Missed Mass/question

[muffinmojo]

So I missed Mass today. Granted, there was like 8 in of new snow on top of like 3 pre-existing inches. My parish was much too far away to get to, it took like 45 minutes to dig my mother’s car out of the driveway for her to get to her work(at a hospital, can’t just be like ‘I can’t make it’). BUT there is a much closer parish, less than 4 blocks away, which i could have easily walked to. I thought about it…but decided against it. I can’t decide whether i have committed a sin or not. Anyone got any method for discerning one’s state of mind/heart regarding decisions like this?

 

[Aramis]

Step one: were you under obligation?
Presumed answer: yes, since you’re asking in the L&S section, it’s a good bet you’re a Roman Catholic, and thus have an explicit weekly obligation

Step two: could you have fulfilled the obligation without undue risk and without harm (like losing a job or leaving someone or something in need alone).
Presumed answer: yes, since you mentioned you could easily have walked.

Step three: Were you aware of the seriousness of a Roman missing Mass? (It is a grave sin.)

Step four: did you receive indult from the pastor to miss?

If 1-3 are yes, and 4 is no, hit the confessional pronto…

 

[Trishie]

It was an error in judgement not to go the the nearer church, but one that indicates you rate your preferences as higher in importance than the Mass obligation. You may need to re-center your priorities in the understanding that personal preferences don’t stack up in this instance. You may wish to arrange confession as you did have a choice which would have enabled you to go to Mass. Don’t fear to contact your priest.

I’m sure your thinking was clouded…but this decision that you now rightly doubt, will I’m sure determine you not to make a choice for yourself over God again regarding Mass. You forgot the first commandment, “Love God above all.” We must in the right way love ourselves. As Jesus said, “Love others as yourself” but the first commandment always precedes the second.
If you were ill or unavoidably prevented…but as you say, that wasn’t the case.

I’m sorry you have to deal with the disturbing consequence of a hasty decision, but please God you won’t ever fall into such a trap again.

God bless you with all His love and grace.
Very warmly, Trishie

 

[TheDoctor]

So I missed Mass today. Granted, there was like 8 in of new snow on top of like 3 pre-existing inches. My parish was much too far away to get to, it took like 45 minutes to dig my mother’s car out of the driveway for her to get to her work(at a hospital, can’t just be like ‘I can’t make it’). BUT there is a much closer parish, less than 4 blocks away, which i could have easily walked to. I thought about it…but decided against it. I can’t decide whether i have committed a sin or not. Anyone got any method for discerning one’s state of mind/heart regarding decisions like this?

A method, sure.

First though, no one can judge you and I can’t make a determination as to what is or is not a sin, so that is not what the process will do. The process will help you to make the determination.

Step 1: Was it sinful? Was it venial or grave matter? Did it violate one of the Commandments, Precepts of the Church or Church teachings as found in the Catechism?.

Step 2: Did you know it was sinful? Was that little voice of your conscience whispering to you?

Step 3: Did you do it of your own free will or did someone force you? Were there circumstances beyond your control? If you don’t really know, assume the worst and take it to Father in confession.

Yeah, I know, it is the mortal sin method. Works for everything, mortal and venial.

Now, if you want my opinion: You don’t really need it, do you? You are asking the question, so you really, deep down in that wonderful well formed conscience, know the answer already, don’t you?

 

[AaronK88]

I missed Mass the other week too. The reason why is a little stupid, but I am not ready to tell my parents I am a Catholic. I go to a night Mass on Sundays because I work Sunday morning, and they expected me to be home that night for dinner and I couldn’t think of an excuse in time. So I felt horrible guilt.

 

[Aramis]

I missed Mass the other week too. The reason why is a little stupid, but I am not ready to tell my parents I am a Catholic. I go to a night Mass on Sundays because I work Sunday morning, and they expected me to be home that night for dinner and I couldn’t think of an excuse in time. So I felt horrible guilt.

If you are young enough that revealing your faith would result in temporal harm, that’s sufficient reason to excuse the obligation.

If your parents would likely kick you out, then it definitely is reason.

If you are still a minor, then you still have to obey the commandment to honor your father and your mother, and Paul’s exhortation to be obedient.

 

[FrDavid96]

So I missed Mass today. Granted, there was like 8 in of new snow on top of like 3 pre-existing inches. My parish was much too far away to get to, it took like 45 minutes to dig my mother’s car out of the driveway for her to get to her work(at a hospital, can’t just be like ‘I can’t make it’). BUT there is a much closer parish, less than 4 blocks away, which i could have easily walked to. I thought about it…but decided against it. I can’t decide whether i have committed a sin or not. Anyone got any method for discerning one’s state of mind/heart regarding decisions like this?

miffinmojo,

You’ve already answered your own question.

“…which i could have easily walked to. I thought about it…but decided against it.”

 

[MusicMan]

So what if the weather is such that the pastor of your territorial parish closes the parish and cancels Mass for Sunday?

 

[FrDavid96]

So what if the weather is such that the pastor of your territorial parish closes the parish and cancels Mass for Sunday?

If the pastor cancels the Masses, then de facto the parishioners of that parish are exempt from the obligation.

 

[AaronK88]

If you are young enough that revealing your faith would result in temporal harm, that’s sufficient reason to excuse the obligation.

If your parents would likely kick you out, then it definitely is reason.

If you are still a minor, then you still have to obey the commandment to honor your father and your mother, and Paul’s exhortation to be obedient.

I’m not a minor but I live in their household. I am 20 and go to school.

 

[Aramis]

I’m not a minor but I live in their household. I am 20 and go to school.

Then you need to discuss the situation with your pastor, and get a read on it with him.

You also should be honest about your conversion.