Sunday Mass

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bennierja

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I’ve got a question for which I hope I can get some kind of authoritative answer. Right now, because of where I live and my transportation options, the only Saturday vigil or Sunday morning mass that I can make is at a parish that has a very liberal liturgy. In fact, there are liturgical abuses. To put it simply, I get a strong sense of an unwillingness to conform to Rome. I’m assuming the mass is still valid, but even so the spirit of the church is so distracting that I do a very poor job of praying the mass. However, during the week I go to a college which has a Newman center where mass is celebrated every Friday. Am I justified in going to mass on a Friday to avoid this church?
 
Because Jesus said, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath,” in response to the Pharisees who condemned Him and the Apostles for eating from a field on the Sabbath, I personally believe that you can honor the Sabbath by going to the authentic Friday Mass instead of a false Sunday Mass.

But, I’m not sure Canon Law agrees with me. Ask Father at the Friday Mass, explaining your situation. Maybe he will give you permission.

Then, on Sunday, spend some time with the Lord in prayer and in His presence, thus doing what you can on Sunday.
 
The first precept of the Church (see the Catechism #2042) starts “you shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days…”

There aren’t exceptions for going on a different day if you like the Mass better at another parish. Sundays are special, they are “little Easters.”

There’s certainly nothing to stop you from attending an additional Mass during the week, and it sounds like it would be beneficial to do so. So offer up Sunday as what you are doing to please God and obey his commands, and then go on Friday so you can feel spiritually fulfilled by a Mass that is more pleasing to you.
 
I don’t believe having qualms (whether justified or not) with your nearest parish would ever qualify as a just reason to miss the Mass. If you suspect the Mass is still valid, then by your own admission you believe Christ to be fully present. Why would annoyance and distraction allow you to leave Him there, unvisited? This might be the perspective most helpful to you. Perhaps this is your burden: Learning to focus, pray and deeply worship even when you are unhappy with the parish!

By all means, continue attending your Friday Mass if you wish. But I don’t believe you can replace the Sunday obligation with Friday.

Be well, my friend. And God bless you! Attending a parish out of necessity that you disagree with must be quite the challenge!
 
bennierja said:
I’ve got a question for which I hope I can get some kind of authoritative answer. Right now, because of where I live and my transportation options, the only Saturday vigil or Sunday morning mass that I can make is at a parish that has a very liberal liturgy. In fact, there are liturgical abuses. To put it simply, I get a strong sense of an unwillingness to conform to Rome. I’m assuming the mass is still valid, but even so the spirit of the church is so distracting that I do a very poor job of praying the mass. However, during the week I go to a college which has a Newman center where mass is celebrated every Friday. Am I justified in going to mass on a Friday to avoid this church?
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Perhaps you’re mistaken about the allege liturgical abuses ?

I’ve seen people claim that they saw liturgical abuses when in fact, it was their own ignorance which led them to believe that there were abuses.

In all, you can not miss Mass because you don’t like the style.

Jim
 
bennierja said:
I’ve got a question for which I hope I can get some kind of authoritative answer. Right now, because of where I live and my transportation options, the only Saturday vigil or Sunday morning mass that I can make is at a parish that has a very liberal liturgy. In fact, there are liturgical abuses. To put it simply, I get a strong sense of an unwillingness to conform to Rome. I’m assuming the mass is still valid, but even so the spirit of the church is so distracting that I do a very poor job of praying the mass. However, during the week I go to a college which has a Newman center where mass is celebrated every Friday. Am I justified in going to mass on a Friday to avoid this church?
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Sunday Mass (which includes vigil on Saturday evening) is an obligation, not a suggestion.
 
Make Jesus feel loved. If no one else seems to care, counter it by assisting at Mass as well as you can, so that there will be someone there who does care. 🤷
 
In some countries, people walk for 16 hours for the monthly mass. The rest of the month, they have no Sunday obligation, because no Sunday mass exists.

Be grateful you have a Sunday mass at all.
 
I wish I could tell you that you could go on Fridays, but I can’t.
Why don’t you go on both days.

Just a thought.​

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
I agree with the above posters who say that your Sunday Obligation won’t be met by going to the Friday Mass. However that is no reason to not go to the Friday Mass in addition to the Sunday Mass.
 
bennierja said:
I’ve got a question for which I hope I can get some kind of authoritative answer. Right now, because of where I live and my transportation options, the only Saturday vigil or Sunday morning mass that I can make is at a parish that has a very liberal liturgy. In fact, there are liturgical abuses. To put it simply, I get a strong sense of an unwillingness to conform to Rome. I’m assuming the mass is still valid, but even so the spirit of the church is so distracting that I do a very poor job of praying the mass. However, during the week I go to a college which has a Newman center where mass is celebrated every Friday. Am I justified in going to mass on a Friday to avoid this church?
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NO. The Sunday OBLIGATION (not option) is only fulfilled by attending any Mass on Sunday or any Mass on Saturday evening.

You state categorically that “there are liturgical abuses”. Please tell us what these abuses are.
 
Go to the Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass. Focus on making an act of love and reparation for the abuses. This will transform the experience from something that annoys and leaves you distressed into an experience of deep love for our Lord who humbles himself to appear even in poorly celebrated masses. Comfort our Lord and offer acts of reparation for all the times you received Him unworthily or were apathetic during Mass. The experience is so rewarding that you may end up seeking out this Mass. Above all do NOT complain to the pastor. They get enough grief from all quarters.
 
Boy_Wonder said:
Go to the Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass. Focus on making an act of love and reparation for the abuses. This will transform the experience from something that annoys and leaves you distressed into an experience of deep love for our Lord who humbles himself to appear even in poorly celebrated masses. Comfort our Lord and offer acts of reparation for all the times you received Him unworthily or were apathetic during Mass. The experience is so rewarding that you may end up seeking out this Mass. Above all do NOT complain to the pastor. They get enough grief from all quarters.
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The OP has not said what the abuses are. They may just be in the OP’s mind and not abuses at all. That’s why he should tell us what he thinks they are.
If there really are abuses the OP should talk to the priest and if no resolution actual evidence of the abuses should be then sent to the Bishop.
It is NOT right to stay silent if real abuses are happening.
 
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