Sunday Mass obligation of spouse is ill?

[utah_rose]

My husband is periodically ill. Right now he is having bladder problems, bowel problems and most of all balance problems. Sometimes he thinks he can go to Church, but at the last minute he’s unable. The last Mass in our area is at 5 PM. and sometimes this occurs and I can’t even go to this Mass.

I’m primarily his caretaker. There’s no one else in the house that can stay with him. I feel bad for missing Mass. He had a bad fall Friday evening, and is sore from that and is asking me not to go to Mass.

If I’m staying home from Mass because of this, am I committing a sin, or is this a something I need to do (charity),

Please answer if you can today. I hate going to Mass against my husband’s wishes if he’s ill and something might occur while I’m at Mass.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

From the Catechism:

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.

There are only two examples listed but they are not the exhaustive list of “season reasons” that one might be excused from their Sunday obligation. The care of infants is mentioned explicitly, clearly your husband is not an infant but the general idea is that someone who has the responsibility to care for another may be excused from the Sunday obligation if their caregiver responsibilities reasonably prohibit their attendance at Sunday Mass.

You are not sinning by fulfilling your marital vows to care for your husband in sickness.