Does tv church count as mass?

[Ghhh]

Me and my dad did tv church this morning because we had to get something fixed as soon as possible so we did tv church. We did everything like you would do in regular mass and watched the whole mass we just didn’t take the Eucharist. So I’m wondering if this counts or not. Thanks

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Me and my dad did tv church this morning because we had to get something fixed as soon as possible so we did tv church. We did everything like you would do in regular mass and watched the whole mass we just didn’t take the Eucharist. So I’m wondering if this counts or not. Thanks

You are required to go to Mass weekly unless physical circumstances prevent it.

Circumstances can be:
1-sick child/sick parent
2- roads that are undrivable
3- duties to your well being or travel

If you cannot drive and your father had to stay home because there was no plumbing or heat (I assume you had electricity since you watched Mass) and that’s the only time a tech could come out then you are excused from Mass entirely. It was a very humble and pious gesture, albeit not required, to do so.

 

[1ke]

Me and my dad did tv church this morning because we had to get something fixed as soon as possible so we did tv church. We did everything like you would do in regular mass and watched the whole mass we just didn’t take the Eucharist. So I’m wondering if this counts or not. Thanks

No it does not fulfill the obligation to attend mass.

When one is unable to attend then there is no obligation. The Church does not give a list of reasons we are excused, but tells us we are excused for serious obligations and gives examples of illness, care of others such as infants or the infirm, work, travel, etc.

No one here can tell you whether you had an obligation, because we do not know the full circumstances. If you are unsure you can ask your own pastor.

 

[PJM]

NO, not as the NORM

Extenuating circumstances MIGHT possibly make it not a Mortal sin; depending on if this was a matter of convenience [then it could well have been a serious sin]; if it was some actual emergency; than not so.

Thanks for asking

GBY
PJM

 

[Tis_Bearself]

TV Masses usually only fulfill the obligation for those who physically cannot get to a live Mass, generally either because they are too ill to go or there is some weather emergency or other major problem, like you live in the boondocks and your car broke down and there is no one to drive you. Having something else to do that keeps you from going to live Mass does not make the TV Mass an acceptable substitute.

The TV Mass in my area for many years was listed in TV Guide as “Mass for Shut-ins” to make it pretty clear that if you weren’t a “shut-in” (what people today would call “homebound” meaning that you are too old and/or sick to leave the house) it really was not for you.

 

[LeafByNiggle]

I went to mass at Mass for Shut-ins on several occasions. But that was because I was one of the camera operators in the studio. I even got to lock down my camera and receive communion when the time came. It was a little distracting having to listen to the director on the headset though.

 

[Ghhh]

Is it a mortal sin to watch tv mass instead of going to mass though?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I am not in a position to pronounce on whether something is a “mortal sin”. This depends in large part on the mindset of the individual committing it and on other circumstances.

Whether something is a “mortal sin” is a matter for your own examination of conscience. If you are still not sure, you could ask a priest. Better yet, just confess it and don’t do it again and then you will be rid of the sin regardless of level.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Is it a mortal sin to watch tv mass instead of going to mass though?

There are very few actions which can outright be declared mortal sins. Situations and culpibility are real things.

If a healthy, fit, 20yo man, Joe, lives next to church and is too lazy to get out of bed to get dressed and walk next door, then yeah, it’s a mortal sin. But in the apartment above him, Sam also 20, lives–but isn’t really “healthy” because suffers from severe depression or agoraphobia. Then his watching Mass is not only not sin, it’s likely highly favored and blessed by God.

Circumstances matter.

When I just had my infants, the first week, I did not attend Mass. My obligation was completely wiped away. I did not view Mass on TV. I was tired and not really up to it. On Easter, however, when I am exempted from Mass because of a life-threatening severe allergy, I do try and view a Mass online while my husband attends because I am physically well enough to attend but have a medical reason that I cannot that dosn’t stop me from living the rest of my life.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

There is nothing wrong with watching a TV mass. However, it does not substitute for attendance at Mass. It is not the same as being physically present at the Mass.

Whether or not you sinned by missing Mass depends on the circumstances.

 

[Greenfields]

I guess you would call it a spiritual communion,that we can do anytime of the day.Not the same as attending mass .

 

[cmjmevans]

As a kid, obey your Dad. Always honor your parent.

 

[Lara]

It counts if a Eucharist came out of the t.v… or if you are unable for the reasons stated above.

 

[1ke]

TV Masses usually only fulfill the obligation for those who physically cannot get to a live Mass, generally either because they are too ill to go or there is some weather emergency or other major problem, like you live in the boondocks and your car broke down and there is no one to drive you.

TV mass does not and cannot fulfill the obligation to attend mass.

In the situations you described there is no obligation, one is excused in situations like those.

 

[1ke]

Is it a mortal sin to watch tv mass instead of going to mass though

Missing mass without serious reason is grave matter. There are legitimate reasons to miss mass.

TV mass does not fulfill the obligation to attend mass.

Watching the mass on TV can be a comforting spiritual practice for those who cannot attend mass. But it does not substitute for attending for those who lack a serious reason to not attend.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

TV Masses usually only fulfill the obligation for those who physically cannot get to a live Mass, generally either because they are too ill to go or there is some weather emergency or other major problem, like you live in the boondocks and your car broke down and there is no one to drive you.

You are correct, there is no obligation to be fulfilled if you have a serious impediment that keeps you from getting to physical Mass. You can still get a spiritual benefit from watching on TV and in some cases you can get an indulgence by doing so (the Beatification Mass of Bl. Solanus Casey for example) but you are not obligated. I should have worded it differently.