Sunday Obligation - What's Needed?

[ClemtheCatholic]

Does an illicit (or at least what the person in question regards as illicit) Mass fulfil your Sunday obligation? If it’s the only one on offer should you go to it? What if there’s no Gospel or the Liturgy of the Word is done illicitly?

I was talking with an SSPX person who would stay at home on Sunday rather than go to the local Church because there were certain things which she regarded as liturgical abuses in the Mass. It sounded like a pretty bad Mass (sorry, that might not be the best way to describe a Sacrament whatever the case!) but as long as it actually happened (transubstantiation takes place) should one go to it if it’s the only one available?

Thanks!!
ClemtheCatholic

 

[CB_Catholic]

Does an illicit (or at least what the person in question regards as illicit) Mass fulfil your Sunday obligation? If it’s the only one on offer should you go to it? What if there’s no Gospel or the Liturgy of the Word is done illicitly?

I was talking with an SSPX person who would stay at home on Sunday rather than go to the local Church because there were certain things which she regarded as liturgical abuses in the Mass. It sounded like a pretty bad Mass (sorry, that might not be the best way to describe a Sacrament whatever the case!) but as long as it actually happened (transubstantiation takes place) should one go to it if it’s the only one available?

Thanks!!
ClemtheCatholic

An “illicit” Mass does not mean an invalid Mass, and doing something “illicit” does not render the whole Mass illicit. As to if things in the Mass were illicitly done, you only have her word for it, and remember, the SSPX are not in full communion with Rome and their priests are illicitly saying Mass, although their Eucharist is valid. So it seems rather ironic for her to make any statements about the Mass at the local church being illicit.

Missing Mass on Sunday is a grave sin, and one’s personal perception of Mass does not affect that obligation. The only person who can determine the Mass itself to be illicit is the local Bishop or the Pope, who can then ask people to not attend those Masses. Otherwise, you are obliged to go Mass even if you don’t like the Mass that is available. God is what is important here, not oneself.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Does an illicit (or at least what the person in question regards as illicit) Mass fulfil your Sunday obligation? If it’s the only one on offer should you go to it? What if there’s no Gospel or the Liturgy of the Word is done illicitly?

I was talking with an SSPX person who would stay at home on Sunday rather than go to the local Church because there were certain things which she regarded as liturgical abuses in the Mass. It sounded like a pretty bad Mass (sorry, that might not be the best way to describe a Sacrament whatever the case!) but as long as it actually happened (transubstantiation takes place) should one go to it if it’s the only one available?

Thanks!!
ClemtheCatholic

Going to Mass on Sunday should be a priority for any Catholic. If there is a valid (ie associated with the local Ordinary) parish, that is the first place to go to Mass. Even if it is a Mass you don’t prefer (ie music choices, bad homilies, etc.)

If this person would rather stay home than attend Sunday Mass at a parish associated with the local bishop, than Iwouldn’t necessarily trust their description of the Mass and whatever potential abuses or irregular things might have occurred during the Mass.

Tell your friend to start attending Mass again today and to confess the sin of not attending when their was a Mass available to them.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

If Jesus can put up with it, I have no excuse for not attending.

 

[ClemtheCatholic]

Thanks everybody!! Really helpful answers!

Kind of on topic: Are ALL the SSPX Masses illicit? If so, why?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The SSPX priests lack the proper facilities to say Mass - they are suspended priests. So they say a valid Mass (ie they are ordained, and assuming all other criteria are met), but the Masses are illicit.

We *can *attend their Masses, but it is not prudent to do so if any licit Mass is available (EF or OF).

 

[ClemtheCatholic]

So this applies to every single SSPX Priest? (As a side point, is there any official process you through to join the SSPX?)

Do you know of any links/quotes/documents that state this for certain? Sorry to ask so many questions but I could really do with clarifications on all this!