Is It A Sin To Miss Mass?

[rhetoricfemme]

Is it?

We're supposed to be going to on a camping trip next month, and we're supposed to be there for at least one of the two weeks that it runs for. It's a family reunion camping trip, and for the first time in years my husband's entire family is going to be there. I don't think he's even been on this annual camping trip since back when we were dating, so I know how much it means to him for me to be there. I'm pretty sure there isn't a church anywhere near where we're camping.

So that's my question, and there's the predicament.

Edited June 1, 2011 by rhetoricfemme

[Nihil Obstat]

You could ask your local pastor for a dispensation from Mass for those one or two Sundays. In normal circumstances it is considered a mortal sin, assuming that full knowledge and deliberate consent is present. We are obligated to participate in the Holy Mass every Sunday.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' timestamp='1306955344' post='2248807']
Is it?

We're supposed to be going to on a camping trip next month, and we're supposed to be there for at least one of the two weeks that it runs for. It's a family reunion camping trip, and for the first time in years my husband's entire family is going to be there. I don't think he's even been on this annual camping trip since back when we were dating, so I know how much it means to him for me to be there. I'm pretty sure there isn't a church anywhere near where we're camping.

So that's my question, and there's the predicament.
[/quote]

I've read several of the replies over at Catholic Answers Forum by the Apologists and all of them say that if you make a determined effort to find a Church near your vacation plans and you cannot find one, then you are not in mortal sin. However, if you simply choose not to go because it is too much work, then, yes, it is a sin to miss Mass. Our plans should always have Christ at the top of our list.

[IcePrincessKRS]

masstimes.org <<<<I use that whenever we travel. See if there is anything nearby. In the event that there isn't, take Nihil's suggestion and see what your pastor says.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' timestamp='1306955344' post='2248807']
Is it?

We're supposed to be going to on a camping trip next month, and we're supposed to be there for at least one of the two weeks that it runs for. It's a family reunion camping trip, and for the first time in years my husband's entire family is going to be there. I don't think he's even been on this annual camping trip since back when we were dating, so I know how much it means to him for me to be there. [b] I'm pretty sure there isn't a church anywhere near where we're camping.[/b]

So that's my question, and there's the predicament.
[/quote]

Actually, you'd be surprised. There are monasteries--mostly Benedictine--located in areas suitable for outdoors like hiking and stuff. If you want to tell me the whereabouts of your vacation (just a general locale), I will do some internet searching and see if I can find one for you. If you want to PM me, that's fine too.

[CatherineM]

I got dispensations for long backpacking trips. I also took a small radio with me that had some shortwave bands on it so I could listen to the EWTN mass. They don't broadcast that anymore because of the internet.

[The Shover Robot]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1306966309' post='2248934']
I got dispensations for long backpacking trips. I also took a small radio with me that had some shortwave bands on it so I could listen to the EWTN mass. They don't broadcast that anymore because of the internet.
[/quote]

Stupid internet.

[FaithAndReason21]

Don't forget Googlemaps either. You might be able to find a local parish that way too.

[Ed Normile]

Come on, there is always a Catholic mass nearby.

ed

[havok579257]

masstimes . org is a great site.

with as many catholic churches there are in the world it really should not be a problem to find a church. you may have to drive an hour on sunday to the church and then back but really, to be with the Lord, is that not do able? if your going on this camping trip for 2 weeks, then it should be no problem to leave for a short period of time. its not like it would be everyday, its only on sunday. like nihil said, in normal circumstances it is a mortal sin to miss mass unless you get a disposition from your parish priest or if there is not a church anywhere even close to where your going to be at. although like other have said, they would be more than happy to help you find a church or somewhere mass is preformed nearby.

[Norseman82]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' timestamp='1306955344' post='2248807']
Is it?

We're supposed to be going to on a camping trip next month, and we're supposed to be there for at least one of the two weeks that it runs for. It's a family reunion camping trip, and for the first time in years my husband's entire family is going to be there. I don't think he's even been on this annual camping trip since back when we were dating, so I know how much it means to him for me to be there. I'm pretty sure there isn't a church anywhere near where we're camping.

So that's my question, and there's the predicament.
[/quote]

Is your husband's family Catholic?

If not, can you "sneak away" for a while on a Sunday to attend Mass? Can you arrange your time there so that you're there Monday-Saturday?

My personal thought is that Mass is more important than vacation, so vacations should be arranged around the Mass schedule.

[Lilllabettt]

Just ask the your priest to dispense you. If it's wrong to do, he won't do it. But chances are he will. It's easy, legit and solves the problem.

[havok579257]

[quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1307202726' post='2249884']
Is your husband's family Catholic?

If not, can you "sneak away" for a while on a Sunday to attend Mass? Can you arrange your time there so that you're there Monday-Saturday?

My personal thought is that Mass is more important than vacation, so vacations should be arranged around the Mass schedule.
[/quote]


i agree.

[das8949]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1306955565' post='2248816']
You could ask your local pastor for a dispensation from Mass for those one or two Sundays. In normal circumstances it is considered a mortal sin, assuming that full knowledge and deliberate consent is present. We are obligated to participate in the Holy Mass every Sunday.
[/quote]


Wow, it is a mortal sin not venial??? That poses another question. If someone has mortal sins on their soul and they participate in Adoration usually alone - re they leaving Jesus unprotected. I think I am asking if in order to be in the prescense of Jesus do you need to have a cleal soul?

[Lil Red]

some of you people have not ever been camping/hiking, or must think that every state has conveniently placed towns with Catholic churches in them. lulz......

[MithLuin]

While it is possible that this campsite is too remote to make attending mass feasible, it is also a legitimate question to ask...have you tried to find a local mass? Some national parks out in the middle of nowhere (I'm thinking Bryce Canyon) offer Sunday mass in the summer time for the tourists. So, while, yes, there's not always a town with a Catholic church conveniently 10-15 min from your campground, there is a good chance that there is a mass [i]somewhere[/i] nearby.

If not, then ask your pastor for a dispensation.

It's hit or miss when you're traveling. You might have the name of the church and the mass times and even directions...but you won't always be able to find it. Or mass might be randomly rescheduled/cancelled. There have been multiple times when my family has made a good faith effort to attend mass while camping/vacationing that didn't pan out. That's not a mortal sin.

Going on a vacation and not trying to find the mass though? That's a problem.

Edited June 4, 2011 by MithLuin

[Lil Red]

[quote name='MithLuin' timestamp='1307214429' post='2249942']
It's hit or miss when you're traveling. You might have the name of the church and the mass times and even directions...but you won't always be able to find it. Or mass might be randomly rescheduled/cancelled. There have been multiple times when my family has made a good faith effort to attend mass while camping/vacationing that didn't pan out. That's not a mortal sin.
[/quote]
yeah, it's always a good idea to try to call the church to make sure Mass is happening when the website said it was going to.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='DarleneSteinemann' timestamp='1307211973' post='2249924']
I think I am asking if in order to be in the prescense of Jesus do you need to have a cleal soul?
[/quote]
I would venture no, since we know that it is okay to attend mass, i.e., be in the presence of Jesus, when not in a state of grace (so long as one does not receive), so it should follow that it would be okay to attend Adoration while not in a state of grace.

[havok579257]

[quote name='DarleneSteinemann' timestamp='1307211973' post='2249924']
Wow, it is a mortal sin not venial??? That poses another question. If someone has mortal sins on their soul and they participate in Adoration usually alone - re they leaving Jesus unprotected. I think I am asking if in order to be in the prescense of Jesus do you need to have a cleal soul?
[/quote]


its a mortal sin because it goes against one of the ten commandments. keep the Lord's day. plus look at it this way. the bare minimum is going to mass on sundays. mass is 1 hour on sundays. there are 168 hours in a week. if we are missing mass for a reason that is not excused by the church in the ccc, we are basically telling God that we could not even spare 1 hour out of 168 hours. God gives to us every second of everyday yet we can not even spare 1 hour out of 168 a week.

[rhetoricfemme]

Thanks for answers, everyone, I really appreciate it!

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' timestamp='1306957838' post='2248877']
masstimes.org <<<<I use that whenever we travel. See if there is anything nearby. In the event that there isn't, take Nihil's suggestion and see what your pastor says.
[/quote]
You rule. We're camping in Manistee National Forest, and there's actually a Catholic church quite close by. Got lucky, I guess!

[quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1307202726' post='2249884']
Is your husband's family Catholic?

If not, can you "sneak away" for a while on a Sunday to attend Mass? Can you arrange your time there so that you're there Monday-Saturday?

My personal thought is that Mass is more important than vacation, so vacations should be arranged around the Mass schedule.
[/quote]
Yeah... Not really. They're of various Protestant varieties, although I think one cousin might be Catholic. Most would probably have no problem, but depending on who I'm talking to, someone might either try to "talk me out of it," of just flat out rant about why they don't like the Church. "Sneaking" off isn't really an option, as they insist on doing things as a giant group. I can flat out tell them that I am going, though, and that shouldn't be a problem. Not to mention I've got two small children. Folks would notice if I snuck away, lol.

Honestly... I could be an atheist, know there was a church nearby, and I'd go to the longest service available just to have a reason to excuse myself from their company. But that's neither here nor there...