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Is missing sunday mass a mortal sin?
****Straight Answers By Fr. William Saunders
HERALD Columnist****
***I was visiting relatives over Easter, and sadly they do not attend Mass. I went to Mass, and reminded them that missing Mass was a mortal sin. They said, "Oh, that was in the old days. Missing Mass is no longer a mortal sin." What do you say? Please give me some ammunition. — A reader in Manassas***
Rather than just approaching this question from the angle of "missing Mass is a sin," we should first call to mind the importance of the Mass. Each Sunday, we gather together as a Church with hearts filled with joy to worship Almighty God. We remember and profess our faith once again in the mystery of our salvation, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered, died, and rose for our salvation. The saving actions of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday coalesce in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The *Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy* of the Vatican Council II asserted, "For it is the liturgy through which, especially in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, >the work of our redemption is accomplished,' and it is through the liturgy, especially that the faithful are enabled to express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true church" (#2).
When a person negligently "bags Mass," to go shopping, catch-up on work, sleep a few extra hours, attend a social event, or not interrupt vacation, the person is allowing something to take the place of God. Something becomes more valuable than the Holy Eucharist. Sadly, I have known families who could walk to the Church but choose not to attend Mass; ironically though, they send their children to the Catholic school. Yes, such behavior really is indicative of turning one's back on the Lord and committing a mortal sin.
***Fr. Saunders is pastor of Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria.***If it was last week and you didn’t know for sure, say an Act of Contrition and you will be forgiven.So if i decide to have a lie in once in my life,am i going to hell?
…Would it be a mortal sin if one were to miss mass one weekend to attend a protestant retreat?If you miss Holy Mass out of laziness then yes.
If you miss Holy Mass due to illness or some other serious condition or reason then no.
I would say yes, because no Protestant retreat or service can replace the Mass. You could ask your pastor for a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass that weekend, but you would need to be honest with him about why you’d be missing Mass.…Would it be a mortal sin if one were to miss mass one weekend to attend a protestant retreat?
Maybe. Only God knows that.So if i decide to have a lie in once in my life,am i going to hell?
Yes. And maybe two sins.…Would it be a mortal sin if one were to miss mass one weekend to attend a protestant retreat?
The majority of this thread is several years old. HalfAngel’s post is the relevant one.Maybe.
Oh for goodness sakes, why do people do that???The majority of this thread is several years old. HalfAngel’s post is the relevant one.
No.What if you know you’ll be unable to attend Sunday Mass. Does going to any Mass prior to that cover you?
No. If you know ahead of time that you won’t be able to attend Mass, you’ll need proper dispensation from that week’s obligation. Call your parish, Father will be able to help you with this.What if you know you’ll be unable to attend Sunday Mass. Does going to any Mass prior to that cover you?
I won’t be able to go Saturday or Sunday though because it’s a three day long retreat, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I really want to go, but I won’t if it’s a mortal sin and offense to God. I almost feel that it would be fine because I would still be worshiping God the whole weekend, just unfortunately apart from the Catholic Church.I would say yes, because no Protestant retreat or service can replace the Mass. You could ask your pastor for a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass that weekend, but you would need to be honest with him about why you’d be missing Mass.
I went on a weekend men’s retreat with a nearby non-denominational community a few years ago. I went to Mass on Saturday evening during my free time.