Our Mass Obligation

A few weeks ago, our Director of Religious Formation, Rebecca Zalar wrote about the question of when does Mass actually end. A similar question is often raised: how much of Mass must I attend to fulfill my obligation? I believe this is the wrong question but I’ll get to that in a moment. First, we have to see what the church asks of us. Canon 1247 of the Code of Canon Law is the relevant law, which states, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.” This is simple and straightforward: we must attend Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation. Nonetheless, what does “participate in the Mass” really mean?
 
Sometimes people bring up that they were taught that you had to be at Mass for the Gospel, or when the chalice veil was removed, or through Holy Communion for it to “count.” The fact is the church has never definitely said what “counts” as participating in Mass to fulfill one’s obligation. Moral theologians over the years have given their thoughts but the church has never officially stated anything. And this is why I stated I think people are asking the wrong question.
 
We shouldn’t be minimalists in our religious practice. We shouldn’t ask about “how much of the Mass fulfills my obligation” because we should earnestly try to be at the entire Mass on every Sunday (or Saturday evening) and holy day of obligation. A well-known priest, Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, writes, “if you are late for Mass through no fault of your own, and there is no other way to fulfill your Sunday or holy day obligation, you have nevertheless done your best. If you are late through your own fault, that is another matter.” This cuts to the heart: Missing the first part of Mass because your child got sick just as you were leaving the house is different than missing the first part of Mass because you left the house late because you were in the middle of a good TV show. Unexpected things come up with illness, weather, trains, etc. and you should try to do your best. If you’re late to Mass through your own fault, that’s a different story.
 
I should also mention that reception of Holy Communion is not a required part of attending Mass. I think people do not always understand this. Fr. Zuhlsdorf writes, “Reception of Communion is not the mark of having fulfilled your Mass obligation. You are still obliged to go to Sunday Mass even if you know you cannot receive Communion. Communion is not the same as getting your parking ticket validated at the restaurant.” The law states we must attend Mass, not that we must receive Holy Communion. There is law that states we must receive Holy Communion once a year, but that’s a topic for a different day.
 
In the end, I ask that you adjust your way of thinking if you’re questioning “how late can I be to Mass for it to still count.” Rather, ask “why am I am late to Mass (or why I am leaving early): can it be helped? Is it through no fault of my own or is it through my fault?” This will help answer the question. Sure, it would be easier if the church said you need to be at Mass from such-and-such a point onward, but that can make us minimalists and we don’t want to be minimalists in our worship. God deserves more than that.