The parish is established to provide the parishioners
with the helps of religion, especially with Mass. The parochial Mass is
celebrated for their welfare on all Sundays and holidays of obligation,
even when suppressed. The parish priest is not obliged to say it
personally; but if he does not, he must offer his own Mass for that
intention. Parishioners now fulfil their duty by assisting at Mass in
any church; but formerly they had at least to hear a Mass in the parish
church (ch. "Vices", 2, "De treuga et pace" in "Extrav. Comm." of Sixtus
IV, n 1478). This obligation fell into desuetude owing to the
privileges granted to the religious orders; the Council of Trent (Sess.
XXII "De observ. et evit. in celebr. miss.") and Sess. XXIV, c. iv, de
ref.), treats it only as a counsel; and notwithstandingcertain
provincial and diocesan regulations of the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries, the obligation ceased (Bened. XIV, "De syn.", XI, xiv). The
Mass not being strictly conventual, it is not obligatory by statutes or
custom. It is then preceded by the blessing and aspersion of water on
Sundays. Even if not sung, it is celebrated with additional solemnity,
with more than two candles on the altar and two servers (S. Rit. C., 6
Feb., 1858, n. 3065). What is characteristic of it is the instruction,
with its special prayers, the announcements made to the congregation,
the publication of banns of marriage, and finally the familiar sermon
or homily.
Written by A. Boudinhon. Transcribed by Wm Stuart French, Jr.. Dedicated to Rev. Robert E. O'Kane
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XI. Published 1911. New York:
