Sunday Mass: a reminder of Catholic practice

Catholic are bound to attend Mass in a Catholic Church every Sunday and Holyday of obligation. (Saturday evening Mass fulfils the obligation for Sunday.) This is a serious duty, reaffirmed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (2181)

This obligation is not binding if there is a genuine reason that prevents someone from attending Mass (for example, illness, the care of infants or more than an hour’s journey to attend Mass). In such a case, there is no sin, and Holy Communion may be received at the next Mass with a good conscience.

The Catechism reminds us that those who deliberately fail in this obligation (without a good reason such as those given above) commit a grave sin.

A person who has missed Mass without good reason, especially if this have been for several weeks or more, should make a good confession before receiving Holy Communion.