Sunday obligation and shift workers

JayPS 2288

Christians are obliged to receive Sunday Mass and are usually only dispensed of the obligation during extenuating circumstances such as covid etc.

Would being a shift worker be considered sufficient grounds for not attending Mass from a Catholic point of view?

Are Catholics specifically obligated to attend on a Sunday or can they receive Mass weekly on a Wednesday for example?

Peregrinus

Well, if you're looking for the actual rules, the Code of Canon Law says this:

"On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.

Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.

A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.

If participation in the eucharistic celebration becomes impossible because of the absence of a sacred minister or for another grave cause, it is strongly recommended that the faithful take part in a liturgy of the word if such a liturgy is celebrated in a parish church or other sacred place according to the prescripts of the diocesan bishop or that they devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families."

Couple of points to note here:

First, mass attendance is situated in the wider context of "the joy proper to the Lord's day" and "the suitable relaxation of mind and body". Proper observance of the Lord's day requires all of these things.

Secondly, there is a recognition that attendance at mass may not be possible if there is no priest or "for another grave cause". The Code gives no hint as to what other causes might be grave enough, and it doesn't authorise bishops to lay down rules about this. This means that, canonically speaking, judgments about whether there is a good reason for missing mass are first and foremost matters for the faithful themselves. If circumstances permit you can take advice from you priest but, in the end, you have the right, but also the responsibility, to make a judgment about your own situation.

Thirdly, if you can't attend mass on Sunday, the recommendation is not that you should attend midweek mass instead; it is that you should participate in a non-mass liturgy, if one is available to you, or find some time in the day for prayer, either alone or with others. I think the point here is that mass attendance is about the fitting celebration of the Lord's day; if you can't go to mass on Sunday, the most important thing is not to go to mass another day, but to celebrate Sunday in the most fitting way you can.

The Catechism repeats this and expands on it a bit:

"Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. the faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families.

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. the faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health . . .

Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees."

Again, there's no mention of weekday mass; the focus in on how to celebrate Sunday even when you can't go to mass. There's a need not only for worship but also for relaxation, contemplation and service of others; there's an emphasis on shared celebration; and there's a pointer to the need to be mindful of enabling others to celebrate Sunday, as well as yourself.

Tl;dr: it's not all about mass attendance. Mass attendance is important, but too much focus on that in isolation can lead to a kind of box-ticking exercise in which you keep up your "quota" of masses by going another day. It's good to go another day, but the more important thing is that, even if you don't go on Sunday, you do celebrate Sunday appropriately.

Manach

Over the pandemic, making use of social media resources allows one to attend a mass by that means albeit it is prefered to attend in person (health and circumstances permitting) so as to engage with the wider community in worship.

Thinkingaboutit

A pal works all Sunday every other week, getting Mass there Mon or Tues with the Passionists of Mt Argus, and otherwise hears Mass there on a Sunday.