Missing Mass: Caring for infants
- Thread starter Nelka
- Start date
- Status
B
brad90956
Guest
There is no hard and fast rule. Some say the age of reason (age 7), others say after Baptism.
Here is a link that should help: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=11217
Here is a link that should help: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=11217
P
pianistclare
Guest
They should all betaken to Mass.
When a particular child is well behaved enough to not disturb the liturgy depends on the child. The Church leaves this to the prudential judgment of the parents.
Also, it depends if you church has a nursery available that would make it more accessible to young parents, etc.
We do register children for Sunday school beginning in PreK.
Waiting to introduce children to the Mass until First Communion prep is far too late, IMHO.
H
Herculees
Guest
Yes at age 7 children are REQUIRED to attend Mass, this is because this is when they go to CONFESSION/RECONCILIATION and receive FIRST HOLY COMMUNION. By the fact they are REQUIRED to go to CONFESSION/RECONCILIATION they MUST keep the COMMANDMENTS.
P
pensmama87
Guest
Right.
Generally speaking, we take our children from birth on up. If they are going through a particularly trying phase (e.g. colic or teething, or frequent tantrums and meltdowns) we might decide to switch off until it’s resolved (usually no more than one week or maximum two in a row.) But we usually both go in those instances - there are lots of parishes around here and lots of options for Mass times. The only time one of us has missed Mass due to caring for children is if one of them is actually ill.
My oldest is five and while he wouldn’t be determined to have reached the age of reason yet (seven years old), it seems prudent that he go with us as much as possible even if it isn’t technically required. He’s a strong willed kid but we do faith as a family. We worship together, we go to Mass because Jesus asks us to and we want to be with Him one day in Heaven. No ifs, ands, or buts. (Actually, though he’s not nearly as strong willed as his older brother, we talk about this with the 3yo too, because he’s old enough to remember things, and if he skips a week he knows and reminds us of it - such as when his grandparents watch him over Saturday night. So now we make a point of picking them up early enough that we can still all go together.)
Even if not of the “age of reason,” little kids are smart cookies. They know if you mean what you say. I think it’s not a good idea to be inconsistent, whatever you do - because they’ll know.
P
PJM
Guest
The age of reason is estimated to be about 7
HOWEVER, it is a good idea to take youngsters regularly to Mass MUCH eariler than that
Indeed no age is “too young.”.
God Bless you all
From the Church’s point of view a child stops being an infant and becomes an adult upon reaching the age of reason. The age of reason is usually thought to be age 7 but it will obviously vary from child to child.
Now that is the age when the Church says a child has an obligation to attend Mass.
Younger children certainly benefit from being at Mass and the parish benefits from them being there. Unless a child is regularly attending Mass before he has to attend Mass then how is he going to know what is expected of him?
I’m not one of those people who takes a hard stance either way on whether or not younger children** ought** to be at Mass. I think there are many variables parents must deal with so they just have to make the best decision for their family at the given stage in time.
But I would hope families feel like their younger children are welcome at Mass.
- Status