Article I. On the Obligation of Hearing Mass

I Say 1st. All the faithful having the use of reason are held under grave obligation to be present at Mass on individual Sundays and feast days, as is clear from canon 1248. - I said under grave obligation; for it is a question of a grave matter, both in itself and according to the common estimation of the faithful and the unanimous consensus of theologians.

I Say 2nd. Beyond this, by virtue of the positive precept, the faithful are held to perform nothing else. For although servile works have therefore been prohibited so that the faithful can more easily devote themselves to divine things, nevertheless these are prescribed by no law; otherwise the end of the precept would not fall under the precept. - I said by virtue of the positive precept, for by natural law they would be held to assist at sermons or catechesis on feast days if the sermon is necessary for Christian instruction or the formation of morals. - Cf. Suarez, de Relig., tract. 1, lib. 2, chap. 16, n. 4. - Elbel, nn. 385 and following.

For Mass, however, to be heard rightly, three things are required: 1st, presence of body; 2nd, attention of mind; 3rd, due place. Concerning each one it will be said specially.