Going to Mass

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Tennis42

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My parents and I don’t go to Mass every weekend. I know its a mortal sin, and I go with them every time that they go, but there are times that i stay home because they aren’t driving there. I’ve heard that if I live close enough, I’m obligated to ride my bike or walk. I live almost 2 miles from the church, and I could ride my bike there, but my parents wouldn’t want me to do that. I’m 99.999% sure that they don’t want me to do that. What should I do?
 
Well, if your parents wouldn’t want you to ride your bike, then why won’t they bring you to church? Maybe you can remind them that there are far worse things you could be doing at your age than going to Mass on a Sunday morning?
 
Well, if your parents wouldn’t want you to ride your bike, then why won’t they bring you to church? Maybe you can remind them that there are far worse things you could be doing at your age than going to Mass on a Sunday morning?
They just don’t think it’s that serious, and if I bring up going by myself, or getting a ride with someone else, I know they’re just going to talk about how I’m overreacting. On Sundays where they don’t drive to church, I feel guilty for the rest of the day, and go back and forth about whether or not I committed a mortal sin.
 
They just don’t think it’s that serious, and if I brought up going by myself, or getting a ride with someone else, they’ll just talk about how I’m overreacting. On Sundays where they don’t drive to church, I feel guilty for the rest of the day, and go back and forth about whether or not I committed a mortal sin.
So let them talk. Would they forbid you from going yourself or getting a ride?
 
That’s what I’m saying. They’d talk about that, and then they wouldn’t let me.
Ahh, I see. Well, if they were to forbid you and you couldn’t convince them, then you have no choice but to stay home. One necessary criterion for mortal sin is full intent and if, against your intent, you’re unable to attend Mass by the prohibitive action of your parents, then you aren’t sinning. It isn’t your fault.

Maybe you can watch Mass on television or the Internet? Or listen to a radio broadcast?
 
Ahh, I see. Well, if they were to forbid you and you couldn’t convince them, then you have no choice but to stay home. One necessary criterion for mortal sin is full intent and if, against your intent, you’re unable to attend Mass by the prohibitive action of your parents, then you aren’t sinning. It isn’t your fault.

Maybe you can watch Mass on television or the Internet? Or listen to a radio broadcast?
My main concern is this; I haven’t asked them, but I’m 100% sure that theyd say no to me doing either of those things. I would ask them, but It’ll either

a) Make them try to prove a point by going to Mass less.
or b) Think I’m overreacting and not take these questions seriously.

I’m positive that asking them if I can ride my bike there, or if I can get a ride with someone else, would do more harm than good, and they still would say no.
 
Maybe the answer is to stop thinking what they will say, and just ask them? Your choice
 
Bless you for being strong in your faith and fervent enough to want to fulfill your obligation despite your parents’ efforts. Please do me a favor. On those Sundays when you stay home, pray for my niece and her family. She is lukewarm in her faith at 15, and her parents will not take her to Mass on Sundays, and she will not go with her grandparents when asked. I love her but she is making some bad decisions at this time in her life. Please pray for us!
 
They just don’t think it’s that serious, and if I bring up going by myself, or getting a ride with someone else, I know they’re just going to talk about how I’m overreacting. On Sundays where they don’t drive to church, I feel guilty for the rest of the day, and go back and forth about whether or not I committed a mortal sin.
It’s not the requirement that is a Commandment; It’s The Honor, the Priviledge of Attending Mass: The Last Supper Fest told the Apostles to do in His Remembrance. The Mass id s almost 2,000 years old. You commit a mortal sin if you Can go to Mass, but decide not too, to do something else unnecessary. Pray for Your Parents to go, and take you to Mass; some of us will. :blessyou:
 
I’ve heard that if I live close enough, I’m obligated to ride my bike or walk. I live almost 2 miles from the church, and I could ride my bike there, but my parents wouldn’t want me to do that. I’m 99.999% sure that they don’t want me to do that. What should I do?
it is not only distance but also safety, and for you obedience to your parents. Work on changing their hearts by showing what good effect Mass attendance has on you. Don’t nag or whine but do ask every week, are we going to Mass, I really hope we can because it is the highlight of my week to do this with you both. If you truly cannot get to Mass you have no obligation so do not waste time fretting about mortal sin in something beyond your control. Rather use that time and energy in prayer for your parents, reading scripture esp. the readings of the day, and prayer for those Christians who cannot worship due to persecution. get on the web and find other parishes with Mass times more convenient to your family it that is the issue.
 
My parents and I don’t go to Mass every weekend. I know its a mortal sin, and I go with them every time that they go, but there are times that i stay home because they aren’t driving there. I’ve heard that if I live close enough, I’m obligated to ride my bike or walk. I live almost 2 miles from the church, and I could ride my bike there, but my parents wouldn’t want me to do that. I’m 99.999% sure that they don’t want me to do that. What should I do?
Well, make sure you are 100% sure. 😃 Remember, at least until you are at an age where you can make up your own mind: 👍

Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
 
They just don’t think it’s that serious, and if I bring up going by myself, or getting a ride with someone else, I know they’re just going to talk about how I’m overreacting. On Sundays where they don’t drive to church, I feel guilty for the rest of the day, and go back and forth about whether or not I committed a mortal sin.
Hi Tennis,

First, I would show them this from the CCC:

The Sunday obligation

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."117 "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."118

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 **Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin. **

2182 Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2183 "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."120

This should help show them that it is a big deal to miss Mass although not really for you as you have a desire to go to Mass but are not being let to do so. This is not your fault because you are honoring your parents wishes.

Secondly, I would continue to ask them every week without fail if they will go to Mass or let you ride your bike to Mass. Be very consistent in this because it will show them you are very serious about going to Mass. Obey their deciscion but continue to ask. Be respectful but** very sincere **about it though.

Thirdly, If they continue to refuse to let you go to Mass or ride your bike on days they want to skip it, ask them if you can have the Eucharist brought to you. I don’t know if their is a precedent for this, other than communion to the sick, but again this would show how serious you are about going to Mass. Contact your priest and explained your situation, I am curious what he would say. Or does anyone know if this is out of line.

I think this would serve three functions. Firstly, what possibly good reason could they give for you not receiving the Eucharist in your home other than their own embarassement or thinking it is unreasonable. YOu are not biking anywhere and you are obeying them when they say they are not going to church that day. Secondly, again this shows you being consistent in how much your sunday obligation means to you. Thirdly, It wouldn’t hurt to have your parents witness you take communion, even at your own home, and be exposed to the Blessed Sacrament in their home personally. It might even help the feel the tug of Jesus more fully.

Of course, you must obey your parents until you are old enough to go to Mass on your own. If they deny all these things, continue to read the bible, at least some every day and match up your reading with what is being read in Church on that Sunday so at the very least you are exposed to the liturgy of the word. Also, I would continue to read more about your faith as well as this will help you stay catechised until you can return to Mass. Just search something on the “read” section of Catholic.com and learn something new about the Church and Catholicism every week.

Hope this helps. Keep up the good fight and good luck.
 
My parents and I don’t go to Mass every weekend. I know its a mortal sin, and I go with them every time that they go, but there are times that i stay home because they aren’t driving there. I’ve heard that if I live close enough, I’m obligated to ride my bike or walk. I live almost 2 miles from the church, and I could ride my bike there, but my parents wouldn’t want me to do that. I’m 99.999% sure that they don’t want me to do that. What should I do?
Ask them. Tell them to come along. 🙂

If they say no, though, see if you can carpool to Mass instead.
 
it is not only distance but also safety, and for you obedience to your parents. Work on changing their hearts by showing what good effect Mass attendance has on you. Don’t nag or whine but do ask every week, are we going to Mass, I really hope we can because it is the highlight of my week to do this with you both. If you truly cannot get to Mass you have no obligation so do not waste time fretting about mortal sin in something beyond your control. Rather use that time and energy in prayer for your parents, reading scripture esp. the readings of the day, and prayer for those Christians who cannot worship due to persecution. get on the web and find other parishes with Mass times more convenient to your family it that is the issue.
I think Annie gives great advice. You cannot know with 100% certainty what their response will be if you haven’t even asked. You do need to ask, and you need to ask every week. But you don’t need to nag or whine about it.

I know when I was young, my parents often surprised me with their responses. I can recall more than a few times where I was “sure” I knew they were going to respond negatively to a request only to find out (after I finally summoned the courage to ask) that I was 100% wrong.
 
I know when I was young, my parents often surprised me with their responses. I can recall more than a few times where I was “sure” I knew they were going to respond negatively to a request only to find out (after I finally summoned the courage to ask) that I was 100% wrong.
Haha a bit AMEN to that! 😃

To the OP, just ask. There’s no way you can be certain that they’ll say no, and if they do you at least know for certain. Make sure you ask every week, but once they say no, don’t force the issue.
 
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