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Dear Fr. Timothy Johnson
I have done a lot of research and have been unable to find an answer to my question. I was hoping you could help.
I am a little more than 2 months pregnant. Lately, I have been finding it very difficult to be in Mass. I cannot stand or kneel without feeling sick and as though I'm about to Pass out. Ususally, by about half way through mass, I feel this way even when sitting and I've had to leave early tiwice. I also have 2 year old and 6 year old boys. My two year old needs to be held all through mass or he tries to escape. Lately, my husband has been holding him during mass, but he is in the Army, and left for Lithuania today. Our church does not offer childcare. I did not attend Mass today. I really did not feel that I could hold my son all through Mass, let alone be able to stay in the building. I feel VERY guilty for not going. My mother (also catholic) says it's a just reason for not attending Mass.
I wanted to know, given my circumstances, Is it a sin for me to not attend Mass until my husband returns and can help me with our children? Thank you very much.
Hi, Liz:
Thanks for the question.
Let's be clear that there ARE legitimate excuses for not being able to attend Mass due to illness... and it sounds like your health and hardships at present, as you describe them, are quite serious.
I would encourage you to look into realistic ways to satsify your hunger and devotion for the Holy Eucharist within your current circumstances. The reason I encourage this is because a prolonged period of absence from the Eucharist in the life of a Catholic can be harmful spiritually.
One way to be present to the spirit of the Mass, even when you cannot attend in person on a SUN or Holy Day, is to take some time to read thru the Scriptural Readings for the Day along with some sort of devotional commentary; or, if possible, you might watch a celebration of Mass on TV. Then you offer the LORD your desire to be actually present at Mass if it were possible (but sadly is not at present), and then you make a "Spiritual Communion", in which you express your desire to receive Holy Communion, and foster the dispositions that you would have if you were able to receive.
You might even see about having Communion brought to you at home, or given to you by the Priest at church, if it is possible to stop by for a short 5 to 10 minutes, since you cannot sit through the celebration of the Mass itself.
Maybe you could arrange on occasion (maybe at least once per month) to have a friend or relative watch your boy, so that you can make the attempt to be present for the entire celebration of Mass...
So, yes - I believe you have reasonable excuses at this time to be absent from Mass; but you always have the obligation to pray and foster your devotion to and relationship with God in the best way you can in those circumstances.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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