ARTICLE I: ON THOSE THINGS WHICH GENERALLY MUST BE FURNISHED ON FEAST DAYS

397. Principles. - I. All the faithful, having the use of reason, and who can morally advert to Mass, are bound under grave sin to be present at it on single Sundays and feast days, unless a just cause excuses them. This is established from various places of Canon Law.²

I said: under grave sin; for there is question of a thing grave both in itself and according to the common estimation of the faithful and the unanimous consent of theologians.

398. • II. Besides this, the faithful are bound by force of the precept to furnish nothing else, at least under grave sin. The reason is that nothing else is found certainly prescribed. This is the common doctrine of theologians.

I said: at least under grave sin. For most theologians add: nor under light sin of itself. For although servile works are prohibited for this reason, that the faithful may be able more easily to be vacant for divine things, nevertheless these are prescribed by no law. Moreover the end of the precept does not fall under the precept. - Thus Suarez,¹ Elbel,² and many others, as even Concina admits, who calls this opinion common.

Hence one excused from Mass on Sunday is not bound by reason of the precept to complete at home the prayers which he would have recited during the time of Mass, or is accustomed to recite. - Suarez.³

III. Yet per accidens the faithful can be bound 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 be present at sermons or catechesis on feast days if the sermon is necessary for Christian instruction or for the ordering of morals; because he who is bound to the end is also bound to the means necessary for this end. - Billuart and others commonly. - For the rest, the faithful are earnestly to be induced to exercise other pious works besides Mass, to pour forth more abundant prayers, etc.