Late for mass

[vince2paul]

How do you define late when one goes to mass? and how late is too late to receive holy communion? Thanks

 

[LilyM]

How do you define late when one goes to mass? and how late is too late to receive holy communion? Thanks

There isn’t actually a specific definition of what is ‘late’. For good reason - attending however small a portion of Mass is a lot better than not going at all, so even if you only end up being there for ten minutes you should go rather than not.

Of course if you have the opportunity to attend a greater portion of Mass at another point during the day you should do so. Personally I’d do this if I arrived after the Gospel had started - then again my church has hourly masses on Sunday, which makes it easy to stay for the next if you miss too much of one.

And remember that it’s only MISSING mass entirely, and that without good reason, that is a grave sin that could technically prevent you from receiving communion.

What I was taught growing up, though, was that if you’re not there for at least the consecration it’s best not to go up to Communion, since one in that situation hasn’t really had an opportunity to prepare for communion. Not that it’s sinful to do so, it’s more respectful not to though.

Remember too that in terms of Holy Communion people can and do receive it outside of Mass (communion services, from EMsHC visiting their homes etc), which can involve very little ceremony indeed.

 

[Cranch]

If you can see a priest and you’re not yet in a pew, you’re late.

I try to get to church early enough to pray privately beforehand. I don’t know the answer to your second question or if there is an official answer. I remember as a kid having the impression that if you got to Mass for the readings—or at least the Gospel—you were “ok”.

 

[LilyM]

If you can see a priest and you’re not yet in a pew, you’re late.

I try to get to church early enough to pray privately beforehand. I don’t know the answer to your second question or if there is an official answer. I remember as a kid having the impression that if you got to Mass for the readings—or at least the Gospel—you were “ok”.

Haha - that wouldn’t work at my church, which has almost non-stop confessions, so you can almost always see a priest in the confessional

But if you look at it in those terms, of course the Mass starts with the first note of the entrance hymn or the first word the priest speaks if there isn’t a hymn, so you’re late if you arrive after this point.

But as I said, being late isn’t a mortal sin in itself - though if you have no reason it’s probably venial.

 

[vince2paul]

If you can see a priest and you’re not yet in a pew, you’re late.

I try to get to church early enough to pray privately beforehand. I don’t know the answer to your second question or if there is an official answer. I remember as a kid having the impression that if you got to Mass for the readings—or at least the Gospel—you were “ok”.

Haha… same!
I used to think that, as long as it’s before gospel, it’s okay.
After that, I changed my mindset to before “I confess”.

Well, I’m those freako who is usually come so early to church. Usually, 1-2 hours before sunset mass, because there’s rosary and OLPS novena or else I’ll be in youth office.

Recently, I’ve noticed on weekday mass people come during communion, so they enter the church and join the queue, receive the Holy Communion and it makes me wondering, whether it’s okay for them to just receive it and go.

 

[vince2paul]

Haha - that wouldn’t work at my church, which has almost non-stop confessions, so you can almost always see a priest in the confessional

But if you look at it in those terms, of course the Mass starts with the first note of the entrance hymn or the first word the priest speaks if there isn’t a hymn, so you’re late if you arrive after this point.

But as I said, being late isn’t a mortal sin in itself - though if you have no reason it’s probably venial.

Off topic, but how much time do you spend of CAF daily? I noticed you have 5,500+ posts in a year, about 450 a month.

 

[Cranch]

Haha - that wouldn’t work at my church, which has almost non-stop confessions, so you can almost always see a priest in the confessional

What a great thing! Most parishes I’m familiar with locally offer Reconciliation 30-45 minutes per week! Most however will hear confessions by appointment. How many priests do you have in your parish?

 

[LilyM]

Off topic, but how much time do you spend of CAF daily? I noticed you have 5,500+ posts in a year, about 450 a month.

Oh yeah, I’m on a lot - officially addicted. But then I work from home most of the time as well, which makes it easier. And a lot of those are short posts in the clubhouse threads or the game threads :yup:

What a great thing! Most parishes I’m familiar with locally offer Reconciliation 30-45 minutes per week! Most however will hear confessions by appointment. How many priests do you have in your parish?

Seven. Sydney is like most major cities in that it has at least the one church that has half-a-dozen masses a day and non-stop confession for the extra-devout Catholics

 

[thistle]

How do you define late when one goes to mass? and how late is too late to receive holy communion? Thanks

Assuming you are in a state of grace you could actually walk into church, join the Communion line, receive Communion and leave the church.
However that would not fulfill your Sunday Mass obligation.
As for being late for Mass I don’t think there is anything specific laid down although my understanding is that you should be there for the start of the homily.

 

[vince2paul]

Assuming you are in a state of grace you could actually walk into church, join the Communion line, receive Communion and leave the church.
However that would not fulfill your Sunday Mass obligation.
As for being late for Mass I don’t think there is anything specific laid down although my understanding is that you should be there for the start of the homily.

Ah! That’s what I wanna ask. How long should we be in a mass in order to fulfill our sunday obligation? How about those who left after receiving Holy Communion? or just came before it?

 

[Jamie_Burns]

Late for mass: The priest has entered the nave of the church on the way to the sanctuary.

Too late to take communion: Communion has already been distributed.

 

[puzzleannie]

You can always receive communion, even if you come very late. If this is a Sunday day or Holy Day of obligation you do not meet your obligation unless you assist at the entire Mass, including Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist. You could probably make your own confetior as you find your place. If this is becoming a habit, time to reevaluate priorities and introduce some time managment skills in your family.

I can think of maybe 5 legitimate reasons to leave early
baby just filled his diaper to toxic level
toddler is having a meltdown
your pager went off and they have a heart ready for you
your pager went off and you are the doctor on the transplant team
you have to answer a call of nature

Excuses that don’t work:
I don’t want to listen to all the announcements
I hate the song they are playing for the recessional
I want to be first in line at Luby’s
I want to get out of the parking lot quick.
I see I guy to whom I owe money and I am avoiding him.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

How do you define late when one goes to mass? and how late is too late to receive holy communion? Thanks

Too late is when you arrive as the Blessed Sacrament is being reposed back into the tabernacle.

Actually you can arrive as Holy Communion is taking place and go up to receive Communion. You will have received Holy Communion BUT have not participated in the Mass or met you Sunday or Holy Day obligation. You should if possible attend another Mass.

If your late arrival is not your fault you may be excused from the obligation. General rule of thumb is if you arribe after the Gospel reading, try to go to another Mass if it was by your fault. I generally don’t buy that the alarm clock un-wound itself.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Excuses that don’t work:
I don’t want to listen to all the announcements
I hate the song they are playing for the recessional
I want to be first in line at Luby’s
I want to get out of the parking lot quick.
I see I guy to whom I owe money and I am avoiding him.

LOL!! I just wish we had a Luby’s here…

:heart:Blyss

 

[hasikelee]

I take my advice from a wise old woman.

Grandma always said if you are late and it’s not your fault, then you go to mass even if there’s one minute left.

But if you are late due to your own laziness or selfishness, then you participate in mass but as a penance do not receive.

 

[Cristiano]

Excuses that don’t work:
I don’t want to listen to all the announcements
I hate the song they are playing for the recessional
I want to be first in line at Luby’s
I want to get out of the parking lot quick.
I see I guy to whom I owe money and I am avoiding him.

You are a true Texas woman! I love it!

 

[Sr_Sally]

How do you define late when one goes to mass? and how late is too late to receive holy communion? Thanks

I believe you should arrive before the Priest enters and not leave until after he reccesses. However, if you are going to be just a few minutes late, than be all means attend rather than skip (unless you know you can be on time for another Mass that Sunday).

Some will say if you arrive for the Gospel you can still take communion. I think you should be there for the penitention, especially if you haven’t been to confession that week.

Also, remember that our obligation is to attend Mass on Sunday, not necessarily take communion every Sunday. Certainly, that should be your goal, but if you are not properly desposed, than don’t receive!

I haven’t read the other responses.

 

[vince2paul]

Some will say if you arrive for the Gospel you can still take communion. I think you should be there for the penitention, especially if you haven’t been to confession that week.

Yes, this is one of my consideration whether one can receive or not if he/she comes late. It’s something that I’ve learnt since I was young that in order to receive Holy Communion, I need to have these three: I confess, Lord have mercy, Agnus Dei. Having said so, it’s difficult for me to come late for mass. I guess, it’s a habit.

Also, remember that our obligation is to attend Mass on Sunday, not necessarily take communion every Sunday. Certainly, that should be your goal, but if you are not properly desposed, than don’t receive!

I haven’t read the other responses.

Yes, I think only once a year right? During Easter?

 

[baltobetsy]

The obligation to receive Holy Communion is once a year, during the Easter season, which runs from the First Sunday of Lent to Trinity Sunday.

The question of whether or not to receive at a certain Mass to which one has arrived late applies differently to Sunday Mass and Mass for holy days of obligation than it does to daily Mass. On Sundays and days of obligation the real question is, have you attended enough of the Mass to satisfy the obligation. If the answer is no, and you cannot rectify the situation by attending another Mass, and it is through your own fault, then you should not receive Holy Communion. If your failure to attend the entire Mass is due to circumstances truly beyond your control, then you have a clear conscience and may receive.

Because there is no obligation at all to attend daily Mass, you do not sin by being late, and therefore, may receive Holy Communion regardless of when you arrive. That said, one should not make a habit of arriving late without just cause. That’s just rude. But to give an example, a person who leaves work and goes directly to Mass but cannot arrive on time because of his hours of employment has a just cause to arrive late every day. We should give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Betsy

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Excuses that don’t work:
I don’t want to listen to all the announcements
I hate the song they are playing for the recessional
I want to be first in line at Luby’s
I want to get out of the parking lot quick.
I see I guy to whom I owe money and I am avoiding him.

I miss Luby’s!!! Are you sure there is not a canon exception for Luby’s? They don’t have to make one for Golden Corral, just Luby’s.