Quick Question: Sunday vs. Holy Day of Obligation

[MarieVeronica]

I’m not sure if this is the right forum… but I had a quick question.

Do the same rules apply for Holy Days of Obligation… as for Sunday… (i.e.) No unnecessary shopping… no unnecessary work… etc.

After Mass today, I had wanted to go get some special food for New Years Day at the market… but suddenly, something stopped me… and said I shouldn’t.

Your replies are appreciated. God bless and HAPPY NEW YEAR! :winter:

 

[cameron_lansing]

I’m not sure if this is the right forum… but I had a quick question.

Do the same rules apply for Holy Days of Obligation… as for Sunday… (i.e.) No unnecessary shopping… no unnecessary work… etc.

After Mass today, I had wanted to go get some special food for New Years Day at the market… but suddenly, something stopped me… and said I shouldn’t.

Your replies are appreciated. God bless and HAPPY NEW YEAR! :winter:

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.

However, you might want to consider if your shopping for some special food does impede worship, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body. It would not seem so to me as a casual observer as it seems to be a light matter, but that would be your decision. Just be aware that the canon does not impose the issue of necessary vs. unnecessary.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Canon 1247: Just be aware that the canon does not impose the issue of necessary vs. unnecessary.

Cameron… thank you for your reply. And for setting me straight, about the wording in the canon. My confusion might have arisen from an “Examination of Conscience” I recently made… where it asked the question…

“Have you done unnecessary work on Sunday?” I think that stuck with me, and I began to ask myself… if the same would apply for a Holy Day of Obligation.

Any who … I DO thank you for your helpful reply. God bless.

 

[3Sanctus]

What about working? I work in a hotel and don’t have a regular schedule (it varies by week, and the shifts I work change as well). I generally get off on Sundays - and try to insist on it - but sometimes I am not given off and end up having to work. What is my status with this? Does this classify as a mortal sin? venial sin? sin against virtue?

Also, yesterday (on the Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God) I came to work at 11pm, would that be considered sinful?

In Pax Christi.

 

[thistle]

Cameron… thank you for your reply. And for setting me straight, about the wording in the canon. My confusion might have arisen from an “Examination of Conscience” I recently made… where it asked the question…

“Have you done unnecessary work on Sunday?” I think that stuck with me, and I began to ask myself… if the same would apply for a Holy Day of Obligation.

Any who … I DO thank you for your helpful reply. God bless.

Sundays ARE Holy Days of Obligation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Sundays ARE Holy Days of Obligation.

I was going to say that and for some reason I read all the posts in the thread which I normally do not do. So I’ll just add. If you feel Sunday Mass is important which all Catholic should, then the Holy Days of Obligation should be just as important. However teh trend seems that we see about 10-20% of the normal Sunday faithful at a Holy Day Mass.

 

[thistle]

I was going to say that and for some reason I read all the posts in the thread which I normally do not do. So I’ll just add. If you feel Sunday Mass is important which all Catholic should, then the Holy Days of Obligation should be just as important. However teh trend seems that we see about 10-20% of the normal Sunday faithful at a Holy Day Mass.

Not here. Our Sunday schedule of 10 Masses was applied to both Dec 25 and Jan 1 and they were all packed just as they are on Sundays.

 

[cameron_lansing]

What about working? I work in a hotel and don’t have a regular schedule (it varies by week, and the shifts I work change as well). I generally get off on Sundays - and try to insist on it - but sometimes I am not given off and end up having to work. What is my status with this? Does this classify as a mortal sin? venial sin? sin against virtue?

Also, yesterday (on the Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God) I came to work at 11pm, would that be considered sinful?

In Pax Christi.

A work schedule imposed by an employer would be considered to be beyond your control. Although this is recognized as a morally excusing cause from the obligation of rest, if it renders participation at Mass impossible on a typical or continuing basis, then a dispensation or commutation should be obtained from one’s pastor.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Sundays ARE Holy Days of Obligation.

thistle… Yes, in fact… Sunday is the “HOLIEST” Holy Day of Obligation.