Is this a sin?

[Rocky24]

I’m a 15 year old who went to confession last week for the first time in two years and was absolved of my sins. Now, I know it is a sin to miss Sunday mass but would it be my fault if my parents won’t let me go to mass? They’re not willing to take me but I really want to go. Any help?

 

[suissemissed]

Is there a reason your parents don’t want to take you? Are they not serious about their Catholic Faith, or are they not Catholic at all?

If your parents are not actively opposed to you going to Mass, I would try my best to find some other means of transportation (friends, biking, etc.). But if they are actively opposed (like they are anti-Catholic, or something), then I would phone your priest and speak to him about the matter (maybe he can talk to your parents for you, or even get you a dispensation). All you can do is make a reasonable attempt to go to Mass. If you do that, and are thwarted for one reason or another, you have not sinned at all. I would recommend watching the Mass on TV or the Internet if you just can’t go.

On a side note, awesome job going back to confession! It’s really great to see you realize your need to have a pure conscience before the Lord

EDIT: I’m praying for you.

 

[JRKH]

It is not a sin to miss mass if you have made a good faith effort to attend…

My suggestion would be - if you are unable to change your parents minds - to watch the mass on TV or the computer…it does not “formally” fulfill the obligation but is better than nothing.

Peace
James

 

[Rocky24]

Is there a reason your parents don’t want to take you? Are they not serious about their Catholic Faith, or are they not Catholic at all?

If your parents are not actively opposed to you going to Mass, I would try my best to find some other means of transportation (friends, biking, etc.). But if they are actively opposed (like they are anti-Catholic, or something), then I would phone your priest and speak to him about the matter (maybe he can talk to your parents for you, or even get you a dispensation). All you can do is make a reasonable attempt to go to Mass. If you do that, and are thwarted for one reason or another, you have not sinned at all. I would recommend watching the Mass on TV or the Internet if you just can’t go.

On a side note, awesome job going back to confession! It’s really great to see you realize your need to have a pure conscience before the Lord

EDIT: I’m praying for you.

My parents are Catholic but unfortunately they pick and choose what they want to believe so that means that they don’t believe it’s a sin to miss Sunday mass. The church is about an hour’s walk away and 15 minutes by bike. But even then I don’t think they’d let me go. I’ll email the priest and see what he thinks about it. Do I still need to go to confession even if I’ve attempted to go to mass? Thank-you for praying and for your help

 

[Edmundus1581]

Is there a reason your parents don’t want to take you? Are they not serious about their Catholic Faith, or are they not Catholic at all?

If your parents are not actively opposed to you going to Mass, I would try my best to find some other means of transportation (friends, biking, etc.). But if they are actively opposed (like they are anti-Catholic, or something), then I would phone your priest and speak to him about the matter (maybe he can talk to your parents for you, or even get you a dispensation). All you can do is make a reasonable attempt to go to Mass. If you do that, and are thwarted for one reason or another, you have not sinned at all. I would recommend watching the Mass on TV or the Internet if you just can’t go.

On a side note, awesome job going back to confession! It’s really great to see you realize your need to have a pure conscience before the Lord

EDIT: I’m praying for you.

Excellent reply!
*

All you can do is make a reasonable attempt to go to Mass. If you do that, and are thwarted for one reason or another, you have not sinned at all. *

Agree.

>> On a side note, awesome job going back to confession! It’s really great to see you realize your need to have a pure conscience before the Lord

Double agree!

 

[Rocky24]

Excellent reply!
*

All you can do is make a reasonable attempt to go to Mass. If you do that, and are thwarted for one reason or another, you have not sinned at all. *

It is not a sin to miss mass if you have made a good faith effort to attend…

My suggestion would be - if you are unable to change your parents minds - to watch the mass on TV or the computer…it does not “formally” fulfill the obligation but is better than nothing.

Peace
James

Thanks for all of your advice

 

[Edmundus1581]

My parents are Catholic but unfortunately they pick and choose what they want to believe so that means that they don’t believe it’s a sin to miss Sunday mass. The church is about an hour’s walk away and 15 minutes by bike. But even then I don’t think they’d let me go. I’ll email the priest and see what he thinks about it. **Do I still need to go to confession even if I’ve attempted to go to mass? **Thank-you for praying and for your help

No. This is quite an important point. You only need to confess sins which you have committed intentionally, or with some amount of intent. If you have attempted to attend Mass, but been prevented, then there is no sin.

We have to make a judgement about what is a “serious reason” (CCC 2181) to miss Mass. eg. Must I drive 30 minutes to get to Mass? Yes. 6 hours? No - and there is nothing to confess. But what about 2 hours, or 1 hour? We have to make a decision in our conscience, and under guidance if possible, but, having made that decision we shouldn’t go back on it and confess, “just in case”.

You have done well to email your priest. He will give you the best guidelines for your own situation.

 

[suissemissed]

My parents are Catholic but unfortunately they pick and choose what they want to believe so that means that they don’t believe it’s a sin to miss Sunday mass. The church is about an hour’s walk away and 15 minutes by bike. But even then I don’t think they’d let me go. I’ll email the priest and see what he thinks about it. Do I still need to go to confession even if I’ve attempted to go to mass? Thank-you for praying and for your help

I’m really sorry to hear that about your parents. It’s they who should be leading you in the faith (which I presume they had you baptized into as a baby), not you leading them. But by placing God first in your life, making a full commitment to His Church with all its teachings, you are setting a great example for them that I’m sure Jesus is proud of.

Perhaps you could ask your parents about biking to church, if you imagine it will not agitate them (at least too much). Just use your best judgment - if you don’t think it’s a good idea to ask them, then don’t. In any event, yes, emailing the priest is a very good step You’re welcome for the prayers - I’ll pray that your parents follow your lead.

 

[suissemissed]

Excellent reply!
*

All you can do is make a reasonable attempt to go to Mass. If you do that, and are thwarted for one reason or another, you have not sinned at all. *

Thanks, Edmundus

 

[Rocky24]

I’m really sorry to hear that about your parents. It’s they who should be leading you in the faith (which I presume they had you baptized into as a baby), not you leading them. But by placing God first in your life, making a full commitment to His Church with all its teachings, you are setting a great example for them that I’m sure Jesus is proud of.

Perhaps you could ask your parents about biking to church, if you imagine it will not agitate them (at least too much). Just use your best judgment - if you don’t think it’s a good idea to ask them, then don’t. In any event, yes, emailing the priest is a very good step You’re welcome for the prayers - I’ll pray that your parents follow your lead.

I’ve just emailed the priest and I’m waiting for his reply. Again, thanks for your prayers and advice.
God Bless