Dies Domini – Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy

To hold up the vital, indispensable and irreplaceable place of the Eucharist in our lives, we have produced a series of discussions for Advent called 'Dies Domini - Keeping the Lord's Day Holy'.

Sunday is not only the day of faith, but is also the day of hope.

Dies Domini §38

Advent is a season of peace and reconciliation in which we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. The Bishops have spoken recently about the importance of our Sunday encounter with Christ through the Eucharist at Mass. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our spiritual and pastoral life.

We recognise that the causes and effects of the pandemic are still present to such a degree that the absolute duty for all to attend the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration cannot yet be fulfilled. However, the Bishops have asked that all Catholics now reflect on the centrality of the Eucharist to our life of faith and take into consideration their personal circumstances and the reasons as to whether they can now attend the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration.

To encourage this process of reflection and to promote the vital, indispensable and irreplaceable place of the Eucharist in our lives, we have produced a series of conversations for Advent called ‘Dies Domini – Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy‘. Our inspiration comes from Pope Saint John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter of the same name from 1998.

Bishop Mark O’Toole, Lead Bishop for Evangelisation and Discipleship, is looking forward to Catholics encountering the Lord fully in His glorious and Risen Body:

“The Bishops’ Conference is offering a series of podcasts in these days which invite us to reflect carefully on our own situation. Let us look sensitively at what is possible for us in the circumstances of our lives. And if it is possible, let us return to being present physically at Sunday Mass. We can do so safely. The Lord wants us to do so, so that we can encounter Him fully in His glorious and Risen Body. Let us return to Him.”

Apostolic Letter

You can download a PDF version of Pope St John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Dies Domini here:

Sunday encounter with Christ is vital, indispensable and irreplaceable for Catholics

Bishop Mark O'Toole, Lead Bishop for Evangelisation and Discipleship, introduces our series 'The Day of the Lord - Dies Domini'.

Sunday is at the heart of our Christian Life

Our first topic looks at how Sunday – the Lord’s Day – is at the heart of our Christian life. This goes beyond the Blessing and post-Mass commissioning. A holy Sunday doesn’t end when we leave the Church.

Mass to Mission - the Eucharist binding the Parish Community

For this second discussion in our series ‘Dies Domini – Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy‘, our Mission Adviser, Elliot Vanstone and Natalie Orefice from the Archdiocese of Birmingham join Joe Hopkins to talk about the parish community and the celebration of the Eucharist.

The Mass gives us our weekly Easter and Pentecost

An interesting discussion with Michele Thompson about how the Eucharist is foundational and transformational. It's the cornerstone of our journey of mission - taking the message of Christ beyond the church walls.

Mass - Do not be afraid to give your time to Christ

The final discussion in our 'Dies Domini' series in which we examine why we keep Sunday holy, the Lord's Day, we talk about how we need to make time for God.