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The Third Commandment
Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
God insisted that his people rest on the sabbath. For the Jews, this was
and is Saturday (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday). For Christians,
the sabbath is Sunday, the day of the Lord’s resurrection.
The third commandment connotes not just rest, but worship. The Catechism
number 2176 says, “The celebration of Sunday observes the moral
commandment inscribed by nature in the human heart to render to God
an outward, visible, public, and regular worship ‘as a sign of his univer-
For Catholics, attending Mass is an integral part of the third commandment.
Intentionally skipping Mass is a mortal sin. The Catechism num-
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mation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged
to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a
serious reason (for example illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by
their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit
a grave sin.”
The Church understands that it is not always possible to refrain from
work on Sunday. The Catechism number 2185 says, “Family needs or
important social service can legitimately excuse one 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.”
For further study:
CCC 2168-2195