Dispensation from Mass questions

[Rasoleil]

I remember this question came up a while ago…

The question itself doesn’t quite capture everyone’s situation.

Here’s what I mean:

The question implies that there are 2 possibilities.

a. “a serious reason”
b. “does not have a serious reason”

But the Church doesn’t see it that way. Instead the Church envisions 3 possibilities:

a. able to attend Mass
b. physically or morally impossible to attend Mass
c. somewhere in-between

If one is fully able to attend Mass, then the obligation is there.

If one is physically or morally unable to attend, then there is no obligation.

Option C though is the one that’s relevant to your question. That’s the time when a dispensation might be appropriate.
A dispensation is available for those situations that do not fall into either extreme; or even situations where we’re just not sure.

Thank you for this post because you have answered serious questions about that I have had about Mass. I do earnestly try to attend Mass every Saturday or Sunday, but sometimes the issues with my disabilites prevent me from going every single week, though I feel deeply guilty about it. I am only 47 years old, but I have seizure disorders ( epilepsy), short term memory loss,coordination, missing time, hours at a time, etc. There have been times when I’ve thought I missed Mass (as well as any other things I’ve done for that particular day), but hadn’t, or been to Mass but only remember parts of it. I have gone to confession because I have missed Mass, even though my health wouldn’t permit it. In addition, I try not to take the lazy way out and rationalize by thinking that just because I’m feeling a little ill, that this is no excuse not to go. Then, of course, I risk the chance of my issues getting worse.

 

[ProVobis]

But I do think the Church takes to legalistic an approach. I think it would be better to allow it to be a matter of prudential judgement (and would ease the load on priests as well), to say that habitually missing Mass for spurious reasons is grave matter, but to occasionally miss it for family or travel reasons, isn’t, besides the non-travel “grave reasons” that we all understand.

But then I’ve always been a “spirit of the law” rather than “letter of the law” sort of guy.

Don’t take this as official Church teaching, it isn’t. It is my opinion and you can feel free to flame away!

I’m not judging but did God tell Adam and Eve they could occasionally eat of the forbidden tree?

Just sayin…

 

[Corki]

The copy I have was updated in 1961 and received an imprimatur the same year. That’s why I thought it would be ok. I figured people would use common sense and not miss Mass if there was a church across the street from their hotel

Even in the '60s, the phrase just before the one about traveling “those who lack clothing becoming to their social standing;” should have given you a clue that the material was somewhat antiquated.

 

[Brendan]

this is helpful. first, this is not magisterial teaching, but rather a priest’s guide written to help people with practical questions. secondly, it was written in the 1700s. .

Jones is a bit more than that. It’s purpose was actually as a confessional aid for the priest. If a penitent came to him with a situation that he was unfamiliar with, he could use the text to correctly judge the gravity of the situation in a way that consistent with the mind of the Church.

As such, this book was a standard seminary text the world over, and went through 17 updates, the latest in the 1930’s. Each with an Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur

But yes, that ‘travel’ exemption was geared more for when most travel was done by ship or rail, and attendance at Mass was near a physical impossibility.

A Catholic could morally board a ship bound for Europe knowing that their obligation to attend Mass during the voyage was removed. Likewise for a person traveling by rail for several days.

Less so in today’s world, where Mass times in any Western city can easily be found via one’s cell phone, and turn by turn directions to the Church provided by the same device.

That is why simple travel should not be considered, as Jones noted, as automatic grounds for a dispensation, but discussed with one’s pastor.

 

[ProVobis]

A Catholic could morally board a ship bound for Europe knowing that their obligation to attend Mass during the voyage was removed. Likewise for a person traveling by rail for several days.

When my family crossed the Atlantic by boat in the 50’s, Mass was celebrated on board ship. Today they celebrate Mass at both Chicago airports (among others I’m sure)

articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-14/news/ct-met-airport-chapels-20130710_1_o-hare-chapel-zaniolo-airport-workers

 

[Brendan]

When my family crossed the Atlantic by boat in the 50’s, Mass was celebrated on board ship. Today they celebrate Mass at both Chicago airports (among others I’m sure)

articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-14/news/ct-met-airport-chapels-20130710_1_o-hare-chapel-zaniolo-airport-workers

My grandparents didn’t have that opportunity when they came over during WW-II

It certainly DOES help to have a priest along with you.

For example, here is a pic from our recent parish mission trip to Tanzania. Our pastor says Mass everyday, and if that day happens to be spent in air travel…

This Mass happened at 35,000 ft, over north Sudan.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Jones is a bit more than that. It’s purpose was actually as a confessional aid for the priest. If a penitent came to him with a situation that he was unfamiliar with, he could use the text to correctly judge the gravity of the situation in a way that consistent with the mind of the Church.

As such, this book was a standard seminary text the world over, and went through 17 updates, the latest in the 1930’s. Each with an Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur

But yes, that ‘travel’ exemption was geared more for when most travel was done by ship or rail, and attendance at Mass was near a physical impossibility.

A Catholic could morally board a ship bound for Europe knowing that their obligation to attend Mass during the voyage was removed. Likewise for a person traveling by rail for several days.

Less so in today’s world, where Mass times in any Western city can easily be found via one’s cell phone, and turn by turn directions to the Church provided by the same device.

That is why simple travel should not be considered, as Jones noted, as automatic grounds for a dispensation, but discussed with one’s pastor.

But what happens on Holy Days of obligation…let’s say All Saints Day and you are traveling for work. You have to admit that even with the Mass times app (which I LOVE!) there are times when there is NOT a Mass that is at a time you can attend. And you may not know that until you are there–especially if you get a flight delay.

 

[OraLabora]

But what happens on Holy Days of obligation…let’s say All Saints Day and you are traveling for work. You have to admit that even with the Mass times app (which I LOVE!) there are times when there is NOT a Mass that is at a time you can attend. And you may not know that until you are there–especially if you get a flight delay.

Isn’t the answer obvious? You’re not expected to do the impossible. Most of us have to work for a living at least at some point in our lives, and it happens that one may not be able to make it to Mass due to work. Moreover you might be required to travel to a place where that particular day is not a Holy Day of Obligation and thus no convenient Masses are available.

We really shouldn’t stress ourselves about situations like this. The Sabbath was made for Man, not Man for the Sabbath. I’m sure that still applies to the Lord’s Day. I wouldn’t even bother to call my priest for a dispensation for a situation as you describe. He has better things to do, and God gave us conscience and judgement to use for this sort of thing.