The Lord's Day
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
The First and the Eighth (2174)
Jesus rose "on the first day of the week" (Mk 16:2). This "first day" recalls the first creation. As an "eighth day," it symbolizes the new creation begun by Christ's Resurrection. For Christians, Sunday has become the first of all days, the Lord's Day. "We gather on the day of the sun, for it is the first day when God made the world; on this same day Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead" (St. Justin).
A New Hope - A New Day (2175-2176)
Sunday replaces the Sabbath for Christians because Christ's Passover fulfills the truth of the Jewish Sabbath. The Old Law worship prepared for the mystery of Christ. "We have come to a new hope, no longer keeping the sabbath, but the Lord's Day" (St. Ignatius of Antioch).
Observing Sunday fulfills the moral command inscribed in man's heart to render public and regular worship to God "as a sign of his universal beneficence to all" (St. Thomas Aquinas). Sunday worship fulfills the Old Law by a weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer.
Six Holy Days of Obligation (2177)
The Sunday Eucharistic celebration of the Lord's Day is at the heart of Church life, "the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church." Canon 1246 also lists six other days as holydays of obligation which have been accepted by the United States bishops:
- Christmas
- Mary, Mother of God (New Year's)
- The Ascension
- The Assumption (August 15th)
- All Saints (November 1st)
- The Immaculate Conception (December 8th)
The Weekly Parish Gathering (2178-2179)
The practice of the weekly Christian assembly comes from the apostolic age. "Do not neglect to meet together but encourage one another" (Heb 10:25). "Come to Church early, approach the Lord and confess your sins, repent in prayer. Be present at the sacred and divine liturgy, conclude its prayer, and do not leave before the dismissal" (Sermon on the Lord's Day).
For Eucharist, the faithful gather at the parish (a stable community entrusted to a priest by the diocesan bishop). The parish initiates Christians, gathers them for celebration, teaches Christ's doctrines, and shows charity in good works. "You cannot pray at home as at Church where there are great multitudes crying out as from one great heart. In Church, there is the union of minds, the accord of souls, and the prayers of the priest" (St. John Chrysostom).
A Grave Obligation (2180-2182)
"On Sundays and holy days the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass" (Canon 1247). This is satisfied in any Catholic rite on the day or the evening before (Canon 1248).
Under obligation of grave sin, the faithful are bound to attend Mass unless excused for a serious reason (e.g. illness, care of infants) or dispensed by their pastor (Canon 1245).
By Sunday participation the faithful witness to their belonging to the Church, to their communion in charity, and to their hope of salvation.
When No Priest (2183)
If a sacred minister is not available, the faithful should gather in the Church for the Liturgy of the Word, or set aside time with the family or with groups of families for an appropriate period of time (C1248 #2).
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