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Question
Is ther an age cap on the Sunday /holy day mass obligation? If so, at what age are you no longer obligated under this rule?
Hi, Patricia:
Thanks for the question - I hope I have understood it correctly...
There is no "upper" age limit on the Sunday & Holy Day Mass Obligation. It is a matter of ability, health and other circumstances that can come into play with advancing age; but they are matters beyond one's ability to control. Somebody 100-years old might have good enough health and enough self-autonomy to attend Mass regularly and willingly, whereas somebody else in their 70s might have serious health problems that hinder their ability to assist at Mass or generally function in day-to-day life.
As for "lower" age limit: of course one who is a minor has some restriction upon their full self-autonomy, and are under the authority of parent(s) in a family. If those in authority do not assist the child in fulfilling the obligation, or even actively discourage it, then the minor is not fully responsible.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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- Catholic Calendar 2008 - Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar - Holy Days of Obligation in Roman Catholicism - Moveable Feasts
- Catholic Calendar 2013 - Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar - Holy Days of Obligation in Roman Catholicism - Moveable Feasts
- Catholic Calendar 2012 - Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar - Holy Days of Obligation in Roman Catholicism - Moveable Feasts
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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