Article — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
Article I. On Those Things Which Generally Must Be Furnished on Feast Days
- Principles. I. All the faithful having the use of reason are bound under grave obligation on each Sunday and feast day to be present at Mass, unless they are excused by a just cause. This is clear: 1. from various places of canon law, especially from c. Missas 64, De Consecrat., dist. 1; likewise from c. Omnes 63, De Consecrat., dist. 1; 2. from all catechisms, in which the undoubted precept concerning Mass to be heard on these days is declared.
I said under grave obligation; for the matter is grave both in itself and according to the common estimation of the faithful and the unanimous consent of theologians.
- II. Besides this, the faithful are bound to furnish nothing else by force of the precept, at least under grave obligation. The reason is that nothing else is found certainly prescribed. This is the common doctrine of theologians.
I said at least under grave obligation. For most theologians add that not even under light obligation per se. For although servile works are prohibited for this reason, that the faithful may more easily be free for divine things, nevertheless these are prescribed by no law; but otherwise the end of the precept does not fall under the precept. - Thus Suarez, De Relig., tom. 1, lib. 2, c. 16, n. 4; Elbel, n. 385 and following, and many others, as even Concina confesses, who calls this opinion common.
Hence one excused on Sunday from Mass is not bound by reason of the precept to pay at home the prayers which he would have recited during the Mass, or which he is accustomed to recite. - Suarez, ibid.
III. Nevertheless by accident the faithful can be held to something else, not indeed by force of this precept, but because it can be necessary for fulfilling another obligation. For they are bound to assist at sermons or catechesis on feast days if the sermon is necessary for Christian instruction or the ordering of morals; because he who is held to the end is also held to the means necessary for this end. - Billuart, and others commonly. Besides, the faithful must be strongly induced to exercise other pious works besides Mass, to pour out more abundant prayers, etc.
- Q. Whether, or of what sort, is the obligation of assisting at the evening Office, or Vespers, on Sundays and feast days?
Resp. 1. There is no obligation urging under grave obligation; for theologians commonly acknowledge that no other grave obligation is given besides hearing Mass and abstinence from servile works.
Resp. 2. Nor, more probably, under light obligation, per se and directly. For if there existed a certain obligation from a universal law of the Church, it could not be unknown to so many theologians who have examined questions of this sort. Recall the authors just cited, namely Suarez, Bonacina, etc.
In practice, however, the faithful must be carefully urged that they diligently take part in the evening Office or in other public exercises of divine worship.