Holy Day of Obligation Issues

[Gmsod]

So if it is a holy Day of Obligation, which is today, to what extent should we Ben willing to go to attend mass. Personal sacrifices I understand but if it is a sacrifice for someone else than should we do it or give that person peace? Like if you can’t attend because you are too young to drive and your parents are gone but you can text a friend and ask them to come pick you up and drop you off: should you let them be or put GOD above another’s comfort? Maranatha!

GOD bless!

 

[Kei]

I mean if he’d be fine with it.

 

[Gmsod]

But if they are not catholic and just mindin their own business.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

So if it is a holy Day of Obligation, which is today, to what extent should we Ben willing to go to attend mass. Personal sacrifices I understand but if it is a sacrifice for someone else than should we do it or give that person peace? Like if you can’t attend because you are too young to drive and your parents are gone but you can text a friend and ask them to come pick you up and drop you off: should you let them be or put GOD above another’s comfort? Maranatha!

GOD bless!

If you are too young to drive and you do not have a willing friend, then your obligation is forgiven.

If your asking your friend is going to mean a major inconvenience for them, and a big sacrifice, it’d be wise to compensate them in some way. You don’t want to be the Catholic “taker” just because you have an obligation.

I don’t live in a town, and the nearest parishes are 25-40 minutes. In that range I have 5 to choose from. One had an 8am, the rest had 9am or 7pm.

Hubby and I got out of the house early, got to the 8am, only to have to leave straight away because they were using incense. It was too late for me to drop him to work and make it to an 9am by that point, and 7pm is bedtime for our wee ones.

Sometimes, life happens and we have to do our best.

 

[Kei]

But what does minding their own business mean?
If they are freely available and you have the bargaining means, then go for it.
But your culpability is most likely reduced.
Simply mention it in detail when you can go to confession if you have already missed it and can no longer go

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

But what does minding their own business mean?
If they are freely available and you have the bargaining means, then go for it.
But your culpability is most likely reduced.
Simply mention it in detail when you can go to confession if you have already missed it and can no longer go

I think he means he would cause a great inconvenience to his friend.

The fact that his parents are not able to help likely makes his culpability zero and his obligation forgiven. We cannot say this for sure, but it is very likely.

As I stated above, the other person is not going to Mass but would be picking up and dropping off. This is a considerable sacrifice even for good friends. One must weigh if this is going to affect the friendship long-term, and one must be VERY careful to ensure that the person going out of their way is justly compensated. If any of those conditions cannot be fufilled, then it is better not to press the issue.

 

[Kei]

Why yes, but as you said we cannot be sure.

I think caution is best when it comes to grave matter. His culpability is most likely reduced, but I can’t be sure of his friend and his relationship or availability. For instance, just a hypothesis, say his friend called him and said, “Oh hey buddy, I feel like going for a ride, waste some time, wanna come?” For about the same time as the mass is being said, then culpability might be greater. Of course it is entirely possible the culpability is greatly reduced if not completely mitigated. He may be overly cautious and barely have any connection with this friend but doesn’t want to miss the mass and it’s weighing on his conscience.

But as you said, we cannot know.