Staff Report

Anyone blessed to work for a company that offers vacation time knows the entire workforce of the planet many people are on vacation this time of year. In an age of hyper planning and online research, we often plot out our vacations to the minute detail, knowing where we will stay, eat and go.

In all that planning, it can be easy to forget one of our most important duties — the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Today’s Throwback Thursday shows that this problem isn’t new.

Need Mass Times in the Archdiocese? Click HERE.

From the July 23, 1954 edition of The Catholic Telegraph-Register, it shows a man carrying luggage and sporting equipment heading off to “Hide-a-way Hollow” for vacation.  He is labeled “The Happy Vacationer,” but his countenance belies concern when he sees his shadow — labeled “Religious Obligation.” The header above the photo simply reads, “Reminder.”

In that spirit, the Throwback Thursday staff renews the reminder. Whether at home or on vacation this summer, as Catholics our Sunday obligation holds. The Catechism of The Catholic Church (2180) is clear on the matter.

“The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.””The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.”

So whether traveling to Florida’s beaches, Alaska’s coasts or anywhere in between, we are called to participate in Holy Mass on Sunday (or the evening of the preceding day.)

If you have family visiting you locally, tell them about The Catholic Telegraph’s Mass Calendar (Click here to see). It has the Mass and confession schedule of every parish in this archdiocese and is updated regularly by local staff.

If you’re traveling out of town, try MassTimes.org. This international resource can find the nearest Catholic church no matter where you are. Be sure to call the parish however to make sure the listings are current.

So be a happy vacationer this summer, just remember to get to Mass.

Welcome to The Catholic Telegraph’s edition of Throwback Thursday. Throwback Thursday is a weekly online activity wherein users of social media share an old photo or anecdote about times gone by.We use Throwback Thursday to highlight the history of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and our publication.

Recent Throwback Thursdays
Cincinnati an archdiocese for 165 years
Updating an Iconic Chapel
True freedom depends on God
Fortnight for Freedom
Orphan’s best friend

Posted July 29, 2015