Mass Obligation - Hospital Stay Exception?

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brittjaxx

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I am going to be staying with my husband as he is being admitted into the hospital for 3-5 days (not COVID related, for epilepsy monitoring). Due to COVID guidelines, however, I am not permitted to leave once I am there. If I do, then I cannot return. This conflicts with the Sunday mass obligation, as well as Tuesday’s Holy Day Obligation for the Immaculate Conception.

Would I be committing a mortal sin by staying at the hospital with my husband and, consequently, missing these masses?
 
To be fair, I am a new Catholic, so I may not fully understand the dispensation process. I assumed the dispensation was only for those “at-risk” of getting sick, or uncomfortable with attending due to the risk of COVID. Perhaps I misunderstood.
 
I’m pretty sure (not certain) every diocese right now has a blanket dispensation policy. You should be able to find yours on your diocesan website.
 
This is the latest update, “Archbishop Kurtz is issuing a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for the Archdiocese of Louisville, until further notice. Anyone who is sick or living with someone who is sick should stay home, as should anyone who feels vulnerable for other reasons. Parishes offering livestreamed and recorded Masses should continue to do so and should communicate those options for those who cannot be physically present.”
 
You should be good to go then!

But, for the sake of the hypothetical, if this wasn’t a time of global pandemic, as @Glennon_P said, there should be no sin incurred as you are taking care of your husband. You could, to be safe, ask your pastor for a dispensation. He is authorized to do such a thing.
 
Thank you so very much. I plan on calling the Parish Office in the morning, just to be safe!
 
This appears to be a grave family obligation, as well as a Corporal Work of Mercy to visit the sick. In extraordinary circumstances such as these, we are excused from the obligation. You do not have to suffer the fires of Hell simply because you are caring for your husband!

If you are ever doubtful of a circumstance like this, please consult your pastor, who has both the knowledge and wisdom to counsel you correctly, as well as the authority to grant you a dispensation if you should need it.
 
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Care if the sick is always a dispensation from Mass obligations.
 
@brittjaxx

As the forum is closing down, I would suggest bookmarking this online, searchable copy of the Catechism:

https://scborromeo2.org/catechism-of-the-catholic-church

From the CCC on your question (if your Bishop had not already issued a dispensation, you would still be dispensed):

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.
 
Even without a COVID related dispensation, it’s not a sin if you’re caring a sick loved one and can’t make it to Mass.
 
First, as others have said I’m somewhat surprised that where you live there is not a general dispensation from the Mass obligation. Check with your priest or diocese. If there is then you have no obligation to fulfil and no matter what the circumstances you will not be failing to fulfil an obligation which does not even exist.

If there is no dispensation I would then encourage you to discuss the circumstances with your priest. If you were staying in hospital with a child I could understand that. I am not sure why you need to stay in hospital with an adult. Please read my last sentence again carefully. I am not sure. That is not the same as me saying you do not need to stay. I do not know the specific reasons; I do not want to know the specific reasons. That is why I am advising you discuss this with your priest. If there are good reasons for you staying with your husband you would be exempt from any obligation that there may still be where you live. You are clearly willing to leave long enough to go to Mass but, as I am fully aware, under the present circumstances if you go into hospital with someone you have to stay and not keep going and coming back.

So, check with your priest. He may be able to tell you that the obligation where you live is currently suspend. In the unlikely event it is not he may agree that your circumstances are such you remain in hospital with your husband and so you will be exempt. He may determine there is no real genuine need for you to stay but he could tell you to stay and dispense your obligation. He may say you remain obliged and what you do is left to your conscience. You need to speak to a priest who knows the local situation regarding mass obligations and with whom you can be fully frank about your circumstances so he can advise you about whether you have an obligation or not.
 
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