Traditional Catholics Who Do Not Attend Mass?

[DorianGregorian]

The problem is, some "t"raditional Catholics such as myself have taken it to another level, becoming "T"raditional Catholics, who decide to make their own rules, just like the Protestants they’re so eager to comment on.

We have 6 Precepts in the Church, one of those is to attend Mass on Sunday. You can fulfill this at a NO Mass, at a Tridentine mass, at a mass offered by the SSPX (not I, but Msgr Camille Perl, latin-mass-society.org/perl-011803.htm although attendance is greatly discouraged, it does not make a layperson Schismatic), or an Eastern Catholic Mass, but not an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy.

However if you are not attending the NO mass, that is because of one of two reasons, neither of them good.

1. You doubt the validity of the Novus Ordo Missae ergo you doubt the validity of their Sacraments ergo you doubt the validity of the Hierarchy and Papacy, ergo you are a practical Sedevacanist.
2. You believe the NOM does not properly display Catholicism ergo you have substituted your own version of Catholicism in place of the Pope’s ergo your a practical Protestant.

While I certainly do not like the NOM, I will attend it when I must, and I hold it as a valid mass because the Successor of Peter says so, and because Christ told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church. If in 50 years a future Council declares that the NO is no longer acceptable, I will accept that, and on the same note if they stated that the 1962 Missal could no longer be used, I’d have to accept that to (although Benedict XVI has stated that the Missal was never prohibited, and I doubt any Council would do this). Until then I will attend the Tridentine Mass whether offered by my Diocese, the FSSP, and if it becomes necessary the SSPX.

Laus Deo

 

[Rose5]

The problem is, some "t"raditional Catholics such as myself have taken it to another level, becoming "T"raditional Catholics, who decide to make their own rules, just like the Protestants they’re so eager to comment on.

We have 6 Precepts in the Church, one of those is to attend Mass on Sunday. You can fulfill this at a NO Mass, at a Tridentine mass, at a mass offered by the SSPX (not I, but Msgr Camille Perl, latin-mass-society.org/perl-011803.htm although attendance is greatly discouraged, it does not make a layperson Schismatic), or an Eastern Catholic Mass, but not an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy.

However if you are not attending the NO mass, that is because of one of two reasons, neither of them good.

1. You doubt the validity of the Novus Ordo Missae ergo you doubt the validity of their Sacraments ergo you doubt the validity of the Hierarchy and Papacy, ergo you are a practical Sedevacanist.
2. You believe the NOM does not properly display Catholicism ergo you have substituted your own version of Catholicism in place of the Pope’s ergo your a practical Protestant.

While I certainly do not like the NOM, I will attend it when I must, and I hold it as a valid mass because the Successor of Peter says so, and because Christ told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church. If in 50 years a future Council declares that the NO is no longer acceptable, I will accept that, and on the same note if they stated that the 1962 Missal could no longer be used, I’d have to accept that to (although Benedict XVI has stated that the Missal was never prohibited, and I doubt any Council would do this). Until then I will attend the Tridentine Mass whether offered by my Diocese, the FSSP, and if it becomes necessary the SSPX.

Laus Deo

Your highly intellectual (name removed by moderator)ut regarding the six Precepts of the Holy Mother Church
are exceptionally written and very helpful.

Thank you for taking the time to write indepthly on this particular subject, that some,
including myself, need reminding of. For this I am grateful.

 

[SaltySirena]

Did these people miss that part in the Gospel where Jesus says, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you shall not have life within you?”

If they don’t go to Mass, they can’t take Eucharist. So they are actively disobeying Jesus.

And they think they’re Catholic?

 

[Filioque]

If I am unable to attend a Tridentine Mass I will just stay at home and read my Missal.

How sad… If I lived in Minneapolis-St. Paul, I’d jump at the chance to go to some of the Eastern Rite Catholic Liturgies that I cannot access near my house. It took me just a few seconds doing a Google Search to find several parishes, with Rites equally as ancient and venerable as the TLM. It seems strange that you would post a review of the glories of the Ambrosian Rite, and make a statement that would lead one to suppose that the Eastern Catholic Rites which existed prior to the Orthodox schism, and continue in Churches untied with the Holy See are somehow not as good as staying at home and reading your missal.

 

[hockeyfighter21]

i was a fundamentalist for most of my life until about 3 years ago. i then became catholic. one of the reasons i argue for catholicism is because Christ established a Church that “the gates of hell cant prevail against”. i can understand no reason for not attending mass.

 

[DavidJoseph]

We have 6 Precepts in the Church, one of those is to attend Mass on Sunday. You can fulfill this at a NO Mass, at a Tridentine mass, at a mass offered by the SSPX (not I, but Msgr Camille Perl, latin-mass-society.org/perl-011803.htm although attendance is greatly discouraged, it does not make a layperson Schismatic), or an Eastern Catholic Mass, but not an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy.

I think you meant to say “but not an Eastern **Orthodox **Divine Liturgy.”

 

[JRKH]

The problem is, some "t"raditional Catholics such as myself have taken it to another level, becoming "T"raditional Catholics, who decide to make their own rules, just like the Protestants they’re so eager to comment on.

We have 6 Precepts in the Church, one of those is to attend Mass on Sunday. You can fulfill this at a NO Mass, at a Tridentine mass, at a mass offered by the SSPX (not I, but Msgr Camille Perl, latin-mass-society.org/perl-011803.htm although attendance is greatly discouraged, it does not make a layperson Schismatic), or an Eastern Catholic Mass, but not an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy.

However if you are not attending the NO mass, that is because of one of two reasons, neither of them good.

1. You doubt the validity of the Novus Ordo Missae ergo you doubt the validity of their Sacraments ergo you doubt the validity of the Hierarchy and Papacy, ergo you are a practical Sedevacanist.
2. You believe the NOM does not properly display Catholicism ergo you have substituted your own version of Catholicism in place of the Pope’s ergo your a practical Protestant.

While I certainly do not like the NOM, I will attend it when I must, and I hold it as a valid mass because the Successor of Peter says so, and because Christ told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church. If in 50 years a future Council declares that the NO is no longer acceptable, I will accept that, and on the same note if they stated that the 1962 Missal could no longer be used, I’d have to accept that to (although Benedict XVI has stated that the Missal was never prohibited, and I doubt any Council would do this). Until then I will attend the Tridentine Mass whether offered by my Diocese, the FSSP, and if it becomes necessary the SSPX.

Laus Deo

Well written.

I must say that, I hold both the OF and EF forms of mass in similar regard. My preference is for the OF during the week and the EF for Sunday worship. I think that it is important for us to remember that it is often not the forms themselves that are problematic, but rather a lack of reverence or outright abuse in the OF that is the problem.
I hope that the future holds a widening of the acceptance of the EF along side the OF in our churches. both said with great joy and reverence.

Peace
James

 

[Claire_from_DE]

The problem is, some "t"raditional Catholics such as myself have taken it to another level, becoming "T"raditional Catholics, who decide to make their own rules, just like the Protestants they’re so eager to comment on.

We have 6 Precepts in the Church, one of those is to attend Mass on Sunday. You can fulfill this at a NO Mass, at a Tridentine mass, at a mass offered by the SSPX (not I, but Msgr Camille Perl, latin-mass-society.org/perl-011803.htm although attendance is greatly discouraged, it does not make a layperson Schismatic), or an Eastern Catholic Mass, but not an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy.

However if you are not attending the NO mass, that is because of one of two reasons, neither of them good.

1. You doubt the validity of the Novus Ordo Missae ergo you doubt the validity of their Sacraments ergo you doubt the validity of the Hierarchy and Papacy, ergo you are a practical Sedevacanist.
2. You believe the NOM does not properly display Catholicism ergo you have substituted your own version of Catholicism in place of the Pope’s ergo your a practical Protestant.

While I certainly do not like the NOM, I will attend it when I must, and I hold it as a valid mass because the Successor of Peter says so, and because Christ told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church. If in 50 years a future Council declares that the NO is no longer acceptable, I will accept that, and on the same note if they stated that the 1962 Missal could no longer be used, I’d have to accept that to (although Benedict XVI has stated that the Missal was never prohibited, and I doubt any Council would do this). Until then I will attend the Tridentine Mass whether offered by my Diocese, the FSSP, and if it becomes necessary the SSPX.

Laus Deo

Yes, well stated. Catholics go to mass on Sunday. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sung high mass or the OF in Tagalog. If that’s the only one we can get to, we go. We may and do have strong preferences which we are free to act on. But we accept the authority of the Church which Jesus founded.

 

[Filioque]

True enough, when I go to the Coptic or Ethiopian Catholic Churches, I don’t know Arabic or Geez, but I do know that despite the differences in Rite, it is still the mystical re-presentation of Calvary in an Unbloody manner. No more or less than the EF, (Which I do love dearly) or the OF, which while I’m not wild about, is still the Mass.

 

[bkovacs]

Did these people miss that part in the Gospel where Jesus says, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you shall not have life within you?”

If they don’t go to Mass, they can’t take Eucharist. So they are actively disobeying Jesus.

And they think they’re Catholic?

Seems to me like the same excuse I hear from leftists who want to force the NO Mass down our throats. Your living dangerously, They are disobeying Jesus. Well if that is the concern then offer more EF Masses!!. And we won’t live dangerously!. Instead of making us feel all guilty, and stating the obvious. What about telling the Bishops “Unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they shall not have life ?, So give them an EF Mass to attend” So they can live their faith and worship God the way they feel it is right.

 

[bkovacs]

I highly doubt Father Z would approve of you considering him your “cyber pastor”. Since you are missing your obligation to attend Mass, you are not receiveing communion even once and year, and you have not been to penance (I assume) even once a year, you are living very dangerously. I will pray that you see the error of your ways and return to the ONE, Holy, and Apostolic Church.

What, I’m missing my obligation to attend Mass. True their is no EF Masses in my locality. I pray that the clergy sees their error and starts following the Holy fathers reforms, rather than the progressivists reforms. By offering both forms of the Roman Rite. So we can meet our obligations.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

What, I’m missing my obligation to attend Mass. True their is no EF Masses in my locality. I pray that the clergy sees their error and starts following the Holy fathers reforms, rather than the progressivists reforms. By offering both forms of the Roman Rite. So we can meet our obligations.

I agree completely that both forms of the Latin Rite Mass should be offered. And I am blessed to live in an area where I have a choice and both relatively convenient to me. However, just because you do not have an EF close to you does not mean that your obligation to attend Mass is excused. That is the cross you have to bear.

Find the most bearable OF Mass and start attending every week. I would suggest attending the early morning Sunday Masses at several parishes, usually those are the most simple and may not have music at all. Very few teenagers in shorts and flip flops are likely to be up bothering you then either. Simply go, offer up your discomfort, and know that you are following God.

The precepts of the church have not changed and our obligation to be at Sunday Mass have never been waived. Confess your sin of not attending and realize that part of it stems from pride. Yes, the bishop may be stubborn in not offering it, but he will have to answer for his own sins. You can only worry about your own.

 

[bpbasilphx]

If I am unable to attend a Tridentine Mass I will just stay at home and read my Missal.

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If you voluntarily avoid attending the Eucharistic Sacrifice just because you don’t like the Pauline Missal, you are technically committing a mortal sin.

And if your attitude and actions are typical of SSPX clergy and seminarians, no wonder people consider the SSPX to be schismatic.

 

[RyanML]

Seems to me like the same excuse I hear from leftists who want to force the NO Mass down our throats. Your living dangerously, They are disobeying Jesus. Well if that is the concern then offer more EF Masses!!. And we won’t live dangerously!. Instead of making us feel all guilty, and stating the obvious. What about telling the Bishops “Unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they shall not have life ?, So give them an EF Mass to attend” So they can live their faith and worship God the way they feel it is right.

Yes, but as Catholics we have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays in any approved rite under the jurisdiction of the local ordinary. That is the law and precept of the Church. That means that if you can not attend the traditional Mass but an OF Mass is available, then you should attend the OF. It would be the same if you lived in an area where there was neither the EF or the OF, just an Eastern rite. You would still be obligated to attend, even if that wasn’t your preference.

If the bishops are being disobedient and refusing to allow the traditional Mass, then they will certainly have to answer for that. But for our part, we must be faithful.

I am blessed to be able to attend the traditional Mass every Sunday and during the week when I can. But usually I can’t attend during the week but I could attend a daily OF Mass and so I had a bit of a dilemma. Should I not go to daily Mass because I can’t get to the traditional Mass, or should I go anyway, even though it’s an OF Mass, and still receive those graces? I opted to go and receive those graces, even if it’s not in the form I prefer. I believe this would be the best way for you as well. It may not be the most edifying way to worship the Lord, but He will bless you for your faithfulness.

 

[tcm22]

Seems to me like the same excuse I hear from leftists who want to force the NO Mass down our throats. Your living dangerously, They are disobeying Jesus. Well if that is the concern then offer more EF Masses!!. And we won’t live dangerously!. Instead of making us feel all guilty, and stating the obvious. What about telling the Bishops “Unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they shall not have life ?, So give them an EF Mass to attend” So they can live their faith and worship God the way they feel it is right.

So your personal preference for the EF overrides your obligation as a Catholic to attend Mass?

Why do you feel the need to set conditions on what Mass you attend? Both the EF and OF are valid forms sanctioned by the Church. That you prefer the EF is great, but to demand the Church cater to you and your “faction” or else you’ll sit out in protest is nothing but disrespectful at the very least.

By your own statement, your faith is based on what you “feel is right,” and not on what the Church teaches. That’s exactly what Luther and his pals did.

This whole attitude just makes my blood pressure go up. This is no different than anyone else who rejects the Church for whatever reason.

“I don’t like xxxx, therefore I’m not going to Mass/joining a Protestant Church/not going to Confession, etc, etc.”

It’s all the same. It’s selfish and shallow. I am praying to understand and praying for patience.

 

[JRKH]

Seems to me like the same excuse I hear from leftists who want to force the NO Mass down our throats. Your living dangerously, They are disobeying Jesus. Well if that is the concern then offer more EF Masses!!. And we won’t live dangerously!. Instead of making us feel all guilty, and stating the obvious. What about telling the Bishops “Unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they shall not have life ?, So give them an EF Mass to attend” So they can live their faith and worship God the way they feel it is right.

Frankly I agree with what you say above but not with the decision not to attend mass for the first and most seriously wounded by this is you. You have refused to worship Christ in a manner which that Christ Himself has approved. You have refused to recieve Him into your body and thereby cut yourself off from the Graces derived from communion. So - Fo what reasons have you disobeyed Christ?
That you don’t like the form that Christ approves of?
That the individual parish or priest does not perform it to your satisfaction?

Yes I hope to see more EF masses in the furure.
Yes I will attend an EF mass whenever i have teh option.
Yes I will support and promote the “side by side” idea of offering the OF and EF - Both PROPERLY and reverently presented.
No - I will not disobey Christ by refusing to attend a liturgy in a form Approved by Christ Himself.

Peace
James

 

[Ceil-1]

How does the NO disobey Jesus? Can you give specifics on this?

Why is it okay for you to disobey the Lord, but not the NO people? What makes you so special? Not all of them are badly done, you know. You may have to “shop around” a bit to find a decent one, but they are out there.

And, as was suggested, you can attend an Eastern rite. If you are that much of a purist, it seems to me you should prefer that over the Latin. I know I do. I find it more simple, beautiful and fulfilling than a Latin High Mass. I suppose that makes me some kind of sinner in your eyes. Seems to me you are worshipping the Latin, not God. The Latin Mass appears to mean more to you than God Himself.

You are deluding yourself, my friend.

 

[JRKH]

bkovacs and others here who do not currently attend mass due to the OF EF issue.

I would like to call your attention to today’s Gospel reading:

Matthew 18: 15 - 20
**15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. **
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Please remember that we, as fellow catholics, see your sin and are, in christian charity, following Christ’s directive above and telling you. We do not act from malice or from selfish motives but for the good of your souls.
We have pointed your error out to you thus fulfilling parts one and two above. We then point to the Church’s teachings on these matters and say that the Church has ruled that you must make your Sunday obligation at a mass valid mass as defined by Holy Mother Church. That includes both the OF and the EF. If you continue to refuse to listen, “Even to the Church”, you imperil your immortal soul.
I say this in All Christian Love. Do not allow differences in opinion over practices to cause irrepairable damage to your soul through the sin of Pride and seperation from Christ’s body.

Peace
James

 

[Lainey63]

My response to the OP…sounds like your friends are Sede Vacanists. I know a very good friend of mine became one and they have a similar set up and the priest goes to her house & says mass on a few occasions.

All these people who think its ok to not attend mass, and not accept the legitmacey of the Holy Father…need prayers. It just amazes me. But oh yea it’s everyone elses fault. Just another brand of caferteria catholics…but then again if by word or deed they can’t accept the legitmacy of the Holy Father then really they are not catholics then are they?

 

[mullenpm]

bkovacs, you don’t have a clue about what goes on at a Pauline Mass. And, I’ll bet you are not even of an age where you remember the Mass before VII; whereas, I am.

There are no guitars at my church nor are there altar girls. I receive the Holy Eucharist on my tongue.

Your reasons are purely a rationalization for not wanting to get yourself out of your bed on a Sunday morning to attend Mass. And, you are endangering your immortal soul.

You will be in my prayers as will the the family the OP mentioned.