Missed a Holy Day of Obligation

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Nelka

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I guess I am in mortal sin now? In England it is a holy day today. Confession is tomorrow but I will be working so I have to wait at least one week, how will I manage life?
 
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School sport day, you would think however that a Catholic school wouldn’t do it on a Holy day of obligation?
 
So did you knowingly skip Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation, or did you simply not have the opportunity to attend?
 
Isn’t there another mass you can go to? There were three masses at our local parish today and lots have mass at 7pm too.
 
I don’t really know the situation, I can’t say if you’ve committed a mortal sin. Maybe it would be a good idea to speak to your pastor about this matter.

If you need to go to confession, the best thing to do will probably be call the parish and make an appointment.
Nelka said:
One this morning and one tonight in a different church ten miles away.
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So, are you able to attend this Mass? 10 miles doesn’t sound unreasonable, provided you have transportation. Again, I really don’t know your situation.
 
Dear @Nelka

I don’t believe that your situation would count as a mortal sin. I am not a priest, only a brother, and do not know the exact circumstances surrounding your inability to attend, so this is simply my personal opinion. The three criteria for mortal sin are:
  1. grave matter
  2. full foreknowledge that the action would constitute a mortal sin
  3. the sin is conducted with a free and fully assenting act of will
The fact that you were required by your school to attend this Sports Day automatically influences your choices and your act of will not to go to Mass. In a vacuum, this alone would constitute simply a venial sin. Now, the question remains if you had the opportunity to attend Mass outside of the hours of your Sports Day. If you did have that opportunity and consciously chose not to attend, knowing that you would be in violation of a Holy Day of Obligation. Then this would become a mortal sin, as the impinging Sports Day no longer affects your decision.

I cannot tell you whether to receive communion or not tomorrow at Mass, that can only be your choice, but I can tell you what my own superiors have told me in situations when you are unsure as to the mortality of a sin and are fully unable to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Approach the Sacrament of the Eucharist with perfect contrition. Seek forgiveness for this sin out of love for Christ instead of out of fear of hell. Arrive to Mass early and do an examination of conscience and assign yourself a small penance. Make an Act of Contrition after your penance or meditate upon your sorrow during Mass and make the Act of Contrition directly before you receive the Eucharist. If you do this, however, you must confess your possible mortal/venial sin in Reconciliation at your first possible opportunity.

God Bless,
Br. Ben, CRM
 
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Ahh, thank you for that. I’m in the Philippines so my time zones are out of whack. I’ll edit the post.
 
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