Sickness and Sunday Obligation

[Cyceri]

My family and I are leaving for a trip tomorrow, on a Sunday, and so we went to the vigil Mass. My brother was feeling sick when we went, so he didn’t come with us. Now, late Saturday night, he’s feeling better–is he required to go to Mass tomorrow??

Thanks!

 

[Spencerian]

My family and I are leaving for a trip tomorrow, on a Sunday, and so we went to the vigil Mass. My brother was feeling sick when we went, so he didn’t come with us. Now, late Saturday night, he’s feeling better–is he required to go to Mass tomorrow??

Thanks!

Hi, Cyceri.

The Saturday vigil Masses are a convenient way to meet our Sunday obligations when appointments might conflict with Sunday plans.

Based on this information from canon law on the EWTN web site, if your brother could not attend the Saturday vigil, his Sunday obligation has not been met. Yes, he must attend Mass on Sunday if he is feeling well.

The Church does not expect us to do the impossible: personal sickness (especially illness that is highly contagious) or other infirmary, required hours of work are such valid reasons to miss Mass without mortal sin. Being on vacation or travel does not.

 

[thistle]

My family and I are leaving for a trip tomorrow, on a Sunday, and so we went to the vigil Mass. My brother was feeling sick when we went, so he didn’t come with us. Now, late Saturday night, he’s feeling better–is he required to go to Mass tomorrow??

Thanks!

Yes.

 

[johns58w]

My family and I are leaving for a trip tomorrow, on a Sunday, and so we went to the vigil Mass. My brother was feeling sick when we went, so he didn’t come with us. Now, late Saturday night, he’s feeling better–is he required to go to Mass tomorrow??

Thanks!

I don’t know your brother’s condition of health from being sick. If he’s feeling better, then I would advise him to attend Mass on Sunday. I notice you have a trip scheduled for Sunday and it probably wouldn’t hurt for the family to attend with your brother also for support just incase he gets sick again. Canon Law 917 permits lay faithful receiving Holy Communion up to two times per day. I Go to Masstimes.org to find locations and Mass times near by your trip route.

 

[SMHW]

My family and I are leaving for a trip tomorrow, on a Sunday, and so we went to the vigil Mass. My brother was feeling sick when we went, so he didn’t come with us. Now, late Saturday night, he’s feeling better–is he required to go to Mass tomorrow??

Thanks!

Since it seems you are traveling together then what you are really asking about is the obligation of the rest of the family to accommodate your brother.

You don’t really give enough information to answer the question. Is your brother an adult? If not, then even though your brother would ordinarily have the obligation to attend he is really at the mercy of your parents. The question in that case would be whether or not your parents have an obligation to get your brother to Mass.

If your brother is an adult then you are really asking if you and the rest of the family have an obligation to be inconvenienced by by his obligation. What would have happened to the trip if your brother was still feeling sick?

How are you traveling? By car? By plane? By some other means?

 

[puzzleannie]

My family and I are leaving for a trip tomorrow, on a Sunday, and so we went to the vigil Mass. My brother was feeling sick when we went, so he didn’t come with us. Now, late Saturday night, he’s feeling better–is he required to go to Mass tomorrow??

Thanks!

if you are really sick, you have no obligation. when you are no longer sick, you do. It is very rare in this country to be unable to find a Mass on Saturday or all day Sunday into the evening. If you can go and work it around your schedule, yes you do have an obligation. No you don’t if there is just no way to do it. You did your best to fit Mass in, the plane ticket can’t be changed, you might want to see if there is a Mass in the evening if you get home in time, but you just do your best using ordinary means.