Missing mass for a trip

  • Thread starter Thread starter dove51
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dove51

Guest
Got a question for you guys. I have to go on a 10-day trip to Spain this spring for a class, and therefore will not be able to attend Mass for a week. My mother will not accept my wanting to keep Sunday obligation as reason enough to stay home. What should I do in this situation? What would you do?
 
If you cannot get to Mass, it is alright. You might see if it is possible to find a church for your trip, but if you can’t, it won’t put your soul in danger.
 
How old are you? Are you able to slip away from the group to attend Mass in one of the many Catholic churches in Spain? Will there be any other Catholics on the trip who would go with you?

If there is no practical way for you to get to Mass, you have no obligation. But it may not be as difficult as you now think. Going to Mass may turn out to be your personal “highlight of the trip.”

Betsy
 
Dove51,

They have Churches in Spain…try to find a Mass and go…

I traveled from Oregon to Guatemala last January with NWMedical Teams [the only catholic]. I was not in charge of nor in control of travel while in country…also we were traveling to our ultimate work site and then flying home on Sundays. So I was going to be gone two Sundays and traveling in a foreign country [with non catholics] on both of those Sundays…

I spoke with my priest, he told me to may a reasonable attempt to get to mass…take a missal [even one from the church if I needed] and in case I was unable to find a church to join my home parish in prayer and reflection upon the readings for that Sunday…

I was actually able to attend Mass for both Sunday’s [attending the earliest Mass the first Sunday while the rest of my group ate breakfast - and I had to walk to the Church and attending Mass on Saturday evening on the next weekend]. These churches were in different towns so it was necessary to work at it both times…

I purchased a missal in spanish before I left so I would be able to follow along…I also took my liturgy of the hours prayer book [in lieu of another missal] You will love attneding Mass in Spain, I think - asterall it helps us realize how united we are in prayer - all over the world and in all languages- We truly are the Universal Christian Church

Enjoy the trip., Post us about your Mass experiences…👍 -
 
baltobetsy said:
How old are you? Are you able to slip away from the group to attend Mass in one of the many Catholic churches in Spain? Will there be any other Catholics on the trip who would go with you?
Click to expand...
  1. I very much doubt it, since it’s a school trip and highly organized–lots of routines, schedules and travel to get done. (Even if it was possible, I don’t think I’d be able to attend a Spanish church if I wanted to since my Spanish is too poor and I’m not ready to go to a Latin Mass yet.) I wish I could go, but I really just don’t see it happening. 😦
 
dove51 said:
  1. I very much doubt it, since it’s a school trip and highly organized–lots of routines, schedules and travel to get done. (Even if it was possible, I don’t think I’d be able to attend a Spanish church if I wanted to since my Spanish is too poor and I’m not ready to go to a Latin Mass yet.) I wish I could go, but I really just don’t see it happening. 😦
Click to expand...
You can still go to a Spanish church even if you do not understand Spanish that well. It would still fulfill your obligation. I would suggest talking to your priest about this, though. He may give you a dispensation for your Mass obligation if you are unable to attend. Just explain your situation to the priest and ask him what you should do.
 
You or your mother could request that you’d be able to attend a mass on Sunday. That may require a chaperone since you’re 16, but I think it is an important thing to request. A couple years back I attended a three-week music program in Italy that was very intensive. We had only two days off during those three weeks and the rest of the time - work, work, work!!! I did kindly request, though, that they would not schedule me for any lessons, rehearsals or master classes on Sunday mornings as I wanted to attend mass to fulfill my obligations as a Catholic. That was granted to me.

Also, having attended mass in various countries throughout Europe, from my experience, it is still very spiritually worthwhile to attend mass even if you can’t understand everything.
 
Do your best to get to Mass.

HOWEVER, there is a thing called “traveler’s dispensation”–can’t think of the exact wording, but if you’re on a trip, and you can’t make it to Mass, then you’re o.k.

–Barbara
 
If you are truly unable to attend, you can get permission off your local priest to miss one mass. He will grant you a pardon.
You will be alright.
God bless you and have a safe trip.
 
Hi,

I had a similar situation , and a seminarian friend asked his moral theology professor, who said if it was an ocassional situation, it is OK to miss Mass, if you are traveling, and not able to get to Mass, but if it is the norm, other arrangements must be made.

Another friend said her pastor said 2 Sundays a year is OK for the same reason.

Lux
 
dove51,

You may be able to get to mass, ask your mom to request that they may attempts to get you there…even if it is not on a Sunday…

When my daughter sang her way across Europe in High school, on eof the chaperones assited her in attending a mass…it was not on a Sunday but she attended on the oportunity provided and the rest was out of her hands…😉
 
First, speak to your parish priest about this. He will very likely give you a dispensation. But also, ask the teacher organizing the trip to allow you time to go to Mass. There will be many churches in Spain (especially in Barcelona or another large city) and the hotel should be able to let you know Mass schedules for nearby chuches ahead of time. It may mean you getting up earlier or missing breakfast, but you will probably be able to get to an early Mass before the day’s activities. (and if you miss breakfast, simply take along a few granola bars.)
 
Tell the school they need to make allowances for your obligation. If you were Jewish and kept a kosher diet I’m sure they would accommodate, if you were Muslim and had to pray several times a day I’m sure they would accommodate that as well. Just because you are Catholic does not mean that your religious OBLIGATION (it’s not like you are asking to go to the movies) is any less relevant.

They should make arrangements for you to get to Mass. If they don’t, complain about it.

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
Tell the school they need to make allowances for your obligation. If you were Jewish and kept a kosher diet I’m sure they would accommodate, if you were Muslim and had to pray several times a day I’m sure they would accommodate that as well. Just because you are Catholic does not mean that your religious OBLIGATION (it’s not like you are asking to go to the movies) is any less relevant.

They should make arrangements for you to get to Mass. If they don’t, complain about it.

~Liza
Click to expand...
EXACTLY!
 
Why is it that as Catholics we are always so ready to just put up and shut up? Why are we always the ones who are willing to just say “oh, it’s ok, I can get a dispensation FROM BEING WITH JESUS to make it easier on everyone else” :rolleyes: Do you honestly think that a devout Muslim would do the same?

Dang - but I get so tired of that sometimes.

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
Why is it that as Catholics we are always so ready to just put up and shut up? Why are we always the ones who are willing to just say “oh, it’s ok, I can get a dispensation FROM BEING WITH JESUS to make it easier on everyone else” :rolleyes: Do you honestly think that a devout Muslim would do the same?

Dang - but I get so tired of that sometimes.

~Liza
Click to expand...
I totally agree!!! 👍 I know there may be times where you absolutely need to get a dispensation, but it doesn’t seem fair that Catholics are expected to do without attending mass, especially when it comes to Holy Days during the work day, college classes, etc.
 
dove51 said:
  1. I very much doubt it, since it’s a school trip and highly organized–lots of routines, schedules and travel to get done. (Even if it was possible, I don’t think I’d be able to attend a Spanish church if I wanted to since my Spanish is too poor and I’m not ready to go to a Latin Mass yet.) I wish I could go, but I really just don’t see it happening. 😦
Click to expand...
I went to Spain for about 10 days with a public school class and we were able to go to Mass. I would make every effort to make them allow you to have time to fulfill your Sunday obligation. You could definetely still attend Mass in Spanish. I’ve been to several Spanish speaking countries and attended Mass despite the fact that my Spanish isn’t good enough. It’s the same Mass, same words, just a different langauge.
 
I am surprised at the number of people suggesting it is ok to miss mass just because you are on a trip.

I do not believe this is the case.

If you are putting yourself in a situation where you will not be able to attend mass and can do something about it (like not going) then you should receive a dispensation before you go.
Why is it that as Catholics we are always so ready to just put up and shut up? Why are we always the ones who are willing to just say “oh, it’s ok, I can get a dispensation FROM BEING WITH JESUS to make it easier on everyone else” Do you honestly think that a devout Muslim would do the same?
Click to expand...
Dang - but I get so tired of that sometimes.
Click to expand...
~Liza
Click to expand...
This lady is expressing the correct sentiment.

Peace and God Bless!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top