Mass on Television or Radio....?

[ifrydr]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question…

If Mass on television does not cover our obligation what exactly is it for? I am not looking for an excuse or a way out I actually go to Sunday Mass with my family, one weekday Mass a week at lunch and sometimes listen to Mass on satellite radio. I am just curious to what value it really has, or maybe phrased a little differently, if you listen or watch why do you do it?

Thanks!

 

[rstegeman]

I think it was originally meant as a way for shut-ins to participate. Not entirely sure though. Personally, while I haven’t listened to or watched a full mass over the media, I do like to listen to the readings, Gospel and homily. One, they help re-inforce their meaning to me. Hearing it repeatedly just helps me. I also like to hear the interpretations and insights from various priests.

 

[C2K2]

Well, for me it is something besides the news to get ready to in the morning and I do like to know that I can watch it on tv if I do have to miss mass because of a sick kid (it helps me remember it is Sunday).

 

[ifrydr]

I think it was originally meant as a way for shut-ins to participate. Not entirely sure though. Personally, while I haven’t listened to or watched a full mass over the media, I do like to listen to the readings, Gospel and homily. One, they help re-inforce their meaning to me. Hearing it repeatedly just helps me. I also like to hear the interpretations and insights from various priests.

Thanks for the reply… my sentiments exactly. I am one who needs the constant reminder and need to keep it ‘fresh’ in my mind. It seems sometimes it is too easy for me to be not a very nice person.

Thanks!

 

[MarieVeronica]

I agree. It is a way for shut-ins and people otherwise unable to attend, to participate. It does not fulfill the obligation of a healthy, able-bodied person, to attend Mass. If you’re able to attend on Sunday… then attend, you must. But televised Mass does bring grace upon the viewer… IF you are watching, LIVE.

It is my understanding (from EWTN priests) that when you watch the Mass LIVE… you do receive the blessing of the priest, at the end. This is beneficial for those who can’t attend the live Mass (elderly, ill, infirmed, caregivers, people traveling who don’t have access to a Catholic Church, etc.).

The really sad part, is that you don’t get to receive Our Lord… in Holy Communion. But I believe you can make a “Spiritual Communion” (i.e., asking Our Lord for His grace and blessings, etc.). Hope this helps. God bless.

 

[benedictgal]

In a previous thread, I relayed my own experience with the televised Mass. I was in bed with a bad bout of the flu and at about 3AM (on a Sunday, happened to be the day of the Concluding Mass of the Synod on the Eucharist), I turned on the TV and caught the telecast from the Vatican.

It was a great consolation that, despite the fact that I couldn’t go to Mass (the fever broke during the telecast), I was able to witness the liturgy live from the Vaitcan (via the miracle of satellites). It was a beautiful Mass and it made me yearn for the day when such liturgies can happen in my own diocese.

The Papal Mass broadcasts, at least for me, are very prayerful and are excellent examples of how the Holy Sacrifice should be celebrated. They should be required viewing for bishops, priests and those who plan liturgies. Pope Benedict may have left the University, but, he is still very much a teacher.

 

[Frogjim]

ifrydr ~ EWTN morning Mass is a blessing for my wife. She cannot attend daily Mass due to her ill condition. I go to morning Mass and bring the Body of Christ home to her each morning right before Mass begins. She really looks forward for this each day as it refreshes her knowing she has received God into her soul. She then watches the Mass along with reading her Magnificat which she uses daily.

 

[JRKH]

I agree. It is a way for shut-ins and people otherwise unable to attend, to participate. It does not fulfill the obligation of a healthy, able-bodied person, to attend Mass. If you’re able to attend on Sunday… then attend, you must. But televised Mass does bring grace upon the viewer… IF you are watching, LIVE.

It is my understanding (from EWTN priests) that when you watch the Mass LIVE… you do receive the blessing of the priest, at the end. This is beneficial for those who can’t attend the live Mass (elderly, ill, infirmed, caregivers, people traveling who don’t have access to a Catholic Church, etc.).

The really sad part, is that you don’t get to receive Our Lord… in Holy Communion. But I believe you can make a “Spiritual Communion” (i.e., asking Our Lord for His grace and blessings, etc.). Hope this helps. God bless.

Nailed it.
If we can get there we need to go.
If we can’t (health, severe weather etc.) the mass on TV is a great option.

Peace
James

 

[AngelRose81]

DH and I watch the EWTN Mass every morning (we actually set EWTN to come on at 6:00 CST so we can hear Mother Angelica recite the Chaplet of St. Michael). We find it a great way to start the day and if I can’t make it to Daily Mass one day, at least I get to hear the readings and a good homily!

Although one time I had the TV set to EWTN and it was early in the AM when the Papal Audience was on and I was still kind of asleep and I ended up falling completely asleep and having a really weird dream involving the Pope and the Civil War because it had just switched from the History channel or something that DH had on. Weird!!!