Question for Catholics. UPDATED WITH PIC

[Freud]

My boyfriend's parents are Catholic and have two things on their wall that look like certificates. They are framed and look very official. I mistakenly thought they were college degrees at first (they are in Spanish, so I couldn't really tell). Each "certificate" has their name on it and has signatures at the bottom (not theirs, supposedly priests or bishops). Anyways, when I asked them what they were, that said that they were certificates from the Catholic Church stating that they have fulfilled their obligations of going to mass, and therefore do not have to attend anymore. I have never heard of such a thing. Like I said, they're in Spanish (and are from Mexico), so I can't tell if that's what they are. Has anyone heard of this? From what they say, they are Roman Catholic.

[choli]

Originally Posted by Freud

My boyfriend's parents are Catholic and have two things on their wall that look like certificates. They are framed and look very official. I mistakenly thought they were college degrees at first (they are in Spanish, so I couldn't really tell). Each "certificate" has their name on it and has signatures at the bottom (not theirs, supposedly priests or bishops). Anyways, when I asked them what they were, that said that they were certificates from the Catholic Church stating that they have fulfilled their obligations of going to mass, and therefore do not have to attend anymore. I have never heard of such a thing. Like I said, they're in Spanish (and are from Mexico), so I can't tell if that's what they are. Has anyone heard of this? From what they say, they are Roman Catholic.

I can't say for sure, of course, but I think they are pulling your leg

[griffin2004]

I've never heard of anything like that. Regular Mass attendance in one of the tenets of our faith. Maybe they're Baptismal certificates?

[BMG580]

Weekly Mass attendance is a precept of our faith. It is in the CCC (I think paragraph 2042) and is part of the bare basics that you have to fulfill as a Catholic Christian. Period. Granted I am very new to Catholicism, but I have never heard or read of such a thing as being told you have completed your obligation for Mass attendance.

[Freud]

That is exactly what I thought. I was brought up Catholic and was pretty sure that weekly(even daily) attendance at mass was pretty much an obligation. I don't think they would lie to me or try to trick me, so I wonder if they were tricked into maybe buying these things and believe they are now no longer obligated to go to mass. I am going to try to take a picture of them when I go there next and post them here to see if anyone can tell what they are. I'm really, really curious now!

Oh, also, I can pretty much assume that they are not baptismal certificates, because I read the dates on them and they were in the 70s(I think). They both would have been in their late 20s or 30s.

[Smylingeyz]

It could be their marriage certificate... they must be be messing with you. If you get a pic you can translate it. But yeah, there's no such thing as what they told you.

[athansor]

The only thing I could think of is something certifying that they are a member in good standing of the Church, e.g. attend mass regularly. Sometimes, IIRC, certificates like that could be a requirement for being a sponsor for confirmation or a godparent.

[spero]

Never heard of such a thing.

[Peppermint]

Originally Posted by athansor

The only thing I could think of is something certifying that they are a member in good standing of the Church, e.g. attend mass regularly. Sometimes, IIRC, certificates like that could be a requirement for being a sponsor for confirmation or a godparent.

That is what I am thinking, crazy either way, if they think it means they don't have to go to Mass!

[PatienceAndLove]

I have no idea... I can't even begin to think that people could believe they no longer have the obligation to attend Mass because of a certificate...

[Freud]

Okay, so I took a picture of the "certificate." Can anyone tell what it is now?


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...rl/photo-2.jpg

[ledzepplon]

It looks like a perpetual mass enrollment, which basically means they are being prayed for at all the masses offered at a certain place, like at a monastery. Here's an example.

Unfortunately, they have really misunderstood what their certificate means--it does NOT mean they aren't obligated to attend mass. It simply means that they are being prayed for by the issuers of the certificate.

This is the kind of thing a lot of Catholics do as a gift for someone, say on Mother's Day or a birthday, or even in memory of a loved one who has passed away.

[Peppermint]

ITA with Ledzepplon, so glad you got the picture, I wish there was a way to let them know what it really is intended for.

[Freud]

Thanks ladies. Looks like you're right about it being a Perpetual Enrollment. They really seem to believe that they don't have to attend mass, but they can read Spanish and I'm sure it states on the certificate exactly what it is...

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by ledzepplon

It looks like a perpetual mass enrollment

That is exactly what it is. Mind you, I am a Catholic Latina and have never heard of this before. Wow, you learn something new everyday...

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by Freud

Thanks ladies. Looks like you're right about it being a Perpetual Enrollment. They really seem to believe that they don't have to attend mass, but they can read Spanish and I'm sure it states on the certificate exactly what it is...

are you going to tell them what it means? let us know what they say if you do.

[DashsMama]

Perhaps you could contact a priest at a nearby Catholic Church and tell him the situation and see what he recommends. Do priests make drop-in home visits? I would really think that this information would be important for your ILs to know, and it would probably be better received coming from a priest.

[moonshoes]

It is definitely a perpetual enrollment - something I would give to someone upon the death of a loved one.

I love the idea of getting a priest to stop by and explain it to them.

[Maggi315]

Wow, that's interesting, I never heard of anyone who thought that perpetual mass enrollment meant you didn't have to go to church. If that was true, do you know how many catholics would be rushing out to get one, LOL. I mean, you get to skip mass every week with a blessing from the church?

Did you talk to them about it? Interesting...

[ThirdEyeMom]

Originally Posted by moonshoes

It is definitely a perpetual enrollment - something I would give to someone upon the death of a loved one.

I love the idea of getting a priest to stop by and explain it to them.

Yes. Perpetual Enrollment. My family has received many on the death of several family members. ~ Me, too, on the priest.

Perhaps the parents received these cards when they left their parish/church or country and misheard about the meaning of the cards? Masses would be said in their honor, but instead they apparently misheard they were relieved them of their obligation, is my guess. We are taught that we worship in community with others in church for a reason.

Too, Perpetual Enrollment cards may be given for many reasons. See http://www.stelizabethmissionsociety...ges/cards.html