What kind of attendance at Mass is required to satisfy the serious obligation of Sundays and Holy Days?
We have to remember that the laws of the Church apply only to those of its members who enjoy ordinary good health, and then only under normal circumstances. Any priest who hears confessions knows that devout Catholics very often erroneously accuse themselves of the sin of missing Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation. They would be in error because it was an illness or extraordinary circumstances that made it physically impossible for them to attend. Granted all that, the following considerations apply: The first requirement would be bodily presence. But this has to be qualified. One could be in Church asleep (the sermon may have induced the slumber). Thus, the second requirement is that a person be morally present. This kind of presence is verified when an observer could rightfully conclude that the person is paying attention to the celebrant (is aware of what is going on). The third requirement would be that a person respond appropriately when required by the liturgy. To satisfy
