Speaking for myself, I don't understand Holy Days of Obligation. I go to Mass on every Solemnity and Feast day, obligated or not, because I WANT to go to Mass. If I was the sort of person who didn't want to go to Mass, I would also be the sort of person who didn't care if some bishops said I was "obligated." Especially since they change whether or not people are "obligated" arbitrarily. Which is sort of an admission that whether we're "obligated" or not is just not very important, and not even real.
I believe Holy Days of Obligation are a way the Church communicates one's obligation according to justice due to God. Also bear in mind many places throughout the world, it is quite a trek to get to Mass -- esp in the midst of working people's responsibilities to their families.
Thank you for this important update and posting the actual letter. My brain was getting pretzel shaped trying to figure all this out.
Speaking for myself, I don't understand Holy Days of Obligation. I go to Mass on every Solemnity and Feast day, obligated or not, because I WANT to go to Mass. If I was the sort of person who didn't want to go to Mass, I would also be the sort of person who didn't care if some bishops said I was "obligated." Especially since they change whether or not people are "obligated" arbitrarily. Which is sort of an admission that whether we're "obligated" or not is just not very important, and not even real.
I believe Holy Days of Obligation are a way the Church communicates one's obligation according to justice due to God. Also bear in mind many places throughout the world, it is quite a trek to get to Mass -- esp in the midst of working people's responsibilities to their families.
It would be Paprocki who did this.
Yup