Is it okay to miss Mass during a summer camp?

[Ad_Infinitum]

Would it be permissible to miss Sunday mass while attending a summer camp? It would be impossible to go to mass during the summer camp, since I am not allowed to leave, so what should I do?

Sincerely,
Ad Infinitum:thumbsup:

 

[Della]

Would it be possible for one of the camp counselors to go with you? Let the camp manager know your need and see what can be arranged. If all else fails, talk to your priest abourt getting a dispensation from attending, if you cannot work out a way for you to go.

 

[thequeen]

Why are you going to a summer camp that will not allow you to leave in order to go to mass

 

[Veronica97]

*Why are you going to a summer camp that will not allow you to leave in order to go to mass
*

I have to agree with this. What kind of camp is it and why is it important for you to go?

 

[manualman]

This is one for your local priest, not internet sages. The duty to worship at the mass weekly was not established for the purpose of stopping catholics from doing adventurous and exciting things, but to reinforce how crucial Grace is for our survival.

I have plenty of times chosen to go canoeing deep in the Canadian wilderness for a week and my pastor felt that this in no way was a sinful choice. Neither is it sinful for catholics to volunteer to be astronauts or explorers. These are all rather different than being too lazy to get up and go to mass on Sunday.

All that said, there are some pretty cool catholic summer camps out there. Look 'em up.

 

[jmcrae]

Would it be permissible to miss Sunday mass while attending a summer camp? It would be impossible to go to mass during the summer camp, since I am not allowed to leave, so what should I do?

Sincerely,
Ad Infinitum:thumbsup:

Go to a Catholic summer camp that offers Mass in their chapel, on site, on Sundays.

 

[Don_Jackson]

This is one for your local priest, not internet sages. The duty to worship at the mass weekly was not established for the purpose of stopping catholics from doing adventurous and exciting things, but to reinforce how crucial Grace is for our survival.

I have plenty of times chosen to go canoeing deep in the Canadian wilderness for a week and my pastor felt that this in no way was a sinful choice. Neither is it sinful for catholics to volunteer to be astronauts or explorers. These are all rather different than being too lazy to get up and go to mass on Sunday.

All that said, there are some pretty cool catholic summer camps out there. Look 'em up.

Thank you for being the voice of reason, reminding all that our God is a god of love, grace, and mercy. Everyone else seemed to mired in legalism to be much of a help to the OP.

Peace and all good!

 

[AdamP88]

Thank you for being the voice of reason, reminding all that our God is a god of love, grace, and mercy. Everyone else seemed to mired in legalism to be much of a help to the OP.

Peace and all good!

Wow! I often have those exact thoughts on here!

And yea…manualman is right.

 

[adrift]

Thank you for being the voice of reason, reminding all that our God is a god of love, grace, and mercy. Everyone else seemed to mired in legalism to be much of a help to the OP.

Peace and all good!

Legalism is just an excuse to do what you want to do.

OP please see your priest. He will be able to give you advise you and maybe even exuse your from the obligation. Obligations are not legalisms.

 

[Ad_Infinitum]

The camp I am going to is not very important, but what I wanted to know is if it is possible for me to be excused from my weekly obligation.

 

[AdamP88]

The camp I am going to is not very important, but what I wanted to know is if it is possible for me to be excused from my weekly obligation.

Short answer:

Probably not for a summer camp.

The kinds of stuff that get you excused would be journeys to Mars, Antarctic Trek’s, Mountain Climbing Expeditions etc…

 

[underacloud]

The camp I am going to is not very important, but what I wanted to know is if it is possible for me to be excused from my weekly obligation.

As others have suggested, please discuss this with your priest. No opinions expressed on this forum change the fact that you should have this discussion with your priest. He can help you understand whether this particular camp (or any other future events you have questions about) is worthy of receiving a dispensation from mass obligation, and if it is he can give you such a dispensation.

 

[Veronica97]

Manualman does have a good point, but he did check with his parish priest first. So that’s what you really should do–check with your parish priest. If he cannot give you dispensation from attending Mass, then I wouldn’t go.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Why are you going to a summer camp that will not allow you to leave in order to go to mass

The OP’s profile indicates that he/she rides their bicycle to Mass. It can be presumed that the poster is under the legal age to drive. It can also be presumed that summer camps, on average and by definition, are rural in nature and likely some distance from populated areas.Were a minor taken to a summer camp with obviously no independent way to get to Mass on their own, the question is clearly whether the Mass obligation remains. Also obviously, summer camps charged with the safety of children are not in the business of letting them leave camp on their own (per your comment about “not allowing you to leave”). Neither would they be staffed in such a way that a counselor could be spared to drive a camper(s) to the church(es) of their choice.

 

[AdamP88]

The OP’s profile indicates that he/she rides their bicycle to Mass. It can be presumed that the poster is under the legal age to drive. It can also be presumed that summer camps, on average and by definition, are rural in nature and likely some distance from populated areas.Were a minor taken to a summer camp with obviously no independent way to get to Mass on their own, the question is clearly whether the Mass obligation remains. Also obviously, summer camps charged with the safety of children are not in the business of letting them leave camp on their own (per your comment about “not allowing you to leave”). Neither would they be staffed in such a way that a counselor could be spared to drive a camper(s) to the church(es) of their choice.

Good Point…I’ve worked with youth groups for many years and they may just be following prudent child protection procedure.

 

[thequeen]

The OP’s profile indicates that he/she rides their bicycle to Mass. It can be presumed that the poster is under the legal age to drive. It can also be presumed that summer camps, on average and by definition, are rural in nature and likely some distance from populated areas.Were a minor taken to a summer camp with obviously no independent way to get to Mass on their own, the question is clearly whether the Mass obligation remains. Also obviously, summer camps charged with the safety of children are not in the business of letting them leave camp on their own (per your comment about “not allowing you to leave”). Neither would they be staffed in such a way that a counselor could be spared to drive a camper(s) to the church(es) of their choice.

if i was a parent i wouldn’t even allow my child to go to a summer camp where he could not go to Mass i would try to find a Catholic one.

 

[Hmgbrd]

Why not contact the Summer Camp in advance? There might be some other catholics at the camp with the same need. Perhaps the Summer Camp can provide a chaparone/driver to the nearest Catholic Parish for an hour on Sunday morning for the kids who have to attend Mass? Perhaps one of the camp counselors is Catholic? I am sure that this isn’t the first time that this situation has come up.

 

[hwriggles4]

As others have suggested, please discuss this with your priest. No opinions expressed on this forum change the fact that you should have this discussion with your priest. He can help you understand whether this particular camp (or any other future events you have questions about) is worthy of receiving a dispensation from mass obligation, and if it is he can give you such a dispensation.

Ad Infinitum:

This may be a late post, but if you are going to Boy Scout Camp, most of the Boy Scout Camps that I attended the week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.

Since many Scouts do not arrive until early Sunday afternoon, it is possible to attend a Saturday evening Vigil Mass before you arrive at camp. You can find one in your local area, or if you are traveling, you can find one on* MassTimes.org*.

Ad Infinitum, you also might be able to attend an early Sunday morning Mass (like 7:00 a.m.) before you depart. One time I went to Scout camp my mom made me walk to the early Sunday morning Mass before our troop left.

Philmont Scout Ranch has some Catholic clergy on site during the summer, and they travel to the campsites at Philmont. Ask your Ranger when you arrive there. They also have Mass at base camp.

The other suggestions were good, and I would *highly recommend *that you do discuss this with your priest.

Enjoy your time at camp.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Most of the Boy Scout summer camps in the U.S. arrange to have both a non-denominational interfaith service and a Catholic service. At the one we went to this summer, a deacon from the local town parish came and held a (very well-attended) Mass and Communion service for the boys in an outdoor Catholic chapel. Except for the Army, I think that was the only time I’ve ever attended Communion outdoors. (It was quite lovely.) As there is a large LDS presence in Scouting, some of the camps have arranged to have a space for LDS services consecrated (I’m not exactly sure how that works, but it seems to be a requirement for LDS services), camps that don’t have such a space usually allow the LDS troops to arrive on Monday instead of the usual Sunday arrival date.

Perhaps your folks could talk to the camp staff and see if a local parish would be interested in holding a Sunday Mass for the Catholics who attend. Hwriggles4 also had good suggestions on an early Sunday Mass or Saturday evening Vigil Mass.

 

[mary_bates]

As others have suggested, please discuss this with your priest. No opinions expressed on this forum change the fact that you should have this discussion with your priest. He can help you understand whether this particular camp (or any other future events you have questions about) is worthy of receiving a dispensation from mass obligation, and if it is he can give you such a dispensation.

Can a priest give a dispensation from Mass? My understanding is that you are obliged under pain of Mortal sin to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. If however there is a reason which is beyond your control eg illness then you may miss Mass.