Missing mass sometimes?

[jayman]

I have a career/hobby that causes me to miss mass sometimes.
At times ,I am gone for 3-30 days at a time. Where i go their are no churches (sea). My Fiance states that it is bad and that i am sinning, But, their is really no way around it for me. Is she right? Are their any options for me? I dont miss mass EVER when i am on land.

 

[Ham1]

If it is extraordinarily difficult to attend Mass (i.e. nearest Church is several hours away, etc.) then you are relieved of the obligation to attend. Obviously, it might be good to try to plan your trips with ways to include Mass if at all possible. If you are in doubt consult your priest.

 

[vluvski]

when I went backpacking at in New Mexico with my Venture Crew, the bishop granted a general dispensation to all Catholics on the hikes as long as they attended the daily Mass while they were at base came.
There may be some way to get a formal dispensation if it is weighing on your/your wife’s conscience.

 

[jayman]

vluvski:

when I went backpacking at in New Mexico with my Venture Crew, the bishop granted a general dispensation to all Catholics on the hikes as long as they attended the daily Mass while they were at base came.
There may be some way to get a formal dispensation if it is weighing on your/your wife’s conscience.

Thanks, ill look into it. I always try to leave after mass. But it is always not that easy.

 

[La_Chiara]

You might ask this question on the Ask an Apologist forum.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Ham1:

If it is extraordinarily difficult to attend Mass (i.e. nearest Church is several hours away, etc.) then you are relieved of the obligation to attend. Obviously, it might be good to try to plan your trips with ways to include Mass if at all possible. If you are in doubt consult your priest.

You are not relieved if you voluntarily/deliberately (and not for serious reasons) put yourself into the situation in which you can’t go, eg go on vacation to a place where there is no Mass. It has to be due to a serious reason.

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation * ** of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation*, unless excused for a **serious reason ** (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body

 

[paramedicgirl]

jayman:

I have a career/hobby that causes me to miss mass sometimes.
At times ,I am gone for 3-30 days at a time. Where i go their are no churches (sea). My Fiance states that it is bad and that i am sinning, But, their is really no way around it for me. Is she right? Are their any options for me? I dont miss mass EVER when i am on land.

The Sunday obligation is binding on all Catholics who have attained the use of reason (age 7). Those who find it impossible, or very difficult, are excused. This would include the aged, the sick, those with no transportation, and people who are engaged in works of neccessity at the hour of Mass. (What is it you do?)

You also stated it is a hobby that keeps you from Mass. Perhaps you should consult with your priest and ask his advice

 

[cmgeo]

There are literally millions of faithful Catholics working
in Saudi Arabia where they dont allow any religious
articles let alone Mass.
Now these guys are there struggling to feed their family
and they come from various countries

Once there, you may not leave for atleast couple of years
The question is; Are those folks in mortal sin?

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

cmgeo:

There are literally millions of faithful Catholics working
in Saudi Arabia where they dont allow any religious
articles let alone Mass.
Now these guys are there struggling to feed their family
and they come from various countries

Once there, you may not leave for atleast couple of years
The question is; Are those folks in mortal sin?

The answer is, we are not in a position to say. They may or may not have serious motives (from the way you put it it sounds like they probably do, but I am in no position to say).

 

[jayman]

paramedicgirl:

The Sunday obligation is binding on all Catholics who have attained the use of reason (age 7). Those who find it impossible, or very difficult, are excused. This would include the aged, the sick, those with no transportation, and people who are engaged in works of neccessity at the hour of Mass. (What is it you do?)

You also stated it is a hobby that keeps you from Mass. Perhaps you should consult with your priest and ask his advice

I deliver boats

 

[Chris_Jacobsen]

The Catechism says:

**2183 **“If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families.”

If you are at sea, there is no parish, no church, and no Mass, and therefore no obligation to attend Mass on Sunday.

And according to **2183, **even if you are on land, and there is no Mass at your parish church, you have no obligation to travel to another parish to attend Mass.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Chris Jacobsen:

The Catechism says:

**2183 **“If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other **grave cause ** participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families.”

If you are at sea, there is no parish, no church, and no Mass, and therefore no obligation to attend Mass on Sunday.

And according to **2183, **even if you are on land, and there is no Mass at your parish church, you have no obligation to travel to another parish to attend Mass.

It also says:
2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body

 

[Fitz]

jayman:

I deliver boats

Do you sail them to other locations for people? I think that talking to a priest is the only way you will know what is to be done. You aren’t the only person that gets into this position. I think God is understanding. I happen to think hobbies turn into jobs sometimes, so no one should judge you for this. A priest would help you to make it right with God.

 

[YinYangMom]

Several thoughts:

If this is a hobby - find another hobby. When one’s hobby takes precedence over the Lord’s Day it goes against the commandment “Thou shalt not have false gods before me” (the hobby being the false god, as you value your time focusing on it instead of our Lord).

If this is a career, then thank God you have been blessed to make a living at something you love to do which makes it feel more like a hobby than a job, but all the more reason to make sure to honor the Lord’s day in thanksgiving and praise for blessing you so.

Relevant Radio and EWTN offer Mass via radio, television and internet connections. If you don’t already have the equipment, invest in whatever will pick up one or more of those signals (with satelite radio these days I hear there’s almost no excuse anymore). Then be sure to block out whatever time on Sunday Mass will be aired and spend that hour worshipping via soundwaves. You will receive communion in spirit and you will be honoring the commandment.

When it comes to getting to Mass while out to sea ‘hard’ or ‘difficult’ in that it’s a pain to alter your schedule or route in order to accommodate a mass just keep in mind the path Christ took on your behalf to keep His appointment at Golgatha. It was cumbersome, heavy, painful, he fell three times and still He honored his obligation to His Father for you. Whatever inconvenience you have to go through to honor your obligation to Him will never be anything close to what He went through for you.

If it truly is absolutely unavoidable for you to attend Mass or tune into a broadcast, then on your immediately next opportunity go find a church, go to confession, and if at all possible attend daily mass the next morning before setting out to sea again. You are truly blessed to have something you enjoy doing, to have a wonderful fiance and to be kept safe while at sea. Please, please, make the time to thank God for all He’s given you by keeping His day holy.

 

[otm]

YinYangMom:

Several thoughts:

If this is a hobby - find another hobby. When one’s hobby takes precedence over the Lord’s Day it goes against the commandment “Thou shalt not have false gods before me” (the hobby being the false god, as you value your time focusing on it instead of our Lord).

If this is a career, then thank God you have been blessed to make a living at something you love to do which makes it feel more like a hobby than a job, but all the more reason to make sure to honor the Lord’s day in thanksgiving and praise for blessing you so.

Relevant Radio and EWTN offer Mass via radio, television and internet connections. If you don’t already have the equipment, invest in whatever will pick up one or more of those signals (with satelite radio these days I hear there’s almost no excuse anymore). Then be sure to block out whatever time on Sunday Mass will be aired and spend that hour worshipping via soundwaves. You will receive communion in spirit and you will be honoring the commandment.

When it comes to getting to Mass while out to sea ‘hard’ or ‘difficult’ in that it’s a pain to alter your schedule or route in order to accommodate a mass just keep in mind the path Christ took on your behalf to keep His appointment at Golgatha. It was cumbersome, heavy, painful, he fell three times and still He honored his obligation to His Father for you. Whatever inconvenience you have to go through to honor your obligation to Him will never be anything close to what He went through for you.

If it truly is absolutely unavoidable for you to attend Mass or tune into a broadcast, then on your immediately next opportunity go find a church, go to confession, and if at all possible attend daily mass the next morning before setting out to sea again. You are truly blessed to have something you enjoy doing, to have a wonderful fiance and to be kept safe while at sea. Please, please, make the time to thank God for all He’s given you by keeping His day holy.

I don’t think that moral theology, true to the Magisterium, requires that it be absolutely unavoidable.

 

[YinYangMom]

otm:

I don’t think that moral theology, true to the Magisterium, requires that it be absolutely unavoidable.

That ‘what’ be absolutely unavoidable?

Yes, the teaching is that if it’s impossible to get to mass, then it’s impossible to get to mass, but it still requires confession before receiving communion the next time it becomes possible to attend.

But, as I noted, if this is a hobby, or if it’s a matter of ‘inconvenience’ as opposed to ‘impossible’ then he needs to meet his Sunday obligation.

If that’s what you were referring to.

 

[Petertherock]

Most people have to make a living. Sometimes people’s jobs require them to work on weekends. I was in this situation for a while. I did not have a choice in when I wanted to work. You work or get fired. You get fired you have no money to support your family. There is no mortal sin if you are unable to make mass because of your work obligations.

 

[otm]

YinYangMom:

That ‘what’ be absolutely unavoidable?

Yes, the teaching is that if it’s impossible to get to mass, then it’s impossible to get to mass, but it still requires confession before receiving communion the next time it becomes possible to attend.

But, as I noted, if this is a hobby, or if it’s a matter of ‘inconvenience’ as opposed to ‘impossible’ then he needs to meet his Sunday obligation.

If that’s what you were referring to.

I don’t believe that it requires confessing, as the obligation ceases if it is not possible. In other words, if one is required to travel and it is not reasonably possible to attend Mass (e.g. an international flight leaving on Saturday afternoon; upon arrival there are no Masses being said late on Sunday), then one would have no obligation.

I have not seen a specific distance noted as to interfacing with the obligation, but someone noted above that if Mass is not available in one’s parish, the obligation ceases and one does not have to travel to the neighboring parish. Assuming that is the case, whether that applies to rural areas as opposed to larger cities which have more than one church availabe, I do not know. Interesting question, though. However, my understanding of the obligation is that it is not an issue of it being impossible, as that would imply extraordinary efforts.

What I am trying to say, for example, applies to my scenario above; it is always “possible” to get another flight; but one may not have the luxury of arriving late for the meeting, or staying in the other counrty extra days due to arriving early. One would not be required to take vacation days to rearrane the schedule.

Perhaps someone has some specifics as to the Church rule of attendance?

I would suspect that this is an issue that if he wants to do something that is not “necessary” (a hobby), then he would need to seek exemption from his pastor.

Again, as to the issue of “impossible”, one could always take the position that a job which prevented one from attending Mass was morally wrong, and one had to find a different job; but I do not believe that is the position the Church takes.

 

[jayman]

YinYangMom:

Several thoughts:

If this is a hobby - find another hobby. When one’s hobby takes precedence over the Lord’s Day it goes against the commandment “Thou shalt not have false gods before me” (the hobby being the false god, as you value your time focusing on it instead of our Lord).

If this is a career, then thank God you have been blessed to make a living at something you love to do which makes it feel more like a hobby than a job, but all the more reason to make sure to honor the Lord’s day in thanksgiving and praise for blessing you so.

Relevant Radio and EWTN offer Mass via radio, television and internet connections. If you don’t already have the equipment, invest in whatever will pick up one or more of those signals (with satelite radio these days I hear there’s almost no excuse anymore). Then be sure to block out whatever time on Sunday Mass will be aired and spend that hour worshipping via soundwaves. You will receive communion in spirit and you will be honoring the commandment.

When it comes to getting to Mass while out to sea ‘hard’ or ‘difficult’ in that it’s a pain to alter your schedule or route in order to accommodate a mass just keep in mind the path Christ took on your behalf to keep His appointment at Golgatha. It was cumbersome, heavy, painful, he fell three times and still He honored his obligation to His Father for you. Whatever inconvenience you have to go through to honor your obligation to Him will never be anything close to what He went through for you.

If it truly is absolutely unavoidable for you to attend Mass or tune into a broadcast, then on your immediately next opportunity go find a church, go to confession, and if at all possible attend daily mass the next morning before setting out to sea again. You are truly blessed to have something you enjoy doing, to have a wonderful fiance and to be kept safe while at sea. Please, please, make the time to thank God for all He’s given you by keeping His day holy.

I try to my best ability to attend mass, but with 3 weeks of ocean between me and my destination at times it can be hard.But, Crossings of that length are few are far between. I agree i am very blessed and thank god every day for it. I am also looking for a Catholic mass on the ssb radio. If anyone knows of one let me know Thanks and i will talk to my Priest

 

[Eileen_T]

If this is a hobby - find another hobby.

Listen to Fr Larry Richard’s talk on The Eucharist and also Called to Glory. They can be accessed on this page. franciscan.edu/home2/Content/main.aspx?id=1425&feed=http://commarts.libsyn.com/rss.php?post_category=News

Also Scott Hahn on the Mass
ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/dload1.asp?rafile=lamb09.ra&source=file_index.asp&seriesID=6607&T1=

I have just listened to these today and am going to make copies and give them to everyone I know. I think I have just experienced an awakening. Like waking after being in a coma.

Mea maxima culpa!