The Precepts of the Church (“general rules given to regulate behavior”) are the Church’s expression of the bare minimum of activity required to be considered a practicing Catholic. These precepts are “set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2041); in other words, the precepts recognize that we cannot be morally upright without maintaining stable, consistent, and faithful liturgical observance. These positive laws are established by our religious authorities to “guarantee to the Faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor” (CCC, 2041). For a Catholic to be practicing, he or she must habitually observe all of the precepts of the Church; if in any of these precepts we are defective, we must remedy this deficit and begin to observe the precept(s) we previously ignored in order to put ourselves right with God and His Church. Over the course of these next weeks’ bulletin articles, I intend to catechize about each of the Precepts of the Church.
The first Precept of the Church is this: “You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation” (CCC 2042, cf. Code of Canon Law, c.1247). This precept requires that Catholics attend Mass not simply once a month, not simply most Sundays, not simply whenever possible, not simply when it isn’t inconvenient. To be considered a practicing Catholic, a Catholic must attend Mass each and every Sunday, and each and every Holy Day of Obligation. There may be times when attendance at Mass is impossible, due to serious illness or the legitimate demands of one’s employment. In the latter case, one ought to ensure that these situations do not become permanent, such that attending Mass is never possible, and should work with his or her employer to remedy the situation. Barring sickness or demands at work, however, there is no legitimate reason to miss Mass on a Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation; travel is not a good reason; there are Catholic Churches offering Masses everywhere and with a little planning, attending Mass while travelling is very easy. Another prevalent issue in our community is sporting events or tournaments occuring on Sunday. Missing Mass for sports is not legitimate. Sunday is created for worship; if we give our time and attention to created things on Sunday and fail to attend Mass because of it, those created things have become our god; they are the things we worship. Catholics, especially in a Catholic community like ours, should use their influence to order community life in such a way that Sunday worship is not crowded out of our lives; families should urge administrators and coaches to avoid doing anything that would threaten people’s ability to worship God at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (cf. CCC, 2195), and these leaders should use their authority and power to support Catholics in this regard. The Sunday Eucharist – and by extension, all Holy Days of Obligation – “are the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice” (CCC 2181); in other words, Sunday worship is the source and summit of our faith and our lives. “For this reason the Faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on [Sundays and Holy] Days of Obligation”, unless excused for serious reason (as mentioned above) or dispensed by their pastor. Anyone who “deliberately fails in this obligation commits a grave sin” (CCC, 2181) and must confess and receive absolution in the Sacrament of Confession before receiving Our Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Explore the Heart of the Church regarding Sundays and Holy Days and read the Catechism, paragraphs 2168-2195; maybe these words rub you the wrong way, but don’t dismiss the teachings of the Church without giving them the time of day. Our Church’s laws and teachings are meant to protect the most important thing: our souls, and our relationship with God; we don’t blame the guardrail that keeps us from careering off the edge of a cliff on a journey, and the Church’s laws are like guardrails for our souls on our journey to Heaven. More than anything, observing Sunday and Holy Days as days set apart for worship, joy, Christian activity, and relaxation, reminds us that we belong to God. When we attend Mass, we remember who we are and where we are going, we remember Who God is, and how much we owe Him in love and thanksgiving; presence at Mass is a powerful testimony to the fact that man is more than the world allows him to be, more than the world tells him he is. Participation at Sunday Mass “is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to His Church.” By our presence we witness to our communion in faith and charity, and we “testify to God’s holiness and our hope of salvation.” When we gather for Mass, we strengthen one another “under the guidance of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2182). God commands us: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex 20:8), and if all Christians in our community strive to honor this commandment, Sundays and Holy Days will become truly sacred things once more, to the glory of God and the salvation and consolation of man. May God bless you in the week ahead, and may Mother Mary lead you more deeply into the Sacred and Merciful heart of Jesus. I remain,
Fr. Hess
