Taking a break from daily mass

[Lostsage]

I’ve been going to daily mass for about 4-5 years. Lately, I really haven’t been feeling like going do to lack of energy and depression. Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go? The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

 

[Edward_H]

I’ve been going to daily mass for about 4-5 years. Lately, I really haven’t been feeling like going do to lack of energy and depression. Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go? The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

Good question. Dryness, tiredness are allowed by God at times, in prayer, in Confession, in Mass. Perhaps look at your sleep patterns, go to bed earlier, rest well.

But your point about “the only thing going…is love for God” is most excellent.

We should pray because we love God and want Him to be pleased by our unity with Him.
We should Confess because that allows God to get closer to us.
We should go to Mass out of sheer love for Him.

But we shouldn’t I think obsess over our practices of piety. Refresh, regroup, and perhaps push your feelings aside a bit and talk with God about your tiredness…maybe He will give you the grace of a great night of rest.

 

[pianistclare]

I’ve been going to daily mass for about 4-5 years. Lately, I really haven’t been feeling like going do to lack of energy and depression. Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go? The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

Is there another parish nearby?
I love gong to other churches for daily Mass…different homilists, sometimes a bit of music, sometimes a more intimate setting…

 

[Lostsage]

There are different parishes, but none of them have daily mass at the time when I can go. Also, I should mention that my tiredness is from my antidepressant medication. I usually get a good night’s sleep, but I’m always lacking energy.

 

[ProVobis]

Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go?

Well, there is an adage that says absence makes the heart grow fonder. Is this what you’re looking for?

 

[MSSheBear]

I’ve been going to daily mass for about 4-5 years. Lately, I really haven’t been feeling like going do to lack of energy and depression. Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go? The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

Yes, I got tired of going to Daily Mass and after I moved I gave it up for a week. I really missed it! I have cut back to only three or four times of week which makes it manageable for me.

Since you are taking medication that makes you tired you might just need to take a break of a few weeks.

 

[HelenRose]

There are different parishes, but none of them have daily mass at the time when I can go. Also, I should mention that my tiredness is from my antidepressant medication. I usually get a good night’s sleep, but I’m always lacking energy.

What will you do during the time you would be going to Mass?

 

[DeniseNY]

When my mother was sick, I went every day. After she died, I just couldn’t go. I’m just recently getting back into going on my lunch hour again. It’s been a difficult three years.

 

[Colorad007]

I’ve been going to daily mass for about 4-5 years. Lately, I really haven’t been feeling like going do to lack of energy and depression. Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go? The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

How can you ever get enough of the “source and summit of Christian life?” That sounds a lot like spiritual warfare and I suggest to you that perseverance much more than a “break” is what you most need.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

There are different parishes, but none of them have daily mass at the time when I can go. Also, I should mention that my tiredness is from my antidepressant medication. I usually get a good night’s sleep, but I’m always lacking energy.

Share this with your doctor, if you haven’t already. The are several things that may need to be explored regarding the lack of energy, from vitamins in your diet to taking your medication at a different time of day or even conditions such as sleep apnea, which most folks only see as a lack of energy until they have an actual sleep study done. I know I always thought I was getting a good night’s sleep until the tests showed otherwise.

 

[Kal2012]

I’m on an anti-depressant too and I finally complained to my doctor that I was tired all the time.

At first, I didn’t complain because it was just nice not to be depressed all the time, but eventually, I was just fed up with being tired all the time.

We adjusted the dose and taking less is giving me the best of both worlds.

I’m not struggling with my mood, nor am I struggling with keeping my eyes open.

I agree - talk to your doctor.

Good luck!

 

[jmj777]

How can you ever get enough of the “source and summit of Christian life?” That sounds a lot like spiritual warfare and I suggest to you that perseverance much more than a “break” is what you most need.

I agree. Many times, the evil one sees the graces God is bestowing upon us and the evil one places snares in the form of a physical / mental ailment in our way so that we give up what is most precious (daily Mass attendance) under the guise of improving our health. Please don’t fall for his trap. Persevere and offer your struggles to God who will help you with the graces you need to get through this.

St. Michael, pray for us.

Peace.

+JMJ+

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

[johnnyt3000]

Pray the rosary everyday

 

[hadulzo]

There are different parishes, but none of them have daily mass at the time when I can go. Also, I should mention that my tiredness is from my antidepressant medication. I usually get a good night’s sleep, but I’m always lacking energy.

Are you going to a Catholic counselor or psychiatrist? They will work with you to make you faith part of you treatment

 

[turtle18]

Do not take a break from daily Mass. Your depression will only grow worse. There is absolutely **nothing better that you can do for yourself **, either spiritually or physically, than go to daily Mass. Talk to the Lord and tell Him how tired you are and ask him to give you energy. Once you fall away, it will just be like falling away from an exercise routine or any other routine…very hard to get back into.

 

[abucs]

When my mother was sick, I went every day. After she died, I just couldn’t go. I’m just recently getting back into going on my lunch hour again. It’s been a difficult three years.

May God bless you Denise and your mother also. I haven’t yet lost my mother, but I am sure I will be devastated when that day comes.

Lostsage,

please do not feel guilty if you miss a few celebrations of daily mass. Your heart is in the right place. Sometimes we also need a small break from our young children but we still love them to bits.

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

I don’t know if you are able to attend another church or another Mass form but for my part I had been attending the same daily Mass for three years and began yearning for a change this year. This month another church near my home began offering daily Mass in the traditional Latin extraordinary form and I have been attending it ever since. I could probably count on one hand how many times I had been to an EF Mass before this month and doing it daily has truly reinvigorated my love for the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Look for other opportunities for daily Mass but please don’t give it up

 

[O_Lumen]

The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

You know, I wouldn’t say that this is necessarily a bad thing.

It sounds to me like you’re not feeling as many emotions as you used to with regard to Mass. Well, God may very well be withdrawing certain consolations from you, so as to continue to purify your intentions. As far as I understand, this is just simple progress, and is a good sign.

We may not “get a lot” out of Mass sometimes, but as long as God gets what He wanted, then all is good.

 

[LatinByzCath]

I’ve been going to daily mass for about 4-5 years. Lately, I really haven’t been feeling like going do to lack of energy and depression. Has anyone ever taken a break from going to daily mass for a week or so and found that it has reinvigorated your desire to go? The only thing that keeps me going at this point is love for God and the feeling of guilt if I don’t go.

Yes! I read a book written by a friend who became a nun in Romania. She wrote that often times the younger nuns aren’t permitted to go to daily services so that they will enjoy Church more when they are permitted to go.

 

[DeniseNY]

May God bless you Denise and your mother also. I haven’t yet lost my mother, but I am sure I will be devastated when that day comes.

Lostsage,

please do not feel guilty if you miss a few celebrations of daily mass. Your heart is in the right place. Sometimes we also need a small break from our young children but we still love them to bits.

Thank you, abucs!