Church Attendance

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." - Exodus 20:8

What the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on "Church Attendance:"

2178. "This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the Apostolic age. [Cf. Acts 2:42-46 ; 1 Cor 11:17 .] The Letter to the Hebrews reminds the faithful 'not to neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but to encourage one another.' [Heb 10:25.]  Tradition preserves the memory of an ever-timely exhortation: 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.... We have often said: 'This day is given to you for prayer and rest. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.' [Sermo de die dominica 2 et 6: PG 86/1, 416C and 421C.]"

2180. "The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely:  'On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.' [CIC, can. 1247.] 'The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.' [CIC, can. 1248 # 1.]"

2181. "The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation 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. [Cf. CIC, can. 1245.] Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin."

CHURCH BELIEFS & ISSUES

Abortion Baptism The Bible Catalog Celibacy of the Clergy
The Church Church Attendance Contraception Degrees of Sin Divorce
The Eucharist Fasting During Lent Good Works Homosexuality Money for the Church
"Once Saved, Always Saved?" The Papacy Papal Infallibility Pre-marital Sex Purgatory
Quick & Easy Catholic Apologetics The Reformation Ritual Prayer The Sacrament of Penance The Saints
The Trinity The Virgin Mary      

WHAT THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE CHURCH FATHERS QUOTED IN THIS SECTION
Abortion Against Heresy Apostolic Succession & Tradition The Catholic Church Contraception
Degrees Of Sin Divorce The Eucharist Good Works Homosexuality
Infant Baptism The Mass The Papacy Old Testament Canon Purgatory
Unity Of The Church The Virgin Mary      
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Biblical quotations on this web site are either from the King James Version or the Douay-Rheims Version of the Bible.

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