Location: On the Commandments of God and of the Church > The Precepts of the Church > The First Precept of the Church
Q1: What does the First Precept of the Church: To hear Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligation, order us to do?
A1: The First Precept of the Church: To hear Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligations, orders us to assist devoutly at Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligation.
Q2: At which Mass does the Church desire us to assist on Sundays and on Holydays of obligation?
A2: The Mass at which the Church desires us to assist, if possible, on Sundays and Holydays of obligation is the Parochial Mass.
Q3: Why does the Church recommend the faithful to assist at the Parochial Mass?
A3: The Church recommends the faithful to assist at the Parochial Mass: (1) In order that all the parishioners of the same parish may unite in prayer together with their Pastor, who is their head; (2) In order that the parishioners may participate more abundantly in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is applied principally for them; (3) In order that they may hear the truths of the Gospel, which Pastors are bound to explain during Mass; (4) In order that they may learn the regulations and notices which are published at that Mass.
Q4: What is meant by the Lord’s Day?
A4: The Lord’s Day means the day of the Lord, that is, the day specially consecrated to divine service.
Q5: Why in the First Precept of the Church is special mention made of the Lord’s day?
A5: In the First Precept of the Church special mention is made of the Lord’s Day, because it is the principal Christian festival, as the Sabbath was the principal Jewish festival, and because it was instituted by God Himself.
Q6: What other festivals have been instituted by the Church?
A6: The Church has instituted Feasts of our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, of the Angels and of the Saints.
Q7: Why did the Church institute other Festivals of our Lord?
A7: The Church instituted other Festivals of our Lord in memory of His divine Mysteries.
Q8: And why have Festivals of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints been instituted?
A8: Festivals of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints have been instituted: (1) In memory of the graces which God has given them, and to thank His divine goodness; (2) In order that we may honour them, imitate their example, and be aided by their prayers. [The universal law of the Church reckons ten Holydays of obligation: the feasts of Christmas, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Ascension, Corpus Christi, the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, and All Saints. In many countries, by local concessions, they are reduced.]
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