Which rules to follow?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FCS
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

FCS

Guest
If I were traveling, would I follow my own Diocese’s rules or the Diocese’s rules that I am traveling in.

Ex-The Diocese I am traveling to permits Saturday morning Mass in place of Sunday Mass or 5:00 Saturday Mass. This is because there are very few Catholics in the area so there is only 1 priest in the area. Also, the travel distances between towns are 45 minutes or more, making it next to imposible for priests to only do Masses on Saturday evening or Sunday.

If I went to the Saturday morning Mass, and not in the evening or on Sunday, would that be enough to fulfill the obligation?
 
Last edited:
I’ve always heard that you go by the rules of the local diocese. The example I’m familiar with is pertaining to Holy Days of Obligation, ie of my home parish considers the Ascension as a holy day of obligation, but I’m in an area that observes it that Sunday, then I am allowed to wait until Sunday.

Me personally though, I attempt to follow my home diocese of at all possible
 
How is this thread different from this one you also started?
40.png
Saturday Mass While Traveling? Moral Theology
This particular place I am staying is rural and has a shortage of priests, so the local Bishop has allowed the Church in the closest town to have Sunday Mass on Saturday morning. Since I am not a permanent resident in this Diocese, can I still attend the Saturday Mass instead of the Sunday Mass (which is held in a town farther away)? Also, on a completely unrelated note, if you are traveling on a Sunday, is it okay to attend Saturday Mass instead of Sunday Mass?
 
I have never been able to go to Mass when I have visited granny. The closest I got was that there was Mass in the same town while we were going to her funeral and get together after. There was Mass in the next town on the Sunday but as I had to rely on public transportation I would have arrived about 4 hours after Mass started. Or travelled 200-400 km to other towns and not gotten there on time either.

A Saturday Mass is better than no Mass at all. You are not obliged to do the impossible.
 
If you are not able to go to Mass then read the Sunday readings and pray instead.
 
Thanks! The Saturday morning Mass has the same readings as the Sunday Mass would-It is the same as a Sunday Mass
 
If I were traveling, would I follow my own Diocese’s rules or the Diocese’s rules that I am traveling in.
Neither.

Canon 13, s. 2, ss. 1 relieves travelers of the obligations particular to their home diocese.
Canon 13, s. 2, ss. 2 relieves travelers of the obligations particular to the territory in which they travel.

In short, travelers are relieved of obligations that are particular to their home or the place in which they are traveling.
 
@FCS:
  1. You’ve been given the correct answer above - Canon Law relieves travelers of obligations that can’t be reasonably and easily fulfilled.
  2. It’s against forum rules to open repeat threads on the same topic.
  3. Readings do not matter for fulfilling obligation of Mass attendance.
  4. Haven’t you shared before that you’re a bit on the scrupulous side? You’re well advised to STOP asking these questions if that’s the case and only take them up with your priest. The internet will only exacerbate the condition. Furthermore, scruples or not, only your pastor could dispense you of your obligation if that was needed, not us. We don’t know what’s acceptable in your precise circumstances; we only know Canon Law and the Church’s teachings — and at that, most of us aren’t experts and could still give you misguided information.
 
Neither.

Canon 13, s. 2, ss. 1 relieves travelers of the obligations particular to their home diocese.
Canon 13, s. 2, ss. 2 relieves travelers of the obligations particular to the territory in which they travel.

In short, travelers are relieved of obligations that are particular to their home or the place in which they are traveling.
Since we’re talking about a Sunday obligation I don’t think those canons would apply in the specific example.

However it is the correct answer for the general situation.
 
40.png
porthos11:
Neither.

Canon 13, s. 2, ss. 1 relieves travelers of the obligations particular to their home diocese.
Canon 13, s. 2, ss. 2 relieves travelers of the obligations particular to the territory in which they travel.

In short, travelers are relieved of obligations that are particular to their home or the place in which they are traveling.
Since we’re talking about a Sunday obligation I don’t think those canons would apply in the specific example.

However it is the correct answer for the general situation.
Yes, another principle applies here.

“No one is bound to the impossible.”

It is baffling how this very simple and common principle is so forgotten on these forums, populated by people who seem intent on increasing burdens where the Church, as a general principle, relieves them. Just to be clear, this is not a reference to you.

Or, put simply, because the place he’s traveling to has no Mass on Sunday or Saturday evening, there is no obligation. The Saturday morning Mass is a convenience, and if for some odd reason the people of that diocese are bound to it for their obligation (and I seriously doubt that), then for the OP, it is particular law for that diocese/parish and CIC 13.2.2 applies.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top