Mass obligation?

[LaSainte]

My husband and I have 2 sons, one who is 2 and an infant. We are not taking the infant to mass yet because we don’t want to expose him to illness yet as an insurance snafu means that he won’t be covered until January. Our church is a 15 minute drive from home. Are we obligated to attend mass seperately while the other stays home with both kids, or does the “care of infants” in the ccc exempt us from attendance for the next few weeks?

 

[Anathama_Sit]

My husband and I have 2 sons, one who is 2 and an infant. We are not taking the infant to mass yet because we don’t want to expose him to illness yet as an insurance snafu means that he won’t be covered until January. Our church is a 15 minute drive from home. Are we obligated to attend mass seperately while the other stays home with both kids, or does the “care of infants” in the ccc exempt us from attendance for the next few weeks?

Greetings LaSainte,

I would suggest that you talk to your parish priest about this as he may give you a dispensation on this.

I would counsel you both to make the extra effort to attend Mass. There are so many graces from the Mass that would help you both.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Hadrianus]

Care of infants is always a valid reason in and of itself, and in fact the habit of taking infants and very small children to mass is a very modern development. But as there are two of you, it would seem you could each separately go to mass, obviously taking into account weather conditions, and the degree of inconvenience. A serious inconvenience exempts one from the obligation; but only you know your circumstances in that regard. If you are worried about this ask the opinion of your priest. They’re usually pretty generous and understanding.

 

[Leegal]

My husband and I have 2 sons, one who is 2 and an infant. We are not taking the infant to mass yet because we don’t want to expose him to illness yet as an insurance snafu means that he won’t be covered until January. Our church is a 15 minute drive from home. Are we obligated to attend mass seperately while the other stays home with both kids, or does the “care of infants” in the ccc exempt us from attendance for the next few weeks?

In my family there were 7 children. The parents alternated. One went, maybe taking an older child while the other stayed with the little ones. It was a short drive, but they could not walk it. Then, upon return, the other parent went and might take another child who was also ready to go to Mass. If possible, you should attend separately while the other stays at home. However, your priest may give one of you a dispensation.

I don’t see how both parents would require dispensation, unless there was an illness also involved which prevented a parent from caring for the children during the absence of the spouse. Illness aside, I assume one of you is still able to still attend Mass while the other stays home with the two children. I agree that the children should not go, especially since the infant might be exposed to illness at this time.

 

[Bookcat]

That is exactly what my wife and I did! For his first period of life (during swine flu!)

I would just go to two separate Masses. (Our doctor at the time even recommended such…she is Catholic)

(as to a dispensation…such is within the authority of the “pastor”)