Q: Why does the Church teach that we have to go to church on Sundays? Why can't we substitute Sunday and go on Monday or Tuesday?

The Church has always been faithful to the Lord's command to 'Do this in memory of me', with Mass being celebrated on Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection' and ‘the first day of the week'.

While Catholics are invited to also participate in Mass on other days, Sunday is the day set down for the whole Church since Jesus' time for the celebration of the Eucharist.

In the pamphlet ‘Why go to Mass?’ (Catholic Enquiry Centre, Lesson 10) Anna shares her story: “For the first time in my life I realized that I was part of, not just a blood family, but also a faith family…Faith in Jesus isn’t just a private affair. Faith always has something to do with others. It is an expression of a relationship; not just with a ‘spiritual’ Jesus, but a very ‘flesh and blood’ Jesus who walks and lives among his people today – people whom I knew and talked with and could see and touch.”

Your presence and participation at Mass is a source of life both to you and to the others whom you share with. The celebration of Sunday Mass in your parish would be the poorer if you were not there.

Of course there may be an occasion when it is not possible to attend Mass on Sunday (for example, if you were flying internationally and in transit). At this time it would be appropriate to attend Mass on Monday or Tuesday instead.