missing mass

[annettesant]

Is it a serious sin to miss mass on Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation? Would I need to go to confession before I could take Communion if I did miss mass?

 

[1ke]

Yes to both of your questions.

However, a qualifier must be added. It is serious sin to purposely miss mass without a just reason. For example, if you had a flat tire on the way to mass and didn’t get there, you didn’t purposely miss mass. If you are sick, or caring for someone who is sick, you have a serious reason to miss mass. See the Catechism on this:

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” “The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.”

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. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

So, while in general it is sinful there are situations that are not sinful.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

As stated by 1ke, why did you miss Mass on a holy day? That is what determines if it is a sin. Did you blow it off when you had the opportunity to go? Sin. Did you have to go to work and miss the only Mass of which you knew that day because you live in a small town? No sin. Did you forget? No sin.

Venial sin only needs to be sinful and committed. If you didn’t go to Mass because you really didn’t look too hard at the diocese Mass schedule to see if there was a Mass within spitting distance? Depends on your confessor.

To be a mortal sin you need serious matter (blowing off Mass on Sunday or Holy Day is serious), you must have full knowledge of the action (had to know it was a Holy Day or Sunday time frame and said heck with it, just because you didn’t like going) and full consent of the will. Again, depends on your confessor.

 

[puzzleannie]

Is it a serious sin to miss mass on Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation? Would I need to go to confession before I could take Communion if I did miss mass?

it is a mortal sin to deliberately miss Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of obligation without a good reason. Prudential judgement is all you need to establish a good reason (necessary work, travel to a place with no accessible church, sickness, care for an infant or sick person etc). If the reason for missing Mass was indeed a deliberate decision to flout this law of God and rule of the Church, to deliberately avoid worshipping as Christ commanded, deliberately refusing to obey, then yes it must be confessed before you receive communion. We do not “take” communion, we receive it as a gift.

 

[EllaK]

Wondering if anyone can help clear up the confussion that I feel about attending Mass, as a RCIA participant (?)

I was baptised (Trinity w/water), as a child.

Have given copy of my certificate, to my RCIA teacher.

I want to attend Mass; even on days when we have no class (like today, and some weekdays).
Usually, our class is dismissed, before the Eucharist.
I’m OK about that (since I really have had no choice).

However, again … today (& next week); no class.

I think the most important part of Mass is the receiving of the Eucharist. Am experiencing an incredible pull to it.
This may sound dumb (Sorry) … but, even thinking about missing out on the Eucharist, makes me feel like crying.
Yet, if I go … I know that I’ll have to leave, before it is given. . Don’t know if I can do that, on my own.

If I stay home … do I sin ?
If I go & partake of it … do I sin; even more ?

Thanks for any advise.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Wondering if anyone can help clear up the confussion that I feel about attending Mass, as a RCIA participant (?)

I was baptised (Trinity w/water), as a child.

Have given copy of my certificate, to my RCIA teacher.

I want to attend Mass; even on days when we have no class (like today, and some weekdays).
Usually, our class is dismissed, before the Eucharist.
I’m OK about that (since I really have had no choice).

However, again … today (& next week); no class.

I think the most important part of Mass is the receiving of the Eucharist. Am experiencing an incredible pull to it.
This may sound dumb (Sorry) … but, even thinking about missing out on the Eucharist, makes me feel like crying.
Yet, if I go … I know that I’ll have to leave, before it is given. . Don’t know if I can do that, on my own.

If I stay home … do I sin ?
If I go & partake of it … do I sin; even more ?

Thanks for any advise.

First of all, since you are not technically Catholic, you are not bound by the Mass obligation, but as a “wanna-be” Catholic it certainly is a good idea to get in the habit of attending every Sunday, barring those unforseen circumstances that might prevent you from going.

You do not want to partake of the Eucharist before you’re confirmed, that is considered profaning the Eucharist and I know you don’t want to do that!

I feel your pain - I went through RCIA over the summer and it took place in between Masses so I didn’t have to leave before the Eucharist. You don’t have to leave - you can go forward and receive a blessing (cross your arms over your chest so they know you’re not receiving) and then you can make a Spiritual Communion:

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

And just so you know, I did cry. And it’s OK. :hug3:

 

[EllaK]

First of all, since you are not technically Catholic, you are not bound by the Mass obligation, but as a “wanna-be” Catholic it certainly is a good idea to get in the habit of attending every Sunday, barring those unforseen circumstances that might prevent you from going.

You do not want to partake of the Eucharist before you’re confirmed, that is considered profaning the Eucharist and I know you don’t want to do that!

I feel your pain - I went through RCIA over the summer and it took place in between Masses so I didn’t have to leave before the Eucharist. You don’t have to leave - you can go forward and receive a blessing (cross your arms over your chest so they know you’re not receiving) and then you can make a Spiritual Communion:

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

And just so you know, I did cry. And it’s OK. :hug3:

Thank You, so very much, for your advise & for your understanding, Pixie Dust !   :) 

You're right ..... I would NOT wish to profane the Eucharist, in any manner.  

So, I will ask the Father for a Blessing & pray the Communion Prayer that you have shared (have copied it down & will carry it with me; till such time as I have it memorized ).

Congratulations on completing your Tiber Swim !!

Have to run !   Don't want to be late, for Mass !   :) 

Thanks, again !!

 

[Coder]

It seems to me that it has been commonplace for CCD students to miss mass and then particpate in another mass and receive communion. For example at my parish I think the students are instructed to participate in the monthly teen mass to encourage mass participation while “preparing” the students for confirmation.

It also seems commonplace for Catholics to attend mass only on occasions such as Christmas and Easter and receive communion.

For both of the above examples, I have not been aware of the people typically being advised or told not to receive communion.

Perhaps Bishops need to instruct priests to tell people at the beginning of mass not to receive communion if they do not participate regularly at mass (especially at Christmas and Easter masses).

 

[feargalmac]

Yes to both of your questions.

However, a qualifier must be added. It is serious sin to purposely miss mass without a just reason. For example, if you had a flat tire on the way to mass and didn’t get there, you didn’t purposely miss mass. If you are sick, or caring for someone who is sick, you have a serious reason to miss mass. See the Catechism on this:

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” “The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.”

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. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

So, while in general it is sinful there are situations that are not sinful.

Last Sunday our priest told us he didn’t think that anyone should go to Mass out of obligation. Then, when he was telling us about the Masses for All Saints, he repeated that we should go only if we wanted to.
Does 2181 mean that he can dispense with our obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holydays?

 

[Coder]

Last Sunday our priest told us he didn’t think that anyone should go to Mass out of obligation.

Our obligation is real and it is our obligation to Jesus by our own free will to accept the commitment of following Jesus.

 

[LilyM]

It seems to me that it has been commonplace for CCD students to miss mass and then particpate in another mass and receive communion. For example at my parish I think the students are instructed to participate in the monthly teen mass to encourage mass participation while “preparing” the students for confirmation.

It also seems commonplace for Catholics to attend mass only on occasions such as Christmas and Easter and receive communion.

For both of the above examples, I have not been aware of the people typically being advised or told not to receive communion.

Perhaps Bishops need to instruct priests to tell people at the beginning of mass not to receive communion if they do not participate regularly at mass (especially at Christmas and Easter masses).

Oftentimes there is instruction in the Missalettes of most churches - they will have a statement in there about who may receive Communion and who may not. But I agree more emphasis on the teaching would be an excellent thing.