Skipping daily mass

[LuciaPacifici]

I know this has been asked before. I like to be a daily communicant. I’m also discerning with a third order and really should be trying to get to daily mass.

I suffer from anemia and in the winter, colds and infections. As a result I am fatigued. I used to think I was just slothful, which I am, but there are medical reasons too.

The anemic thing I believe is part of my blacking out and fainting tendencies. This means during mass the standing to rising position changes often leave me feeling like I will pass out.

The colds make me disinclined to go outside in the winter.

Furthermore I am just a homebody and don’t always want to go outside and deal with people. Especially where I live I always see people I know at church and also one person who used to be my friend and now won’t speak to me, I often see at the same daily mass.

As such this winter I have slacked on my workout regime and my daily mass attendance has gone down to a few times a week from every day.

I know this is also simply laziness. I could go, I could wake up earlier, I am unemployed so it isn’t as though I am too busy.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what the Lord thinks about all this? My spiritual director encourages me to go, confessors say to have a more fruitful day. But sometimes I just can’t and I don’t have a great reason.

Any suggestions for me?

 

[peter26]

Firstly, Daily Mass is a great thing to do and will help develop your spiritual life no end. but if you can’t make it for whatever reason, that is in no way sinful. Daily Mass is something extra you can do if you want to.

Now if you do go and you find rising to a standing position quickly to affect your health, its fine to stay seated. It shows unity when everyone stands and sits and kneels at the same time, but there are people who can’t because of their health and that’s okay. If there is someone at Mass that you don’t want to see, is there another parish you could go to, or a different time? If you feel fatigued, maybe don’t go every day, have one or two days a week off, letting you recover if you have had to get up early. But try to persevere and go when you can, its definitely worth it.

 

[AndrewRuki]

Firstly, Daily Mass is a great thing to do and will help develop your spiritual life no end. but if you can’t make it for whatever reason, that is in no way sinful. Daily Mass is something extra you can do if you want to.

Now if you do go and you find rising to a standing position quickly to affect your health, its fine to stay seated. It shows unity when everyone stands and sits and kneels at the same time, but there are people who can’t because of their health and that’s okay. If there is someone at Mass that you don’t want to see, is there another parish you could go to, or a different time? If you feel fatigued, maybe don’t go every day, have one or two days a week off, letting you recover if you have had to get up early. But try to persevere and go when you can, its definitely worth it.

Peace be with you Brother/sister.

I, wholeheartedly, agree with this.

As an alternative, you could either pray the rosary, the divine office or some other prayer.

I do not believe in a God, who will frown if you are too ill to come for Mass or too ill to stand up with the others.

God loves you, unconditionally.

Dominus vobiscum.

 

[WJeffrey]

I know this has been asked before. I like to be a daily communicant. I’m also discerning with a third order and really should be trying to get to daily mass.

I suffer from anemia and in the winter, colds and infections. As a result I am fatigued. I used to think I was just slothful, which I am, but there are medical reasons too.

The anemic thing I believe is part of my blacking out and fainting tendencies. This means during mass the standing to rising position changes often leave me feeling like I will pass out.

The colds make me disinclined to go outside in the winter.

Furthermore I am just a homebody and don’t always want to go outside and deal with people. Especially where I live I always see people I know at church and also one person who used to be my friend and now won’t speak to me, I often see at the same daily mass.

As such this winter I have slacked on my workout regime and my daily mass attendance has gone down to a few times a week from every day.

I know this is also simply laziness. I could go, I could wake up earlier, I am unemployed so it isn’t as though I am too busy.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what the Lord thinks about all this? My spiritual director encourages me to go, confessors say to have a more fruitful day. But sometimes I just can’t and I don’t have a great reason.

Any suggestions for me?

Since you are not working and you are focusing on your health you are fortunate. You have the ability to plan your entire day around going to Mass. Try making Mass your number one priority for the day, and everything else number two.

You have a lot on your plate that would overwhelm anyone. It might be worth your while to talk to a professional. It may be easier to organize your life better by talking with a therapist or a counselor. Your post sounds like a person who may be dealing with depression. If you focus on healing yourself; mind, body, and soul, you may find your life moving forward before you know it.

Good Luck.

 

[LuciaPacifici]

Since you are not working and you are focusing on your health you are fortunate. You have the ability to plan your entire day around going to Mass. Try making Mass your number one priority for the day, and everything else number two.

You have a lot on your plate that would overwhelm anyone. It might be worth your while to talk to a professional. It may be easier to organize your life better by talking with a therapist or a counselor. Your post sounds like a person who may be dealing with depression. If you focus on healing yourself; mind, body, and soul, you may find your life moving forward before you know it.

Good Luck.

Thanks. I decided to try waking up and going in the morning. It went well today. I do have a spiritual director. I have looked into therapy but I am not sure it is what I want to do right now. I do have some depression but I don’t let myself give into it.

 

[LuciaPacifici]

Peace be with you Brother/sister.

I, wholeheartedly, agree with this.

As an alternative, you could either pray the rosary, the divine office or some other prayer.

I do not believe in a God, who will frown if you are too ill to come for Mass or too ill to stand up with the others.

God loves you, unconditionally.

Dominus vobiscum.

Thank you <3 I know he wants me to trust in his mercy.

 

[LuciaPacifici]

Firstly, Daily Mass is a great thing to do and will help develop your spiritual life no end. but if you can’t make it for whatever reason, that is in no way sinful. Daily Mass is something extra you can do if you want to.

Now if you do go and you find rising to a standing position quickly to affect your health, its fine to stay seated. It shows unity when everyone stands and sits and kneels at the same time, but there are people who can’t because of their health and that’s okay. If there is someone at Mass that you don’t want to see, is there another parish you could go to, or a different time? If you feel fatigued, maybe don’t go every day, have one or two days a week off, letting you recover if you have had to get up early. But try to persevere and go when you can, its definitely worth it.

Thank you. I think I am prideful in wanting to appear very pious. I fear people think I don’t care about mass when I don’t always stand. I know I should not concern myself with what they think. I am NOT a morning person but I may keep trying to get up early for mass.

 

[AndrewRuki]

Thank you <3 I know he wants me to trust in his mercy.

Peace be with you sister.

I just thought of something.

I am a minister for the sick and residents of nursing homes. We, my wife and I, are on a roster to visit these people, to read the word of God and to minister the Holy Eucharist to them.

If your parish sends out such ministers, could you not request them to visit you too?

Dominus vobiscum.

 

[WJeffrey]

Peace be with you sister.

I just thought of something.

I am a minister for the sick and residents of nursing homes. We, my wife and I, are on a roster to visit these people, to read the word of God and to minister the Holy Eucharist to them.

If your parish sends out such ministers, could you not request them to visit you too?

Dominus vobiscum.

You might also consider becoming an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister. It is amazing work. I have been going along with them from my Parish, and am getting ready to start the formal training. It might be a good way to see if religious vocation is right for you. I’ve been going for two months. I find the work to be a blessing and it is my favorite 4 hours of the week.

The simple gratitude and appreciation that you receive is touching. Giving comfort to a lonely sick person at the end of their life fills you with the Holy Spirit. You are showing people how truly important they are to God and to the world. My favorite part is going to the late stage Alzheimer’s unit. Most people you can’t give more than a sliver of Host, because they forget what is in their mouth. You know you are truly doing God’s work.

This type of Ministry is not for everybody. There is a lot of heartache. The Lay Ministers that I have been going with tell me that most people that they take around do not come back for a second week. If you really are serious about becoming a Priest, maybe you should try the Eucharistic Ministry. It will let you know if a religious vocation is a path you should be taking. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. The love you receive for being a simple messenger is impossible to put into words.

 

[LuciaPacifici]

You might also consider becoming an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister. It is amazing work. I have been going along with them from my Parish, and am getting ready to start the formal training. It might be a good way to see if religious vocation is right for you. I’ve been going for two months. I find the work to be a blessing and it is my favorite 4 hours of the week.

The simple gratitude and appreciation that you receive is touching. Giving comfort to a lonely sick person at the end of their life fills you with the Holy Spirit. You are showing people how truly important they are to God and to the world. My favorite part is going to the late stage Alzheimer’s unit. Most people you can’t give more than a sliver of Host, because they forget what is in their mouth. You know you are truly doing God’s work.

This type of Ministry is not for everybody. There is a lot of heartache. The Lay Ministers that I have been going with tell me that most people that they take around do not come back for a second week. If you really are serious about becoming a Priest, maybe you should try the Eucharistic Ministry. It will let you know if a religious vocation is a path you should be taking. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. The love you receive for being a simple messenger is impossible to put into words.

Wow. Good on you for doing that. It sounds amazing. Being of service like that is the most meaningful thing. I know what you mean about intensity. I do this very personal homeless ministry and it’s hard. I imagine it would be like that but more so. Something to think about.

 

[WJeffrey]

Doing work with homeless people is a great thing. Helping the most vulnerable is truly God’s work. Kudos to you.