On Missing Mass

[kern]

This is a multifaceted question, so bear with me.

Every year my father and I go on a bicycle trip with some people from the Presbyterian church I used to go to (including the minister and a few other ministers from the area).  The trip this year would be my 8th trip and is to Montana, sounds like a lot of fun.  However, going on the trip would mean that I would almost certainly miss one Sunday mass, and possibly two (I'll be back Aug. 14 so I would not miss the Assumption mass).  Does this mean that I cannot go on the trip, because it would cause me to miss a mass?

What if there was only a possibility that I would miss the masses rather than a certainty?  Would I still be obligated to stay home because the chance existed that I might miss the Mass?  How high does the chance have to be?

-Chris

 

[pax]

Here's the Catechism

 

The Sunday obligation

 

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass." "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.hose who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

2182 Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2183 "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."

 

I would advise you to talk to a priest.  He would be able to give you all the answers, and if he deems it necessary could give you a dispensation from your Sunday obligation.

 

[jukesk9]

Surely there's a church in the area where mass is celebrated....but hey, I think most of us have missed mass for a vacation once or twice.

 

[KC Catholic]

Originally posted by kern
This is a multifaceted question, so bear with me.

Every year my father and I go on a bicycle trip with some people from the Presbyterian church I used to go to (including the minister and a few other ministers from the area).  The trip this year would be my 8th trip and is to Montana, sounds like a lot of fun.  However, going on the trip would mean that I would almost certainly miss one Sunday mass, and possibly two (I'll be back Aug. 14 so I would not miss the Assumption mass).  Does this mean that I cannot go on the trip, because it would cause me to miss a mass?

What if there was only a possibility that I would miss the masses rather than a certainty?  Would I still be obligated to stay home because the chance existed that I might miss the Mass?  How high does the chance have to be?

-Chris

Hey, check out this: http://www.masstimes.org/

Mass Times for every location in the country. It could be possible for you to locate a Mass along your path. Go to the link and pick your location.

 

Good luck.

 

 

[LilyLamb]

I was wondering why you couldn't just attend Mass at another church in the area where you will be going?? 

 

Take God with you when you go on vacation

 

 

 

[Kotton]

Originally posted by KC Catholic

Mass Times for every location in the country. It could be possible for you to locate a Mass along your path. Go to the link and pick your location.
 

Just the same thing that came to my mind. I'd have posted the link if you hadn't, K C.  THANKS.  

Kotton 

p.s. We have it on our 'favorites' list.

 

[KC Catholic]

Originally posted by Kotton


Just the same thing that came to my mind. I'd have posted the link if you hadn't, K C.  THANKS.  

Kotton 

p.s. We have it on our 'favorites' list.

 

Great minds think alike!

KERN - Don't miss mass!

 

[kern]

The reason would be that I can't hold up the whole trip while I attend mass. Usually we leave as early as 7:00 am every day of the trip except the day off (which is not guaranteed to be on a Sunday despite all the ministers on the trip )

-Chris

 

[KC Catholic]

At least check the times....you never know when there will be a break or when someone decides they were a bit more ambitious than expected.

Never know...if its important to you it should be important to them, especially being men of God. You could be the example they all follow.

 

[kern]

Hmmm...well, they are all Protestants so they have no obligation. I know that if the day off falls on a Sunday they do go to church (we spend the night in churches as we go so it's very convenient ) We also do a service at the end (which would be the second hurdle of this trip since it's a protestant communion), and there's a lot of praying.

But I may have to miss the trip for other reasons so this may not be an issue.

-Chris