TV Mass

[JugglingReferee]

Hi,

In the Ask an Apologist section, there is a question that asks if watching a TV Mass fills a day of obligation. While I know the answer, and the answer provided is also worthy of at least a smile, I did wonder about some cases.

IIRC, once in 2006 and so far once in 2007 I did miss Mass due to illness. Just a few Sundays ago (during Lent) I had both headaches and an upset stomach. I was very uncomfortable and stayed in bed for most of the morning, and in the afternoon, I probably watched some sports.

I made the conscious decision to not attend Mass and watch a TV Mass instead. My concerns were interrupting the Mass as I was just getting over a cold, and was coughing and sneezing heavily on Friday and Saturday. While it came to be that I rarely coughed or sneezed on Sunday, I didn’t want to chance it.

I still feel that I made the correct decision. What are the general thoughts about cases where illness is involved?

(Some of my background: I’m a fit and generally healthy single 34-year old male.)

 

[kleary]

Hi,

In the Ask an Apologist section, there is a question that asks if watching a TV Mass fills a day of obligation. While I know the answer, and the answer provided is also worthy of at least a smile, I did wonder about some cases.

IIRC, once in 2006 and so far once in 2007 I did miss Mass due to illness. Just a few Sundays ago (during Lent) I had both headaches and an upset stomach. I was very uncomfortable and stayed in bed for most of the morning, and in the afternoon, I probably watched some sports.

I made the conscious decision to not attend Mass and watch a TV Mass instead. My concerns were interrupting the Mass as I was just getting over a cold, and was coughing and sneezing heavily on Friday and Saturday. While it came to be that I rarely coughed or sneezed on Sunday, I didn’t want to chance it.

I still feel that I made the correct decision. What are the general thoughts about cases where illness is involved?

(Some of my background: I’m a fit and generally healthy single 34-year old male.)

It has nothing to do with Mass on TV or the radio. It is a matter of whether or not you could attend Mass or not.

If your conscience is bothering you, on missing Mass due to your illness…just go to confession.

I would ask you this- if you were scheduled to go into work on that Sunday, would you have gone? If your answer is yes then no wonder your conscience is bothering you.

Ken