How much participation in the Mass is required to fulfill the Sunday Obligation?

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McatholicN

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I went to Mass today, but I was pretty inattentive and my mind wandered. I really wanted it to count for my Sunday Obligation, so I tried to bring my attention back and comprehend everything that was being said, but I don’t know if I did a good enough job. What is “enough” participation?
 
Due to your scrupulosity (prior posts), I suggest talking with your priest. What you perceive as something of a huge magnitude likely isn’t. Everyone’s mind wanders occasionally.

You are fine, you need not attend Mass again.

But you do need to get your scrupulosity under spiritual direction.
 
McatholicN said:
I went to Mass today, but I was pretty inattentive and my mind wandered. I really wanted it to count for my Sunday Obligation, so I tried to bring my attention back and comprehend everything that was being said, but I don’t know if I did a good enough job. What is “enough” participation?
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Honey, I found myself wondering how I was going to fix the chicken for dinner during the second reading…I’m not going again:)

Take it easy on yourself. You are only human, and God knows that–after all He made you. He knew what He was getting into.😉
 
McatholicN said:
I went to Mass today, but I was pretty inattentive and my mind wandered. I really wanted it to count for my Sunday Obligation, so I tried to bring my attention back and comprehend everything that was being said, but I don’t know if I did a good enough job. What is “enough” participation?
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You are fine. The obligation is fulfilled by your attendance - there is no minimum level of participation required to meet the Sunday obligation.
 
I think the advice about scrupulosity is sound. I suffer badly and getting a rock solid Confessor and having him set guidelines made 100% difference for me. I no longer nit pik about things like that. And I’m not putting you down. When you struggle with this, every little thing becomes an agony. It really hurts. You can even ask your Diocese for guidance in this area. Some priests are better than others. My former parish priest was a disaster, the new parish I’m attending has a skilled priest who met with me for a little over and hour and we set down all the ground rules. I’m feeling a LOT better and I would encourage you to follow that advice. I have monthly confession and I’ve stopped running in and out of Confession 3-5 times a week for every little thought. It’s massively improved my entire relationship with God. Moderation and balance as instructed by my Confessor are the key. Any doubts or questions, I pray and ask him. I don’t get on my own “do-it-myself” programs. Those always fail.

God is glad you are in Mass. He loves you and it’s OK if you don’t attend Mass perfectly. In fact, you don’t need to worry about being perfect. He will always embrace you.

Lorrie
 
CB_Catholic said:
Honey, I found myself wondering how I was going to fix the chicken for dinner during the second reading…I’m not going again:)

Take it easy on yourself. You are only human, and God knows that–after all He made you. He knew what He was getting into.😉
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i was regretting something i posted this morning.i ain’ going again either.
 
McatholicN said:
I went to Mass today, but I was pretty inattentive and my mind wandered. I really wanted it to count for my Sunday Obligation, so I tried to bring my attention back and comprehend everything that was being said, but I don’t know if I did a good enough job. What is “enough” participation?
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Participating in Mass means attending Mass.
 
If we had to have perfect attention at Mass, nobody would have fulfilled their obligation, ever. I’ve even seen priests idly looking around during the readings!
 
Somewhere I read the advice:
“If you can pray well please do so. Otherwise, pray poorly like the rest of us do.”
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I emphasize this to my classes.
 
Participate to the best of your ability in the responses and singing. It is understandable if minds wander from time to time, or if you need to make a sudden visit to the bathroom as no one is perfect. To me, as long as you get there before the open hymn & procession, and leave after the priest has left & singing is done, you have fulfilled the obligation. If you have to arrive a few minutes late or leave after Communion for a good reason, then do so discreetly.
 
It seems to me that some participation must be necessary. I mean, sleeping through Mass wouldn’t count, would it? Where’s the line?

What about deliberate distraction? I’ve thought “I really should bring my attention back”, but deliberately(?) went on with the distraction either way.

It seems like I just sit through Mass and barely comprehend anything that’s being said.
 
McatholicN said:
It seems to me that some participation must be necessary. I mean, sleeping through Mass wouldn’t count, would it? Where’s the line?

What about deliberate distraction? I’ve thought “I really should bring my attention back”, but deliberately(?) went on with the distraction either way.

It seems like I just sit through Mass and barely comprehend anything that’s being said.
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Speak to your priest. Sleeping through Mass deliberately is not a good idea. Dozing off because you have a new baby or worked a late shift or are ill is understandable.

You should not spend your time inventing odd scenarios to “prove” why something is a sin. Speak to your priest, only go to one confessor, follow his advice. If necessary, stop frequenting forums where you can speculate on why your actions may or may not be sinful.
 
McatholicN said:
It seems to me that some participation must be necessary. I mean, sleeping through Mass wouldn’t count, would it? Where’s the line?

What about deliberate distraction? I’ve thought “I really should bring my attention back”, but deliberately(?) went on with the distraction either way.

It seems like I just sit through Mass and barely comprehend anything that’s being said.
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This smacks of scrupulosity.
 
How much attention is necessary?

Today I (for the most part) comprehended the readings and sermon, but otherwise I was distracted and just going through the motions. I was distracted, and wasn’t vigilant in bringing my attention back the Mass. Do I need to re-attend Mass for this Holy Day of Obligation?
 
McatholicN said:
How much attention is necessary?

Today I (for the most part) comprehended the readings and sermon, but otherwise I was distracted and just going through the motions. I was distracted, and wasn’t vigilant in bringing my attention back the Mass. Do I need to re-attend Mass for this Holy Day of Obligation?
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There is no level of attention required to meet your attendance obligation. Purposely allowing your mind to wander during Mass **might **be a venial sin but it has no effect on whether you met your obligation or not. These are two different matters - don’t try to group them together.
 
Corki said:
There is no level of attention required to meet your attendance obligation.
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Hummm…sleeping through Mass… listening to the game on headset instead of being attentive…reading a novel…would be a level below what is needful…
 
Bookcat said:
Hummm…sleeping through Mass… listening to the game on headset instead of being attentive…reading a novel…would be a level below what is needful…
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Needful to meet the obligation of attending Mass - yes. Needful of meeting your obligation to participate in Mass - no. Two separate things. The latter would be a problem even if it weren’t a day of obligation.
 
Corki said:
Needful to meet the obligation of attending Mass - yes. Needful of meeting your obligation to participate in Mass - no. Two separate things. The latter would be a problem even if it weren’t a day of obligation.
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Needful as to attentiveness to the Mass.
 
Corki said:
Probably a sin – just not the sin of missing Mass on a day of obligation.
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If a person is sleeping though Mass or I think one could argue – reading a novel through Mass (how are they aware of the Mass of the progress even of the Mass?) --how is that attentive enough to fulfill their obligation?

Sleeping through Mass is a classic example of not fulfilling ones obligation.
 
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