Late for Mass and Communion

[StJoseph8]

I haven’t posted a question like this in a while, but this is really worrying me.

My mother drives the both of us to Mass every Sunday and have been on time for as long as I can remember. A few weeks ago, we arrived late (arrived at the first reading). To counter this, I decided to set my alarm clock 5 minutes earlier and it worked for the weeks following. Well this past Sunday we arrived late again (arrived near the end of the Gloria). I am not sure whether I was just slow getting up and ready or waiting a couple of minutes for my mother, but I figured that since I didn’t arrive late on purpose, it was OK so I received Holy Communion. Now I am worried sick that what I did was a mortal sin. I have read that one needs a sufficient reason for being late and I am worried that I did not have one. Because I was late and took Communion, was this a mortal sin? Do I need to go to Confession as soon as possible? I asked a couple of priests about this and one answered back, which calmed me down a little, but I am still very worried. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I asked a couple of priests about this and one answered back, which calmed me down a little, but I am still very worried. Any help is appreciated.

First, none of us here can provide a better answer than you’ve already received. Go with that and be at peace.

Second, if it’s beyond your control (you’re not driving, so it is), you have sufficient reason, in my opinion; but again, trust your priest.

Third, arriving late to Mass except through blatant disregard for the importance of Mass is not likely to rise to the level of grave matter, but again, trust your priest.

Finally, a multitude of people arrive as late or later than you state you did, of their own volition and controllable circumstances, and they (as far as we know) aren’t committing a sin; but again, trust your priest.

And one last thing - trust your priest.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I haven’t posted a question like this in a while, but this is really worrying me.

My mother drives the both of us to Mass every Sunday and have been on time for as long as I can remember. A few weeks ago, we arrived late (arrived at the first reading). To counter this, I decided to set my alarm clock 5 minutes earlier and it worked for the weeks following. Well this past Sunday we arrived late again (arrived near the end of the Gloria). I am not sure whether I was just slow getting up and ready or waiting a couple of minutes for my mother, but I figured that since I didn’t arrive late on purpose, it was OK so I received Holy Communion. Now I am worried sick that what I did was a mortal sin. I have read that one needs a sufficient reason for being late and I am worried that I did not have one. Because I was late and took Communion, was this a mortal sin? Do I need to go to Confession as soon as possible? I asked a couple of priests about this and one answered back, which calmed me down a little, but I am still very worried. Any help is appreciated.

The priest who spoke to you was exactly correct.

As a priest, I frankly can’t imagine why you would come to an anonymous internet forum to ask your question that was already expertly – and correctly – answered by a priest.

While there are a few priests who are here, and a larger number of deacons, I can tell you that there are few canonists or theologians who have manifested themselves to me but there are many people who also have many flawed or inadequate opinions.

If you are truly worried sick, I suggest you make an appointment with the priest with whom you spoke to have a long conversation so that he can provide you with help in sorting out what is wrong.

 

[Reuben_J]

This is a personal opinion only and therefore could be wrong and I would not be offended for any correction.

You do not have to attend mass to receive Communion. You only have to be in a state of grace.

My personal standard is I would refrain from receiving Communion if I came after the readings. That is just my honoring the Communion by not receiving because I come late. If I come late for the banquet of my King, I have not respected the occasion and therefore because I honor it, I do not go up to receive Communion.

In answering the OP, I don’t think it is a sin for you to receive Communion as long as you are not in a state of mortal sin.

 

[Convert_in_99]

I haven’t posted a question like this in a while, but this is really worrying me.

My mother drives the both of us to Mass every Sunday and have been on time for as long as I can remember. A few weeks ago, we arrived late (arrived at the first reading). To counter this, I decided to set my alarm clock 5 minutes earlier and it worked for the weeks following. Well this past Sunday we arrived late again (arrived near the end of the Gloria). I am not sure whether I was just slow getting up and ready or waiting a couple of minutes for my mother, but I figured that since I didn’t arrive late on purpose, it was OK so I received Holy Communion. Now I am worried sick that what I did was a mortal sin. I have read that one needs a sufficient reason for being late and I am worried that I did not have one. Because I was late and took Communion, was this a mortal sin? Do I need to go to Confession as soon as possible? I asked a couple of priests about this and one answered back, which calmed me down a little, but I am still very worried. Any help is appreciated.

The answer to your question is in the first sentence: “My mother drives us.” You depend on another to get to mass. If there would be any sin here (there probably is none) it would not be yours. Unless, of course, you forced your mother to watch a ballgame instead of attending mass.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Correct me if I am wrong but someone told me you had to be at the Gospel reading in order to take communion, this was in reference to how she knew some men who went to the pub for the first part of mass so obviously a very different situation.

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

It is proper to be in attendance at Mass before the Gospel reading begins to worthily receive communion, according to what I have always been taught.

That being said, I go to one parish for daily Mass and it seems that people just show up whenever they want and receive the Eucharist. I have honestly seen people walk through the doors and jump into the communion line and receive on a regular basis, but it is a very modernist liberalized parish that does not seem to be catechized well at all.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Correct me if I am wrong but someone told me you had to be at the Gospel reading in order to take communion, this was in reference to how she knew some men who went to the pub for the first part of mass so obviously a very different situation.

There is no rule. It’s preferable that you are in attendance beginning to end, and this is a pious custom that many believe to be a requirement, but it is not. You will not find a requirement spelled out anywhere stating what time arriving at Mass is too late for communion (or to meet your obligation).

 

[poche]

The rule for receiving Holy Communion is that you have to fast for at least one hour before receiving communion. So, if you were eating and drinking while riding on your way to mass late then maybe you should abstain from receiving Holy Communion.