Saturday vigil mass

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Yes, the Saturday evening Mass is very convenient; An excellent adaptation to the reality of modern lives and schedules. It’s a sign of the Church’s ability to respond to the world in a living way. It seems as if some here view it as second rate. This seems like pure sentimentality for the way things were. I really don’t see how the Saturday Mass is anything but wonderful.

I love it because it’s more quiet, with more elderly, so less distractions. It also works schedule wise for me. But I like to go to other Masses as well.
 
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anJayRN:
Wow, People here don’t like the Sat. Mass? I’m shocked! With all the trouble in the world and our church, is this a major issue? I didn’t know it was controversial at all. Wow, this is really surprising.
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No one said this was a major issue, except you. This forum is unique in that anyone can bring up questions on any topic for discussion.

Some questions are more relevant to the major issues pending in our church (the nature of the priesthood, for example). Others are “side-issues”, which are not central to our faith, yet can still cause disruptions in our Church and our own personal faith lives.

If any topic doesn’t appeal to your interests - for whatever reason - just ignore it and don’t post.
 
Dear Muledog,
I do find this topic interesting. I was very surprised to read that some Catholics question, speculate, and doubt the motives of some in attending one particular weekend Mass over the other. Obviously, for some, it bothers them that it’s offered. I noticed someone wanted to put some restrictions on valid reasons to attend a Sat Eve Mass, and not allow it for convenience’s sake.

I don’t personally see anything wrong in wanting to sleep in and relax at home on Sun Morning. Everyone has different needs. Plus, society is structured differently than it used to be, with a lot more people working weekends, whether it be in a restaurant or hospital. So, the Sat Eve Mass is great for that. I think the Church is very wise and caring in allowing it.
 
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anJayRN:
Dear Muledog,
I do find this topic interesting. I was very surprised to read that some Catholics question, speculate, and doubt the motives of some in attending one particular weekend Mass over the other.
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Even though I’ve not done so to this point, I also am skepticle as to the reasons many people attend Mass on Saturday. That’s because I know that many people attend this Mass for the sole purpose of partying all night and sleeping late on Sunday.

I know this, because I was one of those people during most of my college years. I know it, because I hear it from kids I recently taught in CCD classes for several years.

The whole purpose for initiating the Saturday “anticipation” Mass has been totally lost on most people, who would rather spend Sunday watching sports, cooking on the grill, or anything but worshipping our Lord.
 
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MaryAgnes:
If the Church in her wisdom (She IS guided by the Holy Spirit, after all) sees the benefit to having an anticipatory Mass on the Vigil, what is the fuss? No one is preventing anyone from attending on Sunday if they so choose :rolleyes:
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There have been many times that I attend the anticipatory Mass after work on Sat night with family. As I am scheduled to work most Sundays and unless my schedule allows us to go together in the morning, when I go Sunday, I usually go alone and to a church that has a Mass before work. Yes I would like to only go on Sundays.

When I first took the job it was Mon through Sat I had Sundays off. Now we have new management and unless I take Sunday as a vacation day I get 10 a year, I don’t get it off. Praying about staying with my job.
 
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muledog:
Even though I’ve not done so to this point, I also am skepticle as to the reasons many people attend Mass on Saturday. That’s because I know that many people attend this Mass for the sole purpose of partying all night and sleeping late on Sunday.

I know this, because I was one of those people during most of my college years. I know it, because I hear it from kids I recently taught in CCD classes for several years.

The whole purpose for initiating the Saturday “anticipation” Mass has been totally lost on most people, who would rather spend Sunday watching sports, cooking on the grill, or anything but worshipping our Lord.
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Hmmm, well in my parish the Sat Mass is mostly elderly people who look as if their partying days are mostly behind them. As far as people using Sunday for recreational purposes other than praying, I’m not sure if that’s wrong or not. Also, extra sleep is important to many people who live harried lives, and fits into the concept of a day of rest. So, the Sat Mass might better allow for that.

People these days are sleep deprived, generally, so I do think setting aside a day to rest is important. For many folks, going to Mass means loading the kids in the car, fighting traffic, etc…So many mothers work outside the home, and Sunday might be their only day to really rest. Everyone is different, and some people just need a break from the ever present over-stimulation of modern life, so the Sat Mass might make this more obtainable in these complex times.

So, I would ask people to reserve judgement as to the inner motivations of others, and appreciate the wisdom of Christ’s Church in helping us along the way, as pitiful and forlorn as we are in our fallen state.
 
Okay, I’m confused. When I first started going to mass, I was working very late so I went to the Saturday evening mass.

I read that it fulfilled the Sunday obligation.

In addition, I began actually KEEPING the Sabbath. Sunset Sat to sunset, Sunday - only necessary work, real rest, extra prayer time, lots of instructional reading, etc.

I’ve continued to attend the Sat evening mass every week because there is a busload of people from care facilities who need help getting off and on the bus. (wheelchairs, etc) There’s only one other person who regularly shows up for this.

But, I’m getting the impression from this thread that I’m not doing right - maybe there are people in my parish who think less of me for only going to mass on Saturdays? :confused:

If the Saturday evening mass is somehow insufficient, then I need to go to mass on Sunday morning, as well, right?

Is the Saturday mass a fulfilment of the Sunday obligation or not? Is there someplace to get an authoritative answer? I want to make sure that I’m doing this right.

Thanks!
 
Dear Elisabeth,
Yes, You are doing excellently. Don’t worry, Be happy. You sound entirely above average!!! :angel1:
 
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KathleenElsie:
When I first took the job it was Mon through Sat I had Sundays off. Now we have new management and unless I take Sunday as a vacation day I get 10 a year, I don’t get it off. Praying about staying with my job.
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Hey, that is a better deal than around here! Only two of the days off a year are allowed to be Sundays. The rest must be weekdays. This is because they must pay someone extra to cover the Sunday, I think?

ElizabethJoy…the Saturday at approximately 5:00pm service does indeed fulfill your Sunday obligation. It is okay!! [A Saturday *morning mass does not replace Sunday, however.]
 
In addition, I began actually KEEPING the Sabbath. Sunset Sat to sunset, Sunday - only necessary work, real rest, extra prayer time, lots of instructional reading, etc.
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Just remember that the Sunday sabbath goes liturgically from sundown on Saturday until midnight Sunday night. It does not end Sunday at sunset. This is because Sunday is the greatest day of the week, and as such, as merits extra hours. No other day of the week (except for the occasional solemnity) is extended like this.
 
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Pug:
Hey, that is a better deal than around here! Only two of the days off a year are allowed to be Sundays. The rest must be weekdays. This is because they must pay someone extra to cover the Sunday, I think?

ElizabethJoy…the Saturday at approximately 5:00pm service does indeed fulfill your Sunday obligation. It is okay!! [A Saturday *morning
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mass does not replace Sunday, however.]

I do not think you understood. If I take my 10 days off as Sundays then I get NO VACATION time. None nada. With six other people in our family we need time together.
 
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KathleenElsie:
I do not think you understood. If I take my 10 days off as Sundays then I get NO VACATION time. None nada. With six other people in our family we need time together.
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Of course you need that time.:yup: I did understand your situation. I was off on a tangent, expressing my annoyance with the workplace policies about Sunday here on my end. My emotions were at work here: My fault.

It is a reason to consider another job, if you are lead that way in prayer.
 
Why bother with another job when you have the wonderful option of the Saturday evening Mass??? 🙂 That is, unless the job is less than desirable.

With women in the workforce, working weekends minimizes daycare for the wee ones. I’m glad that families and the Church have adapted to the realities of modern life. I thank the Church for the vigil Mass, since it helps me attend the Sunday Liturgy on Saturday! Praise God!

There’s a special crowd at the Sat Mass. There’s Joe and Marge. He’s 98 and still drives! There’s another Joe who was my patient in the hospital. Now he has lung cancer. There’s Richard who is my son’s boss. There’s another elderly man, I forget his name. He was my patient a couple of years ago, and was pretty sick. He spent a lot of time with me in the night, talking and weeping about his wife whom he loves and appreciates so much. He was so vulnerable and special. There’s Ralph, an old man whose wife died at the hospital one night while I was her nurse. I was with her when she died. The family was very grateful. He often sits behind me. He’s hard of hearing and talks a little too loud when he greets me. He is a master woodworker, which is probably why he’s half deaf.

The readers at the Sat Mass are exceptionally good. The music is wonderful. It’s quiet and prayerful. It has the best vibes of all three Masses we have offered here.
 
I attend the Saturday evening Mass with my family. We love it and we are not lazy or “getting God out of the way”. It’s a great time for us. It works for us.

For those of you arguing that it is merely a convenience and should be dropped - you need to find a hobby! You have too much time on your hands!!

One could just as easily argue that the 8:30 am Sunday Mass is scheduled so that you can “get it over with and have the rest of the day” or that the 11 am Mass is scheduled to allow you to sleep in a little longer, etc.

We (my family and I) make an effort to attend Mass weekly. If only one Mass time was offered, we’d be there. But there are several Mass times, so we choose one that works best for us.

What’s wrong with that??? :confused:

If you attend Saturday evening Mass, good for you.
If you attend early Sunday morning, good for you.
If you attend late Sunday morning, good for you.
If you attend Sunday evening, good for you.

It’s all good.

Now go find something else to do. Take up knitting or something. 😛
 
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ElizabethJoy:
Okay, I’m confused. When I first started going to mass, I was working very late so I went to the Saturday evening mass.

I read that it fulfilled the Sunday obligation.

In addition, I began actually KEEPING the Sabbath. Sunset Sat to sunset, Sunday - only necessary work, real rest, extra prayer time, lots of instructional reading, etc.

I’ve continued to attend the Sat evening mass every week because there is a busload of people from care facilities who need help getting off and on the bus. (wheelchairs, etc) There’s only one other person who regularly shows up for this.

But, I’m getting the impression from this thread that I’m not doing right - maybe there are people in my parish who think less of me for only going to mass on Saturdays? :confused:

If the Saturday evening mass is somehow insufficient, then I need to go to mass on Sunday morning, as well, right?

Is the Saturday mass a fulfilment of the Sunday obligation or not? Is there someplace to get an authoritative answer? I want to make sure that I’m doing this right.

Thanks!
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No no no you’re fine. You’re doing nothing wrong. Keep it up. God bless you!
 
it’s ease of use and suppossed lack of proper inconvienence - one could just as easily make that arguement for why people go to Sunday mass. Nothing’s open to do on Sunday morning anyhow, you know.😛

I mean really now, if you’re going to do something on a Saturday night - you can’t get much more worth for time than an hour at Mass! 👍 How many instead choose a game, a movie, or what all else because Church is only for Sunday. My dh is not Catholic, but not once have I ever had to argue with him about going to Mass. If it’s better for us to go Saturday, then that’s what we do and I don’t give it another thought past being gratefull for the opportunity to go with my family.

We go to what Mass we can as often as we can and that’s what matters. If somebody wants to look down on me for going on some Saturday, well that’s their problem.:confused:

But they may want to ask themselves:

What they did Saturday night and if it was more worthy…
and if this attitude towards their fellow Catholic should be offered to the Lord come the next Mass…

PAX
 
Thanks very much for the reassurances! 🙂
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chatter163:
Just remember that the Sunday sabbath goes liturgically from sundown on Saturday until midnight Sunday night. It does not end Sunday at sunset.
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I didn’t know that, thank you. Learn something new every day.

Elizabeth
 
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