How do I explain why I have an obligation to go to mass when I go on vacation to my parents?

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Christmysavor

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How do I explain why I have an obligation to go to mass when I go on vacation with my parents without them getting upset with me about not wanting to skip out on mass and that it is a mortal sin if I do? Now don’t know when we will be going on vacation but I just want them to understand why I can’t miss Mass when we go on vacation with my parents.
 
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You are an adult and your parents are non-Catholic? Why do you have to explain anything to them? Just say: I have to go to Mass. Would you like to come with me?
 
I agree with you on this. But I don’t drive so they are my ride to and from mass. My mother had a fit when I told her that I needed to leave the church (raised United Methodist) and she laughed when I told her God needs me to help people come to him. I came into the church this Easter, non of my family came to the vigil service…so no family came but I did have my church family. Got all the graces because I was baptized, confirmed and 1st Eucharist at the service. So don’t know how they will react to me telling them this, any advice?
 
Explain them your feelings and love for God (the mess). And how important the mess is for you. They are your parents and they will always love you and want you to be happy! And don’t forget to pray to God to make it easier for you! All the best!
 
You ask for a ride to Mass. If you cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own, there is no sin. Do you have to vacation with them, or is this not a matter of choice?
 
If you are unable to attend mass while on vacation, it is not a sin. As long as you have reasonably valid reasons, it is not a sin.

It is a sin if you purposely don’t attend despite the fact that you can.

While on a vacation with your parents who are non-Catholics, do try to be reasonable. How far is the church? Is it reachable? Can you get alternative transport, like taxi or Uber? Try asking your parents to drive you but if it’s too much a bother for them, don’t argue.

Just say something like, “Dad, I would like to go to mass at St. Mary. Is it ok if you send me?” Accept your parent decision, whichever it will be.

Pray that God will make a way for you to be able to get to the mass.

Parents do like it if their children are faithfully religious even if they do not agree with your belief.

God bless.
 
I’ve done this. My parents don’t really make vacation mass a priority but when I’ve gone with them, my mom goes out of her way to find me a church. May seem weird to ask it the first time, but your parents will come to expect it.

Ask when the most convenient time during the trip to go would be. Some vacation locations could have large historic important churches that your parents might not mind seeing for artistic or cultural reasons. Try o inconvenience them as little as possible, as they are your drive. Could you cab or bus, instead? Also remember that as previous posters have said, you are not required to do the impossible.
 
Do you have a bicycle? Unless you are vacationing in a very remote location, you can easily ride a bike to Mass. I’d say it’d take at most an hour to get there, so not long at all. You’ll also burn a lot of calories and build your leg muscles which are both great things. You could even offer up the pain from riding the bike as penance and prayer. 👍
 
Christmysavor said:
But I don’t drive so they are my ride to and from mass.
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This doesn’t have to do with this particular vacation, but just something I’m thinking about for the future. Do you have a medical or other condition that prevents you from learning to drive? I am surprised by the number of young adults (and I’m 31, so not exactly “old”) who just choose to not learn how to drive, even in areas with inadequate public transit. If you can learn, I really think you should, because it’s very helpful for independence. Even borrowing your parents’ car is likely to be more convenient for them than asking for rides all the time.
 
Uber? Lift? Taxi? Call the parish to see if they have transportation? If you can’t make it I don’t think it’s mortally sinful.
 
Maybe you can go the route, “I consider God to be most important. The least I can do is go to Church on the day of the week he rose from the dead”
 
Definitely start praying for your parents, and for them to be willing to give you a ride. Sometimes I just say a little prayer to God for things to improve at my work, and they do!
 
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Perhaps you can talk to your parish priest about this and, if your parents absolutely will NOT work with you on this, ask if you need a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass.
 
If you have public transportation, go to Mass that way. Either buses or taxis will get you there and back. You don’t have to rely on your parents to take you.
 
I wouldn’t really try to explain the obligation, but rather try to explain why I want to go to Mass on Sunday.

“It is special to me, and I love Him and want to see Him.”

If we could just tell people how wonderful it is to know Jesus and His Mother and His Church and everything else, we would do a lot of good.
 
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While I would suggest trying to work out a way to go, consider asking a priest for dispensation from attending mass that week due to travel and limited transportation access.
 
Christmysavor said:
How do I explain why I have an obligation to go to mass when I go on vacation with my parents without them getting upset with me about not wanting to skip out on mass
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I think expecting non-catholics to cut into their vacation to drive you to and from Mass on Sunday morning is expecting a lot.

Of course you can ask, but if they won’t do it and you have no other way to get there, you don’t have to go.
 
I’d just talk to them, tell them how important this is to you. See what they say and go from there. If you know where you are going, do your research. See how far it is from where you are staying and what time mass is. See if there is anything they can do or see while you are at mass. Offer to give them money so they can go for coffee or something while they wait for you. Show them how important this is to you.
 
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