Is it permitted to miss mass because of a storm?

[ItalianBoy1993]

It is snowing here, and the roads could possibly be really bad. Would that be a valid excuse to miss mass?

 

[Dauphin]

If you are physically incapable of getting there, you aren’t bound to go. My church is within walking distance, though, so I will be going; I just need to find my snowshoes

 

[Dauphin]

You should definitely make a good effort, though. Do anything within reason to get there.

 

[ItalianBoy1993]

Absolutely. Thank you.

 

[Jacafamala]

We’re snowed in here too. Everyone’s snoozing and I’m drinking coffee. I figure we’ll get dug out in plenty of time to get the 6pm Mass tonight. I love that Sunday night Mass. It’s been very helpful more than a couple of times here.

 

[Indyann]

We’re snowed in here too. Everyone’s snoozing and I’m drinking coffee. I figure we’ll get dug out in plenty of time to get the 6pm Mass tonight. I love that Sunday night Mass. It’s been very helpful more than a couple of times here.

Same for Sat. eve. Mass. Our snow and ice didn’t come until during the night, as was forecasted. Therefore, I knew I would not be able to get out today and went last eve.

 

[mommyof4]

We had bad weather for the past two weeks, and I missed Sunday mass two weeks in a row. We finally have decent weather this weekend, and we were able to go last night.

 

[Joannm]

It is not sinful to miss mass because of a storm. Think of it this way, would God want you to put your life and the life of your family in danger by driving when there are advisories out against driving?

 

[ljprevo]

We are snowed in here as well. I went out and used the snow blower to clear the drive way. That was a chore in and of itself. All we have is a Ford Focus (A small car) and there is no way we could get out. It would get stuck. I don’t want to risk getting out and getting standed somewhere.

We feel bad that we can’t get out. We are going to watch mass on TV for shut ins and say some prayers.

If you make a conscience effort, God understands, he know if you miss on purpose or if there was a reason. Taking time to pray and do what is avail for him is best. Keeping the day Sabbath.

 

[trc121805]

From the blog of Fr. Martin Fox:

…And, by the way, please remember, when the weather is bad, the obligation to attend Mass is subject to common sense and prudential judgment. Meaning, if you are uncertain if its safe, then that is a sufficiently good reason to miss Mass–it’s not a sin!

The people who need to be concerned about the obligation are not those who actually are concerned – the ones who will try the hardest to get to Mass, in bad weather, are the ones who are least likely to offend against the precept. But what can you do?

Bottom line: it’s okay to stay home from Sunday Mass in such weather. Watch Mass on TV, or pray together as a family, read the readings perhaps, and maybe pray a family rosary and pray for all the various needs we are likely to remember at Mass.

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