Expert: Griff Ruby - 12/17/2007

Question
Dear Griff,

                     I am going to be 22 years old in the next three months on March the day after Easter. The cool thing is I am going to have both an easter celebration and 22nd birthday party as well on Sunday. That is cool. Griff my question is I have been hit last month in the beginning of November with Chronic bronchitis and now I have Sinus infection/cold. I have been sick for almost two months and my friend Rosetta she is Italian from the actual country Italy she grew up there she is in her late to early 60s and 70s she is a beautiful religious and spirit filled Godly catholic woman that I can feel God in her when I talk to her she happened to call me last night and we just talked over the phone for an hour about how wonderful God is and her family and my family we just laughed she is optimistic all the time we met at church and after that we stuck being friends.

We been wondering is it a venial sin if we missed mass for almost two months because of being sick very sick? My friend and I were finally healing from that awful bronchitis we had it really bad I wanted to go to church but I didnt want to get the parish sick. Same for my friend Rosetta. Also I want to get back in health and in shape I and my mom are going to start off the year right. I was also wondering I am Catholic, and observing catholic modesty is not easy when most long skirts available in the US today are slit to above the knee like past the knee and when you sit down it goes up were you can see the thigh that to me is yuk I dont like that I feel uncomfortable when I see stuff like that even translucent shirts or skirts even skirts that show the stomach too much.  

I want them to feel comfortable in modest clothing and uncomfortable in clothing that is pleasing to the lord not to man,I have a mission from the blessed Mother and she told me If we are seeking to rebuild Catholic culture, it begins in the smallest of things. Like the proper dress and wearing veils ever since the vatican II came about it ruined the structure of the catholic church.-Our Lady

And she said to me hoping that women and girls will dress in only womens appearal and not in men apperal.I just want to please God so when he returns one day I dont want him to find out my faith is lost I still have my candle light sort of speak. Rosetta is very Religious and she gives me that catholic spirit and umfs that I just need I am glad she is my friend she is such a Godly Christian woman you can feel the Holy spirit when you talk to her. She even goes and brings communion to those people that are sick in bed and I went with her the last time and boy was it fun. We prayed and I did a healing like Christ did in his day I had a blast. I almost for got to mention too Our holy mother of Jesus said Certain fashions will be introduced which will offend Our Lord very much.......It is starting to happen now. Fight and we can win go to the biggest fashion industries and tell them you dislike there styles and how it portrays immodesty and that its offending our lord.

Merry Christmas!~  

Answer
Missing Mass is either a mortal sin (if the reason (if any) is insufficient) or no sin at all.  When unable to attend, one can pray at home the prayers of the Mass (you won't consecrate as a priest at Mass would, but you can unite your prayers with his in spirit and make a "spiritual communion."
See the following for exact instructions as to what to do at home when attendance at Mass is not possible:
http://www.traditio.com/tradlib/absent.txt