Is it sin if I miss Mass?

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So, I will soon be going to Germany for a few days to stay with my cousin. She doesn’t really attend Masses and I guess they are in german so is it a mortal sin if I miss Mass while I’m there?
 
somegirl said:
So, I will soon be going to Germany for a few days to stay with my cousin. She doesn’t really attend Masses and I guess they are in german so is it a mortal sin if I miss Mass while I’m there?
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The obligation is a grave matter and the language used is irrelevant to the obligation.
 
Without a good reason, yes it is a sin.

I’ve attended mass in Spain despite not knowing more than a handful of words in Spanish. It’s a cool experience actually. The homily might be hard to understand but everything else should be understandable based on that part of the mass and what you know they are saying in English.

I believe Peace be with you is Der Freide sei mit der in German 🙂
 
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It is possible to receive a dispensation from your priest but that’s not likely since you’ll be able to find a Catholic Church nearby somewhere I expect.
 
Well the problem is I’m only 16 so I can’t really go by myself and my cousin works on Sundays so she can’t take me…
 
There is the possibility of Sunday vigil on Saturdays. 🙂

If it’s really impossible to go to a day of obligation then you might ask your priest for a dispensation. It is a mortal sin to miss such days.
 
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“Hey, Cousin, I would really like to experience Mass in Germany. The parish near you has Mass at 7 AM and 9 AM on Sunday, or, do you have a favorite parish? Can we go to either one and then go out for breakfast after?”
 
I think you’d really be missing out if you didn’t make every effort to go to mass… precisely because it wouldn’t be in your native language. I went to a mass at St. Peter’s that was in Italian (surprise, surprise. lol). I had no trouble following the mass. Of course as someone said, I couldn’t understand the homily.

Since your cousin works on Sunday and can’t take you that day. I’d really look for a Vigil mass on Saturday even if you could get a dispensation. Make the effort to have a new experience while visiting. 🙂
 
I’d suggest attending a tridentine mass because it’s in Latin everywhere (except for the homily ofc)
 
somegirl said:
So, I will soon be going to Germany for a few days to stay with my cousin. She doesn’t really attend Masses and I guess they are in german so is it a mortal sin if I miss Mass while I’m there?
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Talk to your pastor. It is grave matter to miss Sunday mass or Holy Day mass without a serious reason

What constitutes a serious reason varies. It would depend on your age, availability of transportation, safety of and familiarity of the area where you will be, family obligations, and what you are allowed to do independently if you are a teen or minor.

When we have a serious reason to miss mass, there is no sin. Serious reasons can include travel, sickness, care of others who are ill, care of infants, dangerous weather, etc.

You should discuss your situation with your own pastor and ask his advice, and also he can give you dispensation from the obligation so that even if it’s possible to get there you would not be obligated to attend.

The language is not relevant. Even if it’s in German, you can and should still go unless you have a serious reason not to. Again, talk to your pastor. And in large cities, you can usually find an English mass for the English speaking foreign residents of that city.
 
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somegirl said:
Well the problem is I’m only 16 so I can’t really go by myself and my cousin works on Sundays so she can’t take me…
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If you are a minor and your parents have told you that you cannot go by yourself, and your cousin cannot or will not take you, then you do have a serious reason to miss mass and you should obey your parents and not be troubled at all by this. It is not a sin to miss mass when you cannot get there for a serious reason, transportation, travel, and obeying your parents included
 
Like others have said speak to your priest, also ask your parents. You may find that they can ask your cousin for you. They could even speak to your priest with you. When I was your age my mom often did that sort of thing for me, just an idea. I dont know anything about your relationship with your parents or your cousin but it could help if you feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing. God bless
 
You will likely have a Catholic Church within walking distance. Bring the Order of the Mass in English as well as the readings for the day and you will be fine.

Europeans are not as dependent upon driving as the North Americans are. There are pedestrian walkways everywhere and also special bike lanes. Public transportation is excellent compared to North America. Bring comfy walking shoes as there are cobblestones everywhere. Going for an hour long walk is nothing. Almost everyone speak at least basic English.
 
An underage person, in a foreign country, with on car and no adult to accompany is not bound to go to Mass. In fact, we cannot advise a minor to go against their parent’s wishes.
 
The OP said nothing about parents, so let’s not make that jump…
 
I was going to say. I didn’t see anything in the OP about parents.
 
OP is a minor. We are best not to go declaring her in mortal sin.
 
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