Is intentionally missing Sunday Mass always sinful

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Hi, first post, but relevant. Me and several Catholic friends are planning a 3 week hunting trip and we know we will miss Mass at least 3 times. We may not run into another person, let alone a Catholic Priest. Will this be a sin? Have we already sinned just planning it?
 
It is a sin if you intentionally miss Mass when you had the opportunity to go. If, however, you are going on this hunting trip and there are no Catholic churches in the area, I am not sure if it would be sinful or not. I lean towards no but I am no authority on this.
 
R1ch4rd said:
Hi, first post, but relevant. Me and several Catholic friends are planning a 3 week hunting trip and we know we will miss Mass at least 3 times. We may not run into another person, let alone a Catholic Priest. Will this be a sin? Have we already sinned just planning it?
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Speak with your pastor about this. In all likelihood he will provide you with the necessary “dispensation” to set your mind at ease.
Then take a missal or prayerbook with you and on Sunday morning…you could “read the mass” or at least the mass readings…or you could just go out early on Sunday morning, watch the Sun rise where you are and read or sing, St Francis’, “Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon”

On a side note - and just because I tend to be a little “nit-picky…”😊…
You ask in the title: "*Is intentionally missing Sunday Mass always sinful *.
The answer here is “Yes” where the intention is to miss mass.
Of course, missing mass is not your intent here.
Your intent is to take undertake this trip. A consequence of this trip is not being able to attend mass. Something quite different than “intentionally missing mass”.
So - as I say above…Just check with your pastor. I’m sure he will be able to set your mind at ease.

Peace
James
 
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
**The Sunday obligation **
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2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."117 "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."118
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2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.
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2182 Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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Link to pertinent sections of the CCC

If one desired some further reading material which could help convince them , in a case where they might find themselves somewhat “undecided” on the question of keeping their Sunday obligation as a Catholic, and as it would apply to their own personal circumstances , Father John Hardon S.J., has written an essay which could be of assistance in rendering the desired bolstering effect , and which can be read at the following link:

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT, Father John Hardon, S.J.
 
Yes it is a sin,going to mass gives you all the graces you need in your Christian life and brings a close relationship with God.
 
Hansel_Paul said:
Yes it is a sin,going to mass gives you all the graces you need in your Christian life and brings a close relationship with God.
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And yet - as with all disciplines of the Church there ARE exceptions…

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
Speak with your pastor about this. In all likelihood he will provide you with the necessary “dispensation” to set your mind at ease.
Then take a missal or prayerbook with you and on Sunday morning…you could “read the mass” or at least the mass readings…or you could just go out early on Sunday morning, watch the Sun rise where you are and read or sing, St Francis’, “Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon”

On a side note - and just because I tend to be a little “nit-picky…”😊…
You ask in the title: "*Is intentionally missing Sunday Mass always sinful *.
The answer here is “Yes” where the intention is to
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miss mass.
Of course, missing mass is not your intent here.
Your intent is to take undertake this trip. A consequence of this trip is not being able to attend mass. Something quite different than “intentionally missing mass”.
So - as I say above…Just check with your pastor. I’m sure he will be able to set your mind at ease.

Peace
James

Wow, thanks JRKH. I can see I’ll need to be very careful regarding how I word a question. Also, it seems that answers are all over the place. From it’s a sin to not in cases of travel to references to lengthy and vague teachings that would take longer to understand then to plan our trip. Also went through the forum tutorial and whether someone is a Forum Master or a Trial Member depends on the number of replies, not necessarily on their knowledge of Catholic teachings.

Should I also assume that all posts are opinions? Just trying to understand what I’ve gotten into here.

I like your suggestion to ask my priest. I’m sure he’ll give me the short correct answer.
 
R1ch4rd said:
Should I also assume that all posts are opinions?
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Well, no. Many posters will (and have on this thread) given you appropriate references to Church documents.
57thDimension said:
Just trying to understand what I’ve gotten into here.
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Well, in this case, you have asked a question for which there is no black and white answer. The Church, contrary to popular belief, does not have a teaching, document, or specific guideline for every situation you find yourself in.

On the contrary, Catholics are expected to learn the moral truths that underpin Church teaching, properly form their conscience, and then apply Church teaching to the concrete situations in which they find themselves.

The Church teaches that we have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. The Church also teaches there are times when we cannot do so for legitimate, serious reasons.

We are to form our conscience in the situation-- will you REALLY be in a place with no mass? Check Masstimes.Org for churches in the area. National parks, even the Grand Canyon, have Mass. Remote places have Mass. Do the research.

If there really isn’t any Catholic Church in the area, then it isn’t possible to attend Mass. That is not the same thing as choosing not to go. I hope you can see the difference.
57thDimension said:
I like your suggestion to ask my priest.
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Not only can he give you good advice, he can dispense you.
 
OK,OK. Here is what I meant. I just want to understand the rules of the FORUM. From what I see, I’m not sure if the responds is from an actual Catholic or someone that just listed that in the profile. And I’m not sure where the quotes from 57thdimension came from. They look like mine but don’t have my name on them and I can’t see where he posted a reply. I just am interested in how the forum really works and how much to rely on the info.

I’m going to ask my priest…off to Church now.
 
R1ch4rd said:
Wow, thanks JRKH. I can see I’ll need to be very careful regarding how I word a question.
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:D:D…I know - I can be rather pesky…
Seriously though, I try to give good sound answers based, not just on the “letter of the law” but on the spirit of things. That said, I have learned here that the way we phrase things can mean different things to different people, and that looking just a bit deeper, or taking a slightly different slant, can provoke thoughts in all of us that we had not considered.
In your case…you were concerned about breaking a discipline (mass attendance) my response simply took the form of discerning your true intention and by such discernment, give you some peace.
Also, it seems that answers are all over the place. From it’s a sin to not in cases of travel to references to lengthy and vague teachings that would take longer to understand then to plan our trip.
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Hence my basic reply to ask your pastor…
Also went through the forum tutorial and whether someone is a Forum Master or a Trial Member depends on the number of replies, not necessarily on their knowledge of Catholic teachings.
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Yup - this is true…I didn’t know why “forum master” suddenly showed up under my name…then I discovered that it had to do with the number of posts as well as “average per day” or something like that.
Basically I am just a humble servant of our Lord, doing the best he can…
Should I also assume that all posts are opinions? Just trying to understand what I’ve gotten into here.
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Well - no. As 1ke says above, those who provide reference material and links, especially to the Catechism or other Church document, are sharing actual teaching…
After you have hung around awhile, you will discover those who tend to give the more orthodox answers and advice.
I like your suggestion to ask my priest. I’m sure he’ll give me the short correct answer.
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This truly is the best way. I am unable to attend mass on Sunday’s because of my wife’s illness and have received a dispensation from my pastor. I have found that I can attend at least once during the week though and so I make sure to do that…
Even if we are unable, for whatever reason, to comply with the normative expression of the rule to, “Keep Holy the Lord’s day”, it need not prevent us from keeping the day in some “non-normative” manner such as i suggested in my previous post.

Oh and by the way - I hope you have a great, a safe and successful trip. 👍

Peace
James
 
I know this is off the subject, but is there a thread anywhere that explains all of the tools and how to use them. I’ve tried to search for topics of interest but seem to get delivered to a big bucket with thousands of posts. What I’m really looking for is an in depth tutorial. TY
 
R1ch4rd said:
I know this is off the subject, but is there a thread anywhere that explains all of the tools and how to use them. I’ve tried to search for topics of interest but seem to get delivered to a big bucket with thousands of posts. What I’m really looking for is an in depth tutorial. TY
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NOt sure if this is what you are looking for, but on the main page where all the forums are listed, near the bottom is a section called Concierge Desk and below that one - “Mini-Tutorials”

As to doing searches…Like you I generally wind up with may more “links” than I really need…So do most people I imagine…so we mostly just start a new thread asking whatever…even if it’s been asked before…🤷

EDIT…Ike beat me to it…👍

Peace
James
 
Hansel_Paul said:
Yes it is a sin,going to mass gives you all the graces you need in your Christian life and brings a close relationship with God.
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so if you don’t go to Mass, there is no way to be bestowed with graces and have a close relationship with God?!
 
7_Sorrows said:
Originally Posted by Hansel Paul
Yes it is a sin,going to mass gives you all the graces you need in your Christian life and brings a close relationship with God.
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You are reading too much into the statement. The mass contains ALL the graces, but is not the ONLY avenue through which graces flow. It is however the highest form of praise that we have.

Peace
James
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Ok I’m ready for the heat.

The answer is held only by God.

Those who cite the precepts of the Church as the force that makes it a sin might be off base. Precepts are guidelines for good living, and are not another layer of law. Man has a history of making the light yoke of God unbearable.

Those who cite violation of the 1st commandment may have a point.

Take your concern and guilt to the Lord thru the sacrament of reconciliation and not through this court of public opinion.

If it is a sin, so be it, but don’t let your own guilt, or the guilt imposed by others to drive you to despair, which stands a greater chance of permanently separating you from God.

God loves you, He is a god of mercy, who knows the faults of the human condition.

Your concern for God show’s your love for him, which is keeping with His greatest commandment. Now we in this peanut gallery should show our love of God by keeping that other greatest commandment that Jesus told of us, and show our love of you by telling you of the positive aspects of God’s love instead of dwelling on your possible sin!

I pray you find personal peace in knowing of God’s never ending love and mercy.
 
Instead of heat, how about a little bit of reason ?

The previous post did have some points to ponder , but as I recall, the OP’s post went like this (highlights mine) :
R1ch4rd said:
Hi, first post, but relevant. Me and several Catholic friends are planning a 3 week hunting trip and we know we will miss Mass at least 3 times. We may not run into another person, let alone a Catholic Priest. Will this be a sin? Have we already sinned just planning it?
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.

So the question is centered on “sin” , on the “sinfulness” of a particular act . To avoid rumination of what “sin” entails , according to the circumstances , would be to avoid providing an answer to the question being asked.

Yes , our Blessed Lord’s love for us is immense - “unspeakable” in the words of St. Alphonse Liguiori ; but the greatest expression we find of this love of His is spoken from the Cross - what He did to save us from our “sins” .

This same Sacrifice of Calvary, is consummated, re-presented, each time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated/offered (including, Sunday Mass, 😉 )

If we are to speak about how God is a God of Mercy and a God who loves us , how could we ever omit affirming that it is this same loving merciful God who comes to us personally in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of Christian Life ; Fr. John Hardon , S.J.

The Eucharist : Source and Summit of Christian Spirituality, EWTN
 
Had a GREAT talk with my Priest, who is a few years younger than me. First, he was surprised because I was the first who ever asked beforehand. He said “go and don’t feel guilty about it, that’s not the Church’s intent”. I’m an usher and asked about the suggestion from him to smile kindly while making eye contact and wish those who leave Mass early, a very good day. I asked if that wasn’t to make them feel guilty in a very round about way? He said well, maybe just a little guilt. He followed with if we all planned our vacations within seven days of a Church, we’d have a lot fewer vacations.

Then he really blew me away when he said it’s like the old joke that says “God created woman for man and made her available to him in all four corners of the world…then He smiled and made the world round. Think of the Church as a woman”. We both laughed!

I’m going to talk with him a lot more!
BTW, he pretty much quoted the CCC on missing Mass during vacations.
 
R1ch4rd said:
Had a GREAT talk with my Priest, who is a few years younger than me. First, he was surprised because I was the first who ever asked beforehand. He said “go and don’t feel guilty about it, that’s not the Church’s intent”. I’m an usher and asked about the suggestion from him to smile kindly while making eye contact and wish those who leave Mass early, a very good day. I asked if that wasn’t to make them feel guilty in a very round about way? He said well, maybe just a little guilt. He followed with if we all planned our vacations within seven days of a Church, we’d have a lot fewer vacations.

Then he really blew me away when he said it’s like the old joke that says “God created woman for man and made her available to him in all four corners of the world…then He smiled and made the world round. Think of the Church as a woman”. We both laughed!

I’m going to talk with him a lot more!
BTW, he pretty much quoted the CCC on missing Mass during vacations.
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👍👍 What a great priest…👍👍

You are a blessed parish.

Peace
James
 
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