Late for Mass - How late is too late?

H

HolyNameRespecter

New member
Hey all. Had a question about Mass attendance today. I work as a water operator, and part of that job is being on call. On weekends, that also includes doing a minimal amount of box-checking at our wastewater plant (WWP), answering customer calls, etc. Normally I’m still able to get to Mass and not have to leave early or arrive late, but today there were some necessary repairs at the WWP and then some testing after. As such, by the end of the job, with Mass being an hour away and needing a shower first, if I had made it to Mass at all it probably would’ve been right at or right after the Consecration. Considering this, that I would be missing some 3/4 or more of the time the Mass usually takes, I excused myself and just headed home instead. But now I’m not too sure if this was the right call. I COULD have made the effort to be there for at least part of it, even if I only arrived 10 minutes before the end, and who knows, I might’ve made in time for more of the Mass than I thought I would.

I suppose my question is this. When circumstances outside of your control mean you’ll be late to Mass, is there any point when you’ll be too late to even make the attempt? What do you think? I’ll be asking my pastor as well
 
When I was baptized, Father told us that arriving at mass after the Gospel was read was a sin. I think heaven says the shower can wait. You need not receive at every mass, only be there to participate and offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God as part of Christ's living, breathing Body. Also, check other parishes for their mass times and have them in mind.
 
Traditionally, there has been all sorts of minute focusing on what parts of the Mass you need to be at, to fulfill your obligation, which ones bind under pain of mortal sin, and which ones bind only under pain of venial sin. In the present day, I'm not sure than any particular parts, or any particular time frame, are prescribed.

Just today, I was taken ill at Mass (some medication I'd taken that went against me), right at the time of the Gospel, and had to leave. I had been feeling bogus all morning, indeed, about halfway there I was tempted to turn around and come back home, but I forced myself, and it finally became more than I could bear. At the point at which I left, I even questioned whether I would even be able to drive myself back home. I finally made it home and slept all evening. Given the circumstances (something beyond my control), there was no question of obligation, nor a question of whether I fulfilled it or not, by only attending Mass up to that point. (It was a Traditional Latin High Mass and I was at about the half-hour mark when I had to leave.)
 
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