[Question:]{.underline} Is one allowed to study on Sunday?
[Answer:]{.underline} The important distinction to be observed in the keeping of the Sunday rest is between servile work, opera servilia and liberal works, opera liberalia. Note that the Church’s interdiction does not depend on the purpose, or reason for which the works are done, but on the nature of the work itself. Servile works performed out of charity are forbidden on Sundays, such a mowing a neighbor’s lawn or painting his garage, and liberal works are permitted, even if they are done for profit., such as painting pictures to sell.
You might wonder what the difference, then, is between servile work and liberal works, and why it is that servile works should be particularly forbidden. St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa IIaIIae 122, a.4, Ad 3, that “servile work is so called from servitude; and servitude is threefold. One whereby man is the servant of sin, according to Jn8:34 ‘Whosever committeth sin is the servant of sin’, and in this case all sinful acts are servile. Another servitude is whereby one man serves another. Now one man serves another not with his mind, but with his body. Wherefore in this respect those works are called servile whereby one man serves another. The third is the servitude of God; and in this way the work of worship, which pertains to the service of God, may be called a servile work”.
Clearly Sundays are consecrated to the worship of God, and servile works in this third sense are not only permitted but obligatory. Also, servile works in the first sense of sin are always forbidden, but especially on Sunday, the day that is specially given to the greater glory of God. If servile works in the second sense of physical activities formerly done by servants are expressly forbidden on Sundays, it is because the preoccupation with such matters is a part of the punishment for original sin (Gen 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”) and hinders the soul from being elevated to the things of God, from contemplating eternity, and taking care of its eternal salvation and the greater glory of God. Not so the liberal arts, which express the soul’s elevation and consideration of beauty, truth and goodness in varying ways. The Sunday should consequently be used for the soul to express its freedom to know, love and serve God not only by participating in Holy Mass and the Church’s offices, and also by its exercise of and/or appreciation for the liberal arts. This is summarized by Jone: “Liberal and artistic works are also lawful: studying, teaching, drawing, architectural designing, playing, music, writing (also typing), painting, delicate sculpturing, embroidering, taking photographs. These works are lawful even if done for remuneration” (Moral Theology).
However, it may happen on occasion that even the liberal arts hinder the soul’s worship of God, when they are immoral or an occasion of sin, or if a person is so preoccupied with them that he no longer assists at Mass or attends to his spiritual duties. In such circumstances, study also becomes sinful on Sunday.
Answered by Father Peter Scott, SSPX.