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ready
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What is the traditional teaching regarding going out to eat on Sundays? Is it considered a venial sin if you go out to eat on Sundays when it is not a necessity to eat out? Your help with this is greatly appreciated!
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Bob_Aliano
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Since we are not supposed to work on Sunday wouldn’t it make more sense to eat out than to cook at home?
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Rich_C
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The Baltimore Catechism says:
However, I believe that traditionally Catholics were taught that if their choice of Sunday recreation created unnecessary servile work for others, then it should be avoided. I seem to recall that eating out was not considered to be a recreation that burdened others unnecessarily, because its such a basic and natural good. Today we know that most stores will open on Sunday regardless of whether or not we shop there, so we may have the same excuse, but I’m not sure. Beyond Sunday brunch I try not to frequent shops on Sunday.
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Cat
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On the other hand, many people who work in restaurants and stores on weekends are either college students who are trying to earn money to pay their expenses OR high school students trying to pay more of their own way and perhaps get ready for college OR adults who are working a second or third job to support their families/pay debts and avoid dole OR adults who can’t find any other job and are grateful to be able to work at restaurants and stores on weekends.
So by not patronizing their restaurants and stores, we are essentially depriving them of an honest living.
The way I see it, NO ONE would work weekends if they didn’t have to in order to support themselves. So I see nothing wrong with spending money so that these people will be able to earn money. One way or another, you’re going to help these people out financially–you can choose whether you would rather eat at their restaurant and shop at their store, or pay more taxes to support them with welfare or unemployment pay.
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TrueLight
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I am trying to get a group together to go see For Greater Glory (the Cristiada movie) in the afternoon after the parish activities. There were definitely a couple of people who said that they try to not purchase anything or frequent any stores/franchises on Sundays unless absolutely necessary.
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ready
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I would never shop on Sundays unless it were absolutely necessary. But eating out at a restaurant on occassion after chapeltime does attract me … yet if a holy and learned priest told me it was wrong I wouldn’t do it anymore. I rarely go to the movies, but for some reason I have not felt opposed to going to the cinema for a film on Sundays (It happens that I only see religious films, which means I rarely go to the cinema). But maybe it, too, is wrong. What do you think TrueLight? Eating out and going to a religious movie on Sunday makes my Sunday more special, but is it wrong to do these forms of recreation I wonder?
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ready
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Thanks, everyone, for your feedback!
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TrueLight
Guest
I don’t think it’s wrong to go out to eat for sure. It’s great to spend Sundays, “resting” and for some that includes leisure activity.
I don’t particularly think it’s wrong to go see a movie either, especially a movie like “For Greater Glory”.
And although for some it may be a burden to work on a Sunday, it is not the same for everyone. As Cat pointed out, some depend on the income to feed their families.
However, I do respect those who don’t do it as a way to honor the Lord’s day.
I don’t particularly think it’s wrong to go see a movie either, especially a movie like “For Greater Glory”.
And although for some it may be a burden to work on a Sunday, it is not the same for everyone. As Cat pointed out, some depend on the income to feed their families.
However, I do respect those who don’t do it as a way to honor the Lord’s day.
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GEddie
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I also respect those who choose not to engage in commercialized activity our of respect for Sunday. However, I do not share that concern, as food, etc is so vital to life that such provision would go on in any case.
And I doubt that operation of a cinema should be considered servile work. Sure, they get paid to do it, else they would not do so. But in essence, operation of a cinema is presentation of a work of art. Semi-creative work, not servile. IMNAAHO.
ICXC NIKA
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ready
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Thanks, guys, for your help with this!
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Kathryn_Ann
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I was just wondering, though: What about those having to serve the food? A Catholic waiter might be pressed to miss Mass more than one Sunday, and at the least, eating
izza
ut creates a need for many others to work. Catholic workers might get a dispensation
for working on a Sunday if required to work, but I’m speaking in general about creating a need for others to work:frighten::bighanky::imsorry: on Sundays.:heaven:Of course, cooking at home is no “picnic” either!
Love to all here.:heaven:
Kathryn Ann
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DaveBj
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This is just me talking – your mileage may vary.
I don’t like to work on Sundays, and I don’t like to be the cause of other people’s working on Sundays (except our priest, but that’s his job
). I don’t shop on Sundays, unless it’s something that absolutely must be obtained right now. I also don’t go out to eat on Sundays. I do make myself breakfast, but lunch after Mass is a sandwich, and dinner is usually leftovers. In further keeping with Sunday as a day of rest, after Mass and my snack, I like to spend a couple hours carefully examining the insides of my eyelids.
I don’t like to work on Sundays, and I don’t like to be the cause of other people’s working on Sundays (except our priest, but that’s his job
). I don’t shop on Sundays, unless it’s something that absolutely must be obtained right now. I also don’t go out to eat on Sundays. I do make myself breakfast, but lunch after Mass is a sandwich, and dinner is usually leftovers. In further keeping with Sunday as a day of rest, after Mass and my snack, I like to spend a couple hours carefully examining the insides of my eyelids.
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ready
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I have an invitation to see “For Greater Glory” on Saturday or Sunday. I think I will go on Saturday.
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TrueLight
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Bob_Aliano
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We once had what were called “Blue Laws” in the US which prohibited many forms of business from doing business on Sunday; they were mostly repealed years ago.I was just wondering, though: What about those having to serve the food? A Catholic waiter might be pressed to miss Mass more than one Sunday, and at the least, eating
Of course, cooking at home is no “picnic” either!
Love to all here.:heaven:
Kathryn Ann
When I was working it was not unusual to have to work on Sundays; when I was in the service I certainly worked on Sundays and I think most employees in certain businesses will have to work some Sundays. I don’t think there is anything sinful about working on a Sunday when one’s livelihood or that or others depend on it. If a person accepts a job in a restaurant he or she must be ready to accept some Sunday work and I don’t see that as a problem, if it is then don’t take the job.
I avoid unnecessary Sunday work such as mowing or puttering around the garage but cooking a meal for myself or the family and subsequently washing dishes are outside my definition of unnecessary work.
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ExGratia
Guest
In response to this post, but also just my general thoughts (I realize that written-word can come off as scathing…so please take no offense). Just wanted to speak for the servers, hosts, dishwashers, cooks and bartenders.
As a former waitress (10 years…also married to a former chef) and corporate trainer for several of those, I am pretty sure most of us did not want to work on Sundays. The idea that “NO ONE would work weekends if they didn’t have to…” is somewhat naive. I suppose you are right (that they have to work them because of company rules–not because they want to) but Sundays do not necessarily benefit the employees themselves. Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the plum shifts in restaurants and Sundays are so-so. When I was a student, I preferred having a day off before starting school again on Monday. Some people like Sundays off for religious reasons, some for football season reasons! Many student/servers work evenings as well as weekends, btw.
The largest sit down restaurant corporation in America REQUIRES all employees to be available for at least one shift on Sundays. Actually, the founder of this company was, to my knowledge, the forerunner in restaurants starting to be open on Sunday. Depending on which location/concept you work at within this corporation, some managers are more relaxed about employees requesting off Sundays. I know that there was particular hardship on some non-denominational Christians who go to split services on Sunday (they were no longer able to do that). It also caused problems for parents with children involved in sports or theatre.
Shift assignments in most restaurants are based on the previous years number of guests. Therefore, if less people ate out on Sundays, less people would be assigned to those shifts the following year. Then only those who like to work on Sundays (the non-religious/non-NFL types?
) could be scheduled. Or restaurants may find it unprofitable to be open on Sundays and close for good those days.Did you know that in heavily Jewish areas of cities, the restaurants are closed on the Sabbath? Also, most independent, privately owned restaurants are not open on Sunday. Just the big corporations who merely care about the bottom line.
And, by the way, restaurant employees (most of whom work weekends), are not necessarily only of the groups you mentioned. Indeed, that is rather snobbish I am a college educated housewife who has worked in several careers, but I was an excellent waitress and if I ever choose to work again, I will most likely return to that job as it was my favorite. And most of the chefs I know would be offended that you think they couldn’t get a better job…culinary school is tough business.
And the welfare comment…restaurant employees are some of the hardest workers I know, and are not the type who would end up on welfare or unemployment if you didn’t patronize them on Sunday. They’d pick up another shift or apply for a different restaurant job where the hourly take-home is greater. It may be the people who are too proud to scrape plates that end up in the situation you described.
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Kathryn_Ann
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I just thought I’d post an excerpt from the CCC second edition:
CCC
Quote:
A day of grace and rest from work
2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,"121 human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.122
2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.
The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.124
2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.
2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.
2188 In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays. They have to give everyone a public example of prayer, respect, and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution to the spiritual life of society. If a country’s legislation or other reasons require work on Sunday, the day should nevertheless be lived as the day of our deliverance which lets us share in this “festal gathering,” this "assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven."125
Thank you TrueLight. I always want to know the Church’s official teaching. Reposting because, although personal opinions are worthy, it’s best to know what is expected of us.
Blessings,
Kathryn Ann:heaven:
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Kathryn_Ann
Guest
Oh, yes I remember those Blue Laws! I like TrueLight’s posting of the CCC, which I reposted. I want to study that and see what I can do to follow that as closely as possible. In a perfect world, all of us would be at a weekend Mass, and not have to work. Since it’s not a perfect world, perhaps I can do something to ease the burden of others. If restaurants didn’t have any customers on Sundays, (we don’t want them to go out of business, so let’s say we all went early on Saturdays instead.) then perhaps this would provide one day of rest for the workers there. I’m sure everyone in this forum is doing his or her best just to be cognizant and empathetic of others. And of course, people are grateful to have the jobs! It’s a balance.
Many Blessings,
Kathryn Ann:heaven::harp::heaven:
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ready
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My question has been answered by a traditionalist priest from the Audio Sancto Sermon Series. He says that eating out at restaurants on Sundays has ALWAYS been accepted. Thanks, everybody, for your good feedback! My question has been answered.
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