Daily Mass: Not obligated, but how strongly should we urge ourselves?

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

1. I know there is no obligation to go to Daily Mass. However, when I have the time and opportunity, I feel bad if I don’t go, knowing that it is such a source of grace that the world and I need, and the best use of my time. Is this reasonable or scrupulous?
2. And, it would seem that going to Mass is always the best use of my time, but then again that for example if someone really needs help I should help them instead of going; if I am too tired to pay attention, then I would mostly be distracted and thus should not go, etc? True?

 

[m134e5]

1. I know there is no obligation to go to Daily Mass. However, when I have the time and opportunity, I feel bad if I don’t go, knowing that it is such a source of grace that the world and I need, and the best use of my time. Is this reasonable or scrupulous?

I think it is reasonable to feel bad if you don’t go. There are many who would like to go daily, but cannot. Try to go daily more often- but don’t feel too bad if you miss a day once in awhile.

1. And, it would seem that going to Mass is always the best use of my time, but then again that for example if someone really needs help I should help them instead of going; if I am too tired to pay attention, then I would mostly be distracted and thus should not go, etc? True?

It isn’t always the best use of your time. If someone needs help and it can’t wait, help them instead. You probably know yourself well enough to know when you are making excuses to not go, and when you have a good reason not to go.

 

[water]

for number 2. I could give you this example:

When you go to the mass, and during the mass, you see someone fall and faint out. Would you stop whatever you are praying/doing and go over to help the person?

Yes, it is great to go to daily Mass when you have time. When the opportunity comes, don’t let it go because you never know when you won’t be able to attend mass at all…yes…at all.

However, each one of us has other duties to fulfill, if we need to help someone, you should go ahead and help. God want you to do that too.

I remember last year, the Pope advised us to take vacation too!

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Saint Francis de Sales, in his spiritual classic Introduction to the Devout Life, gives a better answer than I could:

"Make every effort … to assist every day at Holy Mass so that together with the priest you may offer up the sacrifice of your Redeemer to God his Father for yourself and for the whole Church …

“If some strict duty keeps you from being present in person at the celebration of this sovereign sacrifice, try at least to transport your heart to it and assist at Mass by your spiritual presence. Sometime during the morning go in spirit into the church, if you cannot do so otherwise, unite your intention with that of all Christians, and in the place you are make the same interior acts that you would make if you were really present in church at the offering of Holy Mass.”

Saint Francis de Sales also tells us that our practice of devotion must always be appropriate to our state in life — married people, singles, clergy, and religious all have different duties:

“…true devotion does us no harm whatsoever, but perfects all things. When it goes contrary to a man’s lawful vocation, it is undoubtedly false.”

So your desire to attend daily Mass is laudable, and you should make every effort to do so, provided it does not prevent you from carrying out the duties of your state in life or performing acts of charity. If you let it interfere with those things, something is probably out of balance.

When you are unable to go to Mass, be there in spirit, as Saint Francis advises, and make an act of spiritual communion.

 

[LilyM]

Occasionally I get into moods where I feel disinclined to go to daily Mass. One thing that helps is to simply remind myself that for ten years I went to Sunday Mass a handful of times during the year, so I have a lot of lost time to make up for

Perhaps think of it as being that you’re attending on behalf of someone who would like to go but can’t.

I have it fairly easy in that I have a number of churches close by, though.

 

[4loveofJesus]

May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you!

It is truly a great grace to be able to attend holy mass and receive Our Good Lord Jesus in holy communion!

It is so inspiring to see people of different ages, different occupations(businessmen, teachers, healthcare workers etc.), families take time out of their busy daily schedules to attend weekday mass.

If you are distracted during holy mass, ask Our Good Lord Jesus to help you and just offer it up to Him. He loves us so much and He understands. Always persevere. Don’t get discouraged and never give up. Even the greatest saints got distracted during prayer. What I find most helpful to me is to always start by asking Our Blessed Mother to prepare our souls. I say an act of contrition. I also keep my eyes closed most of the time so that truly lessens the distractions and help me keeps focused as I listen to the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. God bless…

Blessed be Jesus and Mary!

 

[vince2paul]

Well, go if you want, but know your situation well. I often go but if I think that I need ‘vacation’, I don’t go. At first, it wasn’t good situation. I always feel bad whenever I didn’t go because I thought I have to. But not anymore. Because if we think that we’re forced to go, it becomes a routine and might lose its meaning.

It’s a bonus that you can do to help others, probably Holy Souls in Purgatory.

 

[leonie]

I feel bad all the time that I don’t make daily Mass. Several of my friends with large families go daily. I just don’t feel up to it. Then, I think maybe I don’t have faith since I don’t go despite the difficulties of getting half a dozen kids there.

I do get resentful of my mom though. She goes to daily Mass and daily adoration in addition to nursing home visits, working part time, and going to prayer group. There have been times when I’ve needed help in which she’s refused because it would mean she would miss Mass and Adoration.

I think she’s got it backwards.

 

[Deo_Volente]

Grace & Peace!

In his book “War in Heaven”, Charles Williams writes a lovely bit of dialogue regarding going to church. It may be applicable here:

“I’m afraid,” she added, blushing rather more deeply as she looked at the stranger again, “that we don’t go as regularly as we should.”

“It is a means,” he answered, “one of the means. But perhaps the best for most, and for some almost the only one. I do not say that it matters greatly, but the means cannot both be and not be. If you do not use it, it is a pity to bother about it; if you do, it is a pity not to use it.”

Under the Mercy,
Mark

Deo Gratias!