Book — Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology
Book Third. On the Third Precept of the Decalogue
1 "Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day."
This precept, insofar as it is affirmative, commands the sanctification of feast days, or the external and public worship of God through the sanctification of certain days; but insofar as it is negative, it prohibits those days from being profaned, especially through servile works.
End and importance of the precept. a. This precept chiefly tends to this, that man, ceasing from labors, especially bodily labors, may enjoy the necessary rest by which he can attend to divine things and refresh himself as to soul and body. The precept is of the greatest importance because of the most salutary fruits which arise from its observance, both for individual life and for social life. Yet in order that these fruits may be perceived more abundantly, rest of the body ought suitably to be joined with religious sanctification of the day. The principal effects are these:
alpha. The health of the body is cared for: for the human organism is so constituted that from seven days it needs one for resting, lest it gradually fail from labor. Unless, however, feast days are passed religiously, they are customarily spent in leisure and pleasures which harm health and do not profit it.
beta. Readiness in undertaking labor is increased: for uniform labor, which is interrupted by no change of holidays, depresses the soul; rest which the worship of the divine majesty adorns raises the soul and suffuses it with holy cheerfulness.
gamma. Domestic life is promoted: for the members of the family, on working days usually scattered and distracted by various occupations, are all gathered together at the same time, they establish familiarity more fully, devote themselves more earnestly to the office of education, and nourish and foster mutual love by daily association.
b. The opposition between rich and poor is softened: for, mindful of his sublime destination and of his own personal dignity, the poor man before God acknowledges himself equal to the others and persuades himself that virtues are worthy of honor, but riches are vain.
c. Since these advantages of holidays which are held on feast days contribute very much to the good of the republic, the obligation falls upon civil authority of protecting the holidays of feast days and of forbidding servile works; this in some states (England, Germany) has partly been done and not without fruitful effect.
1 St. Thomas, II-II, q. 122, a. 4. St. Alphonsus, l. 3, n. 263-332. Suarez, De virtute religionis, tract. 2, l. 2. Sporer-Bierbaum, Theologia moralis decalog. (Paderbornae: Typogr. bonifac., 1897), I, tract. 3, n. 482-541. Gasparri, De sanctissima eucharistia (Parisiis: Delhomme, 1897), II, c. 8. Ballerini-Palmieri, Opus theolog. morale^3, II, n. 711-814. E. Genicot, Theologiae moralis institut.^6 (Bruxellis: Dewit, 1909), I, n. 332-341.