Sunday obligation?

[dove51]

This weekend was really busy and rushed, so my family and I tried to make 5:00 PM Mass at another church instead of going to our parish this morning, but we were late on account of my sister, and the church was packed (for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I’m guessing) and we had to stand in the narthex with some other people. It was loud, and a pretty chaotic atmosphere, what with people coming and going, and babies making lots of noises (the cry room was full, so young families all moved out of the church/pews area). We couldn’t hear what was going on, and we had pretty much had enough after the homily, so we left. I was sad to leave, but the whole Mass was ruined and we were tired of listening to what sounded like some kind of convention going on. Still, I have a feeling that even trying to do this doesn’t fulfill our Sunday obligation. This is a sin, isn’t it? Or is it not, since we tried to make it and did our best to participate in Mass? My mom seems to think it is not and God understands, but I really just don’t know. I don’t feel like we did anything wrong, but I just want to know if I need to mention this in the confessional this week.

 

[His_little1]

I think talking about it will make you feel better in the confessional. I personally think God already feels better about it. O.K. so your Sunday obligation didn’t go as planned. Try harder next time. Maybe next time you could try again (Sunday morning). You mentioned that things were crazy and busy so maybe God wants you to ease up a bit and relax and focus on different things like planning for Mass first. It shouldn’t be an interruption in what we are doing but part of our survival just like breathing and eating. We need it to feed our souls and offer up our praise which is why we were created.

(Please note; I have started praying and reflecting on these posts before I respond because a few people have jumped on them like I was some kind of heretic. But in actuallity, I just try to show a little more compassion without breaking the rules because that’s the way Jesus reacted to people.)

The first thing that “popped” into my head was a comment I read recently about “what would Jesus say”? It went something like this…Jesus probably wouldn’t get all bent out of shape about it, he would probably take you by the hand and take you out into nature and tell you about the Father’s unending love and forgiveness and the mercy that comes from that.
Because you are concerned, I think that shows you are on the right track. God forgives. Go get it and work on it.

Peace to you and your family

 

[Fitz]

I think that the sacrament of reconcilliaton is awesome, so do mention it. Do I think you are sinful due to happening upon a very busy church? No I don’t. However, a priest will be able to help you with scrupulosity if that is what you deal with.

 

[YipYupYep]

Hello there,

I grew up an a dairy farm in western NY and we went to a small country church. The farmers had all put in a long morning in the barn before church. To us, in that regard, Sunday was just another work day. Win, loose or draw, the needs of the farm and the barn in particular over rode everything. Looking back on it, Farther played to a packed house. Some how or the other we always made it, but there were times.

Now, the farm is in a past life. I am a real estate agent in Florida. I always make it to church on Sunday and I always do an open house somewhere after. Sunday is like “the” major day for buyers to browse. I sometimes wonder, should I or shouldn’t I? Am I in hot water or not?

Seems like all my life, Sunday has always been a work day.

PS

I am totally readty for retirement

 

[Pro_Domina]

I am going to tell you that assisting from the very beggining of the offertory to the end counts as the obligation reqs.

But that does not mean the requirements for following the 1st commandment.

This situation depends on your degree of conscienceness, but objectively it is a sin, mortal if you were conscience.

If you were in doubt then you should have done the harder thing.

Mention it, but since you are confused ( from what you say, but be honest to God) then you most probably did not commit mortal sin. But venial… well you think about it.

But also bear in mind that you are not only responsible for yourself, but any children or family members in your care (spouse etc)