Is it a mortal sin to miss mass occasionally?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fox21
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

fox21

Guest
Hello.

Is it a mortal sin to miss mass occasionally? I am meaning a few times a year.

I go to mass regularly, but there are the few times a year that I really don’t feel like going, or some small things get in the way (but they could be fairly easily overcome)

Is it still a mortal sin every time to miss mass or only if I stop going regularly?

Thanks
 
It’s grave matter to miss even a single mass for a trivial reason on Sundays or holy days of obligation.

Whether it’s mortal depends on the other 2 conditions being present: full knowledge and free will
 
The circumstances and intent are part of the mortal sin determination. I’m not sure those of us on the internet are qualified to judge that for you.

That said, if you have some condition or illness that causes you to miss or it would be unreasonable to attend, you are “excused”. Otherwise, you should consult your pastor; ‘just because’ and ‘don’t feel like it’ aren’t generally acceptable - but then again, there may be an underlying condition. Only you and your pastor should make that determination.
 
The traditional teaching is that to miss Sunday Mass without good reason is a mortal sin. Sunday Mass should be the high point of our week, the pinnacle. If we keep that focus, we should not miss Mass. Do we miss work, do we miss meals for trivial reasons? Usually not, because most of us have our priorities.

If we died on Monday, how would we explain our failure to attend Mass? If we have only a casual attachment to Christ, will he say to us “I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity?” http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7

You might get somewhat varying answers to your specific question, some might say that some thoughtless absences are only venial sin. However, I would certainly mention such absences in Confession.
 
fox21 said:
Hello.

Is it a mortal sin to miss mass occasionally? I am meaning a few times a year.

I go to mass regularly, but there are the few times a year that I really don’t feel like going, or some small things get in the way (but they could be fairly easily overcome)

Is it still a mortal sin every time to miss mass or only if I stop going regularly?

Thanks
Click to expand...
From what you’ve written here you do not have a reason to miss mass. So yes, it is wrong and grave matter. Not feeling like it is NOT a reason to miss mass.

Your obligation is to go every Sunday and holy day of obligation. The next time you don’t feel like it, go and offer up the mass for those who can’t go to mass because they are persecuted and their churches bombed and attacked.

You don’t feel like it, really? You think Jesus felt like getting nailed to a cross for you?
 
I think that perhaps you are asking the wrong question.

If you used to attend Mass regularly and are now finding yourself wanting to skip it, what has changed? How is your relationship with God overall? How is your prayer life? Do you find yourself wanting to avoid God or the Church or religious or other obligations as well? Have you explored this with your spiritual director or confessor to put it all in context and see what’s happening?
 
Thank you everyone for your quick responses! I now understand that it is a mortal sin to miss any mass without good reason.

Cor ad Cor, you said:
That said, if you have some condition or illness that causes you to miss or it would be unreasonable to attend, you are “excused”.
Click to expand...
I had not thought about it like this before, but yes, I do have some chronic health issues, so my “I don’t feel like it” is probably quite different from a healthy persons “I don’t feel like it” Thank you for saying that.

I will just have to really think about at what point it becomes valid, and when it is trivial. Any pointers anyone? (Though I suppose that’s not really part of the original question)

Oh yes, and SuscipeMeDomine, I just wanted to clarify, I am still attending regularly.
 
If you are ill, that’s a different matter, of course. It’s hard for people with chronic health issues to meet the regular commitment, with all the good intentions in the world.

My MIL used to attend Mass every single day, but now she rarely goes, even on a Sunday - it’s just too much for her as she’s become increasingly frail. I know she’s sad about it, but at least she managed to get there on Easter Day, with a carer to support her.

In your case, I think if you had a chat with your priest he would be able to clarify the situation and hopefully put your mind at rest.
 
fox21 said:
Thank you everyone for your quick responses! I now understand that it is a mortal sin to miss any mass without good reason.

Cor ad Cor, you said: I had not thought about it like this before, but yes, I do have some chronic health issues, so my “I don’t feel like it” is probably quite different from a healthy persons “I don’t feel like it” Thank you for saying that.

I will just have to really think about at what point it becomes valid, and when it is trivial. Any pointers anyone? (Though I suppose that’s not really part of the original question)

Oh yes, and SuscipeMeDomine, I just wanted to clarify, I am still attending regularly.
Click to expand...
If for the same reason you would cancel a planned meeting with a friend? That was roughly my criteria.

I have missed Mass a few times because I felt overwhelmed at the thought of the 1 1/2 hour drive each way. I felt terrible about missing Mass and my husband had to tell me not to do it, but then invariably later that day or the next I would be in bed sick. Sometimes we have to accept that we can’t manage something.

You might be able to discuss your particular situation with your priest?
 
fox21 said:
Hello.

Is it a mortal sin to miss mass occasionally? I am meaning a few times a year.

I go to mass regularly, but there are the few times a year that I really don’t feel like going, or some small things get in the way (but they could be fairly easily overcome)

Is it still a mortal sin every time to miss mass or only if I stop going regularly?

Thanks
Click to expand...
It is a mortal sin and I am assuming from your post that you already know that, especially since you have acknowledged that you just don’t “feel” like going or for some small reason that could be “easily” overcome. I may not “feel” like doing a lot of things but deliberately missing Mass is NOT one of them. After ALL Our Lord has done for us, I can’t imagine not LOVINGLY giving Him at least one Hour a week in worship. God Bless, Memaw
 
For all those reading this thread and want some more information pick up the book “the hidden treasure. Holy Mass” St. Leonard of Port Maurice available through TAN books. It will give you a new insight of The Holy Mass. Blessings to all.
 
fox21 said:
Cor ad Cor, you said: I had not thought about it like this before, but yes, I do have some chronic health issues, so my “I don’t feel like it” is probably quite different from a healthy persons “I don’t feel like it” Thank you for saying that.

I will just have to really think about at what point it becomes valid, and when it is trivial. Any pointers anyone? (Though I suppose that’s not really part of the original question)
Click to expand...
I would strongly recommend you discuss this issue with your priest and possibly a medical professional as well. It can be a difficult thing to discern, especially when no one around you really understands or seems supportive of your health condition, and in chronic cases, depression may come easily, as well as unwarranted feelings of guilt.
 
fox21 said:
Thank you everyone for your quick responses! I now understand that it is a mortal sin to miss any mass without good reason.

Cor ad Cor, you said: I had not thought about it like this before, but yes, I do have some chronic health issues, so my “I don’t feel like it” is probably quite different from a healthy persons “I don’t feel like it” Thank you for saying that.

I will just have to really think about at what point it becomes valid, and when it is trivial. Any pointers anyone? (Though I suppose that’s not really part of the original question)

Oh yes, and SuscipeMeDomine, I just wanted to clarify, I am still attending regularly.
Click to expand...
If you have a chronic illness discuss it with your pastor and he can give you guidelines,

Are yu too sick to go to work, school, or other places? Are you contagious? Are you taking.medication that would prevent you from driving safely? These are some questions to ask yourself where the answer is that it would be best to stay home from mass.

But if you “don’t feel like” masss but then two hours later you “feel like” lunch out with friends, I think you are only fooling yourself.
 
If you are sick (even with just a cold), or have a last minute emergency, no transport, have to take care of a sick spouse, have to take care of children, there’s no sin in missing mass. That is NOT an exhaustive list, either. The Church wants us to exercise good reason, and it shouldn’t be some type of legalistic list of when it’s okay and when it’s not (and if there is a list, such thing is only meant to be a guide for forming your conscience).

But not feeling like going or using a very small thing as an excuse when it’s easily overcome… those are not good reasons to miss mass. I’m not going to define what constitutes a small thing that’s easily overcome, there’s personal judgment there, and it’d be better to get feedback from a spiritual counselor.
 
What I have taken from this forum as well as other places is that you aren’t being asked to do the impossible, illness, snow, car breakdown etc. It’s worth discussing with a priest if you are still unsure about your reasons.
 
fox21 said:
Hello.

Is it a mortal sin to miss mass occasionally? I am meaning a few times a year.

I go to mass regularly, but there are the few times a year that I really don’t feel like going, or some small things get in the way (but they could be fairly easily overcome)

Is it still a mortal sin every time to miss mass or only if I stop going regularly?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes
 
ShrodingersCat said:
It’s grave matter to miss even a single mass for a trivial reason on Sundays or holy days of obligation.

Whether it’s mortal depends on the other 2 conditions being present: full knowledge and free will
Click to expand...
Does it count if you watch mass on say EWTN but don’t physically go to mass? I am just curious. I personally love going to mass ; daily if I can.
 
Hearing Mass on the radio or on TV is not equivalent to being there physically. This has always been the teaching of the Church.
 
jas84173 said:
Does it count if you watch mass on say EWTN but don’t physically go to mass? I am just curious. I personally love going to mass ; daily if I can.
Click to expand...
NO, it does NOT replace actually being at Mass and it does NOT fulfill your Sunday obligation. IF one is sick, elderly etc. and can’t get to Mass then is is better than nothing as they get inspiration from it. But no Sacramental grace. One can make a Spiritual Communion but I am not sure what effect that actually has. Still not Sacramental tho. To miss Mass without a very serious reason is such a loss of grace as well as a Mortal sin. I also go to daily Mass and have for almost 45 years but I still love to watch the EWTN TV Mass and hear the homily. God Bless, Memaw
 
jas84173 said:
Does it count if you watch mass on say EWTN but don’t physically go to mass? I am just curious. I personally love going to mass ; daily if I can.
Click to expand...
Say Jack has a bad case of the flu: he cannot go to Mass. Then the obligation is totally lifted. There is nothing to “count.”

If he just didn’t feel like going to Mass because he’s miss part of the football game, well, watching a televised Mass won’t count as a substitute.

Jack either needs to actually go, or be in a situation where the obligation is lifted.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top