Working on Sundays

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FrassatiHouse

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Hello,
So me and my buddy were discussing working on Sundays and I had heard that if you work at all on Sundays it’s a venial sin and if you work more than 2.5-3 hours it then becomes a mortal sin. Can anybody tell me if this is right and how 2.5-3 hours was chosen; what is the basis for this time frame? 👍

Thank you
 
FrassatiHouse said:
Hello,
So me and my buddy were discussing working on Sundays and I had heard that if you work at all on Sundays it’s a venial sin and if you work more than 2.5-3 hours it then becomes a mortal sin. Can anybody tell me if this is right and how 2.5-3 hours was chosen; what is the basis for this time frame? 👍
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I’ve never heard of such a time frame.

What kind of work are you talking about? Sunday is not the right time to do your spring cleaning or resod your lawn.

But if your boss tells you you have to work on Sunday, and you need your job, then you have to work on Sunday.
 
The Church’s prohibition is on “unnecessary servile work”.

Check the Catholic Encyclopedia button at the top of this page.
 
You will find the Church’s teaching on the question in the CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH. I’ve bolded some sentences that relate to your question. The matter of specific hours is not mentioned in the Catechism. You may find it is personal opinion rather than Church teaching.

TheChurch teachings regarding Sunday Rest (and work) includes the following paragraphs:
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.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a3.htm
 
FrassatiHouse said:
Hello,
So me and my buddy were discussing working on Sundays and I had heard that if you work at all on Sundays it’s a venial sin and if you work more than 2.5-3 hours it then becomes a mortal sin. Can anybody tell me if this is right and how 2.5-3 hours was chosen; what is the basis for this time frame? 👍

Thank you
Click to expand...
There is NO time frame. As you heard this please tell us the source of your claim so we can discuss it.
 
I never heard of a time frame either. I’ve been required by my job to work on Sundays but still go to Saturday evening Mass (unless I am able to have Sunday off - whole or part of a day with pay to go on Sunday morning).

I do try not to do unnecessary work on Sundays if possible. But as I am a single woman, I must do all the work in my home, and spread it out over the course of a week.
 
FrassatiHouse said:
Hello,
So me and my buddy were discussing working on Sundays and I had heard that if you work at all on Sundays it’s a venial sin and if you work more than 2.5-3 hours it then becomes a mortal sin. Can anybody tell me if this is right and how 2.5-3 hours was chosen; what is the basis for this time frame? 👍

Thank you
Click to expand...
All those generations of Catholic firefighters, police officers, nurses, midwives, doctors, paramedics, etc in mortal sin**?

Where did you hear such a thing?
 
Ok, many of you responded by stating the fact that Sunday is a day of obligation in which servile work should not be done. This is something we already know. We have checked out the catechism and tried to do research in other areas to help us figure this out.

Basically, we have heard from a priest at extra-ordinary Mass, THAT if you work more than 3 hours on a Sunday you commit a “mortal” sin. Any other work is considered to be a venial sin.

Here is a website that also states the same response:
olrl.org/Lessons/Lesson36.shtml

Lastly, we are wondering WHERE does such a time-frame for the working 2.5-3 hours come from. Also, that if you do work more than 3 hours that it is considered a “mortal” sin.

Is this personal opinion - or an official Church viewpoint?
👍
 
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