Going to a "house" Mass

[floresco]

My spouse belongs to a Catholic group that is planning a social event later this summer. Spouses are invited and I agreed to go. I just found out that they are likely to celebrate a Mass at this event which will be in somebody’s home. This seems to be a violation of Canon Law which only allows Mass outside of sacred places (i.e. dedicated by a bishop) in cases of necessity. I do not think this situation fits any reasonable definition of necessity. They are going to be 5 minutes away from a Catholic Church.

I am considering my options here. Do I skip the party completely? Do I go but disappear when it is time for Mass? Do I find out who is in charge and explain that they are doing something wrong? Do I assume that there is some loophole that I don’t know about and that it really is ok after all? This group tends to be notoriously liberal in general, so it is well within the realm of possibility that they know they are breaking Canon Law but don’t care. I would not really want to go to a Mass with them even if it were in a church since they usually disregard the rubrics.

 

[Iotaunum]

If I were you I would avoid the “house mass” completely. Moreover, I would explain to the others who consider themselves Catholic why I would not be attending.

“Not to oppose error is to approve it; and not to defend truth is to suppress it, and, indeed, to neglect to confound evil men - when we can do it - is no less a sin than to encourage them.” - Pope St. Felix III

You say also that this group “tends to be notoriously liberal in general” - what more reason would a Catholic need for avoiding this gathering?

 

[AndrewF1995]

I never knew that house masses weren’t allowed! A family friend had there house blessed and the priest said mass in there house as part of the blessing.

 

[Faith1960]

I never knew that house masses weren’t allowed! A family friend had there house blessed and the priest said mass in there house as part of the blessing.

I once went to a friend’s farm for an Octoberfest type party. Our then-priest said Mass in their barn. They set up an altar and it was very nice, actually.

 

[choy]

Canon Law doesn’t say “in cases of necessity”
it says, “unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise”

those two terms have very different meanings. “cases of necessity” ordinarily means to emergency cases. such as Baptisms are forbidden in Hospitals except in cases of necessity (its in the Canon Law)

what Canon Law states is that the paricular case creates the necessity. just take World Youth Day for example. the Pope celebrates Mass outdoors. this is not a sacred space. is it a case of necessity? meaning, do they really have to celebrate Mass outside of a Church? no. there is no urgent need for that. but because Canon Law says, “particular case necessity requires otherwise,” you look at the situation first and thing if its necessary. so for WYD, you know there are thousands who want to attend the Papal Mass, thus the situation calls for an outdoors Mass.

 

[corsair]

Generally speaking a Mass celebrated in a private home is perfectly OK. I have been to many such Masses. Usually they are TLM’s because no local church could be found to allow them to celebrate.

As far as OF Masses are concerned, locally we have one old gentleman that has dedicated a shrine up on a hill above his property. A local OF priest has celebrated Mass there for several years.

I no longer go to that Mass as my health won’t let me make the walk up the hill, plus the acoustics are terrible.

 

[floresco]

Here is the canon:Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.

The Canon Law seems to expect that there will be cases where Mass is not in a sacred pace because the very next point is what is required under those conditions.I have the impression that many priests have a very wide interpretation of “necessity” here. It really is the priests job to make this call, but I do not trust the judgment of the priests associated with this group because they are so liberal.

 

[choy]

Here is the canon:Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.

The Canon Law seems to expect that there will be cases where Mass is not in a sacred pace because the very next point is what is required under those conditions.I have the impression that many priests have a very wide interpretation of “necessity” here. It really is the priests job to make this call, but I do not trust the judgment of the priests associated with this group because they are so liberal.

please read my explanation of the wordings

its the case that makes the necessity. a desire for Mass in a specific case can create the necessity. its not worded as “in case of necessity” which is how Canon Law words “cases of emergency” or “extreme cases”.

the desire alone to have Mass celebrated in a location is enough to create the necessity. as long as its not a regular Mass, its not an issue. now if it were to become a weekly Mass at someone’s home, then that is a big deal. a one-time Mass, not so.

 

[floresco]

You say also that this group “tends to be notoriously liberal in general” - what more reason would a Catholic need for avoiding this gathering?

If it were just me, I would have nothing to do with these people. However this group is important to my spouse. My spouse does not get why I want to go to the TLM (or why I care about things like following rubrics or Canon Law). Nevertheless, my spouse tries to be supportive of me. I thought that attending a social gathering of this group would be a good opportunity for me to be supportive in return.

 

[Hesychios]

My spouse belongs to a Catholic group that is planning a social event later this summer. Spouses are invited and I agreed to go. I just found out that they are likely to celebrate a Mass at this event which will be in somebody’s home. This seems to be a violation of Canon Law which only allows Mass outside of sacred places (i.e. dedicated by a bishop) in cases of necessity. I do not think this situation fits any reasonable definition of necessity. They are going to be 5 minutes away from a Catholic Church.

I am considering my options here. Do I skip the party completely? Do I go but disappear when it is time for Mass? Do I find out who is in charge and explain that they are doing something wrong? Do I assume that there is some loophole that I don’t know about and that it really is ok after all? This group tends to be notoriously liberal in general, so it is well within the realm of possibility that they know they are breaking Canon Law but don’t care. I would not really want to go to a Mass with them even if it were in a church since they usually disregard the rubrics.

I say go, and see what it’s all about.

Masses in small settings can be spiritually powerful experiences.

 

[floresco]

its the case that makes the necessity. a desire for Mass in a specific case can create the necessity. its not worded as “in case of necessity” which is how Canon Law words “cases of emergency” or “extreme cases”.

the desire alone to have Mass celebrated in a location is enough to create the necessity. as long as its not a regular Mass, its not an issue. now if it were to become a weekly Mass at someone’s home, then that is a big deal. a one-time Mass, not so.

What is the point of having a rule that says, in effect, “Mass should be in a sacred place unless you want to do it somewhere else.”?

Do you have any training in Canon Law or can you direct me to an authoritative source that supports your claim?

 

[Iotaunum]

"If it were just me, I would have nothing to do with these people. However this group is important to my spouse. My spouse does not get why I want to go to the TLM "

            - For me personally, this wouldn't cut it. If you would have nothing to do with this gathering, and you are only going to support your spouse, then that is a noble and charitable cause - however not where faith is concerned.

Mt 10:34 - " Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. 35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

My advise would be to go to the gathering but not the “house mass” - of course the liberals will advise otherwise, but you dont seem like too much of a liberal to me.

 

[choy]

What is the point of having a rule that says, in effect, “Mass should be in a sacred place unless you want to do it somewhere else.”?

Do you have any training in Canon Law or can you direct me to an authoritative source that supports your claim?

well, to turn it around and back at you, do you have training at Canon Law to say that what they are doing is wrong?

no sir, i am not a Canon Lawyer, just a humble Catechist

if you are going to question Masses at private homes, you should also question Papal Masses at sports stadiums and large open fields, also places that are not Sacred

 

[Joe_5859]

Listen to Choy. The difference in wording is crucial.

I would recommend not presuming ill will on the part of those who are hosting this gathering. If you are concerned, you can always voice that concern, but I wouldn’t presume they do not have the proper permissions. When it comes to making the sacraments available to the faithful, the Church generally errs on the side of generosity.

 

[Apollos]

I would say just go along with it. If it’s an abuse, then it’s the bishop’s problem, not yours.

You can calm your conscience by doing two things. First, just go along with it because we’re supposed to give our ministers the benefit of the doubt anyway. Second, document the event with a video or (discreetly and politely taken) photographs, and send them in an email to your bishop, saying what a nice liturgy it was and how thoughtful it was to offer mass for this little get-together. And if you want to be clever, ask him what you need to do to have mass said in your home for your children’s birthday parties or wedding anniversaries and so on. If it is an abuse, he will get the message. If it’s not, then he will explain diocesan policy on extramural liturgies.

 

[choy]

Listen to Choy. The difference in wording is crucial.

I would recommend not presuming ill will on the part of those who are hosting this gathering. If you are concerned, you can always voice that concern, but I wouldn’t presume they do not have the proper permissions. When it comes to making the sacraments available to the faithful, the Church generally errs on the side of generosity.

and i have explained the difference in wording

where i come from, out of church Masses happen quite often. i have experienced this many times. there are many situations that would call for the necessity for it and its not grave situations

 

[malphono]

I would not really want to go to a Mass with them even if it were in a church since they usually disregard the rubrics.

Seems to me you answered your own question. From the description, it sounds like a recipe for a disastrous mess. Were it me, I might go to the social part, (if I otherwise got along with the people), but would politely but firmly decline the invitation to service part. If the two can’t be separated, then I’d decline the whole thing. Been there, done that, and even if it was ages ago, it was a ghastly experience never to be repeated.

 

[floresco]

well, to turn it around and back at you, do you have training at Canon Law to say that what they are doing is wrong?

no sir, i am not a Canon Lawyer, just a humble Catechist

I am not an expert on Canon Law. It does not follow from this that I should believe anything that anyone claims about it. I would like to see you support what you have said. Otherwise, I am going to take the more obvious meaning of the words.

if you are going to question Masses at private homes, you should also question Papal Masses at sports stadiums and large open fields, also places that are not Sacred

The necessity in these cases is clear to me. These crowds are too big to fit into any existing church. I do not see how “we feel like it” makes something a necessity.

 

[Joe_5859]

and i have explained the difference in wording

where i come from, out of church Masses happen quite often. i have experienced this many times. there are many situations that would call for the necessity for it and its not grave situations

Exactly. I can recall some weekend retreats and camping trips in college where a priest was present. We would have Mass on a picnic table (for the camping trips) or in whatever room of the retreat center would be designated for that purpose (for the retreats). It’s not a grave situation, but when one is in those types of situations, it is necessary to have Mass outside of a church building if one is to have it at all.

As you said earlier, it isn’t necessary for the Pope to have Mass in a sports stadium. He could tell everyone to go to their home parishes and go to Mass in their designated Church buildings. But if the Pope wants to offer Mass for the faithful in these situations, it is necessary that it be done outside of a church building as no church venue would be large enough to accommodate the crowds.

 

[Joe_5859]

The necessity in these cases is clear to me. These crowds are too big to fit into any existing church. I do not see how “we feel like it” makes something a necessity.

This is where the “benefit of the doubt” comes into play. I can see a priest saying that it such a thing is necessary in fostering group unity and/or building up the faith of this particular group.

If you are concerned (as it seems evident you are), I would definitely talk to the priest about the whole thing. I would recommend approaching him not as someone who wants to prove him wrong, but rather as someone who is sincerely seeking understanding on why this is allowed.