Just need advice

[Carste]

My confessor recently dispensed me from attending Sunday mass due to health reasons. I attend a Friday Mass now, however I have a hospital appointment this coming Friday at the same time as Mass, which was arranged prior to my recent dispensation. I am relying on a family member to take me there (a good 10 miles away) and it’s not possible for me to re-arrange it now. This is the only non-Sunday Mass that is offered in my parish. Do I have to go to confession for missing it? As a side note, Confession is not currently being offered in my parish (the priest is very ill) and is another 7 to 8 miles away yet again relying on a family member’s kindness. Why do I feel like everything is so difficult.

 

[OraLabora]

My confessor recently dispensed me from attending Sunday mass due to health reasons. I attend a Friday Mass now, however I have a hospital appointment this coming Friday at the same time as Mass, which was arranged prior to my recent dispensation. I am relying on a family member to take me there (a good 10 miles away) and it’s not possible for me to re-arrange it now. This is the only non-Sunday Mass that is offered in my parish. Do I have to go to confession for missing it? As a side note, Confession is not currently being offered in my parish (the priest is very ill) and is another 7 to 8 miles away yet again relying on a family member’s kindness. Why do I feel like everything is so difficult.

No. You don’t need to confess. You’ve been dispensed from the Sunday Mass obligation for health reasons. You are not obligated to Friday Mass, there is no obligation for weekday Mass and weekday Mass does not replace the Sunday obligation. While it is laudable to attend Friday Mass, it is not necessary.

Relax.

The obligation is not a straightjacket. It’s meant to focus us on the importance of the Sunday Eucharist, but is not meant to replace common sense when it comes to things like health problems, travel in severe weather, being elderly, working at necessary tasks (child or elder care, policeman, health care worker, providing for one’s family, etc.). We are not Pharisees and remember always “the Sabbath was made for Man, not Man for the Sabbath”.

 

[HillbillyHermit]

OraLabora put it better than I ever could.

I would like to add a big +1 to the relax part. And maybe pray for Jesus to give you some of His peace and ease your troubled mind.

 

[chefmomster2]

My confessor recently dispensed me from attending Sunday mass due to health reasons. I attend a Friday Mass now, however I have a hospital appointment this coming Friday at the same time as Mass, which was arranged prior to my recent dispensation. I am relying on a family member to take me there (a good 10 miles away) and it’s not possible for me to re-arrange it now. This is the only non-Sunday Mass that is offered in my parish. Do I have to go to confession for missing it? As a side note, Confession is not currently being offered in my parish (the priest is very ill) and is another 7 to 8 miles away yet again relying on a family member’s kindness. Why do I feel like everything is so difficult.

Your appointment is for the same health concerns which released you from your attendance at Sunday Mass. You would be dispensed from this also. In the future you will be able to schedule your appointments. For now, have peace of nind!

I will pray for you!

 

[JRKH]

I agree with the others. I was in a similar situation in that I was excused from my obligation because I was a full time caregiver. However I attended a mass on Fridays because I had a hospice volunteer in on that day.
There were a couple of times where I had to miss that mass for whatever reason…but because it was a personal “obligation” - something I did myself, not one assigned by the Church, I was free to make my own decision.

So relax. You are doing a good thing by attending when you are able. God will bless you for your desire and your effort.

Peace
James

 

[OraLabora]

Your appointment is for the same health concerns which released you from your attendance at Sunday Mass. You would be dispensed from this also. In the future you will be able to schedule your appointments. For now, have peace of nind!

I will pray for you!

There is nothing to dispense from. (S)he was already dispensed from Sunday Mass. There is no obligation to attend Friday Mass, thus, no need to be dispensed from not being able to attend Friday Mass, and the Sunday dispensation does not therefore “cover” an obligation that doesn’t exist. The only way Friday Mass could need a dispensation would be if a holy day of obligation in your country fell on a Friday.

Moreover, I would submit that even if it was a holy day of obligation, a hospital appointment would automatically dispense if it made one unable to attend Mass. There would be no need to seek a dispensation from a priest, nor any need to confess having missed.

From the CCC:

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

(my bold)

Therefore, for serious reasons, one is relieved of one’s obligations without needing a dispensation. I live in a rural area and can only travel to Mass by car. If a snowstorm makes travel hazardous, and I stay at home, there’s no need to confess or call the priest for a dispensation. I use my own judgment. Similarly, if I have a bad cold or flu, I will stay at home, recognizing that for some frail people with compromised immune systems, what is simply miserable for me can be potentially dangerous for them. No need to obtain a dispensation or confess. If you’re elderly, infirm or cannot drive and cannot find a ride to Mass, no need for a dispensation; if you’re a minor and your parents neglect your obligation, the sin’s on them, not you . There are many legitimate excuses, even including no priest available in your area.

Also missing has to be deliberate. The car breaking down on the way to Mass, or missing the bus because one didn’t remember the schedule correctly, is not deliberate.

On the other hand, a couple of years ago I rode in a charity bike ride to raise funds for cancer research. It was a two-day, 180-mile ride over a weekend, and thus no opportunity to attend Mass. Since it was for a good cause, I asked my spiritual director (a priest of course) for a dispensation, and obtained it. Other good reasons could be travel, vacation in a place with no Mass (say a wilderness camping trip), etc.

We are expected to use our judgment!