What do I do when I get sick at Mass?

[redman]

I have chemical intolerance and lately it has become very difficult. I cannot be around any perfumes, cosmetic products, etc., without becoming quite sick. My problem is that I really want to attend the Mass, but each of our parishes is always quite full of people wearing very strong scents of one kind or another. I am getting worse and am told that the more I expose myself to these chemicals, the worse it will keep getting. And in fact, I am getting more intolerant to chemicals every week. The parish bulletins each have announcements asking people to refrain from using these products when coming to Mass, but these go largely unheeded or just plain unheard or unread by people. What should I do?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

As sympathetic as I am to your problem of not being able to attend Mass due to your illness, it is unreasonable to expect people to avoid any use of perfumes and cosmetics because someone might possibly have a rare chemical intolerance that causes him to become ill from the ordinary use others make of commonly used hygiene products. That the parishes in your area have made announcements that people should stop using perfume and make-up when attending Mass may be well-intentioned but it is an unreasonable infringement on the personal freedom of the vast majority for a few here and there who might be affected (and not all of whom will necessarily be affected to the degree that you are).

Rather, those who suffer from such allergies or chemical intolerances that make it impossible for them to attend events in which they will be confined in close quarters with others should understand that their illnesses mean that they will have to curtail their attendance at such events. In your case, that will mean that you won’t be able to attend Mass, except perhaps on rare occasions such as when there is a Mass offered in a home or in a small chapel with few others. Rest assured that your medical condition constitutes just reason to not attend Mass on Sundays and holy days.

This doesn’t mean that you cannot receive the sacraments. An EMHC can bring you Communion, and you might still be able to go to church for confession. If not, you can make an appointment for confession either in the priest’s office or in your home. Although a televised Mass does not fulfill a Sunday/holy day obligation, watching one on Sundays and holy days might allow you to participate in the Mass in some way. No doubt such restrictions on your ability to attend Mass are incredibly difficult and painful for you and for your family. Perhaps you might offer up such suffering in union with Christ’s cross in reparation for the sins committed by those who disregard their Sunday/holy day obligations and for the conversion of those who take for granted the ability to attend Mass.