“Give the soul its Sunday and give Sunday its soul.”
Pope Benedict, quoting a 20th century German bishop

Dear Estelle:

We must begin this discussion with a quote from Canon Law 1247:

On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body.

And a more detailed discussion in the Catechism (bold emphasis is mine):

2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done," human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work. --St. Augustine, De civ. Dei 19,19:PL 41,647.

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

I remember a time when "Blue Laws" were in effect. These laws prohibited the sale of common goods. This meant that most businesses had to close on Sundays. Food was item that could be sold on Sundays. In grocery stores that had hardware goods as well as food, the hardware aisles were blocked or certain shelves had plastic covers over them.

This was not really an inconvenience for the most part. We knew that businesses would be closed on Sunday, so shopping was done on Saturday.

Things has changed since then.

I think the primary mover of a 24 hour/7 days a week society had more to do with business trying to make an extra buck than it was the demands of the people. But, once the trend began it was a Pandora's box that could not be closed. Today, the public would be in a massive uproar if we went back to those days.

In Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Minnesota (I live in Iowa) there is one grocery that still respects Sunday. The grocery store Fareway closes on Sunday to give its employees the day of rest that employers of non-essential services and businesses are actually morally obligated to do.

We can live without businesses opened on Sunday. But, that is not the way it is anymore.

To the subject of shopping on Sunday:

The Catechism states, "Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day." This teaching must be taken in context. There are people who have no choice but to work on Sunday because their employers require it. Such people may not be able to find another job that would allow them to take Sunday off. If there were not Sunday shoppers or people going to restaurants these individuals may be further impoverished. Thus, I would suggest that if we really need to shop on Sunday, or go to a restaurant, we are then helping those individuals who must work on Sunday to support their families. This can be seen as an Act of Charity.

Now, do not misunderstand me. This suggestion does not excuse the ignoring of the Holy Day. In this regard, it is the motivation of the person who is doing the shopping that matters.

In addition, for many people, mostly women, shopping can actually be a leisure activity -- mother and daughters or sisters shopping together. Thus, for them, this does fulfill the obligation of spending time in leisure with family. And, for the poor souls who must work, they are able to support their families.

I would suggest that any shopping or going to restaurants should not be done during "Church hours". Even if we have been to Mass, other churches may have different schedules. It is safe to assume that most Church services will be concluded by noon. Thus, while we live in a society where there is essentially no hope of businesses going back to the old days, we can at least encourage businesses to open later on Sunday, which will give their employees time to at least attend Church.

There is a growning movement, however, for govenments to mandate Sunday closing of businesses. Croatia has passed such a law apparently, and there is some lobbying for a National "Sunday Law" in the European Union. This movement is fueled by pressure from the Catholic Church and its teaching that, "In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees" (CCC 2187).  Pope Benedict XVI has made keeping Sunday Holy an issue to which  he speaks upon numerous times.

Bottomline: There is no sin in shopping or eating in restaurants on Sunday as long as these activities do not lead to "habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health."

While we have an obligation to "avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day" we must recognize that in our society religious and devout people may have to work on Sunday because they cannot find any other job to support their families. Thus, as long we are not abusing the privilege our shopping and eating out is not an "unnecessary demand", but can be seen as an act of charity to help those poor souls who must work Sundays to support their families (supporting one's family is a moral good).

Additional Reading:

Pope John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter on the issue of keeping Sunday Holy called, Dies Domini (On Keeping the Lord's Day Holy)

Here is a collection of quotes from Pope Benedict XVI on the issue of Sunday.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary