- Status
N
newyorkcatholic
Guest
I agree. There needs to be a real reason.
Saying “God made the beach too” makes a mockery of Catholicism. God made everything and I don’t need priests or Mass at all to pray to Him, but we Catholics know its not so simple.
D
DhuAlQarnayn
Guest
There are dozens of masses said outdoors every week all over the country. If you are in an area where there is no church, or for special events, the mass may be said outside. Many parishes that are close to national parks celebrate masses outdoors in the parks for hikers. I agree that if the parish church is just down the road from the beach, then – unless it is a large festival which will attract more people than the church will hold – the mass should be in church, but many places are hours from the nearest church.
Also note that if it is just a group of friends which happens to include a priest, rather than a public gathering, then the priest may say mass wherever he likes.
Also note that if it is just a group of friends which happens to include a priest, rather than a public gathering, then the priest may say mass wherever he likes.
D
dixieagle
Guest
This is an excellent discussion of the question:
catholicexchange.com/does-mass-have-to-be-said-in-a-church/
In sum, Mass should, generally speaking, be said in a church, if possible. That said, there are exceptions (beyond the battlefield, natural disaster scenarios):
“Similarly, if a priest is on some outdoor excursion, far from buildings of any kind, he may celebrate Mass outside in an appropriate place. Before his election to the papacy, John Paul II frequently led groups of Polish teenagers on camping and hiking trips, and every morning they would find a clean, level rock or tree stump upon which he celebrated the Eucharist for them.”
catholicexchange.com/does-mass-have-to-be-said-in-a-church/
In sum, Mass should, generally speaking, be said in a church, if possible. That said, there are exceptions (beyond the battlefield, natural disaster scenarios):
“Similarly, if a priest is on some outdoor excursion, far from buildings of any kind, he may celebrate Mass outside in an appropriate place. Before his election to the papacy, John Paul II frequently led groups of Polish teenagers on camping and hiking trips, and every morning they would find a clean, level rock or tree stump upon which he celebrated the Eucharist for them.”
S
superamazingman
Guest
If there is a church within a reasonable distance where Mass could be offered by your group and priest, or even attend Mass with another priest, that is vastly preferred. Mass should only be celebrated outside a church with grave necessity, or with a dispensation from the bishop.
Canon law specifies that if there is a sacred space available (ie, a church or oratory [chapel]), Mass should be celebrated there, instead of somewhere else.
Canon law specifies that if there is a sacred space available (ie, a church or oratory [chapel]), Mass should be celebrated there, instead of somewhere else.
L
LegoGE1947
Guest
Your post is typical of Protestantism And yes I agree with you. The idea that God makes everything and I don’t need priests or Mass to pray to him, is just ideotic. You can pray to God anywhere but the way God set it up is there are certain places set aside for public worship. Also they say that their buildings are NOT where God lives, just buildings that have been consecrated to worship God. One preacher said “This building could just as well be used for a rock concert.” (referring to the building in which their ecclesiastical community was meeting)
Z
ZxM
Guest
R
roadsend
Guest
From Canon Law:
Can. 932 §1 The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in which case the celebration must be in a fitting place.
§2 The eucharistic Sacrifice must be carried out at an altar that is dedicated or blessed. Outside a sacred place an appropriate table may be used, but always with an altar cloth and a corporal.
Can. 932 §1 The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in which case the celebration must be in a fitting place.
§2 The eucharistic Sacrifice must be carried out at an altar that is dedicated or blessed. Outside a sacred place an appropriate table may be used, but always with an altar cloth and a corporal.
K
Kielbasi
Guest
Pittsburgh doesn’t have beaches, but we do have Kennywood Park, a large amusement park just outside of town.
Kennywood, as part of its yearly promotional days, has a Polish Day, a Slovak Day, an Italian Day and days for other ethnic groups that have settled in the region.
As part of each of those special promotions, there is usually Mass held right in the park, sometimes presided over by the bishop.
If its ok to have mass in an amusement park, I can’t see the problem with the beach.
Kennywood, as part of its yearly promotional days, has a Polish Day, a Slovak Day, an Italian Day and days for other ethnic groups that have settled in the region.
As part of each of those special promotions, there is usually Mass held right in the park, sometimes presided over by the bishop.
If its ok to have mass in an amusement park, I can’t see the problem with the beach.
S
superamazingman
Guest
You just proved my point. In that case, there was no church available to hold the crowd, so out of nessicity, it was celebrated there. But in the case of the original poster, it sounds like the group is not 30,000 people, so there would not be a need to offer Mass at the beach. It sounds like it’s being done because they think it’s hip to celebrate Mass at the beach, not because there’s a genuine need.
If there is a genuine need (no parish within 50 miles or something), that would be different, but the OP did not mention that, so it’s safe to assume that there is probably a parish within a reasonable distance…but we really need apulido4 to chime in and fill in details to resolve this completely.
S
superamazingman
Guest
Exactly! Next thing you know, they’ll say you don’t need an alb during Mass because none of those priests wore them in battle-field Masses.
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
http://i.imm.io/ou9s.jpeg
Or that camo chusables are now acceptable for ordinary time.
S
superamazingman
Guest
You just proved my point. In that case, there was no church available to hold the crowd, so out of nessicity, it was celebrated there. But in the case of the original poster, it sounds like the group is not 30,000 people, so there would not be a need to offer Mass at the beach. It sounds like it’s being done because they think it’s hip to celebrate Mass at the beach, not because there’s a genuine need.
If there is a genuine need (no parish within 50 miles or something), that would be different, but the OP did not mention that, so it’s safe to assume that there is probably a parish within a reasonable distance…but we really need apulido4 to chime in and fill in details to resolve this completely.
D
domandcarols
Guest
lol xD
S
superamazingman
Guest
A
apulido4
Guest
Sorry, I was away for a while.
Thanks for all the responses!
I’m not exactly sure where the retreat will take place, but i"m pretty sure there is a Catholic Church nearby. I just know it will be a beach in the LA area.
I understand there can be exceptions like the ones mentioned above, but we can’t compare this gathering with 20-30 people at the beach, with a battlefield or a hiding place from persecution.
So the only case where it would be acceptable is when there really is no other reasonable choice, right?
Thanks for all the responses!
I’m not exactly sure where the retreat will take place, but i"m pretty sure there is a Catholic Church nearby. I just know it will be a beach in the LA area.
I understand there can be exceptions like the ones mentioned above, but we can’t compare this gathering with 20-30 people at the beach, with a battlefield or a hiding place from persecution.
So the only case where it would be acceptable is when there really is no other reasonable choice, right?
C
Cathryn
Guest
In a couple of months it is going to be pretty hot most likely. Is this a Beach Party/ Mass?
I imagine there will be bathing suits. I hate to even think what the priest will be wearing. I would pass on the whole thing. Yes, it is very 70’s.
L
LegoGE1947
Guest
The fact that it will occur in the Los Angeles area pretty much answers it. (I’ve heard California referred to as “The Land of Fruits and Nuts!”)In a couple of months it is going to be pretty hot most likely. Is this a Beach Party/ Mass?
I imagine there will be bathing suits. I hate to even think what the priest will be wearing. I would pass on the whole thing. Yes, it is very 70’s.
Wonder if they will have the Beach Boys for the choir! “We’ll have fun, fun, fun till Daddy takes the T-Bird away!”
A
apulido4
Guest
Yeah, and this particular priest is very liberal in some aspects, that’s why I’m trying to find out weather this is allowed or not.The fact that it will occur in the Los Angeles area pretty much answers it. (I’ve heard California referred to as “The Land of Fruits and Nuts!”)
I’m don’t have all the details yet, so I’m not sure of the exact location, or if it will be a retreat, or more like a 'get-together" with a mass.
M
mikelionheart
Guest
As the other people have said there is nothing wrong with this mass.
Catholicism was illegal in England for over 200 years and masses were held anywhere they could be.
Catholicism was illegal in England for over 200 years and masses were held anywhere they could be.
S
SalesianSDB
Guest
I could have sworn I’ve seen a picture of John Paul II as a young priest giving Mass outside using a canoe as an altar. I haven’t been able to find it online, so I’m starting to think I’ve only seen it in a movie about his life.
- Status