Is It A Sin To Attend An Independent Catholic Chapel?

[Warloff]

Note: Please read this entire post before responding.

I am a Roman Catholic very attached to tradition, but also one that accepts Vatican II, Novus Ordo, and who loves Pope John Paul II. I had been attending the TLM daily until recently when my parish stopped offering it.

This was very devastating as daily attendance toward the mass is central to my spirituality. I have a hard time praying, but find it very easy to do so at the TLM. I rarely feel God’s presence in my life, but am overwhelmed by His presence at the TLM.

I have tried to deal with my TLM withdrawal with a few different ways. I first tried attending the neighboring town’s TLM, but the distance proved impractical. Fortunately, I am able to make it to this chapel on Sundays. I then tried attending the Ordinary Form daily. I recognize that the OF is holy, sacred, and valid, but it simply does not have the same impact for me as the TLM does. I find it hard to pray at the OF and find it hard to feel God’s presence there. As this is what makes me go to Mass, I found myself not attending daily mass at all.

Finally, I turned to the last option: an independent chapel in town. This is an irregular chapel that uses the 1954 missal, but does pray for the Pope and our bishop in the canon. During the weekday there are no sermons. I do not receive communion.

I have spoken to several priests about this, but none have been able to tell me whether it’s a sin to attend during the weekday. All of them said they wouldn’t recommend attending, and all insisted I could not meet my Sunday obligation at this chapel. But, as to whether it was a sin to attend during the weekday they all said they didn’t know enough about the chapel to comment.

The only person who has told me it would be a sin to attend during the weekday is a lay person who also rejects Vatican II. This latter point is no small point, because if I am reading the Vatican II document on ecumenism correctly than there should be no problem with what I am doing.

However, this person also rightly pointed out that this chapel has no right to be doing what it is doing and said by attending I am condoning their behavior. They said my feelings shouldn’t play any role into this, otherwise I could justify attending a Unitarian Church.

This is something I have been struggling deeply with. I would appreciate any advice you have, and especially ask for your prayers.

**Again, I am only attending this chapel during the weekday and not making my Sunday obligation there. I am not receiving communion there. And the chapel is not sedevacantist. **

 

[Wesley7]

Is it a sin to prefer Coke over Pepsi? No.

 

[Warloff]

Is it a sin to prefer Coke over Pepsi? No.

I am not asking if it’s a sin to prefer the EF over the OF.

I am asking if it’s a sin to attend an independent chapel that operates in violation of canon law, while still making the Sunday obligation at a Catholic parish in communion with Rome.

This is a bit different from pepsi vs coke.

 

[Wesley7]

I think the canon laws are only for bishops and clergy not laity.

 

[Warloff]

I think the canon laws are only for bishops and clergy not laity.

Canon Law most certainly does apply to the laity as well. For example canon law dictates we must all attend a church in the Catholic rite for our Sunday obligations.

Nothing I see in in canon law forbids me from attending this chapel. However, just because canon law doesn’t specifically mention it doesn’t mean it’s right.

 

[At_Trent]

With your intentions, that is to feed your spiritual hunger for the TLM, I’d say no, it is not a sin. You indicate no schismatic mentality whatsoever.

Don’t be surprised though if some there start asking questions like why do you not attend the Sunday Mass there. Frankly, if it were me, I’d introduce myself to the priest there and be honest with him why you are there.

jmo

 

[Warloff]

With your intentions, that is to feed your spiritual hunger for the TLM, I’d say no, it is not a sin. You indicate no schismatic mentality whatsoever.

Don’t be surprised though if some there start asking questions like why do you not attend the Sunday Mass there. Frankly, if it were me, I’d introduce myself to the priest there and be honest with him why you are there.

jmo

One of the nice things about Catholicism is that it’s a great religion for anti-social people that don’t want to talk to the people they attend church with.

The other parishioners thus far have been friendly and they have tipped me off when the chapel has done a schedule change or scheduled an additional mass. But, they haven’t asked me anything about myself, and right now I don’t really want to share. If they ask though, I will be honest. I guess if they kick me out that will solve this dilemma for me!

I am reluctant to talk to the priest as people have warned me that independent priests might try to pressure me to confess to imbue me with bad thinking. So for right now I am happy that I have primarily only heard him speak in Latin. This said he did briefly welcome me shortly after I started attending.

 

[At_Trent]

One of the nice things about Catholicism is that it’s a great religion for anti-social people that don’t want to talk to the people they attend church with.

The other parishioners thus far have been friendly and they have tipped me off when the chapel has done a schedule change or scheduled an additional mass. But, they haven’t asked me anything about myself, and right now I don’t really want to share. If they ask though, I will be honest. I guess if they kick me out that will solve this dilemma for me!

I am reluctant to talk to the priest as people have warned me that independent priests might try to pressure me to confess to imbue me with bad thinking. So for right now I am happy that I have primarily only heard him speak in Latin. This said he did briefly welcome me shortly after I started attending.

Well, there ya go. He didn’t drag you to the basement of the chapel and make you declare the Chair of Peter vacant while kneeling before a Black Madonna

Seriously though, sounds like you found a decent place to assist the weekday Mass.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Ask yourself if its spiritually advantageous for you to be attending Mass in a place where they are not in communion with the Pope, therefore there are questions on his authority and even his validity.

Also know these things:

1. They are not Catholic because they are not in communion with the Pope. Therefore you may attend but not receive Communion from them.
2. You do not fulfill your Sunday Obligation there. You still have to go to a valid Catholic Mass.

 

[Saburo]

It seems to me that you are not attending mass at all during the week, but rather theater. Without seeing the play, it is difficult to opine whether consorting with the actors rises to the level of sin.

Perhaps you could travel to the distant, authentic mass two or three days a week instead of daily, and pray the rosary or study scripture in your regular chapel the other days.

 

[Warloff]

It seems to me that you are not attending mass at all during the week, but rather theater.

The mass is valid as they do have a validly ordained priest. So Christ is present. This, said the illicit nature of the mass does put a damper on it. But, I don’t think it’s fair to call it theater as transubstantiation is occurring.

Without seeing the play, it is difficult to opine whether consorting with the actors rises to the level of sin.

I have had a lot of people say this to me. The mass is just the mass, although they do use the 1954 missal. Otherwise it’s just like any other TLM I have attended. There are never any sermons.

Perhaps you could travel to the distant, authentic mass two or three days a week instead of daily, and pray the rosary or study scripture in your regular chapel the other days.

Rush hour traffic really makes attending the neighboring FSSP chapel during the weekday untenable. I was really surprised at how much a little traffic can add to travel time! They do have one evening mass during the weekday and I have attended that mass when it’s scheduled as a high mass (it’s nice when the mass is longer than my travel time in one direction!).

Your suggestion regarding praying the rosary at a local parish is an interesting one. The rosary is a devotion that I know is important, but struggle with. But, perhaps it would be easier to pray it at a church.

 

[At_Trent]

Ask yourself if its spiritually advantageous for you to be attending Mass in a place where they are not in communion with the Pope, therefore there are questions on his authority and even his validity.

Also know these things:

1. They are not Catholic because they are not in communion with the Pope. Therefore you may attend but not receive Communion from them.
2. You do not fulfill your Sunday Obligation there. You still have to go to a valid Catholic Mass.

Did you even read the OP ?

 

[At_Trent]

The mass is valid as they do have a validly ordained priest. So Christ is present. This, said the illicit nature of the mass does put a damper on it. ** But, I don’t think it’s fair to call it theater as transubstantiation is occurring. **

It’s more than not fair. It’s getting into heresy/anathema territory.

 

[po18guy]

Father Serpa just answered a question in a similar vein.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=590603

As to TLM, how far do you go just to experience the mass that is your personal preference? Do you go to SSPX, or some of the sedevacantists? The spirit of division and disobedience is present in these groups. How much spiritual risk are you willing to take to experience it? What if you enjoy it and decide that there is no harm in these groups?

I am into obedience. I do not care if the mass is OF or EF. Christ is not more present in one than the other. Let’s ask ourselves: What is the first thing we are to do in following Christ? Deny ourselves (Luke 9:23). That may mean denying our personal preference in mass form from time to time.

I agree with ConstantineTG: You will be willingly associating with the disobedient or possibly even with schismatics for the sake of your personal preference. You will be trading licitness for form. I do not see this as a spiritual good.

You experience the Lord’s presence during either form of mass. If you are struggling, go to adoration! You are in His presence, and prayer is natural to the experience.

 

[Warloff]

Father Serpa just answered a question in a similar vein.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=590603

Thank you for the link. What does Father mean by one can attend but should not participate? Does that mean receive communion?

And I don’t claim Christ is more present in the EF over the OF. Just simply I have a harder time feeling his presence in the OF or really anything I do. My ability to pray at the TLM is just night and day compared to anything else I do. I haven’t attended the TLM now in three days due to scheduling and worrying about whether I should and I can tell you I feel horrible.

But, you do make a good point about denying our wants for Christ.

 

[po18guy]

Thank you for the link. What does Father mean by one can attend but should not participate? Does that mean receive communion?

And I don’t claim Christ is more present in the EF over the OF. Just simply I have a harder time feeling his presence in the OF or really anything I do. My ability to pray at the TLM is just night and day compared to anything else I do. I haven’t attended the TLM now in three days due to scheduling and worrying about whether I should and I can tell you I feel horrible.

Yes. Witness, but do not participate. Example: We are even allowed to receive Eastern Orthodox communion in emergency situations, or with permission if no Catholic mass is available, such as when travelling. Your situation I do not see as any sort of emergency, since an equally valid alternative mass is available.

BTW, I just edited my first post. Might have another look at it.

 

[po18guy]

Thank you for the link. What does Father mean by one can attend but should not participate? Does that mean receive communion?

And I don’t claim Christ is more present in the EF over the OF. Just simply I have a harder time feeling his presence in the OF or really anything I do. My ability to pray at the TLM is just night and day compared to anything else I do. I haven’t attended the TLM now in three days due to scheduling and worrying about whether I should and I can tell you I feel horrible.

As I understand it, yes. Witness, but do not participate. Example: We are even allowed to receive Eastern Orthodox communion in emergency situations, or with permission if no Catholic mass is available, such as when travelling. Your situation I do not see as any sort of emergency, since an equally valid alternative mass is available.

Please do not make your joy in the Lord dependent upon a certain form of mass! The Apostles did not celebrate in Latin, and I assure you that they were joy-filled.

BTW, I just edited my first post. Might have another look at it.

 

[Warloff]

Please do not make your joy in the Lord dependent upon a certain form of mass! The Apostles did not celebrate in Latin, and I assure you that they were joy-filled.

I think if I was a better Catholic and more religious I could do this. Even though I attend daily I am not someone most people would describe as overly religious. A few days ago someone very close to me found out that I had been attending mass daily and they were shocked because I am really not the kind of person to attend daily. When they asked me why I was attending everyday, I said the first thing that came into my head “I love going.” I have never felt like that before about church. At the TLM I am a religious person. I am not sure why it has had such a powerful impact on me.

 

[po18guy]

I think if I was a better Catholic and more religious I could do this. Even though I attend daily I am not someone most people would describe as overly religious. A few days ago someone very close to me found out that I had been attending mass daily and they were shocked because I am really not the kind of person to attend daily. When they asked me why I was attending everyday, I said the first thing that came into my head “I love going.” I have never felt like that before about church. At the TLM I am a religious person. I am not sure why it has had such a powerful impact on me.

All the more reason to spend time in Christ’s presence at adoration. Have you tried worshipping Christ outside of the mass?

 

[Warloff]

All the more reason to spend time in Christ’s presence at adoration. Have you tried worshipping Christ outside of the mass?

I have, but, and I feel heretical for saying this, I have usually gotten bored. I know it’s Christ up there and I shouldn’t feel that way, but Eucharistic Adoration doesn’t come easy to me. One of the nice things about the TLM is that it makes it so much easier for me to approach the mystery of transubstantiation.

However, I did once attend a Eucharistic Adoration setup by Opus Dei and that was pretty powerful, but Opus Dei has no nearby chapters here.