How late to mass?

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I am curious as to how late one can be to mass and still fulfill ones Sunday obligation. What are the instructions on this matter?

I seem to recall as a child learning that one must be there before the creed, (or was it before the offertory?) but a friend of mine said, before the Gospel reading…

Any insight would be appreciated…And yes, I have valid reasons for asking…

Peace
James
 
There are no instruction on the matter. It is the understanding that one should attend the entire Mass, but if one is late for a reason beyond one’s control, the Church won’t take that against the person. So for example you are on your way to church and are scheduled to get there on time, but there was an accident on the way so you got to the church around the Offertory. Now there are no other Mass scheduled later. You still fulfilled your obligation.
 
Informally, I was also told by some priest at one time or another that you had to be there before the Gospel and stay through Communion in order for it to “count”. But I have no idea what the basis is for that assertion. I am not aware of any concrete instruction on this point.

I can imagine that the Church probably wouldn’t directly specify what counts because then you would get a whole group of people who would seek to do the minimum to fulfill their obligation. That sort of defeats the purpose.
 
JRKH said:
I am curious as to how late one can be to mass and still fulfill ones Sunday obligation. What are the instructions on this matter?

I seem to recall as a child learning that one must be there before the creed, (or was it before the offertory?) but a friend of mine said, before the Gospel reading…

Any insight would be appreciated…And yes, I have valid reasons for asking…

Peace
James
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If you walk in after the priest, you are LATE. There is no part if the mass that you should miss from the first note of the opening song, to the last note of the closing song.

These are one of those hanging on things from pre Vatican II when people asked waht is the min. I can attend. The answer is now, none.
Mass times are well published, there are multiple masses to meet the needs of most people, there seems to be little excuse not to get to mass on time to be with the Lord and stay there to the end.
 
Why do you need to know what is the absolute minimum you can get away with? Go to Mass and the whole Mass - be early and don’t rush out at the end.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Why do you need to know what is the absolute minimum you can get away with? Go to Mass and the whole Mass - be early and don’t rush out at the end.
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I saw where the OP said he was curious, and that he had valid reasons for asking.

.
 
I’m sure someone could probably pull out a piece of information that would tell you exactly what’s acceptable and what is not. Our Church is full of those kinds of specifics on things. 😉

My thought has always been a ‘rule of thumb’ kind of deal… we’re all grown adults… (okay some Catholics I worry about - you know the ones that keep parking in the fire lanes, on the sidewalk, right at the no parking sign or those so habitually late to Mass that the Homilist is halfway through his Homily) do your absolute best to get there before the Mass starts so you can find a decent seat and if you’re a little late, it happens, but if you’re pushing 10 - 15 minutes, we have about seven to ten Masses on Sunday, just catch the next one. 👍

I guess what I’m saying is that I think all parishiners should be of the mindset of doing their utmost to attend the entire Mass, but if you’re habitually late (or leave right after Communion) what graces will be imparted upon you? Perhaps an examination of conscience for that. Otherwise, everybody has an ‘oops’ now and then that I don’t think God’s going to wag His finger at you for it.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Why do you need to know what is the absolute minimum you can get away with? Go to Mass and the whole Mass - be early and don’t rush out at the end.
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Matthew,
I have valid reasons for asking but I do not wish to get into them here because they are too difficult to explain. I’ll just say that it has to do with health issues.

If I had my druthers, I’d attend mass every day, get there early and stay late…

This has NOTHING to do with, “the absolute minimum you can get away with”.

May God grant you more patience and charity toward others with issues you know nothing about.

Peace
James
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.
I will need to meditate on this matter…

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
Matthew,
I have valid reasons for asking but I do not wish to get into them here because they are too difficult to explain. I’ll just say that it has to do with health issues.
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I am not doubting you.
JRKH said:
If I had my druthers …
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That’s an idiomatic expression with which I’m not familiar.
JRKH said:
May God grant you more patience and charity toward others with issues you know nothing about.
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You appear to have inferred a tone from my post that was not intended.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Informally, I was also told by some priest at one time or another that you had to be there before the Gospel and stay through Communion in order for it to “count”. But I have no idea what the basis is for that assertion. I am not aware of any concrete instruction on this point.

I can imagine that the Church probably wouldn’t directly specify what counts because then you would get a whole group of people who would seek to do the minimum to fulfill their obligation. That sort of defeats the purpose.
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Being specific would cause more confusion. You’re right, if they say “this is the minimum,” then a number of people will just be there on the minimum. Also on the other hand, anyone who has good reason to be late might be discouraged to attend what he can if he knows that it won’t count anyway.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Originally Posted by JRKH View Post
Matthew,
I have valid reasons for asking but I do not wish to get into them here because they are too difficult to explain. I’ll just say that it has to do with health issues.
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If you are not doubting me, then perhaps you should not have said, “Why do you need to know what is the absolute minimum you can get away with?”, while offering absolutely no beneficial information on the question I asked in my OP?
That’s an idiomatic expression with which I’m not familiar.
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“If I had my Druthers” means - “I would prefer”, or “in perfect circumstances”, or “the ideal would be”
You appear to have inferred a tone from my post that was not intended.
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Perhaps there is a difference in communication style between the US and the UK, but over here, when one asks a question and specifically states that their reasons for asking are legitimate without going into details, it is assumed that others will respect that the reasons are personal and simply answer the question. (As others did)
Your response to me did not show respect for my privacy (you asked: “Why do you need to know”…) nor did your response offer any useful information (you said: “Go to Mass and the whole Mass”…).
So if I inferred something not intended, pray tell me, what should I have inferred from what you wrote? What useful or uplifting or supportive content or idea did you mean to convey by your post?
All I could see from what was written on the page was a lack of patience and charity in not accepting that my motives were valid, then simply making a totally non-useful suggestion.
But if - as you say - I infer a tone not intended perhaps you could re-read your post in light of my OP to which you were responding, and then explain what your intent was. I have re-read them and still find the tone of your post to be less than charitable.

But I am open to explanation

Peace
James
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JRKH said:
I am curious as to how late one can be to mass and still fulfill ones Sunday obligation. What are the instructions on this matter?
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Current canon law is silent on the matter.

The previous rule was that the faithful had to be there before the offertory.
 
In re-reading your OP, James, I would have to say that I think there is an exception to every rule with the proviso that there is a legitimate and valid reason for not being able to attend part of the Mass, as you stated you have.

The intent of your heart is to attend all of the Mass if you could and in doing your utmost to attend what you can, again, I don’t think God wags His finger at you and clucks His tongue. Even if the Church did/does have a “time limit” on Mass fullfillment obligations, I’m sure no one would deny that you’ve fulfilled it even if you were outside of the “time limit” because your hearts intention was there and you were doing your best to meet that obligation.

Like I mentioned before, if you came in late, didn’t care, hussled out after Communion, and didn’t give it another thought then I would question what graces have been imparted to you. However, I think even if you are late, expecially with exception to circumstances, that you fulfill the requirements. 😉
 
JRKH said:
I have valid reasons for asking but I do not wish to get into them here because they are too difficult to explain. I’ll just say that it has to do with health issues.
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Dear friend, health issues are a whole different kettle of fish. Do what you can, when you can.
 
Kielbasi said:
Current canon law is silent on the matter.

The previous rule was that the faithful had to be there before the offertory.
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That is probably what I was told too years ago…Thanks.

I think that the logic at work in that old rule would be that in the ancient church, catechumens would come for the liturgy of the Word, for instruction, but then would be dismissed before the liturgy of the Eucharist. We still see this today in the run up to Easter where the candidates come in for the liturgy of the word, then some examination and then are dismissed for further instruction.

I wonder if the Didache mentions this…I know I read it somewhere…

Anyway I appreciate all the helpful answers…

Peace
James
 
… dear james ,

… great to see you again , i’d say just have the intention for the whole mass and if health probs interfere and your late go to holy communion if in time and leave early , but perhaps tell the priest what’s going on so he is not scandalised and so he can advise you , others may have set rules but if you have genuine serious reasos like health you may not even have to go to mass at all , the lord is not a nazi waiting to shoot you down or wanting to make life all too hard for you , just do your best and consult your priest too , hope this helps dear friend ,

… may god bless and love you 👍🙂 ,

… john …
 
James, If you say, “I would attend every Mass” then I see no reason to doubt you. Early, gets you the seat of your choice. And staying after Mass gives one the opportunity for follow ship. But, if a health reason stops you from doing so, fine.
What I can do for you is offer a prayer that if God so chooses to lift your ailment so you can attend more Masses. I usher at Mass and I see plenty of people come late leave, leave early. It is not my place to judge them or you. And I know a few that cannot sit for any length of time, one due to a syatic nerve ?spelling?. Yet I see them every Sunday. I say good for them and you. I would rather you be late, then not be there at all.
 
JRKH said:
I am curious as to how late one can be to mass and still fulfill ones Sunday obligation. What are the instructions on this matter?

I seem to recall as a child learning that one must be there before the creed, (or was it before the offertory?) but a friend of mine said, before the Gospel reading…

Any insight would be appreciated…And yes, I have valid reasons for asking…

Peace
James
Click to expand...
I’ve always taken it myself as before the Gloria, however this is for myself, and my own conscience, If i am running slightly late, I always try to be there before the first Signus Cruce (Sign of the Cross), If i know straight away im going to be there later then the Gloria, I’ll attend a later Mass at another Parish.

I just noticed you said it was about health reasons, do what you can, however if you truly know that you are to ill to attend Mass (this means more then a cold for anyone who wonders), then you are automatically dispensed from your Sunday Obligation.
 
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