a lot of different places about this question. 4 pm Christmas Vigil Mass fulfills the obligation. The readings have nothing to do with it.

**Can. 1248 **
§1. A person who assists at a Mass celebrated
anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of
the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.
 
Oren said:
I have looked at a lot of different places about this question. 4 pm Christmas Vigil Mass fulfills the obligation. The readings have nothing to do with it.

**Can. 1248 **
§1. A person who assists at a Mass celebrated
anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of
the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.
Click to expand...
So there is no mistaking, we go by the Latin definition of “vespere,” based on the LOTH, rather than the English definition of “evening.” Thus it’s more universally set (post 4 p.m. local time by most bishops).
 
Boy_Wonder said:
Sometimes people who attend the vigils do so out of convenience rather than necessity. It seems that more people race ot the door immediately after Communion rather than returning to their pews. Lots of teenagers and disinterested folks. These masses can be discouraging to the priest. I’m NOT judging others; just commenting on possible interpretations of a devout person who encounters more casual worship.
Click to expand...
These are the very people who we are called to reach out to in the New Evangelization – and we cannot reach out to them unless they are there!!

In our parish, this year we are making a special effort to reach out to these people by having extra greeters at the door.

Perhaps a better attitude is to say a prayer for them and thanking God that for whatever reason – convenience, pleasing a family member, whatever – that the Spirit has put them in our midst and asking God to touch them in the Holy Season.

FRom our parish bulletin this past Sunday:

SIX WAYS TO EVANGELIZE AT CHRISTMAS MASS
  1. If you have family members or friends you would like invite to Christmas mass, invite them. The worse they can say is “no”.
  2. When you come to church say “Merry Christmas” or “Welcome” to everyone you meet, not just the people you know.
  3. Realize you might have to slide down your pew away from your seat to welcome someone you never saw before. Do this cheerfully and you might see them again.
  4. If a family member or friend did attend with you, say “thank you” to them. Even if they attended just to please Mom or Dad, they were there.
  5. Trust in God – he does the work of moving hearts. Don’t hinder His work by being a sourpuss or a complainer about all those other people at Mass.
  6. Pray for those who are not with you.
 
Boy_Wonder said:
Sometimes people who attend the vigils do so out of convenience rather than necessity. It seems that more people race ot the door immediately after Communion rather than returning to their pews. Lots of teenagers and disinterested folks. These masses can be discouraging to the priest. I’m NOT judging others; just commenting on possible interpretations of a devout person who encounters more casual worship.
Click to expand...
I’ve seen plenty of people at Sunday Mass do that. Casual attitudes toward the Mass occur at all times.
 
Boy_Wonder said:
Sometimes people who attend the vigils do so out of convenience rather than necessity. It seems that more people race ot the door immediately after Communion rather than returning to their pews. Lots of teenagers and disinterested folks. These masses can be discouraging to the priest.
Click to expand...
Not counting Easter and Christmas, I’m sure the priest is aware that many, if not most, in the congregation attend because of the obligation, especially after repeatedly being asked questions like how late can one be, etc. Just sayin.
Cojuanco said:
I’ve seen plenty of people at Sunday Mass do that. Casual attitudes toward the Mass occur at all times.
Click to expand...
As one poster here once put it, English is casual enough. 🙂
 
Boy_Wonder said:
Sometimes people who attend the vigils do so out of convenience rather than necessity. It seems that more people race ot the door immediately after Communion rather than returning to their pews. Lots of teenagers and disinterested folks. These masses can be discouraging to the priest. I’m NOT judging others; just commenting on possible interpretations of a devout person who encounters more casual worship.
Click to expand...
Nobody can judge a person who goes to Mass on the evening before a Sunday or any other Holy Day of Obligation.
The Church allows it and it is not only for those have to out of necessity. We are free to choose which Mass to attend to fulfill our obligation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top