New Jersey bishops reinstate general obligation to attend Mass

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation beginning on Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, according to a joint statement issued today by the New Jersey Catholic Conference.

“At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society,” reads the statement, signed by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. (Newark), Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. (Trenton), Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan (Camden), Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney (Paterson), Bishop James F. Checchio (Metuchen), Bishop Kurt Burnette (Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic), and Bishop Yousif B. Habash (Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese). “We welcome the Christian faithful to return to the regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law canon 1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).”

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions.

Finally, safety protocols (such as wearing masks, social distancing, etc.) and liturgical directives (communion in the hand, communion under one species, etc.) in each New Jersey Diocese remains in place until modified or revoked by the respective diocesan bishop.

One should consult the local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 87).

The full statement is available here in English and Spanish.