Question on missing mass

[Arebella]

I went to our parish’s penance service about a week ago and went to confession. Last Friday night, I was in a car accident on the way home from work and was injured - two black eyes and a broken nose, with a stay overnight in the hospital for observation. On Saturday night and Sunday morning, our area was hit an ice storm that virtually closed down our rural county for more than 24 hrs. Because of all that, I missed mass this Sunday. Although I felt bad about missing mass and apologized to God for it and said an extra rosary, I feel like I shouldn’t take communion on Christmas if I can’t get to confession before then. Only one parish within an hour’s drive is offering confession between now and Saturday, and I don’t know if I can safely drive that far right now. Thoughts?

 

[SMHW]

It seems as if missing Mass was pretty much out of your control so there doesn’t seem to be anything to confess about it.

I’m kind of amazed that you found a parish offering confession on Christmas Eve. While it’s always a good sacrament of which to avail yourself, it wouldn’t be because of missing Mass. And if it would be dangerous to go to that parish then I say don’t go.

 

[1ke]

I went to our parish’s penance service about a week ago and went to confession. Last Friday night, I was in a car accident on the way home from work and was injured - two black eyes and a broken nose, with a stay overnight in the hospital for observation. On Saturday night and Sunday morning, our area was hit an ice storm that virtually closed down our rural county for more than 24 hrs. Because of all that, I missed mass this Sunday. Although I felt bad about missing mass and apologized to God for it and said an extra rosary, I feel like I shouldn’t take communion on Christmas if I can’t get to confession before then. Only one parish within an hour’s drive is offering confession between now and Saturday, and I don’t know if I can safely drive that far right now. Thoughts?

Don’t be scrupulous. There is nothing to confess.

 

[TheAmazingGrace]

I went to our parish’s penance service about a week ago and went to confession. Last Friday night, I was in a car accident on the way home from work and was injured - two black eyes and a broken nose, with a stay overnight in the hospital for observation. On Saturday night and Sunday morning, our area was hit an ice storm that virtually closed down our rural county for more than 24 hrs. Because of all that, I missed mass this Sunday. Although I felt bad about missing mass and apologized to God for it and said an extra rosary, I feel like I shouldn’t take communion on Christmas if I can’t get to confession before then. Only one parish within an hour’s drive is offering confession between now and Saturday, and I don’t know if I can safely drive that far right now. Thoughts?

You’re fine to receive Communion. If you could have gone to Mass, you would have. That’s all that God cares about.

 

[Arebella]

You’re fine to receive Communion. If you could have gone to Mass, you would have. That’s all that God cares about.

Thank you so much. That’s what I felt in my heart too, but it’s always good to make sure I’m just not seeing it through my eyes alone.

 

[Crusaderbear]

If the storm was that bad, I wouldn’t be surprised if mass wasn’t outright cancelled! You missed in good faith, so don’t get too upset about it.

I hope your feeling better after the accident! Saying a prayer for you!

 

[Arebella]

Thank you all so much for your answers and your kindness.

Merry Christmas!

 

[jcrichton]

I went to our parish’s penance service about a week ago and went to confession. Last Friday night, I was in a car accident on the way home from work and was injured - two black eyes and a broken nose, with a stay overnight in the hospital for observation. On Saturday night and Sunday morning, our area was hit an ice storm that virtually closed down our rural county for more than 24 hrs. Because of all that, I missed mass this Sunday. Although I felt bad about missing mass and apologized to God for it and said an extra rosary, I feel like I shouldn’t take communion on Christmas if I can’t get to confession before then. Only one parish within an hour’s drive is offering confession between now and Saturday, and I don’t know if I can safely drive that far right now. Thoughts?

Hi, Arebella!

The Church is hard on Obligations… but she also understand that there are circumstances that are beyond our control.

…what you’ve experienced is a built-in pass… injuries and illnesses that prevent us from physically attending Mass, even on Sundays, are grounds for excusing us from the Obligations.

…if you really feel bad, just get to Mass about 10 minutes prior to the schedule and speak to the Celebrant Priest–ask him for a quick Blessing… but you do not need to worry about Confession since it was your intention to attend Mass.

God Bless!

Merry Christmas!
Maran atha!

Angel

 

[paperwight66]

.

…if you really feel bad, just get to Mass about 10 minutes prior to the schedule and speak to the Celebrant Priest–ask him for a quick Blessing… .

God Bless!

Merry Christmas!
Maran atha!

Angel

You’d be lucky to catch any of our priests as much as ten minutes before a Mass. They are generally dashing in at the last minute from another task.

Besides that, I don’t see why the OP has to do anything. The injury alone would have been enough to excuse her, let alone the weather risk.

Sorry, but suggesting asking for a blessing is dangerously near to encouraging scrupulosity, it seems to me.

 

[Rosebud77]

The last time I was in hospital on a Sunday, they came round with Communion. Was fasting pre- emergency surgery so could not take it.

OP you are fine. Bless you for caring when many might not.

 

[Gorgias]

…if you really feel bad, just get to Mass about 10 minutes prior to the schedule and speak to the Celebrant Priest–ask him for a quick Blessing… but you do not need to worry about Confession since it was your intention to attend Mass.

Ten minutes before Mass?

Ten minutes before Christmas Mass?

That’s a tall order. It’s a nice idea… but not really terribly realistic.

 

[jcrichton]

You’d be lucky to catch any of our priests as much as ten minutes before a Mass. They are generally dashing in at the last minute from another task.

Besides that, I don’t see why the OP has to do anything. The injury alone would have been enough to excuse her, let alone the weather risk.

Sorry, but suggesting asking for a blessing is dangerously near to encouraging scrupulosity, it seems to me.

Hi!

…not everyone dances to the same drum…

Though the OP has not committed a sin against the Third Commandment, she may still feel the need to communicate her feelings to a Priest (authority) and asking for a Blessing would set her conscience at ease… so what is wrong with that?

…have you ever noticed how, after an extended period of hunger, the very first couple of bites of “xyz” seems extremely palatable? We have a built-in system that responds to outside stimuli–some of us have become quite content with eating fast food meals on a regular basis… others (as I) need a soup (heavy on potatoes) at least once a week… it is the same with our spirituality… not all of us are content and fulfilled with the once-a-year Confession, Communion, and Celebration…

…dreaming up faults for which to seek Absolution (scrupulosity) has nothing to do with feeling fulfilled!

Merry Christmas!
Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Ten minutes before Mass?

Ten minutes before Christmas Mass?

That’s a tall order. It’s a nice idea… but not really terribly realistic.

Hi, Gorgias!

…yeah, I forget that not all parishes are the same… most parishes I’ve been in have two Priests (some even have three, as they host missionaries and visiting Priests).

…so yeah, I can see how it might be a tall order. :juggle::juggle::juggle:

Merry Christmas!
Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Gorgias]

…yeah, I forget that not all parishes are the same… most parishes I’ve been in have two Priests (some even have three, as they host missionaries and visiting Priests).

True, dat. Yet, even in parishes with two or three, trying to get the priest who’s getting ready to celebrate Mass, ten minutes before it begins… well…

…so yeah, I can see how it might be a tall order. :juggle::juggle::juggle:

Yup… exactly!

Merry Christmas, Angel!

 

[Reuben_J]

I went to our parish’s penance service about a week ago and went to confession. Last Friday night, I was in a car accident on the way home from work and was injured - two black eyes and a broken nose, with a stay overnight in the hospital for observation. On Saturday night and Sunday morning, our area was hit an ice storm that virtually closed down our rural county for more than 24 hrs. Because of all that, I missed mass this Sunday. Although I felt bad about missing mass and apologized to God for it and said an extra rosary, I feel like I shouldn’t take communion on Christmas if I can’t get to confession before then. Only one parish within an hour’s drive is offering confession between now and Saturday, and I don’t know if I can safely drive that far right now. Thoughts?

I am sorry for your accident. I hope you are fine.

Have a blessed Christmas and go for Communion during this auspicious day. Jesus came in human form about this time some two thousand years ago.

Reuben