Is there a Mass obligation after a C-section?

[ggunders82]

My wife and daughter are currently in the hospital due to an emergency C-section. My wife will be released on Saturday but the doctor put her on a light bed rest for two weeks and the baby can’t be around large groups until at least six weeks. We are going to alternate going to Mass to take care of the baby, but we were wondering if my wife has to go to Mass for the next two Sundays since the doctor put her on light bed rest to heal from her C-section for the next two weeks.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Recovering from surgery and the care of a small child are both just reasons to miss Mass. Your wife certainly should follow the doctor’s orders about bed rest and is not obligated to go to Mass while she is recovering. It might be nice though for you to arrange for an extraordinary minister to the homebound to bring your wife Communion. As for care for the baby, particularly a child who is homebound, that too is a just reason for parents to miss Mass. But, if you are able to alternate going to Mass while one of you cares for the baby, that is a better option.