I got a question via e-mail:
I have very close friends who attend the SSPX masses. They have invited me to attend the confirmation of one of their children in St Mary Kansas. If I go I will be there on through a Sunday and staying at their home. My question is: If I attend Sunday mass at a SSPX chapel, will I still need to attend a diocese mass as well to fulfill my Sunday obligation? I have heard yes and no on this question from different priests. I don’t normally attend SSPX masses but being that my friends have extended this invitation and I would be staying at their home, I am trying to discern the right course in this situation.
Rest assured that if you attend Mass on Sunday at the SSPX church, you will have fulfilled your Sunday Mass obligation.
It is clear in the 1983 Code of Canon Law that if you attend Mass in a Catholic Rite on the Sunday or its vigil, you fulfill your obligation. There is no question that the SSPX Mass will be a validly celebrated Mass in a Catholic Rite.
At the same time, I will not recommend that you receive Holy Communion during the Mass under these particular conditions.
