At what age should children start attending Mass regularly?
The short answer
Young children are welcome at Mass, but the obligation to attend begins after age seven. Canon 1247 obliges the faithful to attend Sunday Mass, and canon 11 says merely ecclesiastical laws bind those who have completed seven years of age unless the law says otherwise.
The obligation
Canon 1247 obliges the faithful to participate in Mass on Sundays and holy days and to avoid work that hinders worship, the joy of the Lord's day, or rest.
When it begins
That canon gives no age, but canon 11 says merely ecclesiastical laws bind those baptized or received into the Catholic Church who have sufficient use of reason and, unless the law says otherwise, have completed seven years of age. So canon 1247 binds those who have completed seven years.
Younger children
Children under seven are not bound, though they are always welcome at Mass.
Continue exploring
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