Why do we have to attend Holy Days of Obligation?

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I’m trying to explain this to a friend of mine. He understands the need to go on Sundays, but why for the feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow? Why specifically do we go on these days and assert that this is a necessity?
 
JDGaney said:
I’m trying to explain this to a friend of mine. He understands the need to go on Sundays, but why for the feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow? Why specifically do we go on these days and assert that this is a necessity?
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These solemnities are based as very, very, very special sections of what we believe as Catholics. Why would we not celebrate something that is very, very, very special?
Using the Immaculate Conception as an example, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a super special section of doctrine, as proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, saying that Mary, virgin and mother of Christ, was born without original sin, as to make a pure tabernacle for Jesus Christ, in the womb of the Virgin. If the Immaculate Conception had not happened, Mary, being a tabernacle for our Lord Jesus, would have been impure from the beginning, therefore, Christ would be impure, after being born from an impure womb. Anyways, we go on these days because December 8th is 9 months BEFORE the feast of the Nativity of Mary. All of this work that God did for Mary ultimately points to Christ.

Hope this helped.
 
I think the deeper answer, besides that the Church “says so” to do it, is that that there were such “sabbaths” in the Jewish faith (in the Bible), which were based on a lunar calendar, not on the repeating cycle of seventh-day sabbaths.

The Jewish observance of Hannakuh can be in November or December, for example.

The opportunities to worship God are gifts to us. The Church teaches that in the Mass, heaven and earth are united on the altar. Every Sunday Mass is a celebration of the freedom from the servitude of work and a foretaste of the eternal banquet in heaven.

Look at the processional cross. Jesus is saying to us, This is how much I love you. You are more important than you can possibly imagine. God loves us so much, that he wants to be united with us in the Eucharist. (Meditations of Fr. John Riccardo and Mother Theresa). Jesus says on the cross, “I thirst” for you.
 
It’s a holy day of obligation in the USA because Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the patron saint of the United States.
 
The Blessed Virgin Mary is ‘the new Eve’ – the new mother of mankind.

She was privileged to be the Mother of God, and so was preserved from original sin and from actual sin throughout her life.

For years, I thought, so what? This is important to Mary, but why is it important to us?

Her preservation from sin is a fulfillment of prophecy of the Messiah (anointed). She is the proof of God’s power to save us.

In his book Praying Like Jesus, Baptist minister James Mulholland (I found a copy at the public library) asserts that the first phrases of the Lord’s prayer are VOWS to God, our Father.

Hallowed by Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We first make these vows to God before we dare to say “give us” (anything).

The repetition of these vows*** help us*** to remind us of what we owe to God.

Muslims pause five times each day in prayer. Jews say at least twice a day, maybe three times “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, is God alone.” This is the pledge of allegiance to God.

We pledge ourselves to God, as we celebrate what God has done in Mary’s life. We do so as Jesus’s bride, not just individually, but as the Church.
 
=JDGaney;13492077]I’m trying to explain this to a friend of mine. He understands the need to go on Sundays, but why for the feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow? Why specifically do we go on these days and assert that this is a necessity?
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When Jesus gave to Peter Mt. 16:18-19 ALL of the keys to Heaven s gate; [singular] with assurances that the gates [plural] of Hell would never prevail; Divine Justice also had to demand in return; that Her efforts [Mother church] would be centered on the salvation of Souls as had Christ himself. Mt. 28: 18-20. Cf. YOU go teach the entire World ALL that I taught and commanded of you.

John 17:18 & again in John 20:21 tell us that “As the Father sent Me [to you]; so too, NOW I also send you” Meaning with [to a lesser degree [the same kinds of authority and Power that Jesus possessed; so too, now His church would possess. See Mt. 10: 1-8

**With Grace comes responsibilities. Jn.17: 16-20 [The context here is Jesus in his human nature praying to Thee Father on behalf of Peter & the Apostles [his Church]… keep in mind that Jesus always had ALSO his Divine Nature; and that God cannot deny Himself:

“[16] They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. [18] As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. [19] And for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. [20] And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me;”

vs. 18: Jesus sends THEM [the church] as He had been sent
vs. 19: Jesus gives Himself as the personal warranty i=of His church’s Infallibility when teaching on Faith beliefs and Morals
vs. Jesus specifies the Mission

So with the authority of the very Key’s to heaven singular gate; She, the Church has to do everything possible for the salvation of the souls entrusted to Her. That friend is the answer to your question.🙂

Mandating Mass is NOT a punishment; NO! It is a grace! An opportunity to again be in the actual presence of OUR God. Amen:thumbsup:
 
JDGaney said:
I’m trying to explain this to a friend of mine. He understands the need to go on Sundays, but why for the feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow? Why specifically do we go on these days and assert that this is a necessity?
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The question should be why do we GET to…not why do we HAVE to. “Why do I have to?” is a childish question. Tell your friend to read Luke 14:15-24, and when he’s done, to read it again. And after that, if whatever else he’s got going on is more important and interesting than what God is offering him, then all you can do is pray for him. Any explanation would be futile.
 
1neophyte said:
The question should be why do we GET to…not why do we HAVE to. “Why do I have to?” is a childish question. Tell your friend to read Luke 14:15-24, and when he’s done, to read it again. And after that, if whatever else he’s got going on is more important and interesting than what God is offering him, then all you can do is pray for him. Any explanation would be futile.
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Pretty much.

I like the take on it in this short video here.
 
JDGaney said:
I’m trying to explain this to a friend of mine. He understands the need to go on Sundays, but why for the feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow? Why specifically do we go on these days and assert that this is a necessity?
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Catechism**2042 **The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the Mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days. Latin Canon Law lists ten such days, in addition to all Sundays, however, they may be transferred or suppressed;Can. 1246
§1. Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. The following days must also be observed:
  • the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • the Epiphany,
  • the Ascension,
  • the Body and Blood of Christ,
  • Holy Mary the Mother of God,
  • her Immaculate Conception,
  • her Assumption,
  • Saint Joseph,
  • Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles,
  • and All Saints.
§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.
For eastern Catholic Churches, they each have their own particular law, but in general the easten canon law CCEO shows in common, five beyond Sundays:Can. 880 3. Holy days of obligation common to all the Eastern Churches, beyond Sundays, are
  • the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • the Epiphany [Theophany],
  • the Ascension,
  • the Dormition of the Holy Mary Mother of God
  • and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
except for the particular law of a Church suiiuris approved by the Apostolic See which suppresses a holy days of obligation or transfers them to a Sunday.
 
Because as Catholic,s, we are too ,or it is a sin for us as Catholic,s.,I hope you understand what I mean…
 
The easiest way to describe it is as a matter of justice.

Worship is God’s by right. We owe God worship because of who He is and who we are.

It is an injustice to deny someone something that is theirs by right. That’s why we have to worship. To not worship is to commit an injustice against God to whom we owe worship. .

As Catholics we believe that God created the Church to tell us what worship is and what it isn’t. The Church is God’s authority on earth on matters of faith and morals and the Church gets to decide what worship is. It is an injustice to God to not render the minimum level of Worship according to the authority set up by God.

God gave us worship and the Church because it is good for us.

-Tim-
 
=Vico;13502851]Catechism**2042 **The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the Mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days. Latin Canon Law lists ten such days, in addition to all Sundays, however, they may be transferred or suppressed;Can. 1246
§1. Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. The following days must also be observed:
Click to expand...
  • the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • the Epiphany,
  • the Ascension,
  • the Body and Blood of Christ,
  • Holy Mary the Mother of God,
  • her Immaculate Conception,
  • her Assumption,
  • Saint Joseph,
  • Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles,
  • and All Saints.
Click to expand...
§2. With the prior approval of the Apostolic See, however, the conference of bishops can suppress some of the holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.
For eastern Catholic Churches, they each have their own particular law, but in general the easten canon law CCEO shows in common, five beyond Sundays:Can. 880 3. Holy days of obligation common to all the Eastern Churches, beyond Sundays, are
Click to expand...
  • the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • the Epiphany [Theophany],
  • the Ascension,
  • the Dormition of the Holy Mary Mother of God
  • and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
Click to expand...
except for the particular law of a Church suiiuris approved by the Apostolic See which suppresses a holy days of obligation or transfers them to a Sunday.
Click to expand...
Nicely done, thank you,

Patrick
 
fan312 said:
. If the Immaculate Conception had not happened, Mary, being a tabernacle for our Lord Jesus, would have been impure from the beginning, therefore, Christ would be impure, after being born from an impure womb.
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If “being born from an impure womb” makes you impure then wouldn’t Mary’s mother have had to been “pure” (ie immaculately conceived) for Mary herself to be pure? This would have to be true going back throughout human history until we get to Eve but this is not the case. It is my understanding that Mary was immaculately conceived because it was fitting that Mary, being a tabernacle for our Lord Jesus be pure, not because she absolutely had to be because Christ would be impure if not so.
 
To the OP:
Our Lady, under the title of the Immacualata, is the Patron Saint of the United States of America.
This is the reason why US Catholics (but not Britons, e.g.) must attend Mass that day.

God regards patriotism and concern for your country as a virtue, in the Catholic understanding.

Going to church on your country’s patronal feast shows your acknowledgement that your country needs prayers, that you and your country are on God’s schedule, and it helps fulfill your duty to do make these prayers.
 
“The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.” Psalm 145

The above Psalm describes Holy Days and what they do.

A wedding anniversary is a day the couple celebrate together because it is especially meaningful to them. So they do something extra with each other to remember their love.

A birthday is also something special and it too is celebrated in a speical way because of it’s meaning.

Fourth of July, Memeorial Day, and other holidays are also celebrated in a speical way because of their meaning.

The same holds for the church, there are special days celebrated because of their importance and meaning.

These days remind us of the Lord “loving in all his deeds”.

And then the second part, “He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.” He is close which means these are days of special grace. These graces increase our sanctifying grace, or the life of God, within us. Yes, we actually grow in the life of Jesus in our own soul. Of course it dosen’t show on the outside, but it remains so on the inside. And so the last part of the psalm “who call upon him from their hearts”. For it depends too on us whether we wish this time to be special and prepare our hearts for it and delight in the blessings of God.
 
Tell your friend that we as Catholic,observe,because we are Catholics that love the church and follow the tradition,keeping day,s off Obligation’s as well.Amen :harp::harp:
 
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