Planning to miss Mass... what do I do?

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ioannes_pius said:
Perhaps the next time, it may be worthwhile to ensure that you’re able to attend mass during a trip.
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porthos11 said:
Again, no. No one is required to have to limit one’s travel, even if it’s “just” vacation.
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OraLabora said:
There is no risk, because there is no obligation if travel makes it impossible to attend Mass. One is not obliged to sign up for a higher airfare on a different day, or choose a different itinerary, or forego a vacation, in order to attend Mass.
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Hoosier-Daddy said:
It’s not that hard. Honestly. We did Disney with 5 kids, and recently Italy with 6. My point is yes, if a priest gives a dispensation but it wouldn’t sit right with me, doing other things going other places instead of Mass. I absolutely enjoy going to Mass other places. I live in a hungry place to be a Catholic, traveling offers great experiences. I find Mass one of the things that Makes travel easier. But we don’t know the whole situation. That is true. But if I was finding rides to other places outside my hotel but not Mass, that would certainly bother me. Like I said, we often travel, we have little kids. We’ve never found ourselves in a situation we couldn’t attend Mass.
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I think ioannes_plus and Hossier-Daddy have a valid point to make. If we really put God first in our lives, would we not structure our vacation plans around being able to attend Mass?
 
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Norseman82 said:
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ioannes_pius:
Perhaps the next time, it may be worthwhile to ensure that you’re able to attend mass during a trip.
Click to expand...
porthos11 said:
Again, no. No one is required to have to limit one’s travel, even if it’s “just” vacation.
Click to expand...
OraLabora said:
There is no risk, because there is no obligation if travel makes it impossible to attend Mass. One is not obliged to sign up for a higher airfare on a different day, or choose a different itinerary, or forego a vacation, in order to attend Mass.
Click to expand...
Hoosier-Daddy said:
It’s not that hard. Honestly. We did Disney with 5 kids, and recently Italy with 6. My point is yes, if a priest gives a dispensation but it wouldn’t sit right with me, doing other things going other places instead of Mass. I absolutely enjoy going to Mass other places. I live in a hungry place to be a Catholic, traveling offers great experiences. I find Mass one of the things that Makes travel easier. But we don’t know the whole situation. That is true. But if I was finding rides to other places outside my hotel but not Mass, that would certainly bother me. Like I said, we often travel, we have little kids. We’ve never found ourselves in a situation we couldn’t attend Mass.
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I think ioannes_plus and Hossier-Daddy have a valid point to make. If we really put God first in our lives, would we not structure our vacation plans around being able to attend Mass?
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And me miss the Mediterranean cruise I took with no priest aboard? Fail to see the churches of Rome, of Santorini, our Lady’s house in Ephesus, the prison where Sts. Paul and Silas were held? Miss out on the great cathedral of Barcelona? All because Royal Carribean did not carry a priest onboard?

No. I missed my Sunday obligation when I had to pass Sunday at sea. Well guess what. I committed no sin by doing so, and I most certainly did not fail to “put God first” because I went with Royal Carribean, the line that offered this cruise I just would not miss. A cruise what would take me to places that are not just touristy, but are of great significance to my faith. I went with something I was permitted to do, and was excused because of it. And to this day, I have not confessed it, not even as uncertain, because I did nothing wrong.

And when I was ashore in Barcelona on a Sunday of course I heard Mass!

Again, it’s always the CAF types that impose burdens where the Church does not.
 
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Many here keep talking about posters on CAF non-existent moral obligations on others, but where? I don’t see it on this thread.
 
Indeed. I was in Rome last November. Rome. On Church (oblate) business. Spent 10 days in a monastery in meetings. With a final dinner on Saturday night.

Now I attended the conventual Mass every day while at the monastery, as well as a Mass at Monte Cassino. I was also there on All-Saint’s day and attended Solemn Mass at the monastery, presided by a cardinal no less (Lorenzo card. Baldisseri).

But it just happened that I had to travel home on the Sunday after the close of the conference, in order to benefit from the cheapest possible airfare. I’m retired, on a limited budget, so it matters. I had to leave the monastery at 6 am to catch my flight, and travelled all day with a connection in Toronto to Montreal, plus an hour and a half drive from Montreal to home, and I got home Sunday evening. There’s no Saturday evening Mass at the abbey.

So I did not attend Mass on Sunday.

I did not confess.

I did not feel guilty.

Did I miss not going to Mass? Sure I always do, even when I can’t go like this past Sunday due to the blizzard. But I felt no guilt over it and if I had to, I’d do it all over again (and I will as I will probably have to go back to Rome this fall, and definitely next year).
ioannes_pius said:
Many here keep talking about posters on CAF non-existent moral obligations on others, but where? I don’t see it on this thread.
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Hoosier-Daddy: “it’s not that hard”.

You: “I’m saying that it may be worthwhile to schedule mass in the next time. I don’t see where I imposed a moral obligation on the OP.”

Norseman82: “I think ioannes_plus and Hossier-Daddy have a valid point to make. If we really put God first in our lives, would we not structure our vacation plans around being able to attend Mass?”

All this implies that those who do miss Mass as allowed by the Church, are somehow “not putting God first” or are deficient in our worship.

A moral burden, if not an actual legal one.
 
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I implied no such thing. I’m merely exploring other options as well as offering suggestions. I have left room for the fact we don’t know the situation and that it is not sinful per the advice. But should one want to make the effort sometimes those of us who travel with kids and carseats and schedules and such can offer tips to help problem solve. For instance it might be worth it to simply inquire about the shuttle, I’ve had hotel shuttles help us out before.
 
I think you should talk to your priest. Most likely he will give you special dispensation.
 
Denise, I did not read all of the postings. I just think it is best to consult with a priest when it comes to things like missing Mass. Just my opinion. Not trying to offend anyone.I am just saying what I would do.
 
A dispensation could be necessary for piece if Mind for some people. What could the harm be?
 
The OP is OK.

But if it is a bigger hotel, you might just ask about shuttle buses from the hotel. They often have car seats nowadays, and they often run for free.

In any case, hope your trip goes well!
 
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There are taxi companies that include car seats in the price especially if there is a law in the country that everyone in the car has to wear a seat belt. Contact the company ahead of time and reserve.
 
Norseman82 said:
If we really put God first in our lives, would we not structure our vacation plans around being able to attend Mass?
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That is not always possible within the parameters of a given vacation. Again, the Church does not require such legalism to fulfill the precept. I have this happen to me every few years. The last was last year where traffic made me miss all the Masses in route I had looked up. It is not always possible to predict what will happen. Putting God first may not always mean putting Mass first. This topic reminds of when Jesus was accused of a similar breach for healing on the Sabbath, or the disciples for eating grain.
 
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