Morals of the Church
Library › Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology › Volume II › Book III. On the Aids of the Christian Life, or on the Sacraments › Treatise IV. On the Most Holy Eucharist › Dissertation III. On the Most Holy Eucharist as Sacrifice › Part II. On the Oblation of the Sacrifice of the Mass › Section II. On the Obligation of Offering

Chapter — Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology

Chapter III. On the Obligation by Reason of Precept or Promise

214.

I. The celebration of Mass can be commanded by a competent superior. This is clear from what was said about the object of law and precept (vol. I, n. 117).

II. The application of Mass can be commanded as follows:

  1. The Supreme Pontiff can certainly do this, insofar as he determines divine law, as if he prescribes that those having care of souls should sometimes celebrate for the people.

  2. Religious superiors can do the same, at least by force of dominative power, with respect to their subjects, provided that the vow emitted in religion is so understood;1 they can transfer to subjects the obligation of justice annexed to a stipend received (St. Alphonsus, VI, 317, question 4).

  3. It is disputed whether ecclesiastical superiors who enjoy only the power of jurisdiction can do the same; likewise whether the superior of a religious institute can do the same by force of the same power. The Sacred Congregation of the Council, in the Vigevano case,2 admits the affirmative opinion (cf. vol. I, n. 117).

III. One who has promised a Mass gratuitously is bound under venial sin, namely from fidelity, to stand by what was promised, unless he intended to bind himself under grave sin, or from justice (St. Alphonsus, VI, 317, question 4; vol. I, n. 864).

1 Sacred Congregation of Religious, 3 May 1914.

2 8 May 1920 (Acta Apostolicae Sedis 1920, p. 536).

The Sacrifice of the MassThe Application of MassObligations from benefice, precept and promise