Is Sunday obligation fulfilled if attending mass in a different language?

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michaelArc said:
I can’t help but feel guilty because I can’t fully participate in the mass and I’m basing my decision on when to go on what is convenient for me.

Am I not in the wrong here?
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You’re not in the wrong, but if I were you I would definitely try to take some extra time to read the readings in English and reflect on them. Or do Lectio Divina; I find Lectio Divina to be a bit overkill so I just read them, think about them and if something is particularly complicated or I want to think more I read it twice and think more.

During the week I usually attend a couple of Spanish Masses because they are often the only option for a Mass after the work day as opposed to in the morning. I try to take one day a week and read through all the Mass readings. This also helps for the days when I might be late to a daily Mass for some reason - no sin as there is no Mass obligation for daily Mass, but I don’t like to be late and want to get the full value of the Mass.
 
michaelArc said:
I can’t help but feel guilty because I can’t fully participate in the mass and I’m basing my decision on when to go on what is convenient for me.
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We have a Good God who does not (usually) expect the unreasonable from us.

If we feel guilty, uneasy, uncomfortable, or other involuntary negative emotions about attending a particular Mass, He will not hold that against us.
 
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We lived in Brazil for 10 months when I was 12. We didn’t speak much Portuguese. (We were homeschooled. Dad had several coworkers who spoke English so it was a non-issue for him.)

We attended Sunday Mass every week. We had an English missal so we could follow along. We older kids attended Catechism classes too; some of our teachers spoke some English so they would interpret for us.
 
Mass is Mass. You may not understand the readings or the homily, but most of everything else ought to be obvious, regardless of the language spoken.

I’m sure if people speak to you and it’s clear you’re a foreigner they’ll most likely understand.
 
If you are in a larger French city, you could look to see if there are any masses offered in English.

Better yet, study French! Go to mass weekly or more often if possible. You will learn by repetition. You may not become fluent, but at least you will know the responses. Learn a few key phrases, like “Je ne parle Francais (I don’t speak French).” And smiles and handshakes are universally understood! Think of how wonderful it is to be able to attend mass with other Catholics around the world, in ANY language! 😊
 
I’ve definitely done it. I’ve had a lot of odd hours in my life and sometimes a non-English mass was what worked. I find it a good reminder of the universal Church.
 
You get full benefit of attending Mass in any language. You might even enjoy learning another culture.
 
michaelArc said:
I sometimes attend mass on Sunday morning in a different language. But mainly because attending mass in the evening in English (when it’s the only time offered) interferes with my day.

I can’t help but feel guilty because I can’t fully participate in the mass and I’m basing my decision on when to go on what is convenient for me.

Am I not in the wrong here?
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Going to Mass in another language or at a time that is most convient is not wrong.

BUT… when I hear or read about people saying that attending Mass “interferes” with their day it does raise questions about their understanding of the purpose of Sunday and Mass attendance. Atteninding Mass is just part of what is involved in keeping the sabbath. Ideally the whole day is set aside for rest and worshiping God.

When I hear the word “interferes" it implies that Mass attendance is not part of the full flow of the day and is something of a burden. Perhaps that is not what you mean is driving the decision, but if it is something along those lines then perhaps it might be helpful to ask yourself if you are giving God a day out of love or just begrudgingly giving him an hour or two and trying to minimize the personal cost.
 
Usige said:
BUT… when I hear or read about people saying that attending Mass “interferes” with their day it does raise questions about their understanding of the purpose of Sunday and Mass attendance. Atteninding Mass is just part of what is involved in keeping the sabbath. Ideally the whole day is set aside for rest and worshiping God.
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Snooping through OP’s post history a bit, I’m guessing two things. One, it sounds like he may be in an area where he doesn’t speak the primary local language - which would account for the limited number of available Masses in English. Two, I can tell from post history that he has small kids. Evening Mass + small children does not sound like a treat to me no matter how much you value worshiping God.
 
DarkLight said:
Snooping through OP’s post history a bit, I’m guessing two things. One, it sounds like he may be in an area where he doesn’t speak the primary local language - which would account for the limited number of available Masses in English. Two, I can tell from post history that he has small kids. Evening Mass + small children does not sound like a treat to me no matter how much you value worshiping God.
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I did not say there is anything inherently wrong with going to Mass in the morning if that works best for whatever reason. I pretty much said that in the first sentence.

My “but” was more centered around the statement that they felt guilty in some way. Most people I know who use language about interference mean that it messes up them pursing some other activity (e.g. missing a sports event on TV, their kids athletic event, hiking, et cetera). I was speaking to people looking deeper at the motivation to do something they imply they are uncomfortable doing.

If someone feels conflicted they need to discern why they are feeling conflicted about the decision. Our intentions play a factor even when we are doing something right to the letter of the law.
 
Due to a variety of reasons, I’ve been to masses in French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Latin and Portuguese. I never had a problem because you just know what they are saying at different points in the liturgy and the readings, well from a few words here and there it brings the Bible passages to my memory. The main point is no matter the language the feeling is the same, our Church is truly universal.
 
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Usige said:
If someone feels conflicted they need to discern why they are feeling conflicted about the decision. Our intentions play a factor even when we are doing something right to the letter of the law.
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No I get you. I’m just saying that sometimes the reason is because it is a burden for whatever reason. Like having to wrangle little kids in the evening when they’re tired and cranky.

I know for me personally, I’ve worked many jobs where just not working on Sunday wasn’t an option. I know there were many days where I got off work late and getting up early to go to Mass so I could make it back to work in time definitely was a burden.

People should consider sometimes, but also sometimes…what we need to do is just a burden for whatever reason, and that’s how life goes.
 
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