Sunday obligation -- history please

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otrrl

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I’m a life-long Catholic. As I read the Old Testament, I see that the Israelites were obligated to go to the Temple three times a year. Even the important Pesach (Passover) had flexibility to it. There was one on the astronomical date that it was prescribed. But, because it was at a harvest time, an alternate date, a month later, was approved and observed.

The Sabbath observances were at-home celebrations, where no work was performed and the day was a special day for eating and family.

Can someone with some background in Church history explain how the Sunday Mass became obligatory under pain of mortal sin? In my lifetime, the abstaining from beef and pork was mandated under similar penalty, then it was relaxed by the Church.

I don’t have first-hand experience with Protestant philosophy on church attendance. What is it? Is it required on Sunday? Or is it a matter of conscience?
 
At least in the Baptist, it is expected, encouraged, but bottom line it is a matter of conscience. Stay home when you’re sick, don’t go when you’re on vacation. Some have Sunday AM and PM services which are entirely different and you attend both. Many have eliminated the PM services (low attendance).
 
For Catholics, however, the Sunday obligation still exists when on vacation unless there is absolutely no means or way for you to attend a Mass. An example of this would be if you were far off in the wilderness or on a cruise with no priest onboard.
 
I’m having a issue with one of my parents about Sunday obligation. They say that it’s not a sin to miss mass. From what I was taught in RCIA that to miss mass on purpose is a sin. Is this still the “rule” or am I incorrect about this?
 
See Canons 1247-1248 and paragraphs 2180-2181 of the Catechism.
 
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