Catholic Mass on Cruise Ship

  • Thread starter Thread starter barbfromtucson
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

barbfromtucson

Guest
Hi,

I have a question. This summer, I’m going on an Alaskan Cruise–this is one of those music cruises–it will be with Michael W. Smith and Friends, which I’m looking forward too.

I was on the cruiseline’s website, and saw that there is daily Mass onboard the ship.

I’ve read from different sources that many cruiseships get their priests from this organization called “Rent-A-Priest” and many, if not all, these priests are not in good-standing with the church. When I go to their website, www.rentapriest.com, it appears to me that they are a bunch of ‘married’ priests, who obviously are not in good standing.

If I find out that the priest on board is from this organization, then I am assuming that it would not be a sin to skip Mass onboard.

Let me know if I am correct or not!!!

Thanks!!!

–Barbara
 
I doubt that Alaskan Cruise Line uses rent-a-priest. Most cruise ship chaplains are retired clergy or priests on vacation. Call the home port’s diocese and ask them.
 
barbfromtucson said:
Hi,

I have a question. This summer, I’m going on an Alaskan Cruise–this is one of those music cruises–it will be with Michael W. Smith and Friends, which I’m looking forward too.

I was on the cruiseline’s website, and saw that there is daily Mass onboard the ship.

I’ve read from different sources that many cruiseships get their priests from this organization called “Rent-A-Priest” and many, if not all, these priests are not in good-standing with the church. When I go to their website, www.rentapriest.com, it appears to me that they are a bunch of ‘married’ priests, who obviously are not in good standing.

If I find out that the priest on board is from this organization, then I am assuming that it would not be a sin to skip Mass onboard.

Let me know if I am correct or not!!!

Thanks!!!

–Barbara
Click to expand...
Yikes, that’s not good! My word…! Why would they be using a bunch of heretics? It’s offensive to Catholics!
 
If you booked it through Inspiration, you should ask Inspiration, as well as the office for the ship’s line. Inspiration is not strictly Catholic, only Christian. While they book Michael W. Smith, they also book John Hagee. Ms. OOsterdam is owned by Holland America.
 
They may or may not get their priests from that source. On all the cruises I have taken the Masses were done by priests that were simply on vacation. Personally I would not worry about it too much unless you discover it is a real problem.

Enjoy the cruise, I am jealous 😃
 
I would gladly receive Mass from a married priest.

Eatern Catholic priests can be married, right? I even know that there is a married Roman Catholic priest in my diocese. He was married, became a United minister, then converted to Catholicism.
 
I know of several travel agencies that make an arrangement with a local priest that they give them some sort of deal to be the vacationers priest for whatever services they need (Mass, confession, etc.). Priest gets a vacation they otherwise could not take, other people are still in touch with the sacraments!
 
JugglingReferee said:
I would gladly receive Mass from a married priest.

Eatern Catholic priests can be married, right? I even know that there is a married Roman Catholic priest in my diocese. He was married, became a United minister, then converted to Catholicism.
Click to expand...
But these “rent a priests” are not in good standing with the Catholic Church. It is possible that the sacrament would be invalid!
 
Thanks for all your responses.

I e-mailed Holland America cruiselines and they said they use an “outside vendor” and wouldn’t know this far in advance.

I think I’ll e-mail them back closer to the cruise date and try to get “outside vendor” clarified.

I do realize that Eastern Rite Priests can be married and that priests of the Roman rite can be married if, for example, they were Episcopalian priests who were married, and then converted over to Catholicism. The website www.rentapriest.com is pretty clear that their priests do NOT fall under one of these categories.

God Bless,

Barbara
 
Please let us know what you found out. A friend of mine went on the Oosterdam recently and said she got to talking to the priest on board. He said there used to be a problem with men posing as priests on the ship (and other cruise ships), but Holland America has since agreed to only use priests from this one particular order to avoid the problem…I’m sorry I don’t know. So, **IF **this guy was really a priest and telling the truth, it sounds like there used to be problems on this line but Holland American has corrected it. I’d love to know what you find out.
 
barbfromtucson said:
If I find out that the priest on board is from this organization, then I am assuming that it would not be a sin to skip Mass onboard.

Let me know if I am correct or not!!!

Thanks!!!

–Barbara
Click to expand...
Surely it is gravely sinful to purposely put yourself in a position where mass would be un-available?

Are you not approaching this from the wrong angle?

God Bless!
 
Magicsilence said:
Surely it is gravely sinful to purposely put yourself in a position where mass would be un-available?

Are you not approaching this from the wrong angle?

God Bless!
Click to expand...
You are basically saying Catholics must take holidays where there is a Catholic Church. I disagree. Its not sinful at all. You simply ask for a dispensation.
 
Why would the availability of mass be your #1 consideration for holidays? Come on, not everyone’s life is totally and always about church. Where you go on holiday is not primarily a religious choice.

I choose holidays based on where I want to go, then make a sincere effort to find a church on Sunday- if I am unsuccesful I spend some time praying or reading the Bible, and have not committed a sin. What’s wrong with that?
 
Magicsilence said:
Surely it is gravely sinful to purposely put yourself in a position where mass would be un-available?

Are you not approaching this from the wrong angle?

God Bless!
Click to expand...
Magic

Do you only go on holiday where you can get to a Maronite Liturgy ?.

We Eastern folk can of course take the easy way out and go to an RC Church - but if you are on holiday where there is not one - what do you do then ?
 
Just to let you all know that I’ve been in conversation with magicsilence and yes, that is his/her position that you don’t schedule vacations and such unless you are able to attend Mass.

I disagree with it and am still going on the cruise.

–Barbara
 
Good on you !

Sometimes we get an opportunity that’s too good to miss.

Take your Missal with you and a bible - and just read the service yourself.
 
At least some are definately Catholic priests in good standing. Our pastor (very orthodox) announced yesterday that he will be gone for 10 days as the Catholic priest on a cruise ship. He has been doing this for 3 or 4 years now. Hopefully, all will be well with your cruise
 
The cruise ship lines use a service ( I cant recall the name right now I think it’s based in Chicago)) where Catholic priests can sign up to be chaplins abord a cruise. The priest must be in good standing and have his bishops approval. I know of many priests who take their vacations this way.It’s kind of like a clearing house for free cruises for catholic priests.

As an aside, a priest MUST have his bishops approval to say Mass aboard ANY ship. Usualy the right to say Mass at sea is reserved to a bishop(or at least a priest with a dispensation).
 
I’m taking a cruise on Norwegian for my honeymoon in 2 weeks. Does anyone have any experience with Masses aboard NCL ships?
 
barbfromtucson said:
Just to let you all know that I’ve been in conversation with magicsilence and yes, that is his/her position that you don’t schedule vacations and such unless you are able to attend Mass.

I disagree with it and am still going on the cruise.

–Barbara
Click to expand...
Just my opinion of course!! but i never plan a vacation without first looking to see where and when I will be able to attend Mass. It is that important to me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top