Mass, snow, ice

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halleone

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Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
 
Not only is it not a mortal sin, there is no sin at all! The Church does not require you to put yourself at risk to attend Mass!
 
halleone said:
Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
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What makes you think it would be a sin at all? Has this never been discussed at your parish by your pastor?
 
I attend Mass on Sunday afternoon. This past Sunday we had really bad weather. Our parish canceled the Sunday afternoon Mass. I know it’s not a mortal sin because I could not attend Mass but it still felt strange not to attend on Sunday.

I ended up participating in the Daily Mass on EWTN. Obviously, it was different. I did all the normal gestures that I normally do at Mass (standing, sitting, kneeling) except from my living room.

In a strange way, it made me appreciate the Mass more. I really missed not attending in my parish.
 
1ke said:
What makes you think it would be a sin at all? Has this never been discussed at your parish by your pastor?
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It hasn’t been addressed that I am aware of, at least not at the Mass I attend. It does relieve me to know I am “covered”!
 
It’s not a sin, period. Being someone who lives in Quebec, this is a frequent occurence for me. I’m 58. What I used to be able to do at 28 or even 38, is no longer prudent at 58 and may be less so at 78. So while at 28 or 38 I might have been quite comfortable driving in a raging blizzard, now I prefer to stay safe and warm. Moderate snowstorms (up to about 10 cm of snow) I don’t mind, beyond that, including freezing rain, I stay home.

I might add that I live in a rural area on a dirt road, and public transport is non-existant, and I’ve encountered situations where my road wasn’t even ploughed. The nearest church to me is about 10 km away on two-lane roads.

It does feel rather empty to not go to Mass, but as I do pray the Liturgy of the Hours it’s not so bad, and I try to at least read the Mass readings for that day.

Only you can tell what’s prudent for you, it’s a matter of prudential judgement. God won’t hold it against you if you avoid taking serious risks to go to Mass.
 
halleone said:
Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
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In the old school days, when parishes were 8 blocks wide and 8 blocks deep, or even larger parishes for the parishioner who live in town, it would have to be a heck of a snowstorm for weather to be an excuse.

But in the modern age, with folks mostly all driving to church, this kind of thing happens.
 
halleone said:
Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
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We belong to a rural parish that covers several hundred square miles, and has four worship sites…if the weather is really bad, the pastor cancels Mass at all sites…he doesn’t want anyone, including himself, to be placed in jeopardy.

[Once, many years ago, I opened our worship site, and set up for Mass…the weather was terrible…a dozen or so people showed up, but no priest…we waited for 20 minutes or so, locked up, and left…later that week, the pastor told me that I could have led a prayer service…]
 
Holleone -

I, too, live in Washington - woke to zero degrees this morning & a faulty furnace! We live about 20 miles from our church & have - so far - missed mass due to snow only once. Found out the county doesn’t plow the main roads if it snows Saturday night. 🙂

But now we’re older so I expect it will happen again. And cold will factor in as much as snow as we age.
 
If driving is hazardous, due to cold or whatever reason, then as was said the obligation is waived.

We are not expected to endanger ourself **or **others to go to Mass.

ICXC NIKA
 
halleone said:
Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
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What is your understanding of God and the church that would lead you to believe this would be sinful?
 
Does this go for painfully cold temperatures as well? Next Sunday around here it’s supposed to be straight up dangerous. (High in the negatives) Ironically I think I will still have to go to work.
 
😉
CJ(name removed by moderator)my said:
Does this go for painfully cold temperatures as well? Next Sunday around here it’s supposed to be straight up dangerous. (High in the negatives) Ironically I think I will still have to go to work.
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It goes for dangerous conditions.
Cold. Extreme heat, a sandstorm, acid rain, nuclear winter, hurricane, tornado, a massive solar storm. Etc. the principle is that you are not required to sacrifice your life to go to the sacrifice of the Mass.

Though it’s worth noting that in the most extreme circumstances in history all people have wanted to do was go to Mass.

Around here I figure if I would go skiing, I would go to church. And it takes more than negative temps to keep me off the mountain…😉
 
This seems to be quite the pastoral problem. Pastors need to get better about answering this question for the faithful, because it is an increasing concern, especially with regard to those who are elderly.

In short, to answer your question, like everyone else, no it is not a sin. The Church removes the obligation in such conditions.

But where does this leave us? More often than not, if you’re genuinely asking this question, Sunday feels quite empty without the Mass. However, we do live in the 21st century and Mass is broadcast on TV stations (i.e. EWTN).

If, for some reason you missed the televised version of the Mass, then perhaps try meditating on the readings for Mass, making a spiritual communion, and spending some time in prayer.
 
CatholicsRock1 said:
This seems to be quite the pastoral problem. Pastors need to get better about answering this question for the faithful, because it is an increasing concern, especially with regard to those who are elderly.

In short, to answer your question, like everyone else, no it is not a sin. The Church removes the obligation in such conditions.

But where does this leave us? More often than not, if you’re genuinely asking this question, Sunday feels quite empty without the Mass. However, we do live in the 21st century and Mass is broadcast on TV stations (i.e. EWTN).

If, for some reason you missed the televised version of the Mass, then perhaps try meditating on the readings for Mass, making a spiritual communion, and spending some time in prayer.
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I think that’s an important point we all missed. An act of spiritual communion or some sort of attention to God is very important!
 
Please be at peace OP… Others have said it far better than I ever could.

I had a battle royal re mass as I have a very damaged immune system and being in an enclosed place with a crowd is a hazard,

It got sorted when I foolishly attended the First Communion of my landlord;s oldest child, We make costly and lovely rosaries for each of his children and it was an honour to be asked, and lovely, Small rural community and she the only one that evening

Caught a bug and was in bed for six weeks,

So now this is a matter of obedience for me. Which has helped greatly, But then I have lived decades in places so isolated there was no way to get to mass without two nights away from home IF the boats were running.

I had TV then and services there and now the internet,

And I am rather older than you and we need to respect our advancing years
 
halleone said:
Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
Click to expand...
GOD would not expect you or anyone as the NORM, to put either ther body or their soul at risk.

If you can’t make Saturday night rt Sunday due to inclement weather; try to attend during the week, weather permitting.

Just make sure this is for YOU, a valid reason; and not an excuse.👍

Pray much!

God Bless you

Patrick
 
IF you can afford it, a taxi may be an option. Or IF it’s feasible, transit may be an option. Our cathedral is a block from the train so I always take the train to Mass - driving would be far more tedious.
 
halleone said:
Please, could someone tell me, if missing Mass due to ever worsening snow and ice is a mortal sin? At near 70 years of age, I really don’t want to drive in this weather, and another bad weather front is headed our way. The snow is getting ever deeper, and so is the ice!
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The obligation issue has already been answered.

However, I live in Oregon and we got the same storm. It took me 3 hours and 45 minutes to drive about 45 miles, most of it on I-5, because of people who do not know how to drive in snow and ice. I mean no disrespect when I say Please! Stay home! 😉
 
otjm said:
The obligation issue has already been answered.

However, I live in Oregon and we got the same storm. It took me 3 hours and 45 minutes to drive about 45 miles, most of it on I-5, because of people who do not know how to drive in snow and ice. I mean no disrespect when I say Please! Stay home! 😉
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I know exactly what you’re talking about! I grew up near Portland & lived there for years. I still have family & friends there. It’s harder to drive in wet snow & ice, which is what you usually get there, than it is to drive in the dry snow here. I remember refusing to drive if there was even a dusting of snow after spinning out on ice & ending up in a ditch.

If there is any chance of road problems from snow, ice, or cold - especially for those of us who are older - it’s best to stay home.
 
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