Catholics - Sunday Obligation?

Question

Can someone explain this to me?

So what if it just works out for your family schedule that Saturday night works better? I don't really understand this concept.

I have run into a scheduling conflict between my hubby's work schedule and our son's nap schedule. Our son is only 13 months old, so the nap schedule effects his behaviour.

Our Church has Mass every day. So I guess I just don't really understand what difference it makes WHEN you go...

And yes they have Saturday evening Mass too.

My hubby is the Catholic, so I am still trying to figure it all out... and sometimes, he doesn't know answers to stuff. He just says, "I don't know, that's just how it is....."

Answer 1

The Saturday Vigial Mass fulfills your Sunday obligation.

According to the tradition of ancient Judaism, a day began at sunset and ended the following sunset.

This practice comes from first account of creation in the first chapter of Genesis.

When Moses gave the Israelites the Law and proscribed the days of worship, those days began at sunset.

Leviticus 23:5: The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month, at the evening twilight.

Because most of the early Christians were Jews, the early Christian communities celebrated the mysteries of the Faith within this ancient practice.

The Easter Vigil Mass, which is celebrated on the Saturday evening immediately preceding Easter Sunday, has long been a tradition in the Church.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Sure, it's okay. Saturday night is alright, too.
My uncle, who is a priest in training, tells me that it is all right to go to Saturday night mass because it's the same thing as Sunday mass. I'm not exactly sure why but, I guess it's because it's passed 6:00 PM and night. At least, that's what my uncle says.
It can't be helped if your son nap schedule effects your and your husband schedule. God's not gonna punish you if you can't help it. =)

Answer 3

Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. You're going to church because you're telling yourself Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday morning.
Don't forget that.
Never mind that it says in the Bible that Saturday is holy to God.
You're supposed to ignore that, and follow the extension of the Roman empire (which is the catholic church).

If you go on a Saturday night, the Romans like it because according to the Jewish scriptures the real Sabbath ends on Saturday at sun down. So you can slip into your worship session without touching the real Sabbath. (You're supposed to think that is convenient, and besides,...you can sleep in Sunday morning!).

Answer 4

Your speaking of a "vigil" mass (there is another adjective used that I forget). This is in accordance with scriptural Jewish tradition. The bible teaches that a day begins at *sundown* and ends at the *next* sundown. This tradition has continued in the Roman Catholic (RC) Church, and so Saturday evening mass (especially after sundown) is considered to be identical to Sunday mass, as Sabbath begins at sundown, not sunup. The same is held for RC "Holy Days of Obligation", during which evening masses the day *prior* are considered to fulfill the obligation.

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 5

I believe there are many people who forgo Sunday service in favor of another day. I don't think it makes a difference, wither way you are a practicing Catholic, and are going to mass every week. I can't explain the reasoning why Sunday is the day of obligation, as most churches have masses many times a week.

Answer 6

Saturday, as long as its after 4pm, is considered a Vigil Mass and counts for the Sunday obligation. If it works out better for you and your family to go sometime on Saturday after 4pm, then that should be just fine. I alternate depending on my school/study schedule between Saturday and Sunday.

God Bless

Answer 7

Saturday night Mass is a "vigil" Mass and it counts for your Sunday obligation because of the Jewish custom of counting days from sundown to sundown. (Sabbath starts sundown Friday and ends sundown Saturday.)

Go on Saturday nights if it works better for you for now and don't worry about it.

Answer 8

If your church has mass on saturday, then just go on saturday. I'm not sure when my church has it. we went on sundays and wednesdays. I'm sure that sunday isnt' the only day your church has it. just call the church or look it up online. I wouldn't worry about it : )

Answer 9

I don't get the question?

Christianity is based on Judaism, Jesus worshiped in a Synagogue, and they worship on Saturday. Good enough?

Answer 10

Maybe and maybe not. Old testament says, keep the sabbath holy. The new testament says, Sabbath is made for man, not man made for sabbath. Maybe it varies to the reason.