WHAT
ARE THE RULES FOR FULFILLING SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATIONS?
*** We must not forget the importance of Sunday. Let us cherish the idea that during Sunday Mass, we celebrate the Supper of the Lord, Christ died and resurrected. On May 31st 1998, Pope John Paul II published an apostolic letter Dies Domini (The Day of the Lord) on the sanctification of Sunday. Sunday, he writes, reminds us of creation and the resurrection of Christ and we are invited to rejoice. Social and cultural changes do not alter the Christian significance of Sundays. We must give thanks together to the Lord by taking part in the Eucharist and spending a restful day in Christian joy. The Church, since its origins, has always considered Sunday as the day of the resurrection, of the light, of faith, of hope, of the gift of the Spirit, of the table of the Word and the Body of Christ, of the Church, of fraternal gathering, of Christ’s mission. The Eucharist remains the heart of Sunday. It is vitally important and necessary for one to participate, unless truly unable to do so. There can be the Liturgy of the Word and Sunday gatherings in the absence of a priest, but nothing can truly replace the Eucharist. Masses on the radio or television help those people who are shut-ins or have serious difficulties getting to church, but they are no substitute for the celebration of the Eucharist for those who are able to attend Mass in person.
With respect to Saturday evening, Canon Law states:
“The obligation of assisting at Mass is satisfied
wherever Mass is celebrated in a Catholic rite either on
a holyday itself or on the evening of the previous day”
(Can. 1248, par. 1). Each diocese has the right to
determine the hour at which ‘evening’ begins;
commonly it is 4 p.m.
The Liturgical Calendar invites pastors to celebrate the
day of the Lord’s resurrection with zeal and joy.
It states: “Wedding or funeral Masses are not to be
considered as a Sunday Mass when they are celebrated on
Saturday afternoon or evening” (1997-1998, p. 33). However, according to an authorized commentary of Canon 1248, participation in ‘any’ Mass, even a wedding Mass, after 4 p.m., is enough to satisfy the obligation of Sunday Mass (The Canon Law, Letter and Spirit, The Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 1995, Commentary No 2467, John M. Huels, O.S.M.). Remember, every Mass celebrates Christ’s mystery.
Here is an exceptional situation, since nobody attends a
Marriage Mass every weekend. And we should also
keep in mind that the faithful going to a marriage Mass
takes part in the celebration of two sacraments: the
Eucharist and Marriage. The present interpretation,
which is according to the spirit and not the letter, is
still more acceptable when the faithful regularly attends
Holy Mass on Sunday. If after having participated in a Marriage Mass at 3 p.m. on Saturday, you think that you have fulfilled your Sunday obligation and you decide not to come back, you can be at peace. |