The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-29

An Important Sermon for Catholics
Sermon the sabbnth-The Oblig alton
Catholics are Under to Hear Mass ON
sundays-When They Are Excused and
Under What Circum sta noes - Their
Obligst ion TO Attend vespcrs Not Bind
Ing Under GrievOus SIN.
At the Church of st. AlphOnsus South Fifth ave-
nue. the Rev. Father Superior preached an eloquent
sermon explanatory OF the obligation Roman
Catholics are under to attend mass upon the Sab
bath and 10 refrain from manual labor. After some
preliminary remarks he first directed the attention
OF his hearers to the fact that the law OF the Church
relative to the observance OF the sabbath does not
bind under grievous inconvenience. II, for eX-
ample, a man, with a large family Deepen ding on
him for support, were working on the necessary re-
pairs OF railroad and II by refusing to work
on Sunday under such circumstances lie should
get discharged, the obligation would not bind that
man to abstain from work, because 1t would
seriously incommode himself and his family, and
this was the Intention Of God In giving this law
regarding the sabbath 1t was never the intention
Of God to cause mans unhappness. However, too
much latitude must not be TAKEN They were not
allowed to work unless in case OF necessity. Then
1t would be asked what should be done on Sunday
They must do something positive; they must not
alone read prayer books at home, but they must
worship God in the way pointed out by Him, and
that was by sacrifce-by devOutly attending at the
holy Sacrifice or the mass. Hence II was that the
Church ordains that Catholics must 60 to mass on
sunday under pain Of mortal sin. The reverend
gentleman here gave several reasons which ex-
cused persons from the
OBLIGATION OF HEARING MASS
Among Others was hls:-Tbat q man was not
bound to 20 to mass every Sunday, IT, for instance
he was obliged to walk n distance OF three miles,
because 1t would be grievous Inconvenience. In
all of doubt to whether the for stay
Ing from mass was jdsifable or not the better way
would he to consult ones cOnfeSsOr and be guided
by his discretion in the matter. II person were
time In some locality where there was no church,
he should have no hesitation OF scruple in
doing 80 through fear OF losing mass; for
in losing mass under such q circumstance
he does not violate the law. The losing
of mass in this case would be accidental, as
the person in question did not go on vacation for
| the purpose or avoiding the church, but for the
sake OF his health, and that was right and proper
1t Is fOs deliberate violation OF the law men Will
be punished; not, however, in cases where there
Cases of sickness In family excused persons from
hearing mass: also, In some instances, persons
were to be excused who were detained by visitors
they could not get rid OF till they were late for
mass. so OF many other cases enumerated by the
reverend preacher.
ABOUT vEsPERs.
The Church does not bind, under the pain OF NOR
tai SIM to attend vespers in the evening though II
strongly recommends all no can do 30 to go, espe
ciay when vespers are accompanied by sermon.
hardly observe His law, and he who violates the
law OF Cod Will only injure himself by rsking His
anger. keep this law OF Sunday" concluded the
reverend gentleman; "keep II cOnsclentiOusy, and,
soul-the rest Of good conscience, the pledge Of
everlasting rcs FOR quiet conscience Is the pledge
OF that eternal rest TO come This rest Is part of
the perpetual happiness in the alteration Of God"