289. When does the Church oblige her members to participate at Holy Mass?

289. When does the Church oblige her members to participate at Holy Mass?  

(Comp 289) The Church obliges the faithful to participate at Holy Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation. She recommends participation at Holy Mass on other days as well.

“In brief”  

(CCC 1417) The Church warmly recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion each time they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist; she obliges them to do so at least once a year. 

To deepen and explain  

(CCC 1389) The Church obliges the faithful "to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days" and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season (OE 15; CIC, can. 920). But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily.

On reflection  

(CCC 1388) It is in keeping with the very meaning of the Eucharist that the faithful, if they have the required dispositions (cf. CIC, can 916), receive communion when they participate in the Mass (Cf. CIC, can. 917; The faithful may receive the Holy Eucharist only a second time on the same day cf. AAS 76 (1984) 746-747). As the Second Vatican Council says: "That more perfect form of participation in the Mass whereby the faithful, after the priest's communion, receive the Lord's Body from the same sacrifice, is warmly recommended" (SC 55). 

 (Next question: When must one receive Holy Communion?)