Mental illness and Sunday obligation

[victrolatim]

In cases of serious physical illness, the Church excuses one from the Sunday obligation. Does the same apply for mental illness? For example, if one is experiencing a severe bout of depression, or has issues with agoraphobia?

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

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.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#2180

Various illness’s could fit the “serious reason”. Each case could be different. (some might others might not…a judgment in each case can be called for).

Like if a person cannot leave home cause of “agoraphobia” such can be a kind of impossibility for at least a period.

The Pastor of the person can help them determine such as well (via phone…or a visit by him). Or dispense them if need be. And of course he can be involved in their care over all.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

I used to have severely high anxiety and a battle with agoraphobia and major depression. I would have the intentions of going to Mass and some Sundays just couldn’t. The thought of going out would bring on a panic attack.
There were sometimes that I would go to Mass to leave before the homily. I just couldn’t handle it.
The priest said I didn’t commit sin if I wasn’t able to make it to Mass, I am ill.

Talk with your priest. :hug1:

 

[lmelahn]

In cases of serious physical illness, the Church excuses one from the Sunday obligation. Does the same apply for mental illness? For example, if one is experiencing a severe bout of depression, or has issues with agoraphobia?

The short answer is “yes.” If someone’s mental illness is so acute as to make it impossible for the person to leave the house, say, or if the person will experience grave distress, then that impossibility excuses the person from his Sunday obligation.

On the other hand, regarding depression in particular, it might be advisable to encourage the person to go to Mass, as participation in social activities can be a help. (If the depression is that severe, the person should seek medical attention.)

(If you know someone like this, please mention it to the parish, so that a priest or extraordinary minister can bring Holy Communion, if the person so desires.)

 

[CB_Catholic]

When I was in my 40"s I experienced a clinical depression so severe, that I could barely put one foot in front of another, and would have severe anxiety. I was hospitalized, but when I got home I still experienced some of the physical effects and did not go to Mass for a while. I did not sin-- I was ill, just as ill as if I had any debilitating disease.

My friend, who was experiencing a depression after surgery on her heart, went to church, and then found herself unable to move and couldn’t get out of the pew to go home. Her physician said it was from the depression, and put her on medication, which has helped her tremendously.

The physical effects of major depression can be debilitating, yet there are still people who make light of this condition and tell people to “snap out of it”. My own dear mother never did understand my depression and would tell me to “cheer up”. But it wasn’t any sadness I was experiencing–it was the awful physical effects of a major clinical depression brought on by an imbalance in my brain chemistry and hormones, they said.

Thankfully, I recovered fully. No, it is no sin to miss Mass from mental illness if it causes such stress and anxiety or incapacitates you.

 

[Irish_Cabbie]

I used to have severely high anxiety and a battle with agoraphobia and major depression. I would have the intentions of going to Mass and some Sundays just couldn’t. The thought of going out would bring on a panic attack.
There were sometimes that I would go to Mass to leave before the homily. I just couldn’t handle it.

The priest said I didn’t commit sin if I wasn’t able to make it to Mass, I am ill.

Talk with your priest. :hug1:

Thank you for writing this.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Thank you for writing this.

You’re welcome.

May I ask why you are thanking me?

 

[Irish_Cabbie]

You’re welcome.

May I ask why you are thanking me?

Many people suffer from depression and anxiety issues. Sadly, many people are reluctant to get help because of the stigma that society places on those deemed mentally ill. When people like yourself speak about your own battles with depression, you help to remove some of that stigma. It is for that reason that I thanked you.

 

[StudentMI]

I suffer from depression (as well as anxiety and OCD). I can’t picture God looking on someone with mental illness who didn’t go to Mass because of that illness with anything but mercy and love.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Many people suffer from depression and anxiety issues. Sadly, many people are reluctant to get help because of the stigma that society places on those deemed mentally ill. When people like yourself speak about your own battles with depression, you help to remove some of that stigma. It is for that reason that I thanked you.

Oh, well I’m glad I helped. No one should ever be ashamed of getting treated for any illness, be it mental or physical. People don’t choose to get sick, no matter what illness they get.

 

[coachdennis]

The short answer is “yes.” If someone’s mental illness is so acute as to make it impossible for the person to leave the house, say, or if the person will experience grave distress, then that impossibility excuses the person from his Sunday obligation.

On the other hand, regarding depression in particular, it might be advisable to encourage the person to go to Mass, as participation in social activities can be a help. (If the depression is that severe, the person should seek medical attention.)

(If you know someone like this, please mention it to the parish, so that a priest or extraordinary minister can bring Holy Communion, if the person so desires.)

The Church makes allowances for individuals with debilitating physical illness and does so with mental illness. Debilitating illnesses are debilitating illnesses, period.

I know you mean well but this kind of advice (that I bolded) only reinforces the stigma and view in society that people with mental illness should just “carry on” or “man up”.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

On the other hand, regarding depression in particular, it might be advisable to encourage the person to go to Mass, as participation in social activities can be a help. (If the depression is that severe, the person should seek medical attention.)

With all due respect, unless you are an expert in mental health simply telling people with depressive illnesses to throw themselves to the sharks and either sink or swim is probably not the best approach. Every person is different.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

The Church makes allowances for individuals with debilitating physical illness and does so with mental illness. Debilitating illnesses are debilitating illnesses, period.

I know you mean well but this kind of advice (that I bolded) only reinforces the stigma and view in society that people with mental illness should just “carry on” or “man up”.

With all due respect, unless you are an expert in mental health simply telling people with depressive illnesses to throw themselves to the sharks and either sink or swim is probably not the best approach. Every person is different.

:sad_yes:

 

[lmelahn]

With all due respect, unless you are an expert in mental health simply telling people with depressive illnesses to throw themselves to the sharks and either sink or swim is probably not the best approach. Every person is different.

The Church makes allowances for individuals with debilitating physical illness and does so with mental illness. Debilitating illnesses are debilitating illnesses, period.

I know you mean well but this kind of advice (that I bolded) only reinforces the stigma and view in society that people with mental illness should just “carry on” or “man up”.

Sorry, it was not my intention to make my comment sound like that in any way. I apologize to the viewers of the thread here.

The important thing I wanted to say was that yes, mental illness can be sufficient grounds to miss Mass if the symptoms are severe enough. The criteria are the same as any other illness.

 

[Rosebud77]

I am impressed with this… Many years ago I saw here folk telling other eg that even if they had to use a wheelchair and wear a mask they must go to mass. I have a debilitating illness and the effort getting to mass would involve would leave me ill for days and invalidate me for the small work I do for others. Now age is exacerbating the illness and now I am at peace about it all. Thank you!