Is it a mortal sin to miss mass occasionally?

[OraLabora]

The time you really need to go to Mass, is the time you less feel like it.

We all have our down moments in the faith. Like a marriage, our faith walk has its ups and downs. As I reflect on my own since I returned to the Church 20 years ago, I realize that when I hit times when I felt the most down, it was perseverance in liturgical worship that pulled me out of it. By liturgical worship I mean, in my instance, regular, full and devoted prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours (even when not feeling like it), and (not “or”, but “and”), Sunday Mass attendance, and weekdays too if at all possible. These days I pray the full LOTH daily and attend Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays (the latter because I volunteer 1 day a week in an abbey library).

I can’t emphasize enough how a regular prayer life is necessary to pull us out of the doldrums. It has been the times I have been the most down that I ended up receiving a special grace either during the Mass or during my recitation/chanting of the hours, that has lifted me out of my self-pity party.

 

[Memaw]

The time you really need to go to Mass, is the time you less feel like it.

We all have our down moments in the faith. Like a marriage, our faith walk has its ups and downs. As I reflect on my own since I returned to the Church 20 years ago, I realize that when I hit times when I felt the most down, it was perseverance in liturgical worship that pulled me out of it. By liturgical worship I mean, in my instance, regular, full and devoted prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours (even when not feeling like it), and (not “or”, but “and”), Sunday Mass attendance, and weekdays too if at all possible. These days I pray the full LOTH daily and attend Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays (the latter because I volunteer 1 day a week in an abbey library).

I can’t emphasize enough how a regular prayer life is necessary to pull us out of the doldrums. It has been the times I have been the most down that I ended up receiving a special grace either during the Mass or during my recitation/chanting of the hours, that has lifted me out of my self-pity party.

I agree, I can walk into Mass with a heavy heart but I walk out knowing God is still there to help me thru whatever it is. I always try to go early enough to say my Rosary and the readings from my Magnificat missile. God Bless, memaw

 

[fox21]

Thank you to everyone for helping me.

I will use your pointers to help me in my discernment.

St Francis, I found your pointer

If for the same reason you would cancel a planned meeting with a friend?

to be especially helpful.

Again, thanks!

 

[anon98328916]

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

Cildnt have put it better myself.

 

[steve_b]

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

The question should be why is it a mortal sin to deliberately miss mass even once. Unless of course there is a valid reason like sickness etc.

While this following scripture from Hebrews, doesn’t mention
• Mass
• Sunday
• Eucharist
• Mortal sin for deliberately missing Mass

Anybody can see what is being described. What they are doing when they meet, and what Day it is that they meet, and that there is disastrous consequences for that person if they deliberately fail to meet on “the Day” once they become knowledgeable of the truth. IOW it’s already a huge sin to not follow this command

IOW, based on the consequences, this is not a suggestion to do, but a command to do……or else

Heb 10: (all emphasis mine)
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment,and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Unpacking that

• The sanctuary = the altar
• deliberate Failure to meet on the Day, is already a sin with huge consequences
• “the Day” = the LORD’S DAY / Sunday/ the Day Our Lord Resurrected
• “sacrifice for sin”, & “blood of the covenant” = the words Our Lord spoke instituting the Eucharist Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24

i.e. They are celebrating the Mass on Sunday

THAT’s why those who deliberately fail to celebrate Mass (the Eucharist) on Sunday after being given the knowledge of truth,

• there no longer remains for Them, a sacrifice for sin ◦ They Spurn the Son of God
• They outrage the spirit of grace
• a fearful prospect of judgement awaits Them
• and a fury of fire will consume these adversaries

Does that sound like it’s only a suggestion to attend Mass on Sunday, or a command?

Does it sound like a venial sin to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday or a mortal sin?

One only has to look at the consequences mentioned. Those consequences DESCRIBE HELL for one who dies in mortal sin

From the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

2178 This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the apostolic age. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds the faithful “not to neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but to encourage one another.”
Tradition preserves the memory of an ever-timely exhortation: Come to Church early, approach the Lord, and confess your sins, repent in prayer. . . . Be present at the sacred and divine liturgy, conclude its prayer and do not leave before the dismissal. . . . We have often said: “This day is given to you for prayer and rest. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

BTW: Grave sin = mortal sin, they are synonymous.