Missing Mass Due to Depression

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I have a question I really need answers to, any help is appreciated. 🙂

So I recently went through something very traumatic and my depression has spiraled. I haven’t left my house since Wednesday (which was only to attend a therapy session) and I am in no position to leave my house because I’m so depressed. I’m unable to leave the house to do things I really enjoy or see friends and while I know that leaving the house is good for someone with depression, I’m not ready to do that yet. I’m in a severe mourning period, if you will, and I know if I go to Mass I’m going to be holding back tears the whole time and I don’t know if I’d be able to last the whole time without breaking down. I’m just not ready to leave my house and be around people, even people I love or people that love me. Additionally, I can’t keep food down and I keep throwing up and experiencing severe nausea as a result of how sad I feel.

In short, I have a diagnosed mental illness (that I am seeking help for, I see a therapist and I am on medication) that isn’t allowing me to leave my house without severe emotional distress. I am additionally experiencing physical symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Would it be a sin for me to miss Mass this weekend?
 
Stay home, take care of yourself.

If you are sick, you’re sick.

If you’ve been on your medication for a while, but aren’t receiving sufficient relief, give a call to your doctor on this. Maybe he can prescribe something else.
 
You do not need a dispensation. You are ill. Illness is a justifiable reason for missing an obligation. It is important that we do not separate mental illness from physical illness; this has caused much unnecessary pain and suffering both theologically and secularly.

Peace and all good!
 
I had physical symptoms like that once and so I checked the advice sheet that came with the medication and found the reason for my symptoms. My particular medication was altered by my doctor and I found some relief.

It’s okay to miss mass if you’re unwell. I have tried relaxing and quieting my mind and when ready praying to Our Lord for help and healing. Our Lady also heals. I’m so glad you have your Catholic faith to help you.

God bless.
 
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Both Hereiam and (name removed by moderator) have good points.

No dispensation is needed, anytime anyone is ill and cannot (or should not) attend Mass they are not obligated to do so. In fact, stay home when you are sick - no one else at Mass wants to get sick either.

But it would be fine to call the parish and then someone could come to visit and bring communion.

If you don’t reach the priest, or haven’t heard back don’t get anxious about it. Just stay home and let your parish know so they can minister to you.

May the Holy Spirit fill you with His healing power,
Deacon Christopher

PS: Hereiam has an excellent point - mental illnesses are just like any other illness - they shouldn’t be treated differently or thought of as different categories. Whether my pancreas or my brain is affected shouldn’t matter.
 
No, it isn’t a sin. Call and ask your priest , though. He will tell you the same thing. During the same phone call, if you wish, you could arrange to have Holy Communion brought to you at your home. I hope you feel better soon.
 
It occurred to me, I once had a problem with leaving the house but eventually I did it one step at a time
 
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Hereiam said:
You do not need a dispensation. You are ill. Illness is a justifiable reason for missing an obligation. It is important that we do not separate mental illness from physical illness; this has caused much unnecessary pain and suffering both theologically and secularly.

Peace and all good!
Click to expand...
Agreed!
…
 
I also suffer from depression and somewhat have an idea what you may be going through. With a few trials of medications, I finally found a combination of two that work well for me for now. Therapy also helped me learn how to deal with my anxiety and other issues. But I didn’t get out nearly as much as I used too. However, I managed to start attending daily mass. It gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. I also began attending a weekly Novena. Faith and prayer has helped me get through this.
My prayers are with you. God Bless!
 
It is not a sin to miss Mass if you have a cold or the flu. So, it is not a sin to miss Mass due to any illness that is more serious. However, you should still try to keep holy the Sabbath by prayer and devotion to God.
 
Blessings to you, my friend, and I trust the answers provided have been most helpful. You are far from alone in your situation with mental illness. I missed church for three solid years because of panic attacks and depression back in the early 90’s. I am well now but take medication everyday. Our prayers are always with you. 🙂
 
It isn’t a sin to miss if you’re sick.

But if you are depressed, its often really helpful to get out of the house and try to get things done, even if it takes a lot of effort. It can definitely help you feel better.
 
You have an illness and you need time to heal. God knows your desire to go to Mass, and why you can’t. I have been diagnosed with symptoms that prevent me from doing things and I’m on medication.
 
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