"How Late Is Too Late For Mass?" The Simple Answer a Priest Gave When Asked This Question

[mdgspencer]

catholic.com/qa/how-late-is-too-late-for-mass

 

[Crusaderbear]

That was a very good answer!

 

[ClearWater]

catholic.com/qa/how-late-is-too-late-for-mass

Oh, I didn’t know that.

 

[truetofaith]

I was always told you had to get there before the Offertory.
Of course you should not time it so you’ll get there at that time.

I want to be at Mass to hear all the readings but I would go to another parish if I missed the gospel. If it was the last Mass on a Sunday, then I would confess in Penance that I was late & missed Mass, last week.

 

[tuscany]

Our priest, who has a good sense of humor, just got asked that question
this week. His answer with a smile was, your too late if it’s after the collection…

 

[brian_custer]

i see people arriving a half hour after mass has started; after the homily in some cases

at least they tried; i guess that is the proper attitude

what troubles me slightly more is people leaving before the final blessing

to me that is more problematic

i’ve never heard a priest address the issue of “late arrivals”

but i have heard at least one priest say it is rude to leave the church before the priest processes out into the lobby…

 

[dshix]

It’s a good answer, but I feel like the answer could be more complete.

The answer states that we can consider our obligation fulfilled if we were late because of circumstances “beyond our control or because of essential responsibilities”. Well what if one was perfectly able to go to another Mass, and chose not to do so for no other reason than he “didn’t want to”?

If I arrived to the first Mass after the Offertory, therefore missing part of the sacrifice of the Mass, I would consider myself obligated to attend another Mass if I was able and if it did not practically interfere with events of the day.

 

[brian_custer]

It’s a good answer, but I feel like the answer could be more complete.

The answer states that we can consider our obligation fulfilled if we were late because of circumstances “beyond our control or because of essential responsibilities”. Well what if one was perfectly able to go to another Mass, and chose not to do so for no other reason than he “didn’t want to”?

If I arrived to the first Mass after the Offertory, therefore missing part of the sacrifice of the Mass, I would consider myself obligated to attend another Mass if I was able and if it did not practically interfere with events of the day.

i agree; arriving after the Offertory if you have other options is extremely problematic

can’t say (and this is entirely anecdotal) that i ever saw anyone “arriving” after the Offertory

other than perhaps people coming for a Baptism at 1:00 or whatever

 

[truetofaith]

Our priest, who has a good sense of humor, just got asked that question
this week. His answer with a smile was, your too late if it’s after the collection…

Good one! That is the Offertory, like I said.

Some people get there late & leave with the Host still in their mouth!

 

[tuscany]

I sure hope I didn’t make it sound like my priest doesn’t know what the word Offertory
means. I was just re-telling how he said it when he was teasing us.

I’ve also seen those people you spoke if who come just as Communion begins, then
leave while still chewing the host. It seems kind of like getting invited to a dinner and
showing up as everyone is being seated, filling your mouth with food and leaving as your chewing !

 

[Nelka]

That was a very good answer!

 

[edlinked]

Liked the answer too.

I got reminded of this thread when I was watching this open line program with Father Mitch Pacwa. Someone asked something similar, so I decided to put the link if people wanted to hear Father Pacwa.

youtube.com/watch?v=MXVBAkxWIAA

Go to minute 33:40 to 39:05.