Question about Mass

[ValerieEM]

Hi there,

I’m new here, not Catholic, but learning and hoping I belong I’ve only been studying for about 2 months now.

Question is, I was looking through the questions section and I ran across a topic about it being a mortal sin to miss mass. As much as I’d love to go on Sunday, I can’t right now. But I am able to go on Wednesday. Although I know that’s not the same thing, is this bad?

My husband and I have 1 car, and his days off are Tues/Wed. We have a 4 year old boy and I’m a stay at home mom with him. He’s starting a new schedule so I just might be able to go on Sundays (i’m really hoping, but I’ll be cutting it close on the time).

I’m guessing its not enough to just have ewtn on all Sunday. And I know that going on Wednesday is not the same as going on Sunday.

I’m sorry, I’m babbling. I guess the point of this post is: if I am unable to go on Sundays, and it is a mortal sin… I think I might just need some advice.

Thank you. I love this site, because now I think I can actually learn something without wandering around the internet

Have a great day,
Valerie

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Since you’re not yet Catholic you don’t have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays. If you’re able to go during the week that’s wonderful! I hope you find many graces in the Masses you attend.

Sunday Mass is a little different from weekday Masses. It’s “bigger” in the sense that there are more readings, usually music, more people, etc. It’s our opportunity to come together with the rest of the community to worship and pray. The Church views this as so important that it requires us to attend Mass on Sunday under pain of sin.

However…we are never required to do what is impossible. So even if you were Catholic, if it was impossible to get to Mass on Sunday you wouldn’t be sinning. (If that were the case, I’d recommend that you talk with a priest so that everything was clear.)

I hope you’ll have the opportunity to attend Mass on Sunday and experience it.

Many blessings as you come into the Church.

 

[Big_Ro]

If child care during Mass is the problem, you might want to hunt around for a Church in your area that provides childcare during Mass. I’ve attended at least 2 church’s in different states that provide this free service. Also, it is my understanding, but I will defer to the more learned members of this forum, that Saturday evening Mass satisfies your Sunday obligation.

BTW, I think it’s very admirable that you have this sense of obligation even before you have become an “official” Catholic. I know others will roundly criticize me for saying this, but remember God is merciful.

 

[06convert]

For the Church’s offical teaching on Sunday mass, read this page from the Catechism. It will only take a few minutes and you will understand much better:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm

In your case, I would say take the kiddo with you. Kids are like sponges at that age and anything they can pick up from the mass will only help them in the future.

Sometimes kids get a little rowdy or start getting loud and most churches have a “cry room” for that sort of thing. But I would encourage you to just take the child with you. Mass is not an adults only thing.

But SuscipeMeDomine is correct if you aren’t Catholic there isn’t a sin, but if you are and if it’s not in your power to be able to make it, then there is no sin there. As long as you have the desire to go and at at least make an effort by doing something for God. Watching the mass on EWTN and participating in it isn’t a bad thing.

 

[Joe_5859]

Since you’re not yet Catholic you don’t have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays. If you’re able to go during the week that’s wonderful! I hope you find many graces in the Masses you attend.

Sunday Mass is a little different from weekday Masses. It’s “bigger” in the sense that there are more readings, usually music, more people, etc. It’s our opportunity to come together with the rest of the community to worship and pray. The Church views this as so important that it requires us to attend Mass on Sunday under pain of sin.

However…we are never required to do what is impossible. So even if you were Catholic, if it was impossible to get to Mass on Sunday you wouldn’t be sinning. (If that were the case, I’d recommend that you talk with a priest so that everything was clear.)

I hope you’ll have the opportunity to attend Mass on Sunday and experience it.

Many blessings as you come into the Church.

This is the correct answer.

 

[Julian0404]

ValarieEM,

The lack of transportation is an issue, so “when you become catholic” inquire about a shared ride. Some parishes have folks that will go get those who have limited transportation abilities.
However to your general question, there are many Catholics who live in remote areas that only allow for a priest, Mass and the Sacraments on an infrequent basis. They are dispensed from “direct participation” in the Mass, but not from honoring and worshiping on the Sabbath. They (and you) can still establish a 1 hour prayer service, during which you commune with God in worship, and satisfy the Commandments to Love God and Keep the Sabbath.
You can acquire a resource from which you know the Biblical readings for each particular Sunday, so you can read from the Bible during that hour the same readings and gospel as the Church will read. You can mediate on the significance of those readings on your life. Pray the Rosary and/or read from Psalms and/or establish a prayer service to your own benefit and then complete a “Spiritual Communion”.

" . . .On Nov 24, 1922, The Sacred Congregation of Indulgences approved the following formula for a spiritual communion:

O Jesus, I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love You, O my God, I cannot receive You in Holy Communion. Come, nevertheless, and visit me with your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen Indulgenced if repeated 3 times: (129, The Raccolta, 1944)

 

[thistle]

Hi there,

I’m new here, not Catholic, but learning and hoping I belong I’ve only been studying for about 2 months now.

Question is, I was looking through the questions section and I ran across a topic about it being a mortal sin to miss mass. As much as I’d love to go on Sunday, I can’t right now. But I am able to go on Wednesday. Although I know that’s not the same thing, is this bad?

My husband and I have 1 car, and his days off are Tues/Wed. We have a 4 year old boy and I’m a stay at home mom with him. He’s starting a new schedule so I just might be able to go on Sundays (i’m really hoping, but I’ll be cutting it close on the time).

I’m guessing its not enough to just have ewtn on all Sunday. And I know that going on Wednesday is not the same as going on Sunday.

I’m sorry, I’m babbling. I guess the point of this post is: if I am unable to go on Sundays, and it is a mortal sin… I think I might just need some advice.

Thank you. I love this site, because now I think I can actually learn something without wandering around the internet

Have a great day,
Valerie

Once you become a Catholic then Sunday Mass is an obligation but this is also met by a Saturday evening Mass if you really cannot make it on Sunday.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi
Question is, I was looking through the questions section and I ran across a topic about it being a mortal sin to miss mass. As much as I’d love to go on Sunday, I can’t right now. But I am able to go on Wednesday. Although I know that’s not the same thing, is this bad?e

your statement is incomplete
it is a mortal sin to deliberately miss Mass with the intent to do so, for no good reason (illness, necessary work, lack of transport etc). great, go to Mass on another day, watch on EWTN, but neither fills your Sunday obligation. But if you cannot go for a good reason, you have no obligation. But if there is a way to make a reasonable effort to get to Mass you should work on it.

 

[ValerieEM]

Thanks for the help everyone I really appreciate it.

I looked up the times, and I think I can make the 8 am Mass on Sunday, because my husband’s schedule is changing… I’m going to give it a shot this Sunday and see if the timing works The church in my area is really small (I live about 45 minutes outside reno, not in reno, like my profile says) and there’s no area to take kids (I love my son, but he’s not quite on top of the whole “quiet time/inside voice” thing just yet) But if my husband is home he can take care of my son (long story, my husband’s family is catholic, but my husband hasn’t gone since he was very young).

Thank you very much
Valerie

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. …
Question is, I was looking through the questions section and I ran across a topic about it being a mortal sin to miss mass. As much as I’d love to go on Sunday, I can’t right now. But I am able to go on Wednesday. Although I know that’s not the same thing, is this bad? . . .

You need to ask your pastor regarding this. He can dispense you from the requirement for just cause. I have heard of pastors transferring the obligation to another day when that is feasible. Not sure on that, but it sounds reasonable.

 

[Big_Ro]

there’s no area to take kids (I love my son, but he’s not quite on top of the whole “quiet time/inside voice” thing just yet) But if my husband is home he can take care of my son (long story, my husband’s family is catholic, but my husband hasn’t gone since he was very young).

Thank you very much
Valerie

Good for Valerie! You have a wonderful spirit. Still, I’m no one to tell you what to do with your children. But, I think an earlier post pointed out how kids are sponges at that age. He’s absolutely right. What a tremendous gift you would be giving your child to bring him inot the faith at an early age. I’m a cradle Catholic and I’ve always felt that it provided me with a great foundation. My wife and I have three children. We started taking them to church since they were infants. My son in particular was a trial, but he learned. He’s only 6 now, but he actually pays some attention to the Mass and seems truly fascinated by the Eucharist. He keeps asking when he’ll get to take communion. I say take the kid. Sit in the back and don’t worry what people think. God bless.

 

[Siegfried]

Here’s another question about Mass, if that’s okay… I can’t partake of the Eucharist until I have my marriage convalidated and that’s the highlight of the Mass.As a Catholic trying to return to the fullness of the Catholic Church, am I still under the obligation to attend Sunday Mass even if I can’t partake?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Here’s another question about Mass, if that’s okay… I can’t partake of the Eucharist until I have my marriage convalidated and that’s the highlight of the Mass.As a Catholic trying to return to the fullness of the Catholic Church, am I still under the obligation to attend Sunday Mass even if I can’t partake?

The obligation to attend Mass applies to all Catholics. There isn’t a similar obligation to receive communion every Sunday. So yes, you need to attend Mass and work on getting your marriage convalidated.

Close to the time you’ll celebrate your marriage, you’ll have an opportunity to go to confession and then you’ll be able to receive communion at Mass.