Sunday Mass Obligation

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I’m confused I heard a few peopel say that if you go to Mass on Saturday after a certain time (I think 4:00 or 5:00 pm) that it can count as your Sunday Mass Obligation is this true?
 
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starrs0:
Ok question 2 Why does the Church have such a rule?
Best explanation I’ve heard is that it’s in keeping with the ancient Hebrew way of counting days.
 
A day started at sundown on the previous evening and ends at sundown (e.g., the first day of the week would begin at sunset on Saturday and end at sunset on Sunday).

Personally, I think it’s a shame that both Saturday and Sunday evening Masses are permitted. They should pick one.
 
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starrs0:
How did they count days?
From sundown to sundown.

This rule is also in place to allow those who can not make a Sunday Mass. It is a pastoral thing.

Also not any Mass on Saturday will count, it must be, what they call, a Vigil Mass.
 
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Benedictus:
A day started at sundown on the previous evening and ends at sundown (e.g., the first day of the week would begin at sunset on Saturday and end at sunset on Sunday).

Personally, I think it’s a shame that both Saturday and Sunday evening Masses are permitted. They should pick one.
Why? Surely it’s a useful thing to have both- some people have busy schedules, and there should be as many opportunities as possible to come to mass.
 
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Titus:
Why? Surely it’s a useful thing to have both- some people have busy schedules, and there should be as many opportunities as possible to come to mass.
Yes. Unfortunately some people have to work on Sundays. I know of one who is scheduled to work on Easter Sunday! In my youth it was customary for business establishments–even retail stores–to close on Sundays. That is no longer the case.
 
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ByzCath:
From sundown to sundown.

This rule is also in place to allow those who can not make a Sunday Mass. It is a pastoral thing.

Also not any Mass on Saturday will count, it must be, what they call, a Vigil Mass.
Wrong again. According to the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago, ANY Mass that begins at or after 4:00 pm on Saturday fulfills your Sunday obligation. It does not have to be the anticipated (the real name for it, not vigil) Mass.

I find it amazing that an authority such as yourself is constantly wrong. I’m sure you’ll accuse me of slander again and I’ll tell you I can’t be guilty of slander on this or any forum. You see, slander refers to the SPOKEN WORD while libel refers to the WRITTEN WORD. So, if you’re going to accuse me of doing something, make sure you know what you’re talking about.

I’m sure I’m also being to critical of you. To that I say, I’m being too (the correct spelling) critical of you. To is a verb that denotes movement, whereas too means excessive. Too can mean also as well. Just thought you could use a grammar lesson.
 
Swiss Guard:
I find it amazing that an authority such as yourself is constantly wrong.
What an amazingly uncharitable post.

In any case, remeber that Byz isn’t a Roman Catholic. His statement could very well be true for his church.
 
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Timidity:
What an amazingly uncharitable post.

Agreed.
In any case, remeber that Byz isn’t a Roman Catholic. His statement could very well be true for his church.
Right. Anticipated Liturgies are uncommon in the Eastern Catholic Churches, and many Eastern Catholics (rightfully) see them as an unwanted latinization. They generally follow the ancient tradition of celebrating the Divine Liturgy only in the morning.
 
Swiss Guard said:
Wrong again. According to the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago, ANY Mass that begins at or after 4:00 pm on Saturday fulfills your Sunday obligation. It does not have to be the anticipated (the real name for it, not vigil) Mass.

Seems you have some issues.

And actually the word Vigil is acceptable as a Vigil service is one that is done in anticipation the evening before.

Such as when we have a Divine Liturgy the evening before a Holyday in my parish. It is called a Vigil Divine Liturgy or a Divine Liturgy on the Vigil of .

Yes I have heard what you are saying, but I have also heard a bishop state that the Mass celebrated on Saturday evening must have the Sunday readings to be considered as fulfilling the Sunday “Obligation”.
I find it amazing that an authority such as yourself is constantly wrong. I’m sure you’ll accuse me of slander again and I’ll tell you I can’t be guilty of slander on this or any forum. You see, slander refers to the SPOKEN WORD while libel refers to the WRITTEN WORD. So, if you’re going to accuse me of doing something, make sure you know what you’re talking about.
Yes you are correct this is a textbook definition of libel, unless you provide some proof.

I do not recall ever accusing doing such a thing to me before.

It must be so hard to live with such hate within your heart.
I’m sure I’m also being to critical of you. To that I say, I’m being too (the correct spelling) critical of you. To is a verb that denotes movement, whereas too means excessive. Too can mean also as well. Just thought you could use a grammar lesson.
Wow, to be so touchy. I am sorry if you dislike my writing skills but again, such see such hate saddens my heart especially during this time of the liturgical year.

I am sure I made more mistakes and you, in your greatness, will educate me as soon as you can.

So are you going to be playing grammar police here at the forum now for everyone?

For everyone else… Yes Benedictus and Timidity are correct. We do not have a Vigil Divine Liturgy normally. Some parishes have then or have a Vesperal Divine Liturgy but those are view as latinizations.

The normal service for Saturday Evening is Great Vespers and this will fulfill the Sunday “Obligation”.
 
how about this…does the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening then fill the obligation for Easter Sunday?..thanks!
 
Swiss Guard is right about the issue of vigil/anticpated Masses. For example if you attend a wedding Mass on Saturday “evening” then that fulfills your Sunday obligation. But what “evening” is is not defined. Some people say that any time after noon would count as evening for the purposes of the law and fulfilling your Sunday obligation. Since there is some disagreement I think going with the noon rule is fine for us lay people.
 
I would like to publically apologize to Swiss Guard for correcting his lack of charity in a previous post on this thread. I should have done it privately.

My apologies.

We now return to your thread, already in progress…
 
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tuopaolo:
Since there is some disagreement I think going with the noon rule is fine for us lay people.
Canonists generally say 4 p.m. I remember an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis once wrote that 4 p.m. was the earliest in the diocese’s paper in response to a question about Saturday wedding Masses. A few dioceses have set 5 p.m. as the rule. I think the diocese of Erie, Pa. prohibits vigil Masses before 5 p.m.
 
General Reminder:

The discussion seems to have gotten back on track. Please keep it going in that direction and remember your charity.
 
Swiss Guard said:
To is a verb that denotes movement, whereas too means excessive. Too can mean also as well. Just thought you could use a grammar lesson.

Apparently you can, too. “To” is a preposition, not a verb.

And just to stay on topic, Sunday is (liturgically speaking) the longest day of the week, beginning at 4:00 (in most dioceses in the USA) on Saturday and ending at midnight Sunday. And yes, juanh, the Easter Vigil fulfills the obligation for Easter Sunday. It is the first Mass of Easter.

Betsy
 
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baltobetsy:
And yes, juanh, the Easter Vigil fulfills the obligation for Easter Sunday. It is the first Mass of Easter.

Betsy
Thank you Betsy and I hope you have a Glorious Easter!

juan
 
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