Posted on 01/07/2017 10:00:31 AM PST by Salvation
Msgr. Charles Pope 1/4/2017
Question: I am 87 years old, live in a retirement community and can no longer drive. I attend the Mass that is offered here once a month and receive holy Communion when it is distributed each week by extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. I watch Mass on TV. But someone told me that I am not meeting my obligation to go to Mass by watching it on TV. They say it doesn’t count. Is this true?— Louise Rutherford, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Answer: Given your age and mobility issues, the general norms and rules do not apply. However, let’s review the general norms and then look to your situation.
To say that a Mass “counts” implies that one meets an obligation by attending it. As a general rule, Catholics are obliged to attend Mass each Sunday. This is in fulfillment of the Second Commandment. Simply watching Mass on TV does not fulfill the obligation. A Catholic who can reasonably do so must attend Mass at a parish church or oratory.
However, these general norms do not always apply. For example, severe weather may lessen or cancel the obligation to attend Mass at church. Likewise, poor health or the care of the sick, or some other acute and serious obligation can excuse one from the requirement to attend Mass.
In your case, given the difficulties that age has brought, it is hard to argue that you have any obligation to attend Mass. Rather, the Church has obligations to you to ensure you receive the sacraments regularly.
As for watching Mass on TV, you are encouraged to do so. You hear the prayers and the readings and likely a short sermon. All this is good even if it is not the same as actually attending a Mass. It doesn’t have to “count” since you don’t have an obligation to meet in the first place.
So be encouraged. Thank you for staying united in prayer with the Church through the TV Mass and receiving Holy Communion when it is offered in your community.
My church has a crew of about 20 lay members who take the Holy Eucharist to the infirm.
That is probably quite true for every Catholic parish although the number of ministers may not be so large.
As a courtesy to the shut-ins?
Correct, I bring communion to a group of elderly at an assisted living facility every week. It is a joyful experience that I look forward too, and Jesus gets to ride on my motorcycle on the way over. I learned quickly though that I have pay close attention to them to ensure that they actually consume the Host, as some of them are just barely able to function. I have had to bring back Hosts that have been spit out. I am supposed to consume any extras but in that case....ahem....no way.
Some of the people have told me that they break off a small piece of the host for those people. Are you allowed to do that?
As pointed out in the article, it’s a good service for those who are unable to get to a church.
Yes, we can break the Host if there are not a sufficient amount (the number of people varies from week to week) or in cases where it appears the recipient would not be able to handle an entire Host. And that is what I do, now that I have some experience. Last week I gave a woman in hospice just a tiny fraction because she was in such pain after receiving a shot of some sort.
I don’t know aCatholic priest that doesn’t homes,hospitals and nursing homes.
Because it still has worth for the soul. You hear the readings from the Bible, the prayers, the consecration. If you are actively watching and listening you are saying the prayers and are participating, what could be wrong with it?
It doesn’t replace your obligation to attend Mass if you are able but the Mass is the most beautiful prayer to God. If you aren’t able to attend Mass it prepares you to receive the Eucharist when someone brings it to you and you can always pray for spiritual communion.
Thank you for posting this. I have the same situation. 73 and no longer driving, living independently, pretty much a shut in and no family to help me. Thank God for the internet and EWTN! It is not really the same as being as being at Mass in person but very very happy to have it.
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