Is there a set distance in miles, travel time you aren't obligated to go to mas

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Adamski

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I was 25 miles from the nearest mass today and didn’t make it to mass
 
There is. I’m not sure about the distance in miles, but I think if Mass is over an hour’s distance away then you are not obliged to assist. If I were you, I’d call a learned traditional priest. I can give you a contact # to one if you PM me. God bless you.
 
Adamski said:
I was 25 miles from the nearest mass today and didn’t make it to mass
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No, it is prudential judgment. It will depend on your transportation situation, road conditions, and other factors.

My priest, who cares for three parishes and lives 25 and 40 miles from two of them, would not be impressed with people claiming 25 miles is too far for Mass. There are probably some Christians in other countries who would happily go 25 miles for Mass.

Personally I think that able bodied people with transportation have no excuse for not making time for Mass in such a situation. But I don’t know your details so it is best to talk to your pastor in confession about why you did not make arrangements for the holy day.
 
ready said:
There is. I’m not sure about the distance in miles, but I think if Mass is over an hour’s distance away then you are not obliged to assist.
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While there may be guidance from various moral theologians the Church itself has no such teaching or “rule”.
 
1ke said:
While there may be guidance from various moral theologians the Church itself has no such teaching or “rule”.
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Several traditional priests told me this rule, and they would not pass on bogus information. God bless you.
 
ready said:
Several traditional priests told me this rule, and they would not pass on bogus information. God bless you.
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It’s not a rule.

There is NOTHING in Church law stating a distance or a timeframe for mass attendance. Many moral theologians have developed guidelines over the years for those with sensitive consciences and practical guidance for the faithful. These are just that, guidelines from individual priests and not binding or Church law.

I did not say it was “bogus information”. It simply can’t be characterized as Church teaching or any sort of absolute.
 
Agreed Ike, I am in a rural area and drive an hour to get to my parish. In rural areas its almost a given you will have a distance to go.
 
ready said:
Several traditional priests told me this rule, and they would not pass on bogus information.
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I think that it is going to depend on a couple of factors such as weather and road conditions, health and skill of the driver, etc. So there might be some flexibility in this general rule that you have given.
 
There is no rule.
If it’s not safe to drive that’s one thing. But many people drive great distances to their parishes. Mine is 23 miles one way.
As others would say, discuss it with your pastor.
 
I live a little over a half hour away from church and love it very much. I personally think that a bit of time in the car is a great thing for me because it helps me get my mind focused on what I am about to go through. I will usually listen to Gregorian chant or maybe different talks on the mass, its a time that I truly love!

God Bless!
 
It sounds like there is no guide lines

I will mention for those being harsh it was over a 3,000’ elevation drop also in an cold snowy place
 
Adamski said:
It sounds like there is no guide lines

I will mention for those being harsh it was over a 3,000’ elevation drop also in an cold snowy place
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there’s no “harshness”.
As has been said, it’s different if you are putting yourself or others at risk on the road.
Prudential judgment. Yes.
 
There is no set distance that I have ever heard about. So, I would just use common sense. If you’re in the mountains and the roads could be icy or snow covered and you wouldn’t go anywhere else that same amount of distance under the same conditions, then stay home.
 
Sunbreak said:
There is no set distance that I have ever heard about. So, I would just use common sense. If you’re in the mountains and the roads could be icy or snow covered and you wouldn’t go anywhere else that same amount of distance under the same conditions, then stay home.
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I highlighted the part that I think is key. I’ve known people to say they’re too sick to go to Mass, but they still go shopping. 🤷

Because we’re in a rural area, we have to travel far to go anywhere. It’s part of the fun of being in the country. 😉
 
Adamski said:
It sounds like there is no guide lines

I will mention for those being harsh it was over a 3,000’ elevation drop also in an cold snowy place
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Not being harsh, just going with the originally provided information which didnt mention any other circumstances (like snow) other than it being 25 miles away. Discuss it with your priest.
 
Adamski said:
I was 25 miles from the nearest mass today and didn’t make it to mass
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I have a question for you, but please don’t answer.

How many miles would you drive every day for a good job?
How many miles would you drive to see your loved one, once a week? Your lover. Your girlfriend. Your wife. etc.
 
Tomdstone said:
I think that it is going to depend on a couple of factors such as weather and road conditions, health and skill of the driver, etc. So there might be some flexibility in this general rule that you have given.
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I should have pointed out that there must be some hardship or some grave hardship involved in order for a person to miss Holy Mass. And I don’t know if it is a rule. God bless you.
 
ready said:
Several traditional priests told me this rule, and they would not pass on bogus information. God bless you.
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It would be helpful then if you could ask them where this “rule” is to be found as this would be of great interest to us.
I, for one, do not believe such a rule exists but I am happy to be corrected.
 
thistle said:
It would be helpful then if you could ask them where this “rule” is to be found as this would be of great interest to us.
I, for one, do not believe such a rule exists but I am happy to be corrected.
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I’ll take this subject to a very learned and holy traditional priest this weekend and will get back in touch with you and the others, okay, thistle? God bless you.
 
Adamski said:
It sounds like there is no guide lines

I will mention for those being harsh it was over a 3,000’ elevation drop also in an cold snowy place
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No one is being harsh. But I would like to point out that many people have to drive more than 25 miles. In fact in some countries and throughout MOST of history people had to walk that far in horrid conditions just to attend the sacrifice of the Mass. Saints did the impossible to go to Mass including facing execution. So lets put things into perspective here. Many people who live in the mountains also seem to enjoy the idea of traveling more than 25 miles in the worst weather of the year to recreate. To ski. Now, I lived in the Seattle area and I can tell you that it is absolutely CRAZY there when it snows. The hills, the people abandoning their cars etc. A little snow maybe even an inch and that town shuts down. I get it. And the Church does not want you to endanger yourself trying to get to Mass. But She does expect you to inconvenience yourself for your God on the Cross. So, if you dont feel safe, then dont go. Mention it at your next confession and move on. But you better not be driving to the theater for an afternoon movie either.😉

In short, if it is just “gee, I’d rather not go out today because of the idiotic drivers. Then get to Mass.” But if it is “Pack my Holy water because I am going to injure myself or others” then don’t go. But if you don’t go, and you do not have a dispensation, confess it anyway so a priest can help you to form your conscience.
 
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