[RexBeach]

Hmmmm. I am quite Catholic. I am also a lector at mass. It is news to me that not attending mass regularly is a "mortal sin". I understand that every Sunday is a day of holy obligation - meaning that Catholics are required to attend mass regularly. Can any fellow Freeper comment on this? Is it a mortal sin not to attend mass regularly?

However, no surprise that CINOs(Catholics In Name Only) support Mr. Kerry.

[Piers-the-Ploughman]

good grief, yes it is mortal sin, although I suppose guilt can be mitigated by various factors, and the obligation doesn't bind the elderly or otherwise infirm. But just to say, I am tired, I'd rather go to a ball game, I went last week, that attitude shows a profound lack of faith and charity towards our Creator. Church is not "a club for adults ", it's not the Rotary, etc. If you are healthy enough to go, praise God in His house. If you love Him, there should be nothing to debate. See Commandment #3: Remember the Sabbath Day, Keep it holy...

[Last Dakotan]

It is news to me that not attending mass regularly is a "mortal sin".

Wow, yes to answer your question. Missing any Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation is a mortal sin. However it is easily rectified by the sacrament of confession. (I know been there, done that.)

[MassRepublican]

From the Catholic Catechism:
1389
The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season.224 But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm
-
"obliges" is the word in question. As a child, pre-Vatican, we were taught that disregarding this obligation was a Mortal Sin - but I have a hard time with that one. I think it is more your attitude that would cut you off from God.

[Coleus]

It's a mortal sin to miss mass and holy days of obligation violating the 3rd Commandment. You need a really good excuse to not miss mass and not sin, i.e. being sick or taking care of a sick child/realative, you get a flat tire on the way, you render first aid to someone in a car accident on the way to mass . If you plan to miss mass it's a mortal sin.

Why is missing Sunday Mass a Sin?
Deliberately missing Mass on a Sunday or Holy day is a mortal sin because it disobeys the Third Commandment. "See that you keep my sabbath because it is a sign between you and me and your generation, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctify you" (Deut.5:12) It is not a 'meaningless rule imposed by the Catholic Church' it is a Commandment of God.

The Third Commandment (not, as has been pointed out by numerous commentators, the third 'recommendation or request') establishes the Sabbath as a day of rest and devotion to the Lord. This observance has been made since the earliest days of Jewish history, and is amplified in Christian tradition with the sacrifice of Mass, the unbloody reenactment of the crucifixtion.

Catholic or not, all Christians have an obligation to observe the Sabbath by attending Sunday Services, and avoiding unnecessary work. Not shopping, or mowing the lawn, or cleaning the car, or doing overtime.

Who Says So?
In addition to the Book of Deuteronomy, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

"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. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin."

Also, the 'Code of Canon Law' which is the collection of 'rules' of the Church, states:

"1246: The Lord's Day, on which the paschal mystery is celebrated, is by apostolic tradition to be observed in the universal Church as the primary holy day of obligation. In the same way the following holydays are to be observed: the nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (December 25), the Epiphany (January 6), the Ascension of Christ (40 Days after Easter), the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (June , the feast of Mary the Mother of God (January 1), her Immaculate Conception (December 8), her Assumption (August 15), the feast of Saint Joseph (May 1), the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul (November 18) and the feast of All Saint's (November 1).

"1247: On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist [attend] at Mass. they are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body."

When is it Not a Sin?
Missing mass is not a sin if it is obviously impossible to attend Mass. This is not because there is a list of acceptable 'excuses' but because missing Mass in those circumstances isn't a deliberate disobedience of the commandment of God.

Illness, dangerous weather, lack of a priest or Church within reasonable distance (I would suggest an hour's travel time is a reasonable distance), small infants, the necessity to stay with a sick relative and no-one to relieve you for an hour or two, and shift work can all cause you - through no action or inaction of your own - to miss Mass.

2177 The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life. "Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church."110

"Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension of Christ, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christi, the feast of Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, the feast of Saint Joseph, the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints."111

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."117 "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."118

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.119 Those 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."120

[old and tired]

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the Catechism. Perhaps your pastor would be willing to buy a copy for all his lectors and Extraordinary Ministers.

$8.99 at Amazon.com

I'd also suggest reading up on the Church fathers and the saints. Involved, faithful Catholics have a special obligation to be well versed in the Faith.

AMDG

[mtntop3]

' Can any fellow Freeper comment on this? Is it a mortal sin not to attend mass regularly? '

'Tis best to ask the powers above on this - and they have long ago supplied the answer. We need only to not close our hearts. If you do not affirm the Apostle's Creed regularly (at least once a week); do not Confess to the Lord regularly; do not say the Lord's Prayer regularly; and do not take Holy Communion regularly - do you not feel, well, a bit unright??

[NYer]

Can any fellow Freeper comment on this? Is it a mortal sin not to attend mass regularly?

Yes! And .... just in case you some other aspects of the catholic faith slipped through, here is a truly worthwhile link to visit:
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[Revenge of Sith]

I know many priests who say that mortal sins are extremely rare and that in all their years as priests, they never heard anybody confess a mortal sin. For a sin to be mortal, the sinner has to deliberately try to offend God.

[Eternally-Optimistic]

yes it is a mortal sin to miss Sunday Mass.

You must go to confession and confess this sin before receiving Holy Communion now that you have asked and know this to be a mortal sin.

Please get a copy of the Catechism and study the beautiful religion that Jesus has given us. There are reasons for everything.

[potlatch]

It has ALWAYS been a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday and days of Holy Obligation, always! You can't receive Communion till you go to confession.