15
Attending Mass
For Catholics, attending Mass on Sunday (or a Saturday
evening vigil Mass) is not optional. It is an obligation. The
author of the Letter to the Hebrews addressed this in Hebrews
10:25 – “We should not stay away from our assembly, as is
the custom of some, but encourage one another.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 2181 explains
why. “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of
all Christian practice.” As Catholics, we believe that the Mass is
the highest form of prayer and worship.
The faithful should know that deliberately missing Mass without a
serious reason is a mortal sin. This is explained in the Catechism,
paragraph 2181. “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.”
In going to Mass on Sunday, we follow the Third Commandment
to keep holy the Sabbath.
For further study:
CCC 2168-2195
Hebrews 10:25
Notes