Not Fulfilling Sunday Obligations?

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StephenBales

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I’m a Catholic convert, but early on the road to Mother Church. Recently, on the Feast of the Assumption, I was chatting with my Catholic friend who first started me on this road. I asked her if she was going to Mass. “Yes of course! We’re going at 6 tonight. Are you?” As a Baptist “pastor’s kid,” I’m not exactly able to attend Mass at this time. I haven’t told my parents about this because, to be quite honest, I’m a little nervous at my father’s reaction, so I’m not able to slip out every Sunday for Mass or on Holy Days of Obligation without a ride. There are several other conditions existing right now that would prevent me, but I’ll skip to the question: am I currently sinning by not fulfilling Sunday Obligation and Holy Days’ Obligation, even with the, IMO*, extenuating circumstances? If I am, is there anything I don’t know of yet that I can do in lieu of Mass, while I still live in secrecy?

Thanks!

*I don’t mean to sound presumptuous, this is just how it seems to me. But I am very open to being corrected!
 
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once you are an adult, you will have much more responsibility and authority to meet catholic obligations. have you gone through RCIA yet and been confirmed and received the sacraments?
 
The Sunday obligation is a juridical obligation imposed by Canon Law which only binds Catholics. You are not yet bound by Canon Law since you are not yet in communion with the Catholic Church. Therefore, you have no obligation to attend Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation, and so you cannot sin by failing to fulfill an obligation that does not exist for you.

Be at peace, know of my prayers, and feel free to message me if you have questions.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Nowhere close. I’m only reading and praying my way into the Church, but I’m not able to start any official processes yet. No RCIA, have never been to Mass, haven’t even met a priest in person before.

I’m rather deprived 😂
 
Thank you, Father!

EDIT: Slip of the tongue, Texan gentleman habit, I said sir instead of Father 😂
 
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As said above, you are not committing a sin if you are a minor without transportation and cannot reasonably get there.

You also are not obligated to do anything else “in lieu of Mass”.

If you wanted to say some extra prayers or make a “holy hour” on Sundays and holy days of obligation when you cannot go, that would be a nice thing to do. Alternatively, you could watch a Mass on TV or streaming online. Bu you are not obligated to do anything, so these just fall in the category of optional nice things you could do if you wanted to.
 
What do you think is the worse outcome of telling your dad you want to join the Catholic Church?
 
Tis_Bearself said:
As said above, you are not committing a sin if you are a minor without transportation and cannot reasonably get there.
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Honestly, even if you’re an adult without transportation and cannot reasonably get there, that’s not a sin. I’ve definitely missed Mass before because I didn’t have a car and couldn’t get a ride and the length/conditions meant walking would simply have been stupid.
 
if you can’t get to Mass; you can’t

no sin
 
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Thank you, @Roseeurekacross .

@nightshade , worst possible outcome? Being kicked out of the house. But he’s not that extreme, and if he were, he’d probably still make me get a job and perhaps even help me get an apartment set up before I’d leave. Worst likely scenario is a really big yelling match with long term consequences (bitterness, likely on both ends; smaller chance of my ever bringing him and the rest of our family across the Tiber; possibly not allowing my getting my license and a job (would lead to financial independence)).

He was slightly miffed just at my wearing a crucifix and said it was “too Catholic.” I’d imagine much more than that would set something off.
 
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keep your catholicism on the down low for the time being

last thing you need is family strife

pray & worship in private
 
remain a “stealthy catholic” until you are independent

don’t provoke trouble in your family while you are dependent on them; it is not worth it
 
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Agreed with others’ sentiment here. You are very close to being an adult so it would probably be best to wait. It’s just a shame it has to be that way.
 
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